The Thru-Hiker Gift Guide: Under $50

It’s that time of year again. If you’re looking for the perfect budget-friendly gift for the thru-hiker in your life, never fear: we’re here to help. From the hiker just starting out to the one who already seems to own everything, there’s something fun and useful in this guide for every type of thru-hiker. And the best part? Everything on this list is under $50.

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Socks and Underwear
Accessories
Gadgets
Food
Backpack Upgrades
Trail Comfort Items
Water Filtration
Small Necessities
Books and At-Home Necessities

Socks and Underwear

In backpacking, as in life, you can never have too many spare socks ‘n’ undies. It’s the practical, un-sexy gift we all secretly want and need. On-trail, avid hikers can wear through a pair of socks in no time flat, and underwear can quickly get… well… you know.

Darn Tough Hiker Micro Crew Socks Men’s | Women’s

• MSRP: $25
• Materials: 61% merino wool/36% nylon/3% Lycra spandex

Darn Tough socks are made in the USA (and in an Appalachian Trail state: Vermont!) and are pretty much the gold standard for wool hiking socks. They’re super soft, comfy, and durable, plus they come with a lifetime guarantee. All hikers covet Darn Toughs, and an extra pair or two definitely won’t go amiss.

For an extra-luxurious gift, check out Darn Tough’s deliciously plush, ultra-cozy Mountaineering Socks.

Injinji Liner Crew Socks

• MSRP: $12
• Materials: 71% CoolMax polyester/25% nylon/4% Lycra spandex

Injinji’s skin-hugging toe sock liners provide an extra layer of sweat-wicking and protection between your sock and the skin of your foot. Many hikers swear by sock liners as a means of blister prevention.

ExOfficio Give-n-Go Underwear

• MSRP: $18-$32

ExOfficio is the industry standard for odor-resistant clothing. The Give-N-Go line is popular among hikers because of its lightweight, breathable comfort and modest stank-reduction properties. (It’s pretty impossible to eliminate thru-hiker odors, but many people claim these undies are still a significant improvement).

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Accessories

BUFF® Multifunctional Neckwear

• MSRP: $20

Everyone needs at least one good BUFF in their life.  It’s the true do-it-all accessory, and their EcoStretch line is made with 95% recycled REPREVE® Performance Microfiber.   The Trek has a couple of custom BUFF’s in their own store.  If you want to get your own design onto a BUFF, check out their custom product page.

Waterproof Rain Mitts

• MSRP: $49.95
• Material: Gore-Tex

On cold winter hikes, protecting your hands from rain is more than a luxury: it’s crucial for safety. These waterproof breathable mitts can be worn while hiking on cold, windy, and/or rainy days for added warmth and protection. They’re also great for keeping your hands dry while filtering water. You don’t need rain mitts until you really need them, but when that time comes, your giftee will be glad to have them in their pack.

DCF Wallet

• MSRP: $15
• Weight: 0.22 oz

Dyneema, or DCF, is a cutting-edge fabric coveted by members of the ultralight community. Everyone should own at least a little bit of Dyneema (it’s a really cool material), but it’s crazy expensive. This wallet is probably a better starting point than a $700 tent. It’s four inches wide by three inches tall (just enough for a few cards and some cash). Weighing in at only six grams is virtually weightless.

Dirty Girl Gaiters

• MSRP: $23

Gaiters are basically little ankle skirts that keep snow, mud, and debris from getting inside your shoe. Lightweight trail running gaiters suffice for most thru-hikers. Dirty Girl is the most popular brand, with literally hundreds of fun fabric patterns.

Enlightened Equipment Rain Wrap

• MSRP: $50
• Weight: 1.6 oz

This ultralight silnylon rain kilt is easy to put on without ever having to stop and take your backpack off, and it will keep your legs dry without getting hot and stuffy the way rain pants would. This gift hits the sweet spot of functionality and uniqueness, plus your purchase supports a small US company.

Vantage Point Trucker Hat

• MSRP: $32
• Weight: 2.3 oz

According to Trek Writer Owen Eigenbrot, “This lightweight hat is great for hot weather. The mesh acts as a swamp cooler on sweaty days, and the soft brim makes packing it away nice and simple. Also, the sunglasses lock is an awesome way keep shades secure when they’re not on your face.”

