Prices are listed as they were at the time of writing. No products were donated or given for the purposes of review.
Hiker dinner, featuring a long-handled spoon.
Photo by Zoë Symon
1. Long-handled Spoon
This is a thru-hiking and backpacking necessity, and chances are, most thru-hikers already have one. If not, though, this is the ultimate affordable outdoors gift: able to reach the bottom of a peanut butter jar, and it won’t break. (Can you tell this is my favorite item?)
Most companies offer either a stainless steel or titanium spoon, and most weigh around 0.5 oz or less. Below are a few options.
Sea to Summit Alpha Long Spoon ($8.95, 0.4 oz)
Toaks Titanium Long Handle Spoon ($10.95, 0.65 oz)
MSR Alpine Long Tool Spoon ($9.95, 0.3 oz)
Optimus Titanium Long Spoon ($9.95, 0.67 oz)
This multi-tool is a little bigger than the ones that most hikers carry, but it was found on the trail, and you can’t beat free for price!
Photo by Zoë Symon
2. Multi-tool
This one may be a little over $20, but it’s so useful it belongs on here. Also, it’s really helpful to have all your tools in one! This is doubly true for thru-hikers and backpackers where space and weight are big issues.
When selecting a multi-tool, keep weight in mind: the smaller and lighter the better, but not so small and light that it’s useless. Also, scissors as part of the multi-tool are a necessity. They are useful for opening food packages, cutting tape to repair gear, cutting someone’s old paracord out of trees, and so much more. Below are a few good options.
Gerber Dime Butterfly-opening Multi-tool ($21, 2.2 oz)
Leatherman Style CS Multi-tool ($29.95, 1.4 oz)
Leatherman Micra Multi-tool ($23.96, 1.8 oz)
This multi-tool is a little bigger than the ones that most hikers carry, but it was found on the trail, and you can’t beat free for price!
Photo by Zoë Symon
Granola bars are another good snack food and have a wide variety.
Photo by Alice Pasqual
3. Snacks
Hiker hunger is a well-known phenomenon, and most thru-hikers do love to eat, but food as a gift is tricky. Consider giving an IOU for snacks for their next hike rather than buying a million Clif Bars now. Also, maybe don’t go for only Clif Bars… other options are below.
ProBar Meal (~$3.50/bar, vegan)
Epic Meat Bar (~$2.50/bar, paleo)
These links will take you to the company websites, where they only sell in bulk. Most health food stores or outdoor retailers will sell single bars.
Trail Butter (prices vary, vegetarian)
A couple of ibuprofen, ready to help with aches and pains.
Photo by Zoë Symon
4. Ibuprofen
This one is kind of a downer, because no one likes to think about being in pain while hiking, but chances are that any thru-hiker will want some “vitamin I” while on a long-distance backpacking trip. When the difference between not being able to get out of your tent and having a great day hiking could be as simple as a couple ibuprofen, it makes sense to carry a few along.
For those hikers who are sensitive to ibuprofen, naproxen can be a good pain relief alternative.
Generic Ibuprofen (~$5 for a 50 pill bottle)
I’ve linked CVS here, but you can find a similar product and price at any pharmacy, grocery, or convenience store.
A tent seam waiting for some repair tape.
Photo by Zoë Symon
5. Gear Repair Tape
Frustrating things can happen sometimes, and hikers shouldn’t be stuck out on the trail with no way to repair a tent that has failed. Most gear repair tape is lightweight, strong, and completely worth it on the off chance that a tent, rain jacket, or other piece of gear gets damaged.
Plus, if you carry it, then you’ll never need it, right?! Some good options are below.
Gear Aid Tenacious Tape ($5.25, nylon)
Zpacks Seam Tape/Repair Tape ($3.50, dyneema)
Hanging a small towel to dry after cleaning a cooking pot.
Photo by Zoë Symon
6. Small Towel
Many thru-hikers might consider a small towel an unnecessary luxury item, but it’s so lightweight and multipurpose that it can make it worth its weight.
Most small camp towels are absorbent, quick to dry, and can be used for a variety of purposes, from washing your cooking pot to washing your dusty trail legs before getting in your sleeping bag.
REI Co-op Multi-towel Lite ($9.95, 0.7 oz – Small)
PackTowl Nano ($9.95, 0.9 oz)
PackTowl Luxe ($12.95, 1.1 oz – Face)
Rope and paracord in a pile.
Photo by Emma Louise Comerford
7. Paracord
Talk to any thru-hiker about how they store their food, and you’ll find there’s an intense debate about whether to hang your food. However, in bear-prone areas like much of the Appalachian Trail and other long trails, it’s a good idea to be prepared just in case. Having some paracord in your pack will give you the option to hang your food if necessary, and can be useful in other situations too!
Consider taking your gift a step further and printing instructions for the PCT bear hang method to go with the paracord.
PMI 3mm Utility Cord ($5 for 50ft, 3.8oz)
Gear Aid 550 Paracord Utility Line ($6.50 for 30 ft, 2.6oz)
Dirty Girl Gaiters and trail runners go great together!
Photo by Zoë Symon
8. Gaiters
This is another item that could be just over the $20 mark depending on the brand you get, but gaiters are worth every penny.
Gaiters are so lightweight you won’t even notice you’re wearing them, but your feet will thank you because your shoes won’t fill with abrasive dirt and debris that can cause chafing and lead to other foot issues. The only problem is remembering to put them on before your shoes when you’re still half asleep. Some great options are below!
Altra Trail Gaiter ($20/pair ~1oz)
Dirty Girl Gaiters ($23/pair, ~1oz)
Outdoor Research Surge Running Gaiters ($28/pair, ~1oz)
Out of hand sanitizer! Oh no!
Photo by Zoë Symon
9. Hand Sanitizer
Another must-have for day hikers, section hikers, and thru-hikers. When you haven’t had a shower in a week, it’s probably a good idea to use some hand sanitizer before you eat. You’re using the bathroom in the woods (or in a privy because, let’s be real, those things can be gross), you’ll probably want some hand sanitizer afterwards. When Grubby Joe Hiker sticks his dirty little fingers into the trail mix bag and then offers you some… well, you’ll probably just want to say no thanks.
Generic Hand Sanitizer is about $1.50 per 2oz bottle.
A postcard from the Appalachian Trail.
Photo by Zoë Symon
10. Postcard Stamps
A fun way for thru-hikers to keep in touch with family and friends while on the trail is by sending postcards from all the amazing places they have the opportunity to visit. However, with post office hours, it can be a pain to find stamps for the postcards.
An entire sheet of stamps might last a hiker for their entire trip! Consider gifting a pen as well, as it can be hard to find single pens for sale.
Postcard Stamps ($8.80 for a sheet of 20)
A thru-hiker uses the FarOut Guides app.
Photo by Jonas Jacobsson, screenshot courtesy of Atlas Guides
BONUS. FarOut Guides
Likely the best affordable hiking Gift. We have many of our trail guides for under $20. Browse our list of guides and consider giving the gift of FarOut!