28 Affordable Pieces Of Outdoor Gear From REI For Your Next Adventure

Buzz Feed

25-04-2025

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.
Because setting out on your next adventure shouldn't cost an arm and a leg.
1. A four-person Coleman tent with a full-fly vestibule so you and your besties can enjoy the great outdoors side-by-side *and* have room for safe gear storage outside of your sweet digs.
REI
The tent has a roomy 8x7-foot interior and a 4.6-foot ceiling height. A good rule of thumb for how many folks can fit in a tent is the number of people listed squished all together *or* that number minus one with room to spread out and for gear. In this case, if you plan on using the vestibule for gear, you probably *can* fit four people. The more the merrier!
Yes, the price is above $100, but rest assured this is about as low of a price point you can find for a tent that will actually keep you shielded from the elements! But take good care of it and it'll give you years of enjoyment. And hey, campsites are (usually) pretty inexpensive, too!
2. An REI Co-Op Sahara Shade Hoodie to keep your skin protected without having to get all kinds of greasy. UPF 50+ protection keeps your arms happy and the hood means you can cover up that neck, too, especially when you tuck it under or over a hat or helmet.
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Promising review:"I LOVE this hoodie! I burn quite easily, and I can't believe I've gone this long without a long-sleeved UV shirt. I love the thumbholes. It fits true to size. I wore it for a four-day trip to Miami, in and out of the ocean, hiking in the Everglades, and out to eat for dinner. It works for everything!" — Sarah
3. A Kelty Catena 30 Sleeping Bag if you're building out your car-camping kit and want an affordable (under $50!) option that doesn't skimp on cozy. The 30-degree rating makes it suitable for three-season camping and its roomy rectangle sleep makes sure you can stttrrreeeetttch out to get comfortable, just the way you like.
4. An under-$20 Black Diamond headlamp so you can light your path hands-free at camp and to bring *just in case* on long hikes. It even has dimming and strobe settings. Huzzah!
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The headlamp requires 3 AAA batteries.
Promising review:"I needed a new headlamp as my other just wore out. I looked at the super expensive ultra-bright ones, but took a chance on this good one as it was more reasonably priced. I'm glad I chanced it. This headlamp is comfortable, durable, and very bright. This is exactly what I was hoping for. I've never been disappointed by Black Diamond." — P Hyatt
5. A wide-mouth Nalgene because once you make the switch to this lightweight, affordable bottle it's hard to go back to bulky metal ones, especially for outdoor adventures. My love for Nalgenes is well-documented. They're everything you need and nothing you don't, and indestructible to boot.
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Promising review:"These things are practically indestructible (cap attachment excluded, but I have a solution for this). I have to repurchase these because I lose them, not because they break. I've tried knock-off brands and have experienced them breaking in some bad places — a few miles into a hike, etc. My Nalgene? Rolled off a cliff ledge and was still intact when I hiked down to get it. I recently purchased a stainless steel ring separately that fits on the Nalgene with a carabiner loop. This should hopefully fix the reason I lose them: I clip it to my bag by its lid, after a few years, the lid strap breaks, no longer able to do this, *then* I leave it places. I will purchase these again and again! Love this purple color!" — NNYOutdoors
6. A Black Diamond Momentum Harness Package for any new climbers looking to get an amazing deal on all the gear they need to get started. It comes with a harness, ATC belay device, locking carabiner, chalk bag, and chalk, all for $100. Woohoo! Your mother would be proud you get such a score, but mayyyybe don't tell her you're super into dangling off cliffs yet.
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$$$ can be a real barrier to entry for starting to climb since you need some gear to get started, but I really do think this is a sweet deal! Just nab some shoes and you're good to go for literal YEARS. One and done until the gear gives out, which should be a long while when you're buying from a trusted brand like Black Diamond.
