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Not long into gift hunting for someone that hikes, hunts, camps, or goes backpacking, you’ll learn that outdoor gear is expensive. While we don’t shutter at spending an insane amount of money for a product that’s .5 ounce lighter, our loved ones feel differently—rightly so. To help you get a great gift for the outdoors-obsessed person in your life, and not spend a fortune, we chose five items under $60 that will appeal to just about any outdoor enthusiast.
Wise Owl Hammock
Key Features
- Weight: 24 ounces
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
- Includes straps and caribiners
- Rain fly available
- Best for People Who Enjoy: Hiking, backpacking, and camping
- Price: $30
The year was 2020 and, like most people, I spent a lot of my summer at home. So the $30 Wise Owl Hammock became my outdoor retreat. From taking naps to light reading it was a pleasure to hang out in. Probably the best testament to the hammock is that I’m still using it three years later. While it’s great for the park or backyard, it also easily fits into a day pack for bringing on a day hike. This hammock is a gift any outdoor enthusiast would like and its wow factor far exceeds its price.
Complete the Set
Wise owl makes a bunch of great accessories to go with their hammocks. Here are some top picks:
Hammock camping is one of the best ways to sleep outside, especially in the summer. But, a rain cover is an essential part of the kit.
A bug net is just as and, in some places more, important than a rainfly. Don’t leave your future hammock camper vulnerable to a swarm of mosquitoes.
One thing you’ll learn when sleeping in a hammock is that you stay cooler than you do sleeping on a sleeping pad. That’s great in the heat of summer, but in the shoulder seasons, it’s a liability. That’s why an underquilt is a must-have accessory for cool weather hammock camping.
GearLight S1000 LED
Key Features
- Lumens: 1000
- Battery Requirements: 3 AAAs
- Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Waterproof rating: N/A
- Best for People Who Enjoy: Camping and Hiking
- Cost: $30
If you’re looking to buy some flashlights in bulk for the whole family, then the GearLight S1000 LED is a great choice. It has plenty of light for walking back from a ranger talk or finding the bathroom in the dead of night, but isn’t so bright that it will wake up everyone in the campground. I also liked that it’s small enough for even young children to hold in their hands and operate but not so small that adults are likely to fumble with it or misplace it in the middle of the night. The simplicity and affordability of this one makes it a win in my books.
Wise Owl Camping Blanket
Key Features
- Materials: Nylon
- Size: 78″ x 55″
- Weight: 28 ounces
- Care: Machine washable
- Best for People Who Enjoy: Camping
- Price: $60
Do you need a camping blanket to go camping? No. But does it magically enhance long evenings spent around the campfire, keeping your legs and lap toasty warm? Oh yes. In my test of the best camping blankets, I learned that there isn’t a lot separating the brand-name $100 blankets from the more affordable options. If anything, the more affordable options performed just as well if not better. So don’t hesitate: the Wise Owl Camping Blanket, now 25% off for Black Friday, is a great value for your next long weekend in the outdoors.
Wise Owl Camping Pillow
Key Features
- Materials: Polyester
- Sizes: 12 x 16 inches or 14 x 18 inches
- Weight: 9 ounces or 11 ounces
- Care: Machine washable
- Best for People Who Enjoy: Camping
- Price: $27
If you’ve been watching your partner fold up their jacket into a “pillow” for the last few summers (or, hey, maybe you’re guilty of doing this yourself), now is the time to get them the gift they really need: a proper camping pillow. This option, from Wise Owl, checks all the boxes: It’s small enough that there is no issue finding a spot for when packing up the car. It’s got a soft, textured side that will be comfortable to the touch, even when cold. The pillow case can be removed, so that you can wash it when you get home again. And best of all? It won’t unfold in the middle of the night, ensuring you an even better night’s sleep. While not quite as comfortable as options that are full memory foam (this one is 25 percent), I found it significantly more comfortable than air-only options.
GearLight Camping Lantern
Key Features
- 2-pack
- Height: 8.5 inches
- Comes with six AAA batteries (3 per lantern)
- Best for People Who Enjoy: Camping
- Price: $33
Whether you are trying to stock your emergency kit or illuminate a campground, the GearLight camping lantern is what you need. While it doesn’t create as warm a light as more expensive options, what it is is bright, easily lighting up a room or tent. While this option comes with batteries so that you can recharge it (an improvement over other similar options I’ve seen), keep in mind that you’ll need three AAAs: there is no option to recharge this one with a USB-C.
Wise Owl Camping Towel
Key Features
- Microfiber
- Packs small
- Dries quickly
- Best for People Who Enjoy: Water Sports, Camping, Backpacking, Fishing, and People with Pets
- Price: $12.75 (XL)
Showering isn’t a priority while backpacking, but rain happens and sometimes you find an irresistible swimming hole. That’s when it’s nice to have a light and easy to pack towel. I keep one of these in my truck for if I get caught out in a rain storm while fishing, my dog goes for an unplanned swim while hiking, or just in case I roll my kayak. At only $13 for the largest size these microfiber towels make a great stocking stuffer or addition to a gift bag.
Ranger Ready Tick and Mosquito Repellent
Key Features
- Scent free
- Includes Picaridin and Permethrin
- Picaridin is a DEET alternative that can be used on dogs
- The combo protects against mosquitoes and ticks
- Great for People Who Enjoy: Any outdoor activity
- Price: $30
Ticks and mosquitoes are more than just an annoyance. They carry diseases you don’t want your loved ones catching, so give them some protection by gifting them this combo pack. It includes Picaridin, which can be applied like DEET to clothing and skin. And Pemethrin, which is highly effective at repelling ticks, but it can only be applied to things like clothing and tents—not directly on skin.
