The Internet’s Most Low Cost, Budget Minded Hiking and Backpacking Gear

Hiking is a cheap hobby, until it isn’t. All a hiker needs is a pair of good shoes, and a map. Everything else, one could argue, is extra. 

However, the deeper you get into this hobby, the more gear you’ll find that you need to enhance your adventures. If you’re ready to progress to longer trails and taller mountains, it might start getting real expensive, real quick. 

I’ve been there. Adventuring on a shoestring budget is real challenge. I wish that someone had told me that you don’t always need the fanciest, most expensive gear. 

Sure, that stuff is nice, but if you look around, you can find much more affordable alternatives. I’ve searched far and wide to gather all of the most affordable hiking items into one handy list. Check out our guide to the most affordable hiking gear!

Related: Our Favorite Hiking and Backpacking Gear of all time.

Hiking For Beginners on a Budget

Before we get to our list, here are few things you should keep in mind before choosing your new, cheap hiking gear. This gear has been chosen for those looking for cheap alternatives to expensive hiking gear, and represents an introductory backpacking gear list for beginners. 

Here are a few tips, to help you pick the best hiking and backpacking gear for your needs:

• Prioritize Comfort. When picking out your gear, choose stuff that fits well and feels good.
• Ounces Add Up Quickly: Not every hiker needs the lightest gear, but it helps to be mindful of weight. An extra ounce or two may not seem like much, but you’ll feel it weigh you down over miles of hiking.
• Split the Weight: Sharing a tent? How about a cookset? Split up this gear, and share it among your hiking partners. This will mean less weight (and more fun) for all of you.

Please Note: I haven’t had a chance to personally test out all of this gear. Quality may be suspect. I can’t promise you that all of it will be good, but I can promise you that it will be the cheapest hiking gear on the internet.

Stove: AOTU Piezo Ignition Backpacking Stove

Of all the gear on this list, the AOTU Piezo Ignition Backpacking Stove is easily the best value.

How do I know?

Because I’ve put mine to the test hundreds of times. This tiny stove has never failed to produce cooked meals, and hot water. 

For the cost of a dinner at a decent restaurant, my MalloMe stove has proven reliable, over and over again. 

It’s cooked hundreds of meals, and just as many pots of instant coffee. It has yet to fail me. 

Like the popular MSR PocketRocket stove, the AOTU stove fits on a standard sized, self sealing fuel canister. It fits in a compact little carrying case, and is very lightweight. 

The AUTO stove has two big advantages over the MSR PocketRocket, though.

First, it’s a third of the price. As a frugal hiker, that’s a win.

Second, it is self igniting. No need to worry about bringing a lighter or matches. Simply twist the handle to release gas, and press the Piezo ignition to start the flame. Easy. 

The MSR PocketRocket doesn’t do that, but the AOTU Backpacking stove does.

Jacket: Amazon Essentials Packable Hooded Down Jacket

When it comes to keeping warm in cold weather, a good down jacket is often the best item to have. Down Jackets are lightweight, pack down small, and work well in any layering system. 

When searching for a good Down Jacket, it’s tempting to reach for the Patagonia logo, and call it a day. These jackets are pricey, but thankfully good, cheap alternatives abound on the internet.

One such affordable down jacket is the Amazon Essentials Packable Down Hooded Jacket. This quilted down jacket is rather warm, and pack down small for carrying in a backpack. With hand warmer pockets, and a generous hood, this jacket may be cheap, but it’s not lacking in any important features. 

Mens Hooded Down Jacket on Amazon Women's Hooded Down Jacket on Amazon

Hammock: WiseOwl 2 Person Double Hammock

Yeah, sleeping on the cold ground is cool, but have you considered the alternative? How about stringing up a hammock between two sturdy trees, and chilling in the gentle breeze?

Because you totally can, and lightweight hiking and backpacking hammocks have never been more affordable.

The WiseOwl 2 Person Double Hammock, expertly crafted to stand up to the rigors of the trail, is the perfect hammock for those looking to sleep under the stars. You’ll feel like you’re floating in the trees, as the lightness of the night rocks you to sleep. 

Included with your hammock are two, easy to use straps, and carabiners to make set up simple and easy. The WiseOwl double hammock weighs 30 oz., and is rated to loads up to 500 lbs. 

Pants:  Wrangler Convertible Trail Jogger

Pants are important. They protect your legs, and most businesses won’t let you enter the premises without them. Hiking pants do all of that, but with more mud stains. 

In my book, Prana makes the best hiking pants. But Prana is expensive. The next best runner up, coming in at half the cost of the Prana Zion pants, is the Wrangler Convertible Trail Jogger Pants.

