It can be difficult to pick good backpacking gifts if you’re not an expert backpacker or hiker. That’s why we’ve pulled together this list of great backpacking gifts for $50 or less to help you find gifts your backpacking friends will appreciate. If you want to spend more, we suggest a gift card so they can pick the gear they want.

1. NEMO Fillo Pillow ($50)

2. Soto Amicus Cookset Combo ($50)

Whether you’re heading out on a backpacking trip or picnicking after a day hike, the Soto Amicus Stove Cookset Combo provides everything you need to cook a meal in a lightweight package. Highly recommended!

3. Travel Utility Zip ($50)

The Travel Utility Zip keeps your most important items secure and in easy reach while on the move. A zippered compartment allows you to keep your essentials organized and features separate internal pockets for your passport, Field Notes, and a pen. An adjustable neck strap keeps your critical items from falling out of your Travel Utility Zip or getting left behind.

4. Daycap in-Bottle Water Filter ($50)

Water filter that replaces the cap of a wide-mouth Nalgene bottle with an integrated filter so you can safely drink from a stream or pond without getting sick. Brilliant!

5. Thermacell Backpacker Mosquito Repeller ($45)

Ultralight sanity for summer hiking and camping. Highly effective.

6. Gold Trekking Umbrella ($43)

At only 5.8 oz, this durable trekking umbrella keeps you out of rain and sun. Thru-hiker tested and approved. It can lower the feel of the sun by up to 15 degrees.

7. Packing Pod Set of 3 ($40)

Designed to help organize your backpack, Packing Pods have a large zippered entry to keep your clothing, food, or gear laid out nicely where you can see everything inside. Fully taped seams add water resistance to keep your things dry.

8. Arcade Atlas Belt ($40)

Tough, stretchy, and built to last, the Arcade’s Atlas belt is crafted from heavy-duty recycled webbing with a contoured buckle. Keeps your pants from falling down, even under a hipbelt.

9. Tyvek Bivy Sack/Sleeping Bag Cover ($40)

This bivy protects your sleeping bag or quilt from condensation or snow, or from dirt if you’re sleeping out in the open and cowboy camping.

10. Deluxe Ultralight Camp Shoes ($40)

The Deluxe Camp Shoe by Zpacks gives your trail-worn feet the comfort they crave at the end of a long day. The closed heel provides protection while still letting your feet breathe. Fully adjustable and comfortable with or without socks, they deliver lightweight camp comfort without the bulk.

11. Zippered Shoulder Strap Pocket ($40)

This zippered pocket keeps all your essentials within easy reach while protecting your valuables from dirt, grime, and weather. It’s designed for storing your cell phone, snacks, and more! This pocket attaches to the shoulder strap of any backpack with a universal attachment system.

12. Pillow Strap ($39)

This soft and stretchy trifold pillowcase securely holds your camp pillow, puffy coat, or extra clothing to your sleeping pad with an adjustable elastic strap so it doesn’t fall off during the night.

13. Lifestraw Peak Squeeze Water Filter ($38)

Weighing less than 4 oz. and collapsing down small, the 22 fl. oz. LifeStraw Peak Squeeze water filter system makes clean water grab-and-go on adventures like running, hiking, biking and traveling.

14. New Zealand Brushtail Possum Socks ($35)

Made from a combination of New Zealand’s brushtail possum fur and New Zealand Merino lamb’s wool, these socks are very thick and warm! Brushtail possum hair is hollow, like polar bear hair, which provides incredible warmth and water resistance.

15. ActiveIce Sun Gloves ($35)

Delivering back-of-hand sun protection and grippy palms to keep hold of your trekking poles, ice axe, or bike handlebar, Outdoor Research ActiveIce sun gloves help you stay cool on hot, sunbaked days.

16. Hydro Flask Insulated Bottle with Flex Sip Lid – 20 oz ($35)

From morning to your favorite hike, enjoy wickedly hot coffee or icy cold water with a Hydro Flask 20 oz. Insulated bottle featuring a leakproof Flex Sip lid.