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Gadgets

Thru-hiking isn’t an electronics-heavy activity, but there are still a few devices that make life on the trail easier and more enjoyable, and gadgets are sure to be a win with gear junkies and newbie hikers alike.

Nitecore NU25 UL 400 Headlamp

• MSRP: $39.95
• Weight: 1.6 oz

In 2022, Nitecore gave their popular NU25 headlamp a UL update. It’s now lighter (and brighter, at 400 lumens peak output) than ever. This headlamp is creating quite a buzz in the thru-hiking world right now, so it would make a perfect gift.

Black Diamond Spot 350 Headlamp

• MSRP: $39.95
• Weight: 3 oz

All hikers need a headlamp for night hiking and toodling around camp after dark. This thru-hiker favorite has several brightness settings, red light, strobe, a locking feature, and a battery indicator light.

READ NEXT – The Best Backpacking Headlamps of 2022.

Anker 10000 mAh Battery Bank

• MSRP: $25
• Weight: 6.3 oz

A battery bank will provide the user with three or four additional smartphone charges, so they don’t have to worry about conserving their battery. This is a nice feature on-trail, where a phone comes in handy for everything from music and photography to navigation and communication. It can also be used to recharge other devices that charge via USB.

Mini Swiss Army Knife

• MSRP: $22
• Weight: 0.7 oz

Swiss Army knives are famous for packing tremendous functionality into a compact package. This lil mini stabber will be more useful for cutting up cheese and summer sausage than fending off marauding bears. But since the former task is infinitely more likely to be an actual need, this 1.5 oz gizmo is the perfect tool for the job.

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Food

All hikers are obsessed with noms. Help your gift-ee mix it up in the backcountry kitchen department with an assortment of fancy backpacking foods.

Good To-Go Meals

• MSRP: $8.25 for a single serving pouch

They have a variety of exciting meal flavors at a reasonable price point. Not sure what to get? We like the Mexican Quinoa Bowl, the Herbed Mushroom Risotto, and the Pad Thai.

Outdoor Herbivore Gift Box

• MSRP: $6-$9 per meal, or $39.99 for the four meal gift box

Vegetarian and vegan hikers love the unique flavors of Outdoor Herbivore. It’s not in the gift box, but we have to give a shout out to their Instant Hummus, which is delicious enough to serve both on and off-trail.

Cache Lakes Fryin’ Pan Bread

• MSRP: $3.50 – $7.10

Instant… bread? That’s right. You have to cook Fryin’ Pan Bread in a pot, rather than merely adding boiling water to the bag. Still, the result is delicious, delicious carbs served hot off the backcountry griddle. There are several variations on the standard Fryin’ Pan Bread, including blueberry scones, pizza, and biscuits and gravy.

Toaks Light Titanium 550 mL Pot

• MSRP: $29.95
• Weight: 2.6 oz

No point giving someone a bunch of freeze-dried backpacking food if they don’t have a pot to cook it in! Every ounce counts to a thru-hiker, though. Swapping out heavier aluminum cookware for a minimalist titanium pot can save weight (and eliminate the metallic taste aluminum sometimes imparts). A 550 mL pot should be big enough for an individual hiker. Round the gift out by adding a matching long-handled spoon (for digging into the depths of a backpacking meal pouch).

Gossamer Gear Crotch Pot

• MSRP: $19
• Weight: 0.3 oz

Gossamer Gear has, to say the least, taken a unique approach to ultralight cooking by creating this DCF pouch that’s designed to rehydrate the user’s dinner using their crotch heat so they can “cook” while they hike and have a hot meal ready to eat at camp, all without the weight of a stove, pot, or fuel. Not only does this make a great gag gift, but it’s also legitimately functional. Many users report simply clipping the pouch to their pack for cold soaking convenience, rather than going the crotch route.

Intrigued? Check out our review of the GG Crotch Pot here.

