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It's no secret that outdoor gear—whether for hiking, camping, fishing, or hunting—can get really expensive really fast. Fortunately, if you're searching for thoughtful yet cheap gift ideas for an outdoor enthusiast, there are some of those, too. Our experts have rounded up the best outdoor gifts under $25 that work for any occasion (they're especially great stocking stuffers!). Don’t let the inexpensive price fool you—all of these products are good quality, functional, and highly recommended by yours truly.
These gifts span across various sports and interests from backpacking and boating to whitetail hunting and bass fishing. Browse our list, and we promise whatever you choose will be something your giftee will actually use on their next adventure.
Gerber Paraframe Mini Pocket Knife
The Gerber Paraframe Mini is a fantastic knife for any outdoor lover. It is lightweight and made from high-carbon stainless steel. The small size and the pocket clip make it hard to lose, which is ideal when hiking or camping. You can also toss this in a first aid kit or survival pack. Opening and closing the knife flows well, and it locks while open, which helps prevent accidents from happening.
Turtle Fur Beanie
Turtle Fur products are standbys among all kinds of winter recreationalists for one reason: They’re warm. And thankfully, they’re also affordable. Made with the brand’s trademark 100-percent acrylic Original Turtle Fur Fleece, this beanie is soft and warm enough to handle even the most inclement winter weather.
Stanley Classic Flask
The Stanley Adventure flask is a classic-looking, well-constructed flask. Made of leak-proof stainless steel, it's about as indestructible as a flask can get, making it the perfect gift for bringing a sip of whiskey—or other booze of choice—on an outdoor expedition.
Bass Pro Shops Trucker Hat
We really like the Bass Pro Shops Mesh Trucker Cap as a budget-friendly—and on-trend—gift any outdoorsperson will appreciate. Available in 18 colors, from bright red to forest green, it's a classic and iconic hat style that celebrates one of America’s most well-known outdoors brands.
Tom Beckbe Belt Game Strap
For less than $25 dollars, it’s difficult to find a gift will both be useful and last a while in the field: that’s where the Tom Beckbe Belt Game Strap comes in. Made with full-grain leather, this stylish and functional gift allows the hunter in your life to easily affix small game to their belt.
Sawyer Mini Water Filter
The Sawyer Mini water filter makes an awesome gift for anyone who spends time in the backcountry. At only 2 ounces, it’s an ultralight and compact product that can be used both with a bottle or hydration bladder to filter water, or to just drink straight from a stream or lake.
Yeti Rambler Stackable Cup
The Yeti Rambler stackable cup makes a great present for anyone who likes to enjoy a beverage in the great outdoors. The small cup is built with double-wall vacuum insulated kitchen-grade stainless steel, meaning it will keep hot drinks, like espresso, hot and cold drinks cold. The splash-resistant lid makes it easy to use on the go.
Free Fly Sun Mask
The Free Fly Sun Mask is a phenomenal choice for anyone who spends serious time in the sun, whether they’re an angler, hunter, boater, or something else. The sun mask is made with a breathable blend of Viscose from bamboo and polyester. The material is soft but strong enough to protect your neck and face from both sun rays and wind.
Mpowerd Luci Solar Lantern
We like that the compact Luci lantern packs down small and that the battery can be recharged via solar power. It’s right on the cusp of the $25 price range, but is worth it for the functionality it brings to outdoor adventures. The light weight makes it easy to hang in a tent and, because it’s waterproof, you don’t have to worry about leaving it out in the rain or taking it on a late-night paddle.
Field & Stream Journal
I’m admittedly biased as a Field & Stream writer, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an outdoorsman or woman who wouldn’t appreciate the Field & Stream Journal Issue 2. For less than $20 bucks, you get 160 pages of hunting tips, gear coverage, and adventure tales printed on 10x12-inch premium paper. Whoever you gift this to will want to keep it on their coffee table for months and even years to come.
