Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
Outdoor Gift Ideas Under $50 That Won't Break The Bank
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I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I made the bold choice to get my flu and COVID shots the day before we left for Bend, and unbeknownst to me, I had a small cold brewing inside of me. So, combined with the shots and holiday festivities, I got sick by the end of the weekend and have been recovering since. But it gave me plenty of time to dive into this newsletter! As we get closer to the holidays, I wanted to help you out with gift ideas. Practical Gifts without Breaking the BankI'm all for practical gifts that will actually get used and won't empty the wallet. So here's some gear that is under $50 Black Diamond 400 Headmap: $49.95 - A go-to staple for anyone who likes to spend time outside. BioLite Mini Lantern: $29.89 - A lightweight way to add some light to your camping or backpacking trip. Weekend Camping Cookbook: $10.95 - Add some flavor to your camping adventures with new recipes. Cocktail Box: $22 - A fan of cocktails, all you need is bourbon whiskey and you'll be set! Darn Tough Socks, $24: Men's | Women's - One of the best brands of hiking socks on the market. These will last years and years. NEMO Sleeping Bag Liner, $34.73: If you want to add more warmth to your sleeping bag without buying a new one, a liner is your best bet. Men's Nathan 365 Sun Hoodie, $46.73: You can never go wrong with another sun hoodie to protect your skin while running or hiking. Patagonia Hiking Hat $29.73: This reminds me that I probably need a new one at some point, as all of mine are pretty gross and dirty from last year. Nathan Polarized Sunglasses: $39.73: I personally try not to spend too much on my sunglasses because they always tend to end up under my butt when I go to sit down. So, these are some good quality without sinking too much into them. Turtle Fur Balaclava, $24.73: Try to say Balaclava three times fast. Sunday Afternoons Sport Hat $25.73: Keep your face and neck shaded as you tackle miles, fish, or enjoy the outdoors. REMINDER: 2025 Calendars are on sale for $28.50 and will ship out soon! Warm Weather and Other Gear On Sale Until December 9th or later(not under $50) REI Magma 850 Down Hoodie, Currently 40% off - Men's | Women's: If you are looking for a warm down jacket that won't break the bank, this is your best bet. At 850 fill, it's in the top echelon of "warmth." Plus, you can't beat the discount. Mountain Hardwear Micochill Pullover 50% off: Men's: Comfy fleece pullover for nights camping or a solid mid-layer out hiking. Icebreaker Merinio 200 Longsleeve Top, 25% off: Women's: I'm a sucker for wool base layers, and Icebreaker makes some fantastic gear that will last a while. Anytime you can get wool at a discount, it's good! Garmin Fenix 7x Pro Solar, 27% off: Buy it here. This is by no means a budget buy, but if you're shopping for a new hiking watch, I love my Fenix 7. They just came out with a new model, so you'd be getting the older version, but to save almost 30%, it might be worth it! SoloStove Fire Pit, 23% off: Grab it here. Have a fire almost anywhere you want with the Solostove fire pit. Super easy to use and transport, and keeps the smoke to a minimum. JetBoil Flash Cooking System, 25% off: Buy it here. This isn't a significant discount and usually happens a few times a year, but if you're looking to gift a backpacker a Jetboil, they would be stoked! I still have my first Jetboil from 2018, so they last. GSI Outdoors Knife Set, 25% off: Buy it here. The perfect camping knife set up and keeps everything organized and safely packed while traveling. Insta360 X4, 15% off: See it here. If you are a creator or enjoy making unique videos, the Insta360 allows you a multitude of ways to get creative with videos - especially in places where drones are prohibited. Gregory Hardcase Luggage, 25% off: Get it here. I've had this one since 2019, and it's been a fantastic travel companion to Iceland, Australia, and Ireland. Five days in Alaska's Katmai and Lake Clark National ParksAfter hours of editing, my short film from Alaska is complete! If you like bears and pretty landscapes, you'll love it. Last but not least!If you don't want to buy outdoor gear, I would love it if you considered gifting one of my photos this year! It's a fantastic way to support my small business. Thank you to those who browse! Explore my photography gallery. |
Hi! I'm Alec, an outdoor writer, photographer, and content creator.
Alec is a landscape photographer and outdoors storyteller with a zeal for pushing boundaries in the wild. He enjoys hiking, backpacking, and visiting remote places, allowing him to photograph locations the rest of the world shies away from. In addition, Alec loves to write about his travels and craft articles that help educate and inspire others to find their joy in nature.
It took them a while, but the rankings of most visited National Parks have finally been released. The NPS also set a new record in 2024 with the most visitors ever! The top park has remained the same for most people's lives—a testament to how many people live on the East Coast and how accessible GSMNP is. The rest of the list tends to be in the top 10, simply shifting around from year to year. This one will be a short newsletter as I'm still getting back into things after being in Las Vegas...
You might be interested in ... YouTube Videos from Iceland Exploring the Katla Ice Cave + A Tour Review (BRAND NEW) - Watch it here. Cinematic Iceland, 17 minutes of stunning drone shots - Watch it here. If you enjoy these videos, I'd be very appreciative if you subscribed! Midnight Sun or Northern Lights? A Quick Pro/Con for when to visit Iceland If you're having some trouble deciding when to visit Iceland, I wanted to do a quick benefits breakdown of each season. I've been in June during...
Hi Ya'll! After snowboarding over 40 miles and 40,000 feet in Whistler, British Columbia, last weekend, my body is still in the 'what the heck was that' phase, and I'm still a bit sore. But it's a good sore. We had great conditions and snowfall on both days, and we were able to hang out with friends who I hadn't seen in a while. Staying in Whistler Village is one of my favorite places because it's so walkable, the public transportation is great, and you don't have to drive a car all weekend....