Thrifty Hiker

Thrifty Hiker is an outdoor blog which specializes in reviewing cheap ultralight camping gear. Our aim is to entice more people into the world of camping and backpacking, without having to spend lots of money on expensive items for their kit. 

We scour the web to find ultralight backpacking gear that is much cheaper – but of comparable quality - than the western brand, cottage-industry equivalents. A lot of the camping and backpacking gear we review comes from emerging markets such as China. Through sites such as Ali Express, it’s possible to buy high-quality camping gear at knockdown prices. 

However, with so many products on these shopping portals, it can be difficult to know what represents good quality, and what is best avoided. The goal of Thrifty Hiker is to advise which of these bargain ultralight camping items is worth your time and attention, with honest and unbiased reviews. We always endeavor to highlight both the strengths and limitations of any product we review, alongside recommendations of similar or rival products that may perform better.