DGR gift guide

Great Gifts for the Outdoorsman That Cost Less Than $25

So, you’re looking for great gifts for outdoorsmen, ey? Then you’d better believe you’re in the right spot! After all, Dad Gear Review is rather dedicated to the best outdoor gear, apparel, and supplies all year round, so when the winter gifting season rolls in, we’re more than ready.

Now, if you’re looking for the best outdoor gifts for under $25 that are still actually great gifts for outdoorsy men, well, you’re still in the right spot, because we’ve been keeping notes on those, too. And yes, you really can get great outdoor gifts for men that cost less than $25 — nothing on this list is cheap, the inclusions just happen to be affordable.

Every outdoorsman (and every outdoorswoman) needs to have a LifeStraw in the kit, and every time he goes for a hike that will last more than a few hours, he should tuck it into his pack, because you never know. With one of these compact little tubes, a person can literally suck water out of a stream, rain puddle, or a stagnant bog, and be assured of safe hydration.

Blue lifestrpaw with a blue carrying case

LifeStraw

The lucky outdoorsman who receives this headlamp as a gift will never suspect how low priced it was. Given the bright 250-lumen max output, the dimmable bulb, the strobe mode, and the comfort, weather-resistance, and durability of the Black Diamond Astro 300, it’s pretty hard to believe the price, really, but there it is.

Black Diamond headlamp shown in black and maroon

Black Diamond Headlamp

This knife has been carried by multiple generations of adventurers. It’s sleek and simple, it’s razor sharp, and it will last a lifetime. And it costs less than $25. Once an outdoorsy man (or woman) has an Opinel knife, he will never want to be without it again.

Opinel knife with green handle tan leather carrying string and steel colored blade

Opinel Knife

A neck warmer, bandana, impromptu face mask, sweat rag, and so much more, an outdoorsman will make myriad uses of this comfortable and durable merino wool buff. And in fact, it’s a multiseason accessory, adding warmth in winter and blocking sun and wicking moisture in summer.

a gray merino wool buff neck gaiter shown scrunched into a long vertical tube

Buff Merino Wool Neck Gaiter

Give the gift of coziness with these long-lasting warming pouches from Ignik. Each pouch (which come in pairs, with eight total units included here) provides up to 24 hours of heat, so they can keep a sleeping bag warmer all night or keep body parts warmer all day.

an orange and blue bag of Ignik xl warmers 4 pairs 24 hours each

Ignik Sleeping Bag Body Warmer

A sleeping bag liner is a good way to add more warmth and insulation to your bag, making a sleeping bag rated for cool weather suitable for use in a freeze. And it’s a great way to keep your sleeping bag cleaner, as it’s a lot easier to just wash a liner than it is to clean your sleeping bag itself.

Gray sleeping bag liner shown with the corner folded down

Sleeping Bag Liner

It’s always a good idea to bring along a good compass when you’re headed out into the field; even rudimentary compass skills can help direct a wayward hiker back to civilization and safety. With some study or training, this lensatic compass can be used for much more advanced wayfinding, too.

a green compass shown open with an attached string and next to its carrying pouch with snap closure

Lensatic Compass

This compact lantern is the ideal tent nightlight for the family of campers. It’s bright enough to see by with ease in its white light mode, allowing for reading, dressing, or tending to gear, while its pale blue light allows for rest in a darker space.

UCO sprouyt lanterns shown in light blue with a clear tip and an orange hanger string

UCO Sprout Lantern

So light he’ll never notice the gear weight yet so durable he’ll have the set forever, these titanium utensils are the last pieces of camping cutlery your outdoorsman will ever need.

3 piece titanium camp cutlery box next to the knife for spoon and carabiner holder and a storage pouch

Titanium Camp Cutlery

Durable Odor Control Hiking Socks

Even if ScentLok socks did not reduce microbial buildup and control foot odor, they would still be a DGR recommendation because of how supportive, comfortable, durable, and moisture-wicking they are. So that odor control? That’s icing on the sock cake.

three pairs of scent lock crew socks in black, gray and white
The Bush Craft Essentials field guide book cover

The Bushcraft Essentials Field Guide

A pleasure to read when he’s safe and snug at home and just maybe a book that will keep him safe out there in the wilderness, “The Bushcraft Essentials Field Guide” by Dave Canterbury is packed with must-know knowledge for anyone who spends time in the field.

It’s all fun and games until someone gets a burn, scrape, poke, bee sting, or other unpleasantness. With this compact and well-curated first aid kit, these and other common woodland afflictions can be quickly mitigated, so the fun can continue — or so that the injured party can at least be in their best shape until expert medical intervention becomes available.

first aid kit shown closed and next to it opened with all of its materials spread out

Compact First Aid Kit

Outdoor Element Firebiner

Outdoor Elements Firebiner shown in action with a spark created under its wheel

The Firebiner from Outdoor Element is another one of those pieces of outdoor gear that an outdoorsman will never want to be without once he has used it. This perfect outdoorsy stocking stuffer gift clips onto a belt or a pack with ease and is always ready to create a fire-starting shower of sparks.