Gifts Under $40 for Hikers, Backpackers, and Campers
Looking for low cost and useful gifts for outdoor adventurers? I curated this holiday gift list from gear that I regularly use to stay dry, warm, clean, and organized while camping and backpacking.
Lightload Towels
backpacking, camping | $8.99 | Lightweight towels are super useful on outdoor adventures for everything from drying dishes, to washing your body, to wiping down wet gear. These reusable ultralight towels pack down small, weigh next to nothing (0.7 oz. on my scale), are super absorbent, and dry much faster than other pack towels or bandanas. I like to use them instead of baby wipes for staying clean on backpacking and camping trips. I recommend washing before using since they soften considerably after washing.
Trailheads winter trucker hat
hiking | $34.00 | This trucker hat combines the warmth of a beanie and the protection of a wide brim into one hat. The front is made of wool plaid, and the rest of the hat is thick fleece, perfect for staying warm while keeping the sun and rain out of your eyes.
Six Moon Designs packing pods
backpacking, camping | $35.00 (set of 3) | I use these packing pods to make it easier to load my backpack, and to keep my gear organized in my tent. The pods are sized to stack vertically in a backpack, and the zipper openings make it easy to access gear at camp. I use one to hold all of my clothing items, one for my sleeping pad and pillow, and one to hold all of my random essentials.
View on Six Moon Designs website
Flextail Gear Tiny Pump X
backpacking, camping | $29.98 | I didn’t think I’d ever use a pump for blowing up my air mattress on backpacking trips, but this rechargeable pump is also a lantern and it only weighs 3 ounces. The pump comes with adapters to fit many types of air mattress valves, and the lantern has three settings: 400 lumens, 160 lumens, and 40 lumens. The 40 lumens setting lasts for up to 10 hours, perfect for lighting in a tent at night.
Reliance Aquatainer 4-gallon water container
camping | $17.95 | Water is a necessity while camping, and this container is easy to fill and use, and it doesn’t leak while I’m driving. Also good for filling water bottles and washing hands on long car rides, I take this water container every time I go camping or hiking.
Humangear GoTubb small containers
backpacking | $7.95 (set of 3) | Instead of taking larger (and heavier) containers for various lotions on backpacking trips, these tiny tubs allow me to bring them all while taking up a small amount of space in my toiletries kit. I use these to hold sunscreen, body lotion, chafing lotion, and insect repellent. They are small enough to fit in hip belt pockets on backpacks, handy for accessing when you need them most.
UST sink
camping | $19.95 | Washing dishes at camp is much easier when using a sink made for the job. This 14-liter sink is collapsible so it doesn’t take up a load of space in your camp bins, and the handles make it easy to carry while filling and emptying the sink.
Nalgene containers
backpacking, camping | $1.50-3.45 | These tiny bottles are extremely useful for camping and backpacking. I use them to bring liquids like cooking oils and sauces on backpacking trips without fear of leaking in my backpack. And for camping, they allow me to bring lots of condiments without taking up too much space in my camp bin.
Therm-a-Rest Compressible Pillows
camping | $24.95-29.95 | These compressible pillows are the most comfortable pillows I’ve ever used for camping. They are fluffy but don’t flatten out like others, and they provide plenty of support – the closest feeling to sleeping at home. Shown above are the medium and small size. These pillows are machine washable.
Kula Cloth
backpacking, hiking | $21.99 | The Kula Cloth is a pee cloth for women. The fabric is super absorbant and antimicrobial, and one side is waterproof so your hands don’t get pee on them. A handy loop allows you to clip the Kula Cloth on your backpack, closing in half to keep the wet side from getting on your gear. Never use toilet paper for peeing in the backcountry again!
View on Garage Grown Gear website
Portable bidet
backpacking, hiking | $14.97 | There’s nothing like a strong spray of water from a portable bidet to keep you feeling clean and refreshed on an overnight trip. I use it every time I need to pee so my Kula Cloth (see above) is only used to dry off, so it stays clean. And for going #2, a portable bidet makes toilet paper almost not necessary. This portable bidet is small and lightweight, with a lid to keep from spilling water. I like to keep a small amount of water in it and carry in an outside pocket on my backpack.
Ceramic cup
camping | $19.99 | Hot drinks just taste better when using a ceramic mug instead of plastic or metal. The silicone lid and heat band stay put for ease in drinking, and the mug fits in car cup holders. Every mug from Nova Ceramics is one-of-a-kind, with beautiful designs that are great for on the go adventures.
“Memorable Backcountry Meals” cookbook
backpacking | $24.95 | This new backpacking cookbook is for adventurers who want healthier, higher quality, and better tasting food on trips and don’t mind spending time on food prep in order to have a better meal experience. With 44 recipes for breakfasts, cold soak lunches, dinners, snacks, and desserts, the meals in this cookbook are worth making!
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