Each holiday season, when it comes time to start compiling your list of gifts for friends and family, we tend to focus the vast majority of our attention on big-ticket items. Knowing this firsthand, we’ve scoured the web, searching high and low to generate this hand-picked list of the best men’s gifts for under $50. So, whether you’re in search of an awesome yet affordable standalone present, or a smaller gift to round out a larger purchase, this list has got you covered with more than two-dozen curated items that are sure to resonate with anyone on your ‘nice list’ this holiday season.
LifeStraw Peak Series Survival Filter
First released in March of this year, the LifeStraw Peak Series Survival Filter uses an enhanced membrane microfilter that removes over 99.99999% of bacteria, parasites, silt, and microplastics from up to 1,000 gallons of water — enough to provide clean drinking water for an individual for over half a decade.
Field Notes Starter Kit
The Field Notes Starter Kit is a bundled release that’s comprised of one 80-Page Steno and one Kraft Mixed 3-Pack of notebooks, plus a single No. 2 Woodgrain Pencil, a Black Clic Pen, and a Field-Notes-branded rubber band — all sold in a special gift box.
Topo Designs Camera Strap
Measuring 34.5” in length, the Topo Designs Camera Strap is crafted from a custom diamond-pattern 10mm nylon rope and features micro-cord attachment loops, quick-attach SR buckles, custom Topo rivets, and hardwearing Hypalon ends.
Whiskey Peaks Matterhorn Whiskey Glasses Set
Designed in San Francisco and made from 100% lead-free handblown glass, the Whiskey Peaks Matterhorn Whiskey Glasses Set features a pair of handcrafted whiskey glasses with topographic impressions of the Swiss Alps’ Matterhorn Mountain.
Hella Slingshots Best Slingshot No. 4
With the Hella Slingshots Best Slingshot No. 4, you can gift friends and family the ability to relive their childhood — and unleash their inner Bart Simpson — with this handmade slinshot that’s crafted from a natural tree branch that’s been walnut-stained before being wrapped in natural latex tubing.
Flying Tiger Moto Two Stroke Candle
The Flying Tiger Moto Two Stroke Candle offers the senses a trip down memory lane, of a time when brappy, high-revving oil burners filled the paddock, with a hand-poured 16oz candle that sees natural fragrances infused with actual Klotz R50 synthetic 2-stroke premix oil.
WESN Pocket Sharpener
Backed by a lifetime warranty and tipping the scales at only 54 grams, the WESN Pocket Sharpener allows knife owners to whetstone-sharpen their blades from practically anywhere, with this 3.0” x 1.0 x 0.25” item featuring a ceramic plate on one side and an electroplated diamond 400 grit plate on the other.
Pappy & Company Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup
Made in America, the Pappy & Company Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup features sap that was harvested in the Spring of 2015 from Bissell Maple Farm in Ohio before being aged for six months in 15-year Pappy Van Winkle barrels.
Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee
Offered in eight Core Colors and in an additional trio of Venice Wash options, the Buck Mason Pima Curved Hem Tee is a thoroughly premium take on the traditional men’s wardrobe staple, with the classic fit short sleeve crewneck tee sporting an ultra-soft 140 GSM jersey knit construction made from long staple pima cotton, and Buck Mason’s signature curved hem.
Tanner Goods Mazama Collection Crater Lake Mug
Designed in Portland, Oregon and crafted by hand in Dolores Hidalgo, Mexico, the Tanner Goods Mazama Collection Crater Lake Mug is a 16oz piece of slip-cast vitrified stoneware.
WP Standard The Pickers Wallet
Available with an optional three-letter monogram, the WP Standard The Pickers Wallet allows your favorite guitarist to always have a pick at the ready, with a full-grain leather, nylon-threaded cardholder with a trio of card slots, a window-equipped ID slot, a cash pocket, and a guitar pick holder.
Elastic Precision Model 1911 Rubber Band Gun
Boasting a maple body adorned in walnut grips, the Elastic Precision Model 1911 Rubber Band Gun is an American-made item that features semi-automatic firing action and the ability to shoot up to six rubberbands up to 20’.
Stanley Master Unbreakable Flask 8oz
Protected by a lifetime warranty, the aptly-named Stanley Master Unbreakable Flask is an ultra-rugged 8oz vessel that features a stainless-steel interior, a rustproof exterior, and a wide mouth with a knurled, machined steel cap.
Orbitkey Clip v2
The Orbitkey Clip v2 is a quick-release EDC keychain that’s comprised of a zinc alloy carabiner with a wide gate opening that can accommodate up to ten keys and is linked to a detachable keychain via a magnetic Fidlock buckle.
VSSL First Aid Stash Mini
The VSSL First Aid Stash Mini is an ultra-compact FAK that includes a VSSL-branded flat-end cap, a flat top bottom cap, three medium empty screw-top storage tins, and a roll of adventure tape — all of which neatly stows away inside a 6.75” T x 2.0” D cylinder housing made from military-grade 6061 aluminum.
Huckberry Weekenders
Produced in ten different lens and frame color options, the Huckberry Weekenders are classic pair of Wayfarer shades that feature polarized, heavy-duty, scratch-resistant lenses, along with branding sporting Huckberry’s trademark tree logo and “See You Out There” slogan.
Aesop Igneous Kit
The Aesop Igneous Kit is a high-end travel grooming bundle that’s made up of the brand’s nourishing Geranium leaf body cleanser and Geranium leaf body balm — all sold in packaging made from recycled paper pulp.
Ilex Studio Avocado Vase
Sold with an included 35-page handbook with tips, tricks, and instructions, the Ilex Studio Avocado Vase is an interactive planting system that allows users to observe an avocado’s natural growth process via a borosilicate glass vase that was designed specially to fit an avocado pit.
DISSM Inverted Lighter
The DISSM Inverted Lighter is a thoroughly modern and idiosyncratic, butane-powered take on a classic EDC torch, with a cast metal housing, an adjustable flame level, a trigger ignition, a unique circle grip, and an angled flame port that keeps the flame away from the user’s hand.
Patagonia Brodeo Beanie
Made from a Fair Trade-certified blend of recycled wool and nylon, the Patagonia Brodeo Beanie is an ultra-warm toque that features a 2.5” ribb-knit cuff. This beanie is also offered in a wide variety of different colors and wish different modern and retro Patagonia logo patches.
The James Brand Halifax Keychain Tool
Crafted from a combination of 6AL-4V titanium and 416 stainless steel billet constructions, The James Brand Halifax Keychain Tool is an ultra-pocketable multi-tool that contains flat and Phillips head drivers and a bottle opener while measuring just 2.875” in length.
Aer Dopp Kit 2
Affording 2.6 liters of storage space, the Aer Dopp Kit 2 is a second-generation toiletry bag that features an ultra-rugged 1,680-denier CORDURA shell housing a bevy of internal dividers, pockets, and organizers aimed specifically at accommodating grooming products.
Prometheus Design Werx Ti-FS Mk2 Survival Lighter
Precision milled from 6AL-4V titanium billet, the Prometheus Design Werx Ti-FS Mk2 Survival Lighter is an outdoor torch that features a watertight screw-down cap and a milled grip pattern that was inspired by the classic WWII-era hand grenade.
Quite Carry The Shorty Only Key Organizer
Weighing in at just 1oz, the Quite Carry The Shorty Only Key Organizer is a 2.35” item that can accommodate up to five keys. The EDC key organizer is also crafted around a 6AL 4V titanium frame that features 416 stainless steel hardware.
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid 32oz
Produced in 24oz and 40oz, as well as in nine different powder-coated color options, the Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Straw Lid 32oz is a hardwearing vacuum-insulated bottle that is made from 18/8 pro-grade stainless steel and features Hydro Flask’s proprietary TempShield insulation which can keep cold beverage cold for up to 24 hours — or hot drinks hot for up to 12.
Iron & Air Magazine One-Year Subscription
Since its inception in 2011, Iron & Air Magazine has garnered a reputation as one of the world’s leading gearhead-focused publications, with coffee-table-worthy editions printed on high-end cardstock that each contain fascinating articles on cars and motorcycles — all of which come backed by absolutely stellar photography.
Lodge 15” Pre-Seasoned Cast-Iron Skillet
Dating back to 1896, Lodge is unequivocally the most respected name in the cast iron cookware space. Like all of its skillets since 2002, this particular cast iron skillet comes pre-seasoned, plus boasts oversized dimensions at 15” in diameter.
Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen
Touted as the online retail giant’s best-sounding Echo Dot to date, the Amazon Echo Dot 5th Gen is a cutting-edge home smart assistant and speaker that features voice-control compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity, onboard temperature sensors, and built-in motion sensors.
SOG Tellus Knife
Punching well above its weight considering its $50 price, the SOG Tellus is an EDC-focused folding knife that boasts a set of FRN scales with a sturdy frame-locking mechanism that’s mated to a 3.65” 440 stainless steel blade that benefits from a special cryogenic heat treatment process.
Pelican 1150 Protector Case
The Pelican 1150 Protector Case provides genuine weatherproof and crushproof storage for any delicate gear essentials, plus its customizable foam interior allows it to accommodate an enormous range of items.
