Published May 13, 2026 04:31AM
Backpackers are famous for counting grams. If you’ve ever snapped the handle off of your toothbrush, eaten cold summer sausage for dinner to avoid carrying a stove, or packed a single pair of socks on a weeklong backpacking trip, you know what we’re talking about.
But grams aren’t the only thing we count. Many backpackers are counting dollars, too. Ain’t no shame in that. Gear isn’t cheap, and we’re right there with you—in fact, that’s why we created the Outside Deals Finder.
If you love to hit the trail—and love to save dough while you’re at it—you’re in the right place. Below, you’ll find 17 pieces of adventure-ready backpacking gear, each of which is priced below $100. Whether you’re looking to upgrade tired gear or pull together a relatively affordable backpacking kit from scratch, we’ve got you covered.
Backpacking Sleeping Bags and Sleeping Pads Under $100
Big Agnes Anthracite 20 Fireline Pro Recycled Sleeping Bag ($98-$105)
We’re not going to bullshit you here. If there’s one piece of backpacking gear that we recommend that you splurge on, it’s a sleeping bag. The best backpacking sleeping bags are stuffed with lightweight yet lofty down insulation, which makes them more packable and provides a better warmth-to-weight ratio than sleeping bags that use synthetic insulation. Sadly, down is unsurprisingly expensive.
That said, if you are a value-driven backpacker or a casual camper who doesn’t want to shell out $200+ on a down sleeping bag, more power to you. In that case, check out the Big Agnes Anthracite 20 Fireline Pro sleeping bag, which is currently discounted by up to 30 percent off. Stuffed with recycled polyester, the Anthracite is rated to 20 degrees and weighs in at 2.75 pounds for a men’s regular—not bad for a synthetic bag. It also features a tried-and-true mummy silhouette with a cinchable hood, a water-resistant ripstop shell, and soft-to-the-touch pongee lining.
Editor’s Note: While the men’s Anthracite is currently slashed to $98, the women’s version is priced at $105. Our sincerest apologies, ladies. Again, it’s tough to find a decent sleeping bag under $100.
Sea To Summit Comfort Light Sleeping Pad Women’s ($96)
Budget backpackers can now score Sea to Summit’s women’s Comfort Light Sleeping Pad for 40 percent off at Backcountry.com. The insulated, self-inflating pad has a three-season-ready R-value of 3.8, and the two-inch thick construction is comfortable, supportive, and a dream after long singletrack slogs.
NEMO Equipment Switchback Sleeping Pad ($60)
The only sleeping pads that are guaranteed not to pop? Classic, old-school foam ones. Nemo’s Switchback is a modern spin on the time-honored, foldable foam pad, with dual-density foam for comfort and a reflective metallic film for warmth retention and reflection. An accordion-style folding design and hexagonal dimples also make the Switchback more compact when stashed. Not to mention, it’s the lightest option in this guide, weighing a mere 10.5 ounces for a size regular.
Klymit Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad ($100)
Last but not least in the sleeping bag department: Klymit’s Insulated Static V Sleeping Pad. With a 4.2 R-value, a supportive, 2.5-inch-thick, structured design, and a weight of 1 pound 6 ounces for a regular size, the Static V is hard to beat for backpackers who want an affordable, comfortable, relatively lightweight pad that can handle cooler temperatures.
Backpacking Hammocks and Ultralight Bivys Under $100
Eagles Nest Outfitters ProFly XL Rain Tarp ($83)
It’s damn near impossible to find a backpacking tent for under $100, and tougher still to find one we’d trust in a storm. Now, you can find a waterproof tarp in that price range, like this one from Eagles Nest Outfitters, which is now on sale for 25 percent off. Designed to pair with the brand’s adventure hammocks, the ProFly is a breeze to set up and protects hammock-swinging hikers from inclement weather.
Eagles Nest Outfitters TravelNest Hammock & Straps Combo ($55)
If that last tarp caught your eye, here’s the hammock to go with it: the Eagles Nest Outfitters TravelNest Hammock, a lightweight, packable, and attractive alternative to traditional tent camping. Together with the included heavy-duty webbing straps, the TravelNest is under two pounds. It’s also well under our $100 benchmark at $55.
S.O.L. Escape Lite Bivvy ($58)
The cheapest tent? No tent at all. Some fast-and-light (and frugal!) backpackers swear by bivy sacks like the S.O.L. Escape Lite. This featherweight bivy sack weighs a paltry 5.5 ounces, but the water- and abrasion-resistant fabric gives minimalist backpackers the confidence needed to hit the trail with no tent in tow.
Backpacking Kitchen Essentials and Water Filtration Under $100
MSR Pocket Rocket 2 Stove ($50)
MSR’s Pocket Rocket 2 is a best-seller for a reason. Not only is this teensy, collapsible stove reliable, compact, and lightweight, but it also has excellent simmer controls for sizzling up delectable dishes in the backcountry. Oh, and it’s affordable, too.