I’ve written and in depth review, comparing Wrangler Pants to Prana Zion. Both good pants, but I concluded that the Wranglers lend its wearer great breathability, flexibility, and comfort, for bargain bin prices. 

Key Features Include:

• Water Repellent Stretch Fabric
• Regular Fit
• Vented Knees
• Zip Pockets
• UPF 30+ Sun Protection

So basically, all you could want, or need in a pair of 3 season hiking pants, without the price tag. 

Sun Protection: Willit UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie

Everyone’s like “Sun’s Out Guns Out”, until they’re sunburned, raw, and at a far greater risk of developing skin cancer. 

I take the sun seriously. It’s a big, loving ball of warmth in the sky, but too much of it can cause problems. Hiking on a sunny day, be sure to always bring sun protection.

Sunscreen used to be the end all solution to sun exposure. Ask some experts, though, and they’ll tell you that sunscreen doesn’t always cut it. 

That’s why I always wear a UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie. Providing full torso and head protection, I never need to worry about applying (and reapplying sunscreen). 

By far, the most affordable Sun Hoodie is the Willit UPF 50+ Sun Hoodie. This lightweight hoodie provides all day protection, breathes well, and costs a fraction of similar, big brand sun Hoodies.

If you’re gonna buy any gear, invest in a sun hoodie. It will pay you back years from now. 

If you’re interested, you can read more about sun hoodies in my review of the Prana Calder.

Men's Willit Sun Hoodie on Amazon Women's Willit Sun Hoodie on Amazon

Tent: Bessport 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent

Is anyone else here afraid of the dark? No? Just me? Okay. 

Typically, a my nightlight sees me through the dark of the night. It keeps the boogeyman away. Unfortunately, out on the trails, I don’t have that luxury. It is only the soft, linen walls of my Bessport 2 Person Lightweight Backpacking Tent that separates me from the creepy crawlies. 

The Bessport 2 Person makes for a pretty decent shelter. For the price, the Bessport is the best value 2 person tent. It’s got all the tent features that you need, including:

• Rainfly
• Two Doors
• Breathable Mesh Construction
• Freestanding design allows easy set up and take down.

It’s a great, beginner friendly, budget minded tent. It’s not the lightest, but if you split the weight with your hiking partner, it’s very manageable. 

Bessport 2 Tent on Amazon Bessport 2 Tent on Ebay

Sleeping Pad: SleepingGo Camping Sleeping Pad

A tired hiker, is a cranky hiker. Actually, a tired person is just generally a cranky person, I think. Which is why ya’ll should invest in a good backcountry sleeping pad!

I recommend the SleepingGo Inflatable Camping Pad. I always took my sleep for granted, until I invested in a comfortable, inflatable sleeping pad. The SleepingGo is clearly the best value pad. For the price, a hiker gets:

• An R-Value of 2.1. Keeps the ground from stealing all of your precious body heat.
• Insanely packable design.
• Lightweight, at only 14.5 oz. Less than a pound!
• Lifetime Guarantee.

Sleeping Bag: Winner Outfitters Mummy Sleeping Bag

There is nothing like wrapping yourself in the tender embrace of a mummy sleeping bag. After a hard days hike, it’s the best feeling. 

If you have any inkling to spend a night outdoors, a sleeping bag should be at the top of your gear priority list. Next to a good pad, a sleeping bag is key to a good nights rest. 

When it comes to hiking sleeping bags, the Mummy design is key. In a mummy bag, you are wrapped fully, ensuring optimum warmth and comfort. 

The Winner Outfitter’s Mummy Sleeping Bag can be found on Amazon for a significant discount compared to similar bags. 

Rated to 35 degrees F, this 2.8 lb sleeping bag is machine washable, and comes with it’s own stuff sack. 

If you’d prefer a little more quality and warmth in a sleeping bag, I’d recommend the Kelty Cosmic 20. I’ve used mine hundreds of times over the last 7 years, in all sorts of rough conditions. This sleeping bag has yet to let me down, and has retained the same level of warmth all this time. 

TopQuilt: OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Sleeping Quilt

Who says that going ultralight needs to be expensive? TopQuilts are a novel design, considered essential to lightening your load. 

What is a Topquilt? It’s a three sided sleeping bag, essentially. A top quilt cuts out the side of a sleeping bag that one normally sleeps directly on top of.

The result? It saves you several ounces of down fill that might normally go to waste. 