Cnoc Buc Food Bag

• MSRP: $7
• Weight: 1.9 oz

The Buc is a sustainable alternative to cooking in disposable ziplock or mylar bags. With the slider securing the top, it’s also less likely to open and leak precious, hot dinner all over your gear.

Aeropress Go Travel Cofee Press

• MSRP: $39.95
• Weight: 11.5 oz

The Aeropress is famous for making great coffee on AND off the trail. This mini, travel-size version is ideal for thru-hiking, car camping, and travel in general.

READ NEXT – Trail Coffee 6 Ways: Which Method Makes the Best Brew?

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Backpack Upgrades

Backpacks are big, expensive, and highly specific to individual needs, making them challenging gifts. But did you know there’s a roaring market for backpack accessories, like removable pockets to increase organizational capacity and provide more convenient storage?

Zpacks Water Bottle Sleeve

• MSRP: $29.95
• Weight: 0.56 oz

Hydration bladders make it easy to drink on the go, but they’re not that popular with thru-hikers because they’re heavy and difficult to fill and clean. But on the other hand, reaching back to grab a water bottle out of your backpack’s side pockets mid-hike is inconvenient at best and a strain on your rotator cuffs at worst. The solution? An ultralight water bottle pocket add-on that attaches to your shoulder straps so that your water is always easily within reach. This mesh pocket from Zpacks weighs a fraction of an ounce and should fit most backpacks.

Chicken Tramper 1L Ultralight Fanny Pack

• MSRP: $45
• Weight: 2.5 oz

Come for the memorable brand name, stay for the wicked color-blocking, water-resistant storage, and durable Xpac construction.

Also, fanny packs are the accessory in the thru-hiking world right now—the ultimate hiker trash status symbol, if you will. If you’re not sure what to gift the thru-hiker in your life, I maintain that a fanny pack is a foolproof pick. Check out our picks for the best fanny packs for thru-hiking.

Osprey Ultralight Stuff Waist Pack

• MSRP: $28
• Weight: 2.9 oz

This affordable fanny pack offering by trusted brand Osprey allows you to have just what you need easily accessible, for under 3 additional oz. Try it it four different colors of varying degrees of fun.

READ NEXT – The Best Fanny Packs for Thru-Hiking.

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Trail Comfort Items

Hiking is hard. Help make trail life feel a little comfier with one of these lightweight, inexpensive accessories.

Rawlogy Ultralight Cork Massage Ball

• MSRP: $15
• Weight: 1.4 oz

For just over an ounce, this massage ball can work wonders for sore, tight muscles at the end of a long day on trail. And sine sore, tight muscles are the hallmark of any thru-hike, this inexpensive gift is virtually guaranteed to be a hit.

Sea to Summit Aeros Ultralight Pillow

• MSRP: $39.95
• Weight: 2.1 oz

An inflatable pillow isn’t strictly necessary on a thru-hike, but having something soft to cradle your head is an incredible comfort to a weary thru-hiker. That’s why inflatable pillows are so frequently cited as thru-hikers’ favorite luxury items.

NEMO Switchback Sleeping Pad

• MSRP: $45-55
• Weight: 14.5 oz

Foam sleeping pads are the best: they’re durable, versatile, and surprisingly comfy. Some hikers carry a full-length foam pad as a supplement to a pricier inflatable. The foam pad adds cushioning and warmth to their sleep system, and can be deployed quickly during the day for spontaneous naps and snack breaks. Our reviewer thinks the NEMO Switchback is the comfiest foam pad on the market.

Zpacks Pillow Dry Bag

• MSRP: $49.95
• Weight: 1.4 oz

For thrifty hikers who prize weight savings and multifunctionality in their gear, Zpacks offers a pillow-dry bag hybrid for cranial comfort at night and waterproof organization during the day. Turn the DCF dry bag inside out to expose the fleecy interior. Then stuff unused clothes and other soft goods inside to create a cozy camp pillow with a minimal weight penalty. This unique piece is an excellent option for the hiker who already seems to have everything.

Garage Grown Gear Sit Pads

• MSRP: $10
• Weight: 1.1 oz

It’s incredible how much of a difference it makes to have a sit pad protecting your behind from cold stone, mud, and poky sticks. This item costs little in terms of both money and weight but adds incredible value to any hiker’s pack.

