We know what you’re thinking. You can hardly get a good sleeping bag nowadays for under $200, yet alone try to tackle all of the big three camping gear essentials on such a shoestring budget. A pocket full of bread and tea might have been sufficient for John Muir, but we mortals need shelters, backpacks, and a cozy place to sleep.
Of course, it’s only natural that the most important items on any camping gear list are almost always the most expensive: tent, backpack, and sleeping system (a sleeping bag/sleeping pad combination).
They said it couldn’t be done, but we’ve managed to find all of the above on Amazon for under $200, with a little walkin’ around money to spare for bread, tea, and bonus gear suggestions. Mr. Muir would be proud.
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Shelter On A Budget: Tent V. Hammock
For your “shelter on a budget” you’ve got two choices. You can go with a classic two-person tent, or try your hand at hammock camping to save even more money (and space in your pack).
The Tent Option: Coleman Sundome 2-Person Tent
If you prefer the privacy and shelter of a simple tent, your only serious option on Amazon is going to be the Coleman Sundome. It’s literally the bestselling tent on Amazon, comes from a name we all recognize, and will absolutely get the job done. It’s not glamorous, it’s not lightweight, and you’ll struggle to fit it inside your backpack, but it’s SO AFFORDABLE.
Read More: Best Camping Tents
The Hammock Option: Firiner Camping Hammock
OR, for even less money and a unique outdoors experience, you can give hammock camping a shot. There are a ton of inexpensive nylon “Eno-style” hammocks on Amazon, but the Firiner Camping Hammock is probably the most enticing. It includes everything you need to get started, including an attached mosquito net that zips shut, a rain fly with stakes and guylines for rain and sun protection, and thick tree-friendly straps. As an added bonus, a hammock system like this should fit into even the most budget-conscious backpacks out there.
Read More: Best Camping Hammocks
Sleeping Bag: Teton Sports TrailHead Sleeping Bag
A premium down sleeping bag is out of the question if you’re shopping for a bag on a budget, so you’ll need to look for two things: synthetic insulation and three-season warmth.
Finding a bag from a brand we actually recognize like Teton Sports at this price point is a huge relief. The TrailHead is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, which means it should be reasonably comfortable down to about 35 degrees or so with a shelter, sleeping pad, and base layers.
The Teton TrailHead is definitely a basic bag at a basic price. Still, you’ll get some throughful features from the TrailHead like a full-length draft tube, a mummy hood with a drawstring for when it really gets chilly, an interior pocket for stashing your phone/keys/wallet close by, and an included stuff sack for storage. If you’ve got a little cash left over, synthetic bags like this will pack down much smaller inside a quality compression sack, so keep that in mind if you need extra space in your pack.
If you’ve got broader shoulders or are over 6 feet tall, you’ll want to consider the larger size rather than the minimalist Scout version, which adds a few inches of space in every direction for a few extra bucks.
Sleeping Pad: Therm-a-Rest Z Lite Original
Camping without a good sleeping pad sucks. Luckily for you, the Therm-a-Rest Z Lite has been the dirt cheap, tried-and-true choice of campers and backpackers alike for decades.
It’s certainly not the thickest, most comfortable, or warmest pad out there, but the classic Z Lite is completely indestructible (it’s made from closed-cell foam), customizable (you can cut it to any size or shape you’re into), versatile (makes a great camp chair), and about as lightweight as they come.
Read More: Best Sleeping Pads for Camping
Backpack: Mountaintop 50-Liter Internal Frame Backpack
On a budget like this, you can’t expect much out of your backpack, which is what makes the Mountaintop 50-liter such a standout product at this price.
It shares a ton of the convenient features you’d find on a much more expensive bag from an outfitter like an internal frame, an adjustable hip belt with pockets, multiple external pockets for organization, an internal divider for a hydration bladder, and a rain cover.
I wouldn’t recommend long-distance backpacking, carrying loads over 30 pounds, or doing any serious bushwacking with it (you’re just not going to get the level of cushioning and support you need from a bag at this price), but for casual campers on shorter trips, this bag will get you out there and back until you can afford something more capable.
Read More: Best Outdoor Backpacks for Men
Other Budget Camping Gear Essentials
Would you look at that?! We’ve run through our big three and you’ve still got another $20 to $30 left burning a hole in your pocket. Whether you choose to spend that hefty sum in one place is up to you, but here are a few essentials under $30 we’d consider.
A Good Knife: Kershaw Shuffle Multifunction Folder
There’s a reason a good pocket knife is part of the “10 essentials” of backpacking. A reliable blade comes in handy for starting fires, repairing gear, hunting and fishing, setting up camp, etc.
This one in particular also happens to include a screwdriver, a pry bar, and (most importantly) a bottle opener. Kershaw has been making inexpensive, reliable EDC pocket knives for decades, and Shuffle’s stout 2.4-inch blade is made from workhorse 8Cr13MoV steel that is tough, corrosion-resistant, and easy to sharpen.
Read More: Best All-Purpose Camp Knives
First-Aid Kit: Higher Gear 130 Piece Emergency Kit
Speaking of the 10 essentials, a good first-aid kit is one of those things you should never go into the wilderness without.
This 130-piece kit from Higher Gear covers all of the basics from band-aids to sterilizing wipes, and also includes a ton of items you wouldn’t expect but can certainly appreciate. Inside the carrying case you’ll find a glow stick, an emergency whistle, a compass, a raincoat, blister relief, and even a sewing kit. Just add in your favorite over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and allergy medicine and you’re good to go.
Read More: Best First-Aid Kit for Camping and Hiking
The Perfect Hiking Sock: Darn Tough Hiker Socks
Arguably the most popular sock for day hikers and thru-hikers alike, Darn Tough’s merino wool hiker has won more than its fair share of shootouts for best hiking sock.
It’s a little pricey for a single pair, but the Darn Tough Hiker has the perfect amount of cushioning while still remaining breathable, and its merino wool construction keeps your feet insulated even when wet. On top of that, the Hiker also comes with Darn Tough’s “guaranteed-for-life” promise baked into the price: If you ever manage to wear a hole in these bad boys, Darn Tough will replace them, no questions asked.
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