Promising review:"A great all-around harness! I've been using it for about three months now for several outdoor all-day climbing trips and at the gym three to four times a week. It's been comfortable for everything from rappelling to crack climbing. It's easy to fit in my bicycle bag and can tuck nicely into any of my backpack pockets. The gear loops are well designed, and the placement was clearly thought through. The right side loops are great for my chalk bag and anchor kit, as they are easy to access! My left side gear loops work great for carrying quickdraws, ATCs, or anything else I need! Great harness for climbers of every level while sport climbing. I would love to see a bit more adjustability in the leg loops, but other than that, wayyy better than the gym rentals I had been using before!" — Andy
7. A camp spork so you're ready for scoopin', stabbin', and eating an all-around delicious backcountry meal.
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Promising review:"I bought two of these, one for each of my kids, for a backpacking trip we took together. They loved the novelty of this spork and how light it is in their pack. I had one of these 15–20 years ago, and it was one of my favorite pieces of equipment. My kids are hard on gear, and I can tell that these are going to hold up well. They clean easily with soap and a little brush, and the tines are wide enough apart that you can get any "stuck in there" food out easily. I do regret getting the dark blue as it would be hard to see if you dropped it. The pale teal one was easier to spot." — Kristy Sutin
8. A small medical kit because it's a good idea to have first aid supplies on hand when you're out in the wilderness, full stop. This one has everything you need and is quite well-organized, which is actually very important in a real emergency.
REI
This kit always comes with me on most longer hikes and definitely on all backpacking trips. It's small, light, and completely unobtrusive! It has many different kinds of bandages, a splinter and tick remover, bug bite relief wipes, aspirin, and more!
Promising review:"It is exactly what I was looking for. It has everything expected. It is properly-sized for backpacking or moto-camping with my dog." — Josh L
9. A Nathan QuickSqueeze Plus Insulated Handheld Water Bottle with a phone pocket and adjustable strap so hydration is always at your fingertips on trail runs.
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Promising review:"Perfect size for an hourlong run! Holds car keys, credit cards, and a gel or two, and is super easy to hold." — MCT
Price: $35
10. A pair of collapsible trekking poles for aiding your climbing (and making you look super legit). Yes, they help you get up the mountain, but we're not talking enough about how useful they are for getting down. Step with certainty and do your knees a favor by getting yourself a reliable pair!
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You don't want to skimp on quality with a piece of gear you're putting your weight on, uhhhhh next to a cliff edge. Under-$100 is a nice little price point for a high-quality set that's much cheaper than the alternatives while still making sure they're going to be safe and last you a long while.
Promising review:"For the price, these are excellent trekking poles. I've brought them on day hikes and multi-day camping trips in which these prop my tent up. They're significantly cheaper than carbon and weigh nearly the same. If you're getting into hiking and aren't sure what to get, go for these, they're the best all-around introduction to trekking poles." — EKT
11. A self-inflating sleeping pad so you don't have to huff and puff into your pad after hiking all day and setting up your campsite. I recommend this pad for car campers or backpackers looking to get their feet wet and start to build out a kit. It's not the lightest, *but* at under $100 it's a great deal for the quality and on the low end of the price spectrum of what the typical backpacking pad costs.
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Promising review:"I love this pad so much. It keeps me warm in the winter, is the most comfortable pad I've ever slept on, and the material doesn't stick to you. 10/10 recommend. I love it so much I just deal with the weight and take it on my backpacking trips too." — HarryAH
12. An ultra-classic enamel camp mug because sometimes doing the cartoon version of camping is the best. Look at this thing! It's The Camping Mug dreams are made of.
13. A pair of Darn Tough Micro Crew Cushion Socks that are a little bit of moolah up front but last forever and famously come with a lifetime guarantee — they're THAT confident they'll serve you well. I finally got my first pair of Darn Toughs this year, and I LOVE THEM! The heels and toes are perfectly cushioned, the merino wool blend isn't scratchy at all, and they're, well...darn tough! Look at me walkin' around on that campground gravel!
Hot tip for my hiking girlies with muscular calves: My life changed the day I started just ordering socks in men's sizes! I'm a shoe size 8.5 and find that a men's M in these socks sits great. Not too big in the foot while leaving ample room for my legs as I FLEX UP THAT MOUNTAIN, BABYYYYYYY!
Promising review:"Amazingly comfy and durable! These socks are like walking on clouds in comparison to cheaper options. The price I feel is justified not only by how comfy they are but the lifetime warranty as well. Just don't lose them!" — Jake
14. A basic REI base layer because layering is the name of the game when it comes to getting dressed for the outdoors. These make the perfect under-jacket short for cold hikes or a perfect PJ top, even on cool summer nights. But regardless, it'll help you retain some heat without feeling scratchy. Thanks, flat-seam construction.