Six Moon Designs Silver Shadow Carbon Umbrella

• MSRP: $45
• Weight: 6.8 oz

Hiking umbrellas are all the rage these days, and with good reason. They provide both sun and rain protection with full ventilation. You can even get a hands-free umbrella kit so that the umbrella can be attached to your backpack shoulder straps—no need to hold it all day.

READ NEXT – Why Sun Umbrellas are Becoming Thru-Hikers’ Favorite Piece of Gear.

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Water Filtration

When thru-hiking, it’s very important to a) stay hydrated and b) not contract giardia or another waterborne disease.

CNOC Vecto Bladder

• MSRP: $23
• Weight: 2.6 oz

These flexible water containers are ultralight, packable, and surprisingly durable—no wonder they’re a thru-hiking cult classic. The wide end is ideal for gathering water quickly, even from stagnant or slow sources, while the narrow end mates with popular water filters like the Sawyer Squeeze (below). In fact, if you pair it with a Smartwater bottle and Sawyer’s double-female Cleaning Coupling, you can gift your thru-hiker a convenient, ultralight gravity-fed water filtration system.

Platypus Quickdraw Microfilter

• MSRP: $45
• Weight: 3.4 oz

This filter is very similar to the industry-standard Sawyer Squeeze, but many thru-hikers say it filters water more quickly, is less prone to clogging, and is easier to clean and maintain. This little bad boy just came out this year and has proceeded to take the backcountry water filtration market by storm.

Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter System

• MSRP: $38.95
• Weight: 3 oz

Sawyer Squeeze is ubiquitous on any long-distance trail, as it is the most popular water filter. Tried, trusted, and true, this 3 oz water filter is a handy gift to anyone planning a backcountry trip. The thread fits on a Smartwater bottle, so you can ditch the pouch it comes with and save some extra weight. Just be sure to keep the filter above freezing—if it freezes, you’ll need to replace it.

Katadyn BeFree 1.0 L Water Filter Bottle

• MSRP: $49.95
• Weight: 2.3 oz

One of the Sawyer Squeeze’s top competitors, the Katadyn BeFree has a faster flow rate, but is more difficult to clean.”The flow is so fast (1 liter per minute) that I kept spilling water out of my mouth and sometimes choking,” said Nicole and Alex Docta in a review. One can compare the relative merits of the Sawyer Squeeze and BeFree forever, but at the end of the day, either will be an appreciated gift to your hiker-trash friend.

READ NEXT – Platypus QuickDraw vs Katadyn BeFree vs Sawyer Squeeze: Which Water Filter Should You Carry For Your Next Thru-Hike?

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Small Necessities

Rain, sun, wind, and bugs are a reality of the trail. Help your hiker navigate these challenges safely and comfortably.

Kula Cloth

 

• MSRP: $20
• Weight: 0.4 oz

These discreet, fashionable, super-absorbant antimicrobial cloths are the ideal backpacking pee rags. Because hygiene matters and dealing with toilet paper in the backcountry is a mess.

@Stakes Glow in the Dark Carbon Fiber Tent Stakes

• MSRP: $7
• Weight: 0.11 oz

These stakes are both super cool looking and ultralight, the ultimate combination. With their unique glow-in-the-dark feature, they’ll probably be more economical than standard stakes in the long run since the owner will be less likely to lose them. And they’re not just a gimmick product either: these stakes are legitimately functional.

Insect Head Net

• MSRP: $12
• Weight: 1.3 oz

A head net weighs very little and provides some relief from the inevitable clouds of mosquitoes and blackflies that plague hikers on long trails worldwide.

Permethrin

• MSRP: $17

Permethrin is an insect repellent treatment for clothing and gear (it doesn’t go on your skin). Permethrin treatment is particularly clutch on the Appalachian Trail, where tick bites can transmit serious diseases such as Lyme. One permethrin treatment lasts about six weeks or six washings, and then your hiker will need to reapply. Pretty much any gear, including all clothing (except underwear), buffs, shoes, tents, and packs, can and should be treated.

