Hiking for Beginners on a Budget (With Prices)

Hiking can be intimidating at first, especially when you see other hikers with fancy gear like expensive boots, backpacks, and GPS devices. For beginners on a budget, the good news is you really don't need a whole lot to get started. Keep reading and I'll show you how to get started hiking for cheap.

Shoes for beginners on a budget

Before we start, an important note: this article assumes you are doing beginner trails in fair weather. These are hikes that can be done in an afternoon on established trails. Some of these gear choices are not recommended for longer or overnight hikes.

The following are my gear recommendations for beginners hiking on a budget. Remember, you'll still need to use common sense. If it's cold, bring extra layers. If it's a longer hike, bring more water. Bring what you need to be safe and comfortable.

For a beginner hike, wearing running shoes or sneakers will probably be fine (see my article on hiking in running shoes). They won't be the best for any serious hikes, but they will get the job done. The main thing a hiking shoe adds is grip, support and a sole that resists rocks and roots, which is why they matter more as trails get longer and rougher. If you do plan on hiking more frequently though, you'll want to invest in a good pair of hiking shoes or boots.

When you are ready to buy some hiking boots, don't skimp out and go the cheap route. With boots, you'll get what you pay for, and a very cheap pair of hiking shoes can wear out in a matter of weeks, heels first. Stick to name brands like Merrill, Keens, and other popular brands.

Your existing shoes: Free
Name brand hiking shoes: $100

Shorts, pants and layers

Shorts

In warmer weather, shorts are ideal. Any kind of shorts that you feel comfortable in will work. Hiking in running shorts, gym shorts, swim trunks, and cotton shorts are all perfectly fine.

Cotton is comfortable, but it holds moisture and dries slowly, so it's best kept for dry, mild days. Some experienced hikers hike in swim shorts with the liner removed. This can be a pretty cheap and lightweight option.

Nylon shorts or swim trunks: < $10
Name brand hiking shorts: $30

Pants

If there's a lot of brush or you're hiking in cooler weather, pants might be a better option. But that doesn't mean you need pants designed specifically for hiking.

Some people wonder if hiking in jeans is okay. Hiking in jeans can be fine as long as it doesn't rain and isn't on a long hike. Denim is heavy, stiff and slow to dry once wet, so I'd treat it as a fair-weather, short-trail option only.

Jeans or nylon pants: < $20
Name brand hiking pants: $40

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Base layers and jackets

You'll want base layers in cooler weather, but that doesn't mean you need to spend a fortune at your local REI store. Walmart, TJ Maxx, and second-hand stores are great places to find decent base layers.

You'll want long underwear and a fleece jacket. Any fleece jacket will work. Fleece is fleece and a cheap fleece will keep you warm. A hoodie for hiking will be fine too. If it gets too warm, take it off and put it in your bag.

Walmart/second-hand base layers: < $30
New base layers: $60

Daypacks and water bottles

For day hikes, a daypack is best. But if you have a spare backpack laying around, chances are that's fine too. Drawstring backpacks can work for short hikes when you're just carrying a few items. I wouldn't recommend them for longer hikes though, as they can be uncomfortable. Straps that dig into your shoulders will end a hike faster than almost anything else.

Drawstring backpack: < $15
Name brand day pack: $40

Tip: REI often has really good deals on daypacks, sometimes as low as $20. Head over to see REI daypacks.

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Water bottles are where you can really save money. You really don't need a bladder or Nalgene bottles. You could get a 32oz water bottle from Walmart for a few bucks, but if you really wanted to save even more, then reusing disposable water bottles will work great. Plus, they are super lightweight too.

Disposable water bottle: < $5
Nalgene water bottle: $20

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Rain gear, headlamp and sunglasses

Rain gear is something I'd bring on every hike. There are cheaper options for beginners than a proper outer shell. If you aren't ready to invest in something more expensive just yet, then a rain poncho will do the trick. You can get these for a few bucks either online or from your local Walmart. Even a big trash bag will be fine for emergencies.

Once you hike more frequently, investing in a good outer shell will be worth it. It's one piece of gear that can save your life in bad weather, because staying wet and cold is how a minor problem becomes a serious one. The medium-priced outer shells come with some nifty features, like pit zips, inside pockets, and visors.

Trash bag or poncho: < $10
Name brand outer shell: $100

Tip: Some rain ponchos have grommets so you can use them as tarps. Check out the multiuse poncho on Amazon.

Carrying a flashlight is important if you ever find yourself hiking later than expected (getting lost, injured) and need to hike out in the dark. There's a lot of affordable flashlight options out there, but I prefer a headlamp to keep my hands free.

Cheaper headlamp: < $10
Name brand headlamp: $20

Sunglasses are worth packing too. Not only do they help you see better, but they help protect your eyes from harmful UVs. Sunglasses can be bought for cheap, but you usually get what you pay for. If you tend to break or lose them, a pair with a replacement policy, like Shady Rays with their free lifetime replacement up to 2 times, can work out cheaper over time.

Walmart Sunglasses: $10
Shady Ray Sunglasses: $45

Building a first aid kit

What you carry in your first aid kit can vary a lot. You could build your own, but this can sometimes cost more money because you're forced to buy entire packets of the items. You can order certain items individually online, but then you need to pay for shipping.

Most of the time it's best just to buy a kit. One of the best places to buy a kit is Amazon (check here for a good deal).

But if you do build your own, here are some recommended items:

• Antibiotic treatment like Neosporin (healing)
• Antiseptic wipes (cleaning)
• Medical tape (sprains)
• Fine-tip Tweezers (splinters, shards, ticks)
• Gauze pads (cover wounds)
• Bandaids (stop bleeding)

You can keep all these items in a little pouch, waterproof baggy, or a plastic container. A kit only helps if you know what's in it, so check it before each trip and replace anything used or expired.