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Promising review:"I was looking for some base layers for running and hiking, and this has been perfect! It's comfortable, fits true to size, and wicks moisture nicely. Would definitely recommend!" — jsearl
15. A cute little camp table so you have a place to rest your drinks, play cards, you name it! You'll never be mad to have a spare surface around that's not uhhhh the cold, hard ground (no offense to the cold, hard ground).
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Promising review:"We had one of these tables, liked it so much, we bought a second. Extend the legs, then flip it out to set up. Takes 15 seconds. It's very stable and great for a side table or a table for two. Very nice quality." — Camp4smore
16. A pair of La Sportiva Tarantulace Climbing Shoes for anyone who's ready to make the leap from rental gym shoes to a pair of their own. Tackle gym climbs or head out on outdoor climbing adventures with confidence that your feet are gonna stick, stick, stick. Leather uppers will form to your foot in no time, and at under $100 they're a great deal for a technical shoe from one of the most trusted climbing brands around.
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If you've been bitten by the climbing bug, getting your very own pair of shoes is an exciting next step! They're definitely not a cheap piece of gear, but under $100 is REALLY the sweet spot for getting a shoe that will actually help you improve your footwork without it being a total $$ hemorrhage. And hey, it means you can finally stop paying for shoe rentals!
These lace-up Sportivas should be the perfect beginner pair: Not too arched and comfortable for long-term wear while still giving you a nice edge to get onto teeny-tiny edges with confidence. Remember that climbing shoes should ideally fit pretty snug, and the leather will stretch with time.
Promising review:"These were my first pair of climbing shoes, and I absolutely love them! No pun intended, but they left big shoes to fill. I'm currently breaking in a pair of more aggressive La Sportiva and find myself reverting back to these to send the harder climbs. For an entry-level shoe, these are just great. The laces can be a little bit cumbersome, but not a huge dealbreaker. As these were my first climbing shoes, I actually bought them true to size and find that they worked well for me, even on tricky routes where you have to really trust your feet. These are good." — Cnst730
17. Some salted caramel latte flavored energy gel to give you a nice little boost of energy just when you need it! Mmmmm tasty.
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18. A pair of Tifosi sunglasses if "sleek" is your trail name. Apparently it's mine since these are actually the sunglasses I wear for all of my outdoor activities. From backpacking to white water rafting and climbing, they've gone everywhere with me for almost a year, and boy oh boy, have they saved my eyeballs from some glare.
Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed
Promising review:"I purchased the black polarized version. I like that you can rest the frames on a hat rather than directly on your ears. I use these often when golfing — they don't slip or bounce when you swing. Very comfortable and stylish." — Anonymous
19. A Smartwool Merino 250 Reversible Headband to keep those ears nice and toasty on early morning and late night runs. I always forget how incredibly painful it is when my ears get cold, especially when wind is involved, so do as I say and not as I do.
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20. A classic Coleman two-burner camping stove perfect for whipping up a full meal in the great outdoors. With two burners, a windshield, and heat control, you're gonna be the head chef of the wilderness, and everyone will be so glad to have a hot meal in their bellies before snuggling up for the night.
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Promising review:"We love our Coleman stove! This is the best car camping stove we have. I am mostly a backpacker, but car camping has become more frequent as of late, so I decided to get a double-burner stove for those camping trips with friends and family! Works great and is perfect for putting stickers on the back of all our adventures." — roseferg
21. A Rumpl Camp Pillow if you refuse to go even one night without a snuggly pillow but don't want to sacrifice your home pillow to the wilderness gods. I *love* this pillow for its double-sided fabric (one cooling, one soft), perfectly plush feel, and ability to fold in half into this little stuff sack.
I thought I was done with outdoor pillows for good until this one from Rumpl walked into my life. Wanting something outdoor-specific but disappointed by inflatable models, my backpacking brain transitioned me fully to just using my clothes bag, even when car camping! But thank goodness I've finally found an outdoor pillow I dig so I can get a good night's sleep when on trips with a little more gear! It really is so plush and comfy, and at the end of the day, that's all I really want from a pillow! I use the fleece side because I tend to sleep cold, but it's nice to know the cooling side is around for the next time I'm on a humid trip. Is the pillowcase machine-washable? You bet! That's the Rumpl way.
