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Affordable Outdoor Gifts for Hikers, Campers and Travel Lovers

Gear

Gifts Under $75 For Hikers, Campers, and Travelers

Outdoor gear is notoriously expensive. And while it’s true that in some cases you get what you pay for, that doesn’t mean you can’t find thoughtful gifts for the outdoor enthusiasts and hiking lover in your life without breaking the bank.

Below you will find 20 affordable outdoor gifts for hikers and campers that everyone on your list will enjoy. Even those not so outdoorsy people!

I’ve included my favorite gear which is both practical, looks great and will keep you and will be a great addition to your loved ones’ next hike or adventure.

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission on any purchase made – at no additional cost to you. As always, all ideas and opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own. I appreciate your support!

Petzl Headlamp

Don’t get left in the dark! One of the best camping gifts is a solid headlamp like the Petzl Actik Headlamp which is essential for hiking, camping, and backpacking and will stand the test of time.

Headlamps are also a great item to keep in your home or car in case of a power outage or other emergency situation, making it a particularly great gift for hikers and campers. The Black Diamond Spot 400-R Headlamp is another great affordable outdoor gift for him or her that has everything you need. Plus, this one is rechargeable!

a headtorch with a black headband

Patagonia P-6 Label Trad Cap

The unisex Patagonia Label Trad Cap will become a staple in any outdoor enthusiast’s wardrobe. This timeless hat comes in tons of different colors and the classic fit is sure to never go out of style.

I’ve had mine for a couple years and it is a permanent fixture in my summer hiking kit.

a purple-brown baseball cap with Patagonia branding
Jess sitting on a rock in the sun with a camping stove next to her
Meal time at Second Lake in the Sierra Mountains. Shown in photo: Patagonia Label Trad Cap, Danner Mountain 600 Hiking Boot, and Jetboil Flash Stove.

Smartwool Socks

It’s hard to beat a good pair of wool socks, and Smartwool makes some of my favorite tough socks. I own a bunch of the classic hiking socks, but Smartwool also has some fun lifestyle socks too. Another great brand that I trust to keep my feet happy on and off the trail is Darntough.

Any merino wool undergarments make great gift ideas for hikers and campers to be able to enjoy the trails and retain body heat, whatever the weather!

wool socks with a reinforced green heel and toe

Yeti Mug

A Yeti Mug is a great affordable outdoor gift for that coffee/tea/cocoa lover in your life. Or anyone that’s trying to cut down on their single use waste.

With the stainless steel Rambler 14oz Mug MagSlider Lid your coffee (or hot cocoa) will stay safely in your Yeti mug and off your lap! Plus, it will keep all those holiday drinks hot much much longer.

Or of course there’s every outdoor girlies favorite way to stay hydrated. . . The Stanley Quencher water bottle – stay hydrated with a liter of water everywhere you go!

For more sustainable gift ideas check out A Dozen Ways To Be A More Responsible Traveler.

a close up image of a woman's hands holding a white Yeti camping mug

Osprey Packs Daylite 13L Backpack

The Osprey Packs Daylight Backpack is the perfect gift for those that like to travel quick and light! It’s also a favorite option for travel day packs. This pack is so streamline that I can easily pack it in my luggage to pull out for quick day hikes or even wandering around a new town.

a black Osprey day pack

Teva Re Ember Moc

The Teva Ember Moc is a comfortable yet durable slipper designed to transition seamlessly between indoor cuddles and outdoor adventures.

The collapsible heel makes them easy to slip on and off, while the grippy rubber sole makes sure you won’t slip on wet or rocky surfaces. Plus, there’s a color for everyone and they also have a men’s version as well as women’s.

a blue Teva Moc slipper
Fleece moc slippers make a great gift for hikers and travelers
I own the Teva ReEmber Fleece Moc and love them for an easy alternative to sandals when the weather is chilly. Also shown is my favorite All Around 60L Duffle.

