10 Hiking Gift Ideas UNDER $30 (2025 Gift Guide) 🎁

Dec 2

As a follow up to my other 2025 Hiking Gift Guide where I gave ideas for gifts ranging from $30-800, I thought a guide including items of $30 or less was needed.

I have hiked over 10,000km on long distance hiking trails and these are some of my favourite items I carry in my pack!

#1: Wool Toque/Beanie

Switching from a synthetic to wool toque was an absolute game changer. A 100% wool toque can regulate your temperature much better. I find I get better sleep and feel much cozier in the evenings with it. And, it can be worn anytime, not just while hiking!

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#2: Poncho: Frogg Toggs Poncho

I have decided that backpacking with a poncho is the way to go. Not only does the poncho cover you from the rain, but it also covers your pack! I used this specific poncho for ~4,500 km of long distance hiking and it held up well. The first hole I got it in was ~3,500 km in and it was from a dog bite. I would say there is a lot of value to this price point!

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#3: Hiking Socks: specifically Smartwool ankle socks

These are the best hiking socks I’ve ever tried. These combined with my Altra Lone Peaks shoes are a blister-free combo. These socks feel comfortable, dry out quickly, and are easy to pack.

Smartwool light cushion hiking ankle socks

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#4: Therm-a-Rest Universal Camping Mattress Coupling Kit

This is a great gift for a couple or someone you want to snuggle up with when camping together. These straps allow you to keep your sleeping pads close together to avoid them slipping apart and one person falling into that cold and uncomfortable gap. Lightweight, reasonably priced, and durable. Highly recommend it!

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#5: Fairy lights

This is the best way to bring joy and coziness with you camping! These fairy lights are waterproof and have a USB plug that can be used with an external battery bank. String them along your tent, plug them into your battery bank, and all of a sudden you have a magical little camp spot. Well worth the extra bit of weight to carry them in!

Our Durston X-Mid Pro tent with fairy lights on them

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#6: Bug Head Net

I believe this to be an essential item during the buggy part of hiking season. If you’ve ever had bugs attacking your face while trying to cook your dinner at camp, you will understand why. You cannot go wrong with giving the gift of mosquitoes leaving your loved one’s face alone!

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#7: Trowel: lightweight trowel

An ideal gift for day hikers and long distance hikers alike. If you ever get the urge to go #2 while hiking and there are no outhouses in sight, this trowel allows you to dig a little hole and bury your business inside. Good for both the bowels and nature!

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#8: Small towel: PackTowl Personal Towel (size face)

It’s rare to catch sight of a thru hiker without a small towel strapped to their pack. These are so handy for washing yourself, wiping your nose, cleaning your gear, and more! I never hike without one now!

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#9: Kula Cloth: pee cloth

My first pee cloth was a gift from a friend and it was one of the best hiking gear gifts I’ve ever received! A Kula Cloth is an antimicrobial pee cloth that you use to wipe after squatting to pee in the woods. You rinse and wash it along the way. This allows you to still wipe yourself without having to carry in and out a bunch of toilet paper. Game changer!