17. FarPointe Polartec Alpha Camp Socks ($35)

Cozy, warm alpha fleece socks that boost quilt or sleeping bag comfort.

18. Water Bottle Sleeve ($30-$40)

Stay hydrated on the go with CTUG’s Water Bottle Sleeve! This sleeve attaches securely to any backpack strap, regardless of size or brand (as long as it has a loop or webbing). The cinch-top closure keeps your bottle secure, and you can stretch the shock cord over the top to keep it in place. Fits multiple bottle sizes. The Smartwater Tall size is usually a good bet.

19. Toaks Ultralight Titanium Canister Stove ($30)

Ultralight, efficient, and compact, the TOAKS Titanium Backpacking Stove gives you a weight-saving solution for making hot meals and beverages in the backcountry.

20. Hiker Grocery Bag ($30)

Stowable lightweight bag perfect for a trip to the store or a personal item to take on the plane. The added security of a zipper keeps your items safe on the walk back from the store or when you place it under the seat in front of you.

21. Grid Fleece Convertible Mittens ($30)

22. Nomadix Ultralight Towel ($30)

Light, durable, and packable, the Nomadix Ultralight Towel is designed to help you do more with less—perfect for camping, backpacking, and travel.

23. Possum Down Gloves ($30)

Super-warm, lightweight wool gloves from New Zealand, made from a blend of possum fur and merino wool. With conductive ends on both the index finger and thumb, these gloves let you use your smartphone and other touchscreen devices without removing them. Possum fur is hollow and highly insulating. Very popular with backpackers.

24. Darn Tough Socks ($28)

With cushioning for the perfect amount of support and a smooth fit with no slipping, bunching, or blisters, Darn Tough Boot Sock socks are the most popular choice among hikers.

25. Toaks Titanium 750ml Cook Pot ($27)

Cut weight but keep convenience with the TOAKS Titanium 750 ml pot. Its ultralight construction holds up to wear and tear on the trail, and boils enough water for dehydrated meals plus coffee or tea.

26. NEMO Chipper Sit Pad ($25)

More than just a lightweight and easily packed closed-cell cushion, the NEMO Chipper seat pad is made entirely out of reclaimed and remolded polyethylene foam scraps from NEMO sleeping pad production.

27. Nitecore NU 20 Classic ($25)

The Nitecore NU20 Classic is a compact, lightweight, USB-C rechargeable headlamp, making it an ideal companion for camping, hiking, running, and more. Weighing only 1.34 oz (38g), this 360-lumen rechargeable headlamp offers versatility with three lighting outputs: white light, auxiliary white light, and auxiliary red light, a power indicator, and a lockout function.

28. Swiss Army Knife Classic ($24)

Super handy tools on the trail and off. This lightweight, all-purpose Swiss Army Classic Knife includes scissors, a blade, a screwdriver, a nail file, tweezers, and a toothpick.

29. Jetboil French Coffee Press ($28)

Turns a Jetboil camping stove into a French Press.

30. Crocodile Ankle Gaiters ($23)

31. Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth ($20)

When nature calls (and it will), the Kula Cloth Reusable Antimicrobial Pee Cloth keeps your hands dry on one side while sopping moisture into the absorbent, antimicrobial side that won’t show stains.

32. Platypus Platy Water Bottle – 70 oz ($20)

The taste-free Platypus Platy water bottle with screw cap is an excellent option for carrying 70 fl. oz. of water on your backcountry adventures.

33. NEMO Airpin Tent Stakes – Set of Four ($19)

For a swift tent or tarp setup, the 3-point locking system holds cord tight and eliminates the need for knots, cordlocks or guyout tensioners.

34. M!Go Water Bottle ($19)

The M!GO bottle replaces your disposable water bottle and provides a reusable bottle to keep you hydrated while reducing waste. It’s universal thread type designed to be compatible with a wide range of water filters and add-ons.