CuloClean Ultralight Portable Bidet

• MSRP: $10
• Weight: 0.42 oz

This tiny gadget fits in the mouth of an ordinary Smartwater bottle, instantly transforming it into a functional backcountry bidet. Backcountry bidets are all the rage these days: they’re Leave No Trace friendly and save the owner a buttload (sorry) of toilet paper. Also handy for washing other body parts, like hands.

The Deuce Ultralight Trowel

 

 

• MSRP: $19.95
• Weight: 0.6 oz

A dedicated trowel is really nice to have, but cheap ones are heavy and bulky, and quality ultralight ones are stupidly pricey for such a small, simple thing. While your thru-hiker might not want to shell out 20 bucks for a titanium trowel, it really is good to have a purpose-built tool for digging catholes. This gift will make their lives easier and honor Leave No Trace ethics by helping them to do a good job burying their poo.

One Ounce SPF Sunscreen Tubes

• MSRP: $6.99

Sexy? Not really. Practical? Yes. Having a little SPF on hand is always a good idea for someone who lives outside for an extended period, especially on trails with a lot of exposure to the elements.

Leukotape

 

 

• MSRP: $14

The ultimate thru-hiker stocking stuffer. Strong, sticky Leukotape is almost every thru-hiker’s go-to blister prevention method. Slap some on your hotspots to protect your skin from rubbing and you’ll be protected for hundreds of miles. You can never have too much Leukotape.

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Books and At-Home Necessities

National Geographic Wall Map: AT | PCT | CDT

• MSRP: $17-20

A wall map is a perfect gift for aspiring thru-hikers and veterans alike. They can use it as inspiration and a helpful planning tool before thru-hiking and will love looking back at and reminiscing about their favorite spots on the trail after they’ve completed. A wall map is also an excellent gift for family and friends who would like a way to follow along with someone’s hike.

Appalachian Trials Signed Copy

• MSRP: $30
• Author: Zach Davis

Fun fact: Appalachian Trials: The Psychological and Emotional Guide to Successfully Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail was written by The Trek’s very own Zach Davis, and that’s how this very site came to be. Not to toot our own horn too much, but App Trials is a must-read for aspiring thru-hikers. Long-distance hiking is physically grueling, but mental fortitude is a more important determiner of success. This book is packed with valuable advice for surviving the tough days and savoring the good ones. Getting a signed, personalized copy from Zach himself makes this an extra-special gift for anyone with dreams of hiking.

How to Afford a Thru-Hike

• MSRP: $7
• Author: Kelly Floro

Another home team special. This handy e-book doesn’t cost a lot, but it can pay dividends for hikers trying to outfit themselves on a shoestring budget.

Adventure Ready

• MSRP: $13 on Kindle, $21.50 in paperback
• Authors: Katie Gerber and Heather Anderson

For some trustworthy advice on all things long-distance backpacking, listen to experts Katie Gerber and Heather Anderson. They have hiked over 50,000 miles between the two of them and advise on topics ranging from route planning to nutrition to post-trail depression. Read our review here.

The Unlikely Thru-Hiker

• MSRP: $19.95
• Author: Derick Lugo

Your hiker is sure to enjoy this entertaining and often humorous account of a New York City comedian’s thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail. Read our review here.

Journeys North: The Pacific Crest Trail

• MSRP: $19.95
• Author: Barney Scout Mann

Legendary Triple Crowner and PCT trail angel Scout shares his narrative account of six hikers’ journeys from Mexico to Canada on the PCT. Read our review here.

Mud, Rocks, Blazes: Letting Go On the Appalachian Trail

• MSRP: $18.95
• Author: Heather Anderson

Heather Anderson is a Triple Crowner, calendar year Triple Crowner, and FKT record-setter on numerous trails, including the AT and PCT. Read our review here.

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Disclosure: Many of the products reviewed on this site, including some of the above, were provided for free for purposes of review. This list was originally published on 11/10/2021. It was updated on 11/15/22 by Penina Crocker.

Featured image: Graphic design by Chris Helm (@chris.helm).