We tested the best budget hiking gear in 2024. Here’s all you need for under $200

Another excellent option for just $100 is Merrell's Speed Eco Hiking Shoes. These shoes are a grippy-soled trail-runner style hiker that’s ultralight and incredibly breathable for those scorching summer days on the trail. I particularly loved how sturdy the shoes’ forefoot was on rocky, gravelly terrain.

These were some of my least favorite boots I tested, but if you only have $50 to spend, they’re much better than wearing everyday sneakers on the trail.?They’re a fine hiking boot that provides decent traction and ankle support, whether you’re training on shorter hikes or just starting and want to save money. Be forewarned, though — I found these boots to run small, so size up. I'd also recommend adding an insole like Superfeet for much-needed comfort.

This is a truly awesome, affordable hiking backpack. I loaded it up with three liters of water, rain and cold weather layers and a bevy of snacks and lunch items before heading up El Dorado Canyon with a friend one weekend to see how it performed. I’m pleased to say it offered the best suspension of the three packs on this list. It was also hydration-bladder-compatible and offered one handy hip belt pocket. If you know you’ll carry a heavier load on your day hike and want a cheap backpack, get this one.

If you want a solid, budget-friendly, ultralight backpack to hold your snacks, water and a jacket, the REI Co-op Flash 18 is a fan favorite for good reason. Boasting a removable waist belt, a hydration sleeve and a back pad that can double as a seating pad on lunch breaks, this 9.5-ounce wonder is well worth its $50 price tag. I first fell in love with the pack’s fun prints and lightweight functionality on a trip to Sequoia in 2019. If you need more room, try the Flash 22 Pack ($60) which is also excellent.

Though this rucksack offers little in the way of internal suspension, it's roomy at 40 liters and has a stellar array of pockets, including two mesh water bottle pouches, hip pockets and an interior hydration sleeve. Its included rain cover was also awesomely waterproof when I tested it in my sink, dumping water onto it for one full minute. One thing to note is that because it lacks a frame, I don't fully load it up on my treks.

I was truly amazed by how much I loved these pants. They offer much of what I love about my more expensive Prana Halle Joggers, like a forgiving waistband, great pockets and the perfect amount of stretch, but for a fraction of the price. They’re also sun-blocking and quick-drying, should you find yourself fording an unexpected creek.

The Saturday Trail Pants by Columbia are another great low-cost option that boasts a fit similar to my beloved Prana Halle pants but with lighter-weight fabric ideal for warm treks. With easy-to-roll-up ankle cuffs and a flattering jeans-like waistband, these pants transition from trail to town with ease. One thing I did notice, however, was that they run just a touch small, so if you’re between sizes, consider going larger.

These hiking shorts were amazingly comfortable and quick-drying when I took them on a 4.5-mile trek around Anemone Ridge in Boulder. With a super-stretchy waistband, deep front pockets and just the right thigh length to avoid chafing, these are surprisingly well-designed shorts for just $25.

Sweat-wicking, quick-drying and budget-friendly, these lightweight men’s hiking shorts from Decathlon are a super deal for anyone looking to up their summer hiking game. Unlike the women’s version, they even boast a zippered side pocket.

Another winner from Columbia, these Sandy River Cargo Shorts offer UPF 30 sun protection, are quick to dry and are blessedly sweat-wicking to keep you comfy on the trail this summer, whether you’re canyoneering, walking your dog or trekking through your favorite national park. They even come with an included belt, which was a godsend for me after a long Rocky Mountain hike.

This one’s for all my fellow hikers who enjoy a rowdy print. This lightweight sun shirt by Columbia comes in three fun colors and offers a well-placed mesh back panel to vent your torso and keep you cool when you’re huffing and puffing up a steep slope.

It’s tough to find a good rain jacket for only $50, but this sleek model from Decathlon is well worth the cost. Though it’s certainly not ultralight at 19.4 ounces, I found it amazingly waterproof and comfortable in my testing. It also had two zippered hand pockets, which I particularly loved.

A lighter-weight and form-fitting fleece compared to REI’s Trailmade design, Columbia’s Glacial IV Half-Zip is amazingly soft, stretchy in the right places and, like most synthetic jackets, it insulates well even when wet. It was also wonderfully form-fitting in my testing, and stylish enough to wear around town.

One of the lighter-weight budget trekking pole options on Amazon, this design from Cascade Mountain Tech is easy to adjust, durable and equipped with extra snow baskets, should you want to use them in the winter. I used them on a particularly steep ascent of Mount Sanitas and loved their lightweight durability.

I’m officially obsessed with these cheap hiking socks from Decathlon. At $25 for a two-pack, they’re about half the price of other name-brand hiking socks, and they offer many of the same moisture-wicking properties and woven-in arch support that pricier brands have, too.??

If you’re on a budget, skip the pricey Leatherman and get a Gerber Gear Dime. It performed the best out of all the keychain-sized multitools in our testing lineup, and it’s my absolute favorite pocket knife for when I’m hiking or backpacking and don’t want something bulky.

Boasting an impressively bright 300 lumens for just $20, this is my favorite budget headlamp. It’s also wonderfully versatile and runs on AAA alkaline batteries or a rechargeable lithium-ion battery (sold separately). I love that the brand recently upgraded this product from its 200-lumen version while keeping the same price.