Custom kit: varies
Prebuilt kit: $15

What hiking actually costs for a beginner

Here is the real cost of getting started, from "I want to try one day hike" to "I'm going backpacking for a weekend." These are rough ranges for a first-time hiker assembling a kit from scratch:

• Day hiking minimum (3–5 miles, good weather): $0–$30. You can start with running shoes, jeans, a school backpack, and a bottle of water. Thousands of successful first hikes start this way.
• Day hiking, reliable kit: $150–$250. Proper trail shoes ($80), moisture-wicking shirt ($30), nylon hiking pants ($50), daypack ($40), water bottle ($15), headlamp ($20).
• Backpacking, budget: $400–$600. Add a sleeping bag ($80), sleeping pad ($50), 2-person tent ($150), stove ($40), pot ($20), headlamp upgrade ($30).
• Backpacking, mid-range: $900–$1,400. Upgrade all the above to brand-name gear that lasts.
• Premium gear: $2,000+. For most hikers, diminishing returns. The mid-range kit handles 95% of trips.

If you do end up shopping for shelter, our guide to the best lightweight hiking tent is a sensible place to compare options before you spend.

Where to save money and where not to cut corners

Saving money is easy once you know which items are forgiving. These are the places I'd save:

• Buy used. REI Re/Supply, Geartrade, Facebook Marketplace. Tents, packs, cookware all safe to buy used. Sleeping bags and pads: buy new for hygiene.
• Skip the brand premium. Teton Sports, ALPS Mountaineering and Naturehike make perfectly functional backpacking gear at 50% of Big Brand prices.
• Use what you have. That school backpack works for day hikes. That old t-shirt is fine if it's synthetic. Don't buy dedicated hiking everything before you know you like hiking.
• Rent before buying. REI rents packs, sleeping bags, tents for $15–$30 per weekend. Three rentals equal the cost of one cheap tent, and you've tried before you commit.
• Buy the previous colourway. 30–40% off for identical function.
• Wait for sales. See our camping gear sale calendar, where late August and late December are the two biggest clearance windows.

And these are the places I wouldn't:

• Footwear. The difference between a $40 shoe and an $80 shoe shows up in the first 6 miles. Blisters end hikes; don't cheap out.
• Rain gear. A truly waterproof shell is worth $100. The $30 version will leak at the seams in your first real rainstorm.
• Navigation. Free maps and apps are fine, but a paper map + compass backup belongs in every pack. Two bucks of insurance.
• Water filtration. Stick to Sawyer Squeeze ($40) or a known-good filter. Cheap knockoffs can fail, and giardia isn't worth the $15 savings.
• First aid. A $25 REI first-aid kit is a baseline; add blister plasters, ibuprofen and medical tape beyond what's in the kit.

I'd argue footwear is the one line item where beginners most often get the economics backwards. A cheap pair that gives you blisters costs you the hike and probably the habit.

Free gear you already own, plus a practical $200 kit

Before you buy anything, check the closet and the kitchen:

• Running shoes: trail runners originally evolved from road shoes; most road shoes work for a well-maintained trail.
• Synthetic athletic shirts: any gym or football jersey works as a hiking base layer.
• Cotton-free pants: joggers, athletic leggings, nylon work pants.
• Reusable water bottles: any clean 20 oz bottle handles a 3-mile hike.
• Phone as GPS: download AllTrails or Gaia GPS free tier, grab offline maps before you leave.
• Laundry stuff sack: dry-bag substitute. Loose ziplocs waterproof your phone and electronics.
• Kitchen tools: your stovetop pot, mug and spoon all work for one-night car camping.

If you'd rather buy a simple starter set, this is a practical day-hiking kit:

• Trail shoes: Columbia Redmond V2 or Saucony Peregrine (~$80).
• Pants: Wrangler Outdoor Comfort Flex ($35) or any stretch jeans you already own.
• Shirt: Generic polyester athletic shirt ($15), from Amazon, Target, any sporting goods store.
• Daypack: Mardingtop 22L ($30) or any 20–30L school-style pack.
• Water: Nalgene 32 oz ($12) + spare 500ml plastic bottle.
• First aid: Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight ($20).
• Snacks, map, headlamp: under $20 combined.

That kit has hiked thousands of miles worth of weekend hikers through the first year of the hobby. Upgrade what wears out or doesn't meet your needs.

Beginner budget hiking FAQ

What's the cheapest way to start hiking?

Wear clothes you already have, borrow a daypack, bring a water bottle and a snack, drive to a local state park or national forest trail. Most "first hike ever" trips cost $0 in gear plus gas. The National Park Service site is a good place to look for beginner-friendly trails and current conditions, and the Leave No Trace principles are free and cover how to look after the places you walk.

Do I need hiking boots for short day hikes?

Not always. Most runners and trail-runners can handle short well-maintained trails in running shoes. Boots matter for heavy packs, long distances, and rocky or wet terrain.

Is REI worth the membership?

Yes if you spend $300+ per year on outdoor gear, because the 10% dividend pays for itself. The used-gear program (Re/Supply) alone often justifies it.

Are hiking permits expensive?

Most trails are free. National Parks charge $20–$35 per vehicle per week. Popular wilderness permits (Mount Whitney, Half Dome) run $10–$40. An America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers all US federal land.

How do I know when I should upgrade gear?

Upgrade when something's clearly limiting you: shoes causing blisters, a pack cutting your shoulders, a rain shell that's leaked twice. Don't upgrade to upgrade. A lot of beginner gear lasts multiple years if you treat it well.