35. Evernew Water Carry ($18)

These collapsible water carriers come with a built-in shock cord for storage, 3-layer polyethylene construction, antibacterial treatment, an attached textured cap, and a tapered body that lets it stand on a flat surface when full.

36. Insect Head Net ($18)

The Ultra-Fine Mesh Mosquito Head Net might be the smallest and lightest thing in your pack, but if you’re headed to areas where bugs are prevalent, it may be the most valuable piece of gear you’ll take with you. The ultra-fine mesh keeps even the smallest insects at bay – including no-see-ums, sand-flies, and midges.

37. Rechargeable Micro Lantern ($17)

This micro lantern clips to zippers, tents, and more for hands-free lighting, featuring a 360° swiveling body and rapid micro-USB recharging.

38. Aquamira Chlorine Dioxide Water Purification Drops ($15)

Simple-to-use Aquamira water treatment drops use chlorine dioxide to kill odor-causing bacteria and enhance the taste of stored potable water. Drops are effective in clear, muddy, warm and cold water.

39. Collapsible Wine Bottle ($15)

With an airtight barrier and a flexible design, this collapsible wine bottle protects your wine’s flavor and offers a lightweight way to transport wine or spirits securely and discreetly, with a tasteful storage bottle design.

40. Titanium Sport ($15)

41. Ultralight Wallet by Chicken Tramper Gear ($15)

Chicken Tramper Gear’s Ultralight Wallet has a water-resistant zipper to help it last longer. Coming in at just 0.5oz | 28g, it has plenty of space for your cards, cash, headphones, and permits, all with room to spare.

42. P-Style Personal Urinary Device ($12)

The pStyle is a plastic device that allows women, nonbinary folks, and trans men to pee standing up without undressing. Because it is made of rigid plastic, the pStyle is easily maneuvered through clothing and properly positioned

43. Toothpaste Tablets by ($12)

Unpaste Toothpaste Tablets will change the way you brush your teeth for the better. Gently powerful polishing agents in each tablet-sized force of nature reveal a brighter, whiter, healthier-looking smile, without the plastic tubes that toothpaste leaves behind. Available with Fluoride or Fluoride-free. 125 tablets per pack.

44. Toothbrush Sleeve ($10)

Keep your toothbrush clean and protected with this ultralight, sleek Toothbrush Sleeve. These sleeves also work great for holding chopsticks, straws, spoon handles, pens, and so much more! 

45. Spiky Massage Ball ($10)

The firm, 3 in.-diameter Pro-Tec Athletics Spiky Ball Massage Ball provides deep-tissue relief. It’s an excellent tool for plantar fasciitis.

46. Portable Bidet ($10)

CuloClean is the portable bidet that you can plumb into your plastic bottle, fully discreet, efficient, and portable. Why use paper when you can use water and feel fully clean? A clean butt awaits! Yes, people really use this and it is very popular.

47. Spoon Covers by Aardwolf Gear Company ($5)

This spoon cover is a must-have for keeping things clean and convenient in the wild. Fits all long-handled ultralight backpacking spoons, standard-sized spoons, and other small items like a toothbrush. 

48. Greenbelly Meal Bar ($9)

Goodbye 200-calorie snack bars. Each Greenbelly Meal pouch includes two meal bars that deliver a whopping 650 calories and a balanced nutritional profile. A true ready-to-eat meal that doesn’t require cooking or cleanup.

49. Rattle Resistor ($8)

Eliminate the rattling sounds coming from your cooking system when you backpack.

50. One ounce liquid bottles – set of 4 ($8)

These handy squeeze bottles hold 1 fluid ounce (29.5 ml each). They have a press-disc style top that’s easy to flip up and squeeze out small amounts. These are great for repackaging small quantities of shampoo, sunscreen, moisturizer, or hand sanitizer.

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