Farm to Feet Socks
Some people like to rag on giving socks as a gift; we don’t agree. Outdoorsmen and women can always—always—use new socks. Farm to Feet’s American Trail Socks are ideal for hikers and backpackers. They’re made with U.S.-sourced 19.5-micron merino wool, which regulates temperature and is odor-resistant.
Montana Knife Company Blade Wax
For under $25 dollars, you’d be hard-pressed to find a quality blade—but you can get the knife junkie in your life something they’ll actually use. Montana Knife Company’s Blade Wax is a unique formula that can be used to clean and preserve blades. The product is made with natural beeswax—not like other synthetic blade waxes—and prevents rust and oxidation, as well as enhancing blade performance by reducing friction.
Vital Impact Ammo Can
The Vital Impact .30 Caliber metal ammo can makes a solid gift for anyone who spends time at the shooting range. The sturdy, water-resistant container is stackable, rust-resistant, and ideal for storing extra rounds, shooting accessories, and electronics.
Cabela's Carryall Bag
Yes, you can get a quality pack for under $25. Enter the Cabela's Carryall, which is a roomy 45L duffle bag with six different pockets to keep all your gear organized. It's made of weather-resistant, super durable 600-denier polyester, so it's great for tossing in the truck for a hunting trip or throwing on the boat for a day of fishing.
Berkley Fishing Gift Pack
Don’t know what to get the saltwater or bass angler in your life? You can’t go wrong with the Berkley Fishing Gift Pack. For less than $25 dollars, you get $40 bucks worth of premium fishing line, hooks, and lures. The best part? It’s all stuff any bass angler will actually use.
Matador Gear Tags
For outdoor adventures, it’s important to keep your gear labeled. Most bag tags aren’t durable enough for true outdoor expeditions. That’s where the Matador Gear Tags come in. Constructed with Hypalon, a synthetic rubber, these are water, impact, and dust resistant. They can be attached to any bag or pack and are perfect for anyone planning a serious outdoor trip in the near future.
Bottle Bright Water Bottle Cleaning Tablets
Water bottle cleaning tablets are a cheap, effective, and practical gift that can be used as a stocking stuffer or for someone who seems to have everything already. The Bottle Bright tablets are easy to use and can even be used to clean water reservoirs along with bottles of all kinds. They’re a natural cleaning solution that doesn’t utilize bleach and should require no scrubbing. They sanitize and clean stainless steel bottles, mugs, hydration reservoirs, coolers, plastic containers, and bottles.
Muddy Accessory Hooks
Give the gift of organization this year with a few Muddy accessory hooks. You can use these in a tree stand to arrange all your gear, sure, but you can also use them at home to organize equipment or get muddy/wet clothing off the ground and in one area. The sharp end makes it easy to secure the hook in a tree, and they are rated up to 10 pounds per hook. The rubber coating helps protect your bow, etc. when taking it on and off the hooks.
Zippo Refillable Hand Warmer
Hunters and hikers alike know that fall and winter outdoor adventures often call for a few hand warmers. While a box of classic hand warmers can still be a practical gift, we prefer the Zippo hand warmer. It is reusable and flameless, and can last up to 12 hours. It creates warmth with a catalytic burner and comes with an easy-fill cup to prevent spill when refilling the Zippo hand warmer fluid.
Hikers Brew Coffee
While there are several coffee options for backpacking and hunting, Hikers Brew is dedicated to creating more sustainable coffee options for all backcountry adventures. All their coffee options are ground and intended to be brewed using a pour-over. Unlike many other brands, they also come in single-serve pouches that are at-home compostable.
Lepro LED Headlamp
For hands-free lighting in the wilderness, this LED headlamp is one of our favorites. It boasts an IPX4 waterproof rating, so you can wear it in any weather conditions, and it has five different light settings, including a "super bright" mode and red light options. It's very lightweight and comfortable, and can last for up to 30 hours on a single charge.