MSR Ceramic 2.5L Pot ($73)
Pair that Pocket Rocket 2 stove with MSR’s Ceramic 2.5L pot and you’re ready to step up your backpacking cooking game. With this seamless setup, you can quickly boil water for basic dehydrated meals or chef up backcountry staples like fancy ramen, peanut butter oatmeal, or instant mashed potatoes. The 2.5-liter size is capable of feeding two to four campers, the ceramic coating is easy to clean, and a nifty removable handle makes packing a genuine pleasure.
MSR Ceramic Solo Pot ($62)
The MSR Ceramic Solo pot features the same handle design and non-stick ceramic construction as the MSR Ceramic 2.5L Pot, but it’s about half the volume at 1.3 liters. Solo backpackers, this pot has your name and flame on it.
Sea To Summit Frontier UL 8-Inch Pan ($73)
If you really want to expand your backpacking culinary repertoire, a lightweight pan like this eight-inch Sea to Summit skillet will be a major game changer. It has the obligatory non-stick coating and a removable handle, too.
Katadyn BeFree AC 1.0L Microfilter ($60)
We don’t just rely on the Katadyn BeFree AC 1.0L Microfilter while backpacking. We’ll use it on everything from long ski tours to mountain bike missions, too—basically any time we want to stay hydrated without lugging outrageous quantities of water. Which is pretty much all the time. You just fill up the flexible bladder from a river or lake mid-adventure, then drink from BeFree like you would any other water bottle. A hollow-fiber filter that’s built into the cap sifts out protozoa and other unsavory particles as you sip away.
Bear Vault BV450 ($100)
Backpacking in bear country? A bear canister isn’t just a smart addition to your kit—it’s often a mandatory one. Keep critters out of your precious calorie stash and abide by any bear canister rules and regulations with this Bear Vault BV450. We love that it’s crafted from a transparent polycarbonate material, as it allows you to easily keep stock of snacks and meals.
Backpacking Accessories and Tech Under $100
Black Diamond Storm 500-R Headlamp ($90)
Headlamps are a critical piece of any backpacking kit. Black Diamond’s Storm 500-R gives backpackers an impressive 500-lumen maximum beam, casting a powerful beam up to 100 meters. It’s also IP67 rated (dustproof and waterproof to one meter for 30 minutes) in case you’re backpacking through a deluge or just unforgiving on your gear.
NOCS Provisions 8×32 Zoom Tube Monocular ($80)
A petite yet powerful monocular with a rubber grip and easy-to-operate focus dial, the water-resistant Zoom Tube is not exactly what we’d call a mission-critical piece of gear. But it’s awesome to have on the trail, and we’ll often pack it just for kicks. It’s ideal for scouting waves and fishing spots, peeping wildlife from a safe distance, and more. It’s also a thoughtful gift for any outdoor enthusiast in your life.
Adidas TERREX Skychaser GTX Hiking Shoe ($90)
It seems like a lot of footwear companies have been hiking up their prices lately, right? Luckily, hikers can snag Adidas’s Terrex Skychaser GTX Hiking Shoe on sale and well under that $100 benchmark. The bargain-bin price tag gets you toothy lugs for tech terrain, a stout heel cup, and industry-leading Gore-Tex weatherproofing throughout the upper. Score!
Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool ($100)
Leatherman’s Skeletool CX is a minimalist backpacker’s picture-perfect multitool. It’s a no-frills trail companion that emphasizes two of the most-used elements of any pocket knife: high-quality pliers and a razor-sharp blade. The compact tool also houses four screw bits, a bottle cap opener, and an integrated carabiner for stashing and storage. Lastly, you’ll also notice the aptly named Leatherman’s skeletal, cutout construction, an intentional design feature that keeps weight to a remarkable 5 ounces.
A Bonus Backpack
Granite Gear Crown 3 (From $132)
We’ve talked about backpacking sleeping bags, backpacking sleeping pads, backpacking kitchen gear, hiking shoes, you name it. Pretty much everything you need to hit the trail without breaking the bank. But we haven’t highlighted a backpacking backpack yet. And that’s because, much like tents, it’s extremely tricky to find a backpacking backpack that’s both recommendation-worthy and under $100. Which leads us to this bonus pick: the Granite Gear Crown 3.
This is a bit of a good news, bad news situation. Bad news first: the Granite Gear Crown 3 is not under $100. It retails for $240. But the good news is that it’s currently on sale for as little as $132 (women’s version) and $168 (men’s version) at Backcountry.com. And better still, the Crown 3 is a radical pack that’s lightweight, brilliantly designed, and easy to love. We highly recommend this pack (even at full retail!) thanks to the removable frame sheet, well-executed pockets, a weight-distributing suspension system, and more. Long story short? While this pack might be considered a splurge since this article is focused on sub-$100 backpacking gear, we’d still call this bonus pick a bargain.
