Photo by Tom Merton via iStock
Now that we’re into November, that means you have less time to find that ideal overlanding gift for your loved one. This list should help!
Below are some of our favorite overlanding and off-roading items, all of which have a price tag below $250.
From cooking gear to lights, recovery gear to radios, we’ve got a wide-ranging list of suggestions just for you!
Tailgater Tire Table
When you go camping or overlanding, one of the things that’s at a premium is space to eat, prepare meals, and set things down. Sure, you might have a teardrop trailer with a side table, or perhaps you even have a folding table you bring with you.
The problem with that is that it can be hard to find level ground to put a folding table, and if your trailer isn’t quite level, neither will a built-in table.
That’s where the Tailgater Tire Table comes in…
As the name indicates, the Tailgater Tire Table mounts to your vehicle’s or trailer’s tire, giving you a totally stable surface, regardless of the ground conditions.
Simply hook the table over the top of the tire, deploy the retractable leg to give the table additional support, and you have a sturdy work surface to prepare dinner, eat dinner, or, if you’re like me, get some work done while you’re in the wilderness!
Since it’s so easy to install (no tools are required), it takes just a few moments to set up the table. That means you can pull into camp, get your table set up within seconds, and use it as a base for getting the rest of camp set up.
The table holds up to 50 pounds, so you can put a lot of gear on it. Yet, while it holds a good deal of weight, it’s lightweight due to the 6061 aircraft aluminum construction (it only weighs 5.5 pounds). The table is also powder coated to provide excellent durability and rust resistance.
I use this table all the time when I’m camping. I eat dinner with my son at this table, get work done for 4WDTalk on this table, and use it for meal prep, a charging area for my devices, and any number of other uses.
When you give a gift to someone for the holidays, you want it to be something they’ll actually use. Well, if you have a person on your list that loves to camp, go overlanding, or tailgate, this is the gift to give!
Learn more about the Tailgater Tire Table
Forrest Tool Company Max Ax
When your loved one hits the trail, they need to have a well-appointed tool kit for day-to-day use and emergency situations. A good ax is a must for that kind of kit, and the best ax you can get is the Max Ax from Forrest Tool Company.
I happen to have this ax, so I’m speaking from experience when I say it’s a damn good tool.
The head is a 3.5-pound Hudson Bay ax head with a striking surface. Attached to it is a 34-inch polyglass handle that’s durable, strong, and feels good in your hands, too.
This ax is the central component of the Max Toolkit from Forrest Tool Company, which makes it compatible with a host of attachments that make it even more functional.
Whether your loved one needs to chop firewood, clear a downed tree from the trail, dig a trench, or something in between, this ax will help them do it!
Learn more about the Forrest Tool Company Max Ax
SureFire G2X LED Flashlight
SureFire makes some excellent flashlights, and the G2X LED flashlight is no exception…
This flashlight has a virtually indestructible build (not that I’ve tried to destroy it), but it is built like a tank. The nitrogen body and anodized aluminum bezel will hold up to years and years of use. It’s just the kind of flashlight you want in your vehicle for camping and overlanding adventures.
It’s easy to operate, too – there’s a dual-output click switch on the tailcap to get the level of light you need. Speaking of which, the G2X offers two light output levels, including a high mode with 600 lumens and a low mode with 15 lumens.
The light this thing emits is clean, smooth, and bright. Again, just what you want in a flashlight for your overlanding trips (or for a loved one for Christmas).
On top of all that, this flashlight is way under the $250 threshold. In fact, it’s well under $100!
Learn more about the SureFire G2X LED Flashlight
Wouxun KG-905G GMRS Two Way Radio
If you want to give a gift that gives you a lot of bang for your buck, this Wouxun KG-905G GMRS Two Way Radio is it…
This radio transmits on 15 high-powered GMFS simplex channels as well as eight low-powered simplex channels and all eight GMRS repeater channels. There is no need to program the radio – it is ready to go out of the box – and it offers up to five watts of power for staying in contact with others on the trail.
Your loved one can customize up to 256 channels in 16 custom channel groups. Additionally, there are 157 CTCSS tones and DCS codes that eliminate interference. There’s split tones, tone scan, a timeout timer, VOX, and plenty of other features as well!
Learn more about the Wouxun KG-905G GMRS Two Way Radio
Tops Knives Air Wolfe
Having a solid knife on an overlanding or off-roading adventure is paramount. Not only can you use it for emergencies like cutting straps or rope, but you can also use it at dinnertime to cut veggies, break down meat, and so forth.
The Air Wolfe has a fixed 5.75-inch blade with a 5-inch cutting edge. The Black G10 handle has a traction-style design that gives your loved one a sure hand when using the knife. The 1095 RC 56-58 blade has a beautiful tactical gray finish, while the black ballistic nylon sheath offers protection for the blade.
Learn more about the Tops Knives Air Wolfe
KC HiLites 6″ Daylighter Halogen Pair Pack System
When you think of overlanding and off-roading gear, one of the first things your mind conjures up is probably KC HiLites.
These lights are the industry standard for a reason, so they make the perfect addition to our 2021 holiday gift guide – and to your loved one’s stocking!
These particular lights include 100-watt halogen bulbs that come with a spot or a spread beam pattern. You get 2,452 lumens and a beam distance of 1,058 meters when using the spot pattern and 885 meters when using the spread beam pattern.
As is typical for KC HiLites, these lights are well-made, highly durable, and easy to install, too!
Learn more about the KC HiLites 6″ Daylighter Halogen Pair Pack System
Camp Chef 18″ Redwood Deluxe Gas Fire Pit
Overlanding is so much better with a fire, but not all locations are conducive to an open fire in a fire ring. That’s where a propane-powered fire pit comes in!
The Camp Chef 18″ Redwood Deluxe