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape
We talk about Tenacious Tape a lot because it is, in our eyes, necessary to have on hand in the backcountry and at home. No sewing or heat activation is required to use this gear repair and patching system. For folks with synthetic gear or clothing, having a roll of Tenacious Tape on hand for quick and effective fabric repairs is a must. Gear Aid has a wide variety of gear repair items at an affordable price, so you can even put together a small gear repair kit for the backpacker or hunter in your life.
Electric Lighter
It's always a good time to cozy up around a campfire (check fire bans first) or indoor fireplace. Using matches and classic lighters can work, but why not get a longer-lasting option? This rechargeable electric lighter provides limitless power and makes it easy to reach and start a fire. It is affordable, portable, and lightweight, and the flameless technology makes it an excellent option for lighting fires in windy or stormy weather.
Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Bag
Paddlers, backpackers, hunters, and anglers can all appreciate the versatility and practicality of a reliable dry sack. The Sea to Summit Lightweight Dry Sacks are relatively inexpensive for their quality. These dry bags are waterproof but are not intended to be submerged in water. They work well and keep moisture out in the rain or when water splashes onto the bag thanks to the secure roll top.
UCO Stormproof Matches
Even if the person you are gifting isn’t a survivalist or building a survival kit, having stormproof matches on hand while in the backcountry never hurts. If caught in a storm or if the lighter runs out of fuel, it is recommended to have a functional backup. Stormproof matches tend to have a longer burn time than classic matches (around 15 seconds), and they should relight after being submerged in water. That way, you can still light your stove or a fire in a rainstorm without worry. The UCO match case is also waterproof.
Striker Reflex Sun Gloves
Fishing gloves make a great gift for the angler in your life because they’re not always a necessity—but they can definitely be a luxury to have on the water. The Striker Reflex Sun Glove is a durable but lightweight fishing glove, made with synthetic suede palms and an extended cuff. The gloves boast UPF 50+ sun protection, moisture wicking qualities, and a half-finger design so you can still tie knots while wearing them.
Swiftwick Flite XT Trail Socks
We cannot get enough of the Swiftwick Flite XT Trail socks, which are a classic and functional gift for men and women alike. If you are gifting someone that loves hiking, needs work socks, or wants to upgrade their sock collection, these are a perfect fit. They are slim-fitting and snug to reduce the likelihood of hot spots forming and are breathable. While they may not be the best sock for winter hikes, they work well for summer and shoulder seasons.
CuloClean Portable Bidet
If you’re searching for another low-waste backpacking gadget, check out the CuloClean Bidet. Popular among many thru-hikers, this small bidet is suitable for all types of backcountry endeavors. It cuts back on toilet paper waste and leaves you feeling cleaner on long treks. It fits most standard plastic bottles (i.e., Smart Water) and is easy to use. There are other travel bidets on the market, but we prefer this one due to its durability, functionality, and small size.
Yaktrax Traction Cleats
With winter just around the corner, get the trail runner, hiker, or anyone that works outside Yaktrax Traction Cleats. No matter their age, anyone can benefit from traction aids, which can prevent slipping and falling when walking the dog, shoveling snow, checking the mail, or during winter trail runs. They fit snugly on boots, trainers, and other winter shoe options with the proper sizing. Although microspikes can also be an option, Yaktrax tend to be more comfortable to wear for extended periods and can be more versatile on surfaces.
Collapsible Sink
A portable sink is an underrated piece of equipment for car camping or overlanding. The easy-to-pack UST FlexWare Collapsible Sink can be used as a sink or as a shower caddy, storage basket, or water carrier. We prefer it as a camp sink, especially since having two or more of them makes for an efficient wash station. These pack down small, making them easy to fit into pre-existing camp kitchen chuck boxes.
Why Trust Us
For more than 125 years, Field & Stream has been providing readers with honest and authentic coverage of outdoor gear. Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. You can count on F&S to keep you up to date on the best new gear. And when we write about a product—whether it’s a bass lure or a backpack—we cover the good and the bad, so you know exactly what to expect before you decide to make a purchase.