Quilts are all the rage among the ultralight hiking community. Many have sworn off traditional sleeping bags altogether. The OneTigris Featherlite, in my book, qualifies as one of the best budget ultralight backpacking gear available.

Many quilts are pricey. They’ll run you about the cost of one monthly American health insurance payment. Or about 12 Pizza Deliveries. I won’t judge you for how you spend your money.

The OneTigris Featherlite Ultralight Quilt, as far as I can tell, breaks the mold. They don’t charge much for their topquilt. Weighing in at just under 2 pounds, and rated to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, the OneTigris Topquilt is the perfect ultralight option for a nippy fall or spring night. If you’re looking for an affordable sleeping bag alternative for backpacking, the OneTigris Featherlite is a good option.

Trekking Poles: Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Trekking Poles

If we were giants, we’d use trekking poles as tooth picks, and full grown cedars for hiking stability. But we’re not giants, so we instead need to use the Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Trekking Poles as regular walking sticks. 

There’s not much to a Trekking Pole. They help you hike up and down mountains. That’s it. A trekking pole doesn’t need to be too fancy.

The Cascade Mountain Aluminum Poles aren’t very fancy. They’re rather basic. These poles are adjustable, and they have comfortable cork grips, but not much else.

They’re just right for the job. The job of getting you up and down a mountain, without a hit to your wallet.

Adidas Terrex AX3 Hiking Shoes

Adidas is a trusted brand name-one that you wouldn’t clump in with all of the low budget, knock off product that I’ve listed thus far. I’m including the Adidas Terrex AX3, because you never want to give up quality in your hiking footwear. 

The Adidas Terrex AX3 has several built in design features that I believe make it a quality hiking shoe. 

• Lightweight. You can move more quickly in the backcountry.
• Mesh Upper Allows Water to Easily Dry
• Ankle High Shaft Ensures that You’ll have more mobility, greater cooling.

Many Terrex AX3 hikers swear by their out-of-the-box comfort, and awesome durability. For the price, these shoes are probably the best value hiking shoes on the market. 

Men's Adidas Terrex AX3 on Amazon Men's Adidas Terrex AX3 at Backcountry

Women's Adidas Terrex AX3 on Amazon Women's Adidas Terrex AX3 at Backcountry

Related: La Sportiva TX4 Approach Shoes vs. 5.10 Guide Tennies

Backpack: Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack

Conventional wisdom states that, before committing to a pack, you need to try it on. It’s important, they say, to test out it’s fit and comfort, lest you find yourself totally dissatisfied way out in the wilderness.

Conventional wisdom also used to hold that smoking is a healthy habit.

Conventional wisdom is often correct, but not always.

So when it comes down to finally buying your new backpacking pack, my very unconventional advice is telling you that, for the price, the Teton Sports Scout 3400 Internal Frame Backpack is a very decent buy. The Teton Scout serves as a quality alternative to more expensive hiking packs. 

Here’s some features and stats:

• Capacity: 3400 Cubic Inches/55 Liters
• Adjustable 26”-60” waistbelt
• Adjustable 15”-19.5” Torso Length
• 3 Liter Hydration Bladder Compatible
• Included Rainfly
• Separate Sleeping Bag compartment

True, the Scout 3400 weighs a little more than backpacks of similar size and capacity. The build quality and comfort may also be a little suspect. Yet, coming in at half the price of the next cheapest pack, your bank account will be thanking you.

Teton Sports Scout 3400 on Amazon Teton Sports Scout 3400 at Walmart Teton Sports Scout 34oo on Moosejaw

GPS: Gaia GPS app for iOS and Android

Going hiking is awesome. Getting lost is not. It used to be that adventurers relied on maps, compass, and the angle of the sun to get around. These days, most everyone has a smartphone, and the handy Gaia GPS App makes those analog tools nearly obsolete (until your phone runs out of battery).

I love the Gaia GPS app. I’ve been using it for three years, primarily to map hiking trails. Featuring the power of a dedicated GPS unit, Gaia GPS uses your phone’s built in GPS features to pinpoint your location anywhere on the globe. No longer do you need to use a pricey garmin. Instead, Gaia GPS provides nearly all of the same features, at a fraction of the cost, and none of the weight. 

As an exclusive offer to our readers, follow this link to get a big discount on your Gaia GPS Subscription!

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Timothy Carlson

Lead Editor and Content Contributor at Hike The Planet!

Timothy started Hike The Planet! as a Fun Way to Scratch His Creative Itch. Timothy is a Rock Climber, Thru Hiker, and Aspiring Trail Runner. He Has Lived and Traveled Throughout the Southwest, but Currently Makes His Home in Southern California.

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