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“Life-changing” is usually hyperbole. There are few objects in this world that can legitimately turn your life around—let alone for under $5. Fortunately, when you’re backpacking, it doesn’t take much.
You might not notice the 10 ounces of weight savings you got from purchasing a $500 tent, or the slightly improved waterproofing on your $400 rain shell. But you know what you will notice? Actually getting a good night’s sleep, or not having to relight your stove eight times in a row on a windy night.
We recommend a lot of gear in Backpacker, but these seven simple items punch well above their weight in terms of impact-per-dollar. Here are the seven game-changing pieces of gear for under $5 that can alter the course of a trip for the better.
1. A long-handled silicone spoon
Scooping dinner out of a rehydrated meal bag? This spoon’s 9.9-inch handle will spare you from the dreaded chili-mac knuckles. Dining from of a JetBoil pot? The silicone edge will easily scrape the pot clean—eliminating both dish duty and missed morsels. There are several models out there, but GSI’s Long-Handled Spoon ($4.99) is among the sturdiest.
2. Reflective guylines
We all hate tripping over our tent stakes in the dark. Enter reflective guylines, which will catch a headlamp beam and spare your ankles. Online vendor TarpTent lets you order by the foot. A 10-foot section (enough to replace your tent’s front and rear guylines, the biggest hazards) is just $4.00.
3. Earplugs that actually work
Roaring wind, a snapping tent fly, weird animal sounds, your snoring partner—campers often have to fight tooth-and-nail for their beauty sleep. Packing some high-quality earplugs (and knowing how to put them in correctly) can make a massive difference in your sleep quality. Our editors prefer the Hearos Xtreme Protection Ear Plugs ($4.99), the same kind used by musicians who have to spend hours amid blaring instruments and deafening speakers. The soft foam easily squishes into the ear canal and stays put all night long.
4. Gear-repair tape
There’s no bummer quite like tearing your sleeping bag or jacket sleeve in the middle of a trip. But supersticky, gear-specific tape allows you to perform a permanent, professional-quality gear repair in the field—in seconds. Tenacious Tape is widely regarded as the industry standard. You can buy a whole roll for closer to $10, or snag a few patches (which work just as well) to slip into your repair kit. We like the GearAid Hex Patches ($4.95).
5. A foam sit pad
A simple foam sit pad can work miracles, whether you’re taking a lunch break in wet conditions, insulating your tush from a cold rock while cooking dinner, or even standing on snow (it insulates your feet, keeping toes warm for much longer). The Gilroy Foldable Foam Pad ($2.99) is among the cheapest, but you can also make your own by cutting the end off of an old closed-cell-foam pad.
6. A mosquito head net
This piece of highly fashionable outdoor apparel is an absolute game-changer in mosquito country. It allows you to breathe easily and avoid facial welts without having to get DEET anywhere near your eyeballs. There are plenty of options out there (including full-body suits), but Coughlan’s No-See-Um Head Net ($3.49) is among the least expensive.
7. A stove windscreen
A windscreen might seem like an unnecessary accessory—until you find yourself cupping your hands around your Pocket Rocket flame and frantically lighting and relighting it in high-wind conditions. Amazon’s Camping Stove Windshield ($5.49) is among the most affordable screens out there, but you can make your own (lighter) version from heavy-duty aluminum foil. You’ll only need a few feet of foil, which means you’ll be able to build it to your own specifications for just a few bucks.
Safety note: Always maintain a generous opening when using a wind screen around a canister stove, especially in warm weather. If a canister is fully wrapped and overheats, it can pose an explosion risk. (If the canister is cool to the touch, however, you’re usually in the clear.) If you spend a lot of time backpacking in warm conditions, consider crafting a partial windscreen that shields the flame without wrapping the canister.