22. A Stanley 14-Piece Wildfare bowl prep and cook set that has everything you need to prep, cook, and eat simple campground meals. Stanley may have recently gotten popular for their big ol' cups, but never forget they started in the rugged, reliable camp gear game.
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The kit comes with a 1.5-liter saucepan with a fold-and-lock handle, a lid with vent and strain holes, cutting boards, removable trivets, two bowls, two two-piece sporks, and a two-piece spatula. And it's all dishwasher-safe, so cleanup is super easy once you get home from your adventure.
24. An REI Co-op Flash 22 pack so you have a simple, well-designed daypack ready to go if you want to go on hikes from camp. It's on the budget-friendly side of high-quality gear, coming in at $60, and it's money well spent. REI brand gear tends to really hold up, so get ready to reach for this bag for years and years to come.
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Promising review:"Took this down to the Smoky Mountains last week, and it was great! It is well-made, has lots of pockets, and is super lightweight. It even has a built-in whistle! Highly recommend." — Lesley
Price: $59.95 (available in four colors)
25. A BioLite AspenGlow mini lantern that packs a whole lotta light into a teeny-tiny package. With a diameter of just three inches, it's a breeze to pop into any bag, and an integrated bungee makes it easy to hang almost anywhere. It's USB rechargeable and can run for 40 hours on its lowest setting, though it'll be hard to resist playing with the "party" setting, which cycles through its multicolor modes. Fun!
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This little lantern RULES. I'm just a huge fan of BioLite generally, but have been really impressed by how bright and reliable this little guy is. And at the end of the day, those are the two things you really want a lantern to be! The little bungee on the back really is useful for putting it up in your tent or somewhere unconventional, and the dimmer just rules.
Promising review:"Ordered this to have a light in our tent. It's small and compact — perfect for car camping. Also rechargeable. I also like that the lights can change color." — MLS
Price: $39.95 (available in two colors)
26. A Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil roll-top dry sack because keeping your camp clothes and electronics dry is absolutely essential for any fun, safe camping trip. My love for these lightweight waterproof bags can't be stifled.
Rachel Dunkel / BuzzFeed
On my camping trips, I always bring two of these bags that each work double time. One serves as my clothes bag, and the other is my food bag, since it's easy to hang as a bear bag as well. Sometimes I bring another for my electronics, but sometimes they just go in with my clothes. But enough of my packing specifics — the point is, they're incredibly reliable, actually waterproof, and being able to pack them down nice and small as you take things out of them is amazing out in the wilderness and for storing at home.
Promising review:"Bought this last minute for a three-day backpacking trip (3L size) to stuff my day food in the outside mesh pocket of my pack, so I wouldn't have to go inside my pack to find my food while on the trail. It's a great size for various items and fits easily in the outside pocket. Stayed dry during the rain, easy to fold over, and keep secure. Love this little bag. Might get more for other items." — Jenni
Price: $22.95+ (available in six sizes and four colors).
27. A reflective vest to make sure drivers see you in the dark when you're running super early or late at night. This vest isn't restrictive and is very adjustable, so throwing it on under whatever layers you have depending on the season won't be a problem.
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Promising review:"I feel much safer riding after dark now that I have this. The reflective bands are really bright. It is easy to adjust its size so I can wear it over a heavy or light jacket (or no jacket at all) depending on the temperature." — George
Price: $35
28. A pack of Sea to Summit Wilderness Wipes so you can freshen up a little bit between showers, much to the satisfaction of your campmates' noses. These specific wipes never dry out my skin, and the resealable packaging really does stay closed in my experience, keeping the remaining wipes moist and ready to use whenever you need 'em.
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I looooove these wipes, and you'll usually find at least a few in my backpacking and camping setup!
Promising review:"I couldn't have gone without these, five days with no running water (or baths) and these got pine tar off super easily AND helped keep the BO to a minimum. 10/10 would bring again." — kbhobbyhiker
Price: $5.95+ (available in two sizes)
The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.