Stoic Tech Fleece Legging

When temperatures drop in the mountains, your everyday yoga pants might not cut it anymore. But not to worry, the Stoic Tech Fleece Legging is here to help!

These are just like your favorite pair of leggings with a bit of extra insulation and make a great gift idea or great stocking stuffer.

The athletic fit lends itself well to training, running, and skiing. I like to wear mine under my ski pants instead of long underwear. Plus, the great price point really can’t be beat!

Coal Uniform Beanie

The classic style of the Carhartt Beanie will never go out of style, which is why it makes the perfect affordable outdoor gift for everyone on your list. They are super comfortable, don’t itch, and come in a rainbow of different colors. What more could a person ask for!

a grey beanie hat

MICRO Spikes Traction System

Micro spikes are of the most useful item of winter gear that I own – and not just for hiking!

When snow turns to ice and everything from the sidewalk to mountain trails ice up these will literally keep you on your feet. They come in a wide range of sizes for men and women and easily slip over whatever shoes you happen to be wearing.

These are a great addition to any hiker’s gear and are a great practical Christmas gift for hikers and campers.

a hiking boot with added spikes traction system - a practical gift for hikers

Sea To Summit Aeros Premium Pillow

I’ve used a lot of different backpacking pillows over the years and the Sea To Summit Aeros is my current favorite for car camping, sleeping while in transit or when I’m camping. 

The subtle concave shape cradles my head in a way that almost makes me forget it’s stuffed with air instead of feathers and I always have a good night’s sleep. 

This handy dandy camp pillow stuffs down to the size of my fist with easy inflation and is just as useful on planes, trains, and automobiles, as it is in a tent. 

a grey and green seat to summit camp pillow

Nocs Provisions Standard Issue 8 x 25 Waterproof Binoculars

Crafted to serve as the ideal travel partner, the Nocs Provisions waterproof binoculars provide premium optics within a lightweight and durable casing, designed to be compact for easy packing. Oh, and if Barbie pink isn’t your thing, no worries, there are tons of fun color combinations. 

This is the perfect present for the wildlife lover in your life! Or someone that has a special trip planned in 2024 to a wildlife viewing location. I sure do with I’d had a pair like this in Antarctica last year! 

pink, orange and brown color waterproof binoculars

BioLight Portable Recharger

If ever there was a travel essential, BioLight Power Bank is it. I take this recharger with me almost everywhere. Its compact size makes it is easy to throw in a bag, plus is comes with charging cords to ensure that you can stay connected when you need to.

A BioLite headlamp is another great idea for the avid hiker or outdoor enthusiasts in your life.

portable chargers for travelers

REI Co-op Flexlite Camp Chair

Easily assembled with an aluminum frame reminiscent of a lightweight tent, this chair boasts a stable 4-leg design. When it’s time to pack up, it conveniently folds down and fits snugly into the included stuff sack.

Weighing just over one pound, this versatile chair is sure to become your preferred choice, especially considering its cost is approximately half that of its closest counterparts.

a lightweight camping chair from REI

MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove

When it comes to ultra-light cook systems the MSR Pocket Rocket is hard to beat. It’s simple to use, reliable, and packs down to nothing. Oh, and did I mention that The Pocket Rocket is small enough to fit into most camp pots and every stocking!

Compared to a lot of other backpacking stoves, the MSR Pocket Rocket makes for a great affordable gift option for campers, hikers and travelers.

a lightweight MSR Pocket Rocket Camping stove

Leatherman Multi-Tool

You can never be too prepared for an outdoor adventure, long hikes. . . or a zombie apocalypse. Complete your collection of the 10 Essentials with the Leatherman Multi-Tool. This 15-tooled combo is ready to help you cut, saw, and screw-drive your way through any obstacle

a steel leatherman multitool for campers and outdoor enthusiasts

Eagles Nest Outfitters Single Nest Hammock

The Eagles Nest Hammock is the perfect edition to your outdoor lifestyle kit. Hang it up in the backyard, or keep it in your car for impromptu forest naps.

Made out of light weight parachute material, so you can stash it in your backpack and forget it until you need it.

a cosy wooden a-frame cabin in a forest with Jess in a hammock in the foreground
Relaxing outside one of my favorite cabins in the Pacific Northwest.

Rumpl Printed Fade Puffy 1-Person Blanket

Rumpl makes cozy blankets that use the same modern, technical materials as your favorite puffy jacket. A perfect option for those chilly hikes and camping trips!

Rumpl is one of the best gift ideas for their next adventure and will keep your loved ones comfortable wherever they go, even if it’s just the couch for some Netflix and chill. Oh, and they come in all sorts of fun colors and patterns! 

a quilted puffy blanket

Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System

Probably everyone on your list owns a water bottle at this point. But do they own one that can also keep them safe and healthy in the backcountry while weighing next to nothing?

I’ve probably used every water filtration system out there at this point.  And to be honest, I think they all have a time and a place. But this is my favorite hiking gift for practicality and safety.

I’ve been using Katadyn BeFree Filter on trips where I know there will be plenty of access to water, and I want to go super light weight. This is the perfect gift for your favorite hiker and the ultra-light hiker if you’re looking for hiking-related gifts.

For more water filter and purifier ideas, check out my Ultimate Hiking and Camping Gear Guide!

a water bottle with built in water filtration system which reads BeFree on the outside in blue

Fjallraven Hip Pack

The Fjallraven Kanken Hip Pack is one of my favorite day-to-day and travel accessories. This Unisex fanny pack makes keeping your essentials organized and easily accessible a cinch!

Plus, you can wear it as a hip pack or across your body. This pack has made my airport trips so much less stressful! No more digging through my backpack or carryon looking for my wallet, cellphone, or a pen. Comes in a ton of different colors to fit anyone on your holiday gift list.

a grey hip pack with Fjallraven branding

Pendleton Oversized Jacquard Towel

I’m not going to lie, I purchased this Pendleton Oversized Jacquard Towel a few years ago when a Pendleton blanket was simply out of my budget. But it turned out to be hands down the best towel I have ever owned.

It’s big, soft, and looks great too. I have found it to be a lot more versatile than a blanket too. With so many beautiful patterns this is a one of the super fun gift ideas for the sun worshipper on your list!

a Pendleton blanket in red, blue and beige pattern
Jess and a child in a lightweight camping tent with a Yeti cooler, Pendleton towel
Camping in the yard. Wearing: Patagonia Fleece Jacket and Danner Hiking Boots. Also Shown In Photo: Yeti Cooler, Pendleton Towel, Goal Zero Lantern.

Gift Card

Still can’t decide on the perfect affordable outdoor gift?

Another great option is to give the gift of an REI or Backcountry gift card and let them choose from one of the largest selections of high-performance outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories out there!

a black gift card wallet

Whether you’re looking for a great camping gift for your loved ones this Christmas or a great outdoorsy gift for a birthday or special occasion, outdoor gifts don’t need to be big-ticket items to be practical and fun. Hopefully this gift guide for hikers, campers and travelers has given you plenty of holiday gift giving inspiration.

Check out these posts for more gift ideas!

Complete Hiking & Camping Gear Guide

9 Fun Ways To Make It Through A Washington Winter

The Ultimate Gift Guide For Outdoor Lovers

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  1. Stephanie Bakula says:

    I like your cold weather gift ideas.. but may I ask where you purchase your favorite swimsuits and gear for snorkeling?

    • Jessica Dales says:

      Hi Stephanie, most of my swimsuits that you see in photos are from L Space or Londre Bodywear. I usually just go to a dive shop to get snorkeling gear.

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Hi, I’m Jess, an outdoor enthusiast based in Seattle. I grew up exploring the Pacific Northwest, and early on was infected with the travel bug. I tried to suppress my wanderlust in pursuit of a traditional career path, but after a short stint as a lawyer, I left the confines of my office to get back in touch with my roots. Now, I wander the world taking photos, making memories, and sharing my love for travel with others!

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