Six Unexpected and Budget-Friendly Holiday Gifts
This article originally appeared on Outside
Bachan's Original Japanese Barbecue Sauce ($13)
Bachan's Japanese Barbecue sauce plus rice, a vegetable, and a protein makes for a perfect meal--hard stop. One tester reported a 16-day eating streak while getting to the bottom of a 17-ounce bottle of the savory, sweet, deeply umami sauce. The Bachan's bonanza concluded with a salad topped with the dregs of the bottle mixed with a little mayo, an incredible dressing. Plus, it comes at a budget-friendly $13.
Astronaut Foods Neapolitan Ice Cream Sandwich ($5)
This nonfrozen treat is thick with both deliciousness and nostalgia. Lovable and chalky-sweet, it has a three-year shelf life, can be enjoyed straight from the wrapper, and weighs about one ounce, making it ideal for the weight-conscious backcountry traveler on your list.
Hoka Ora Recovery Slide 3 Sandals ($60)
Hoka taught us to lean into cush footwear a decade ago, and perhaps none of its myriad styles deliver as much indulgence as the Ora Recovery 3. Dual-density, highly airy foam mid- and outsoles, coupled with a steeply rockered toe and heel, make every step like walking on a cloud. A new vented upper mitigates sweating for post-run recovery. (Men's 3-14; women's 5-16)
Mujjo Canopy Airtag Key Chain ($24)
Give this to a forgetful loved one and you give them more than a mere accessory--you restore countless hours otherwise squandered on a maddening hunt for lost keys. This handsome Airtag holder feels wonderful in the hand and plays nice with whatever is attached to it, thanks to smooth, vegetable-tanned leather and a 3D-molded, low-profile pocket.
Nomadix Bandana Towel ($25)
Quick-drying, odor-resistant, and extremely supple, this 22-inch-square towel is useful for everything from backpacking and car camping to urban exploration. Testers used it to flick away sand at a beachside picnic, dry dishes from a 15-person campsite meal, and, yes, even mop sweat. Plus, it easily folds into a jeans pocket.
Leatherman Bond Multitool ($60)
A multitool ain't doing anyone any good if it's sitting in a drawer at home. The Leatherman Bond folds 14 tools into an impressive 6.2-ounce package, so whoever you give it to won't think twice about bringing it along everywhere, from glamping to the backcountry. But while the Bond is lightweight, it's heavy in utility, with contoured handles and a hefty 420HC blade.
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