51 Awesome Hiking Gifts Under $50 (2023)

This nifty gadget gives peace of mind out on the hiking trail and might help save your loved one’s phone. The KOALA Smartphone Harness has become an essential item of gear for me on both short hikes and longer multi-day treks. It helps keep my phone safe and ready for photo opportunities on the go. The harness firmly grips the latest smartphones with or without a case, is super compact, selfie-friendly, stretches up to 3ft, and holds up to 50 lbs. The best part is their lifetime warranty, if your KOALA 2.0 ever breaks or stops working, send it back and they’ll replace it for free.

Keep your loved one’s feet cozy with a pair of Darn Tough socks. These socks are ridiculously comfortable and have become a staple in the hiking community because of their amazing lifetime warranty. You can hike thousands of miles in these socks, and when they start to break down swap them out for a new pair with Darn Tough. You really can’t go wrong with a pair of Darn Tough socks and they make quality yet affordable hiking gifts ranging from $15-$30 depending on style.

A durable, lightweight hip pack for any adventure you can imagine. The Black Hole ripstop fabric is incredibly resilient and water-resistant. This pack stuffs down into the front pocket to save space in a travel bag. Additionally, the construction uses entirely recycled materials. This $35 pack makes an awesome budget hiking gift as it comes in a variety of colors and has a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty from Patagonia.

Pausing for a seated rest becomes significantly more pleasurable when you’re spared the discomfort of icy snow penetrating your pants or the inconvenience of jagged rocks prodding your rear. This is precisely where the Therm-a-Rest Z-Seat proves its usefulness. Weighing just 2 ounces, this collapsible seat cushion is crafted from closed-cell foam, providing cozy padding as you relish your meal or a quick refreshment break. This ultralight pad makes an excellent gift for any hiker due to its variety of uses while out hiking and backpacking.

The MPOWERD Color Lantern creates a lovely atmosphere at your campsite using various color options such as green, purple, yellow, red, blue, or white. Alternatively, you have the option to cycle through all eight colors for a party vibe. However, the most impressive feature of this only $30 lantern is its ability to recharge solely through direct sunlight, eliminating the need for batteries. Additionally, it includes a charge level indicator which has proved convenient in our experience.

Give the gift of a tasty meal on the trail with the Sea to Summit Camp Kitchen Tool Kit. This compact and lightweight 10-piece kit is built for backcountry cooks. Perfectly sized components won’t weigh you down or take up too much pack space. The folding camp spatula and serving spoon make cooking easier. Three reusable spice/oil bottles (two 50 ml bottles and one 100 ml bottle) let you tote your favorite seasonings. Also included are a pot scrubber, a double-sided washcloth, and a DryLite dish towel to help with clean-up.

What’s better than the classic Swiss Army Knife? This tiny yet powerful tool makes the perfect gift for any hiker or outdoor enthusiast. As with all Victorinox Swiss Army knives, this is a quality product and is perfectly sized to be a true pocket knife. The lightweight Swiss stainless-steel components, sturdy nylon handles, and aluminum interior housings ensure this knife will last for years.

Featuring a generously sized magnetic board that conveniently folds for easy portability, this chess and checkers set offers ample playing space while remaining compact enough to accompany you on your outdoor escapades. Its ingenious design ensures both playing comfort and space-saving convenience. This versatile set guarantees enjoyable gaming in various settings and also makes an excellent gift choice for hikers.

Boasting a substantial volume that far outweighs its tiny 2.1 oz. mass, the durable TOAKS Light Titanium 650ml pot has the capability to boil 2.75 cups of water, making it a superb choice for solo ultralight backpackers and day hikers.

Keep your loved one off the ground with the comfortable REI Co-op Trail Stool. Its lightweight nature makes it ideal for brief hikes, while its hardy construction ensures reliable performance during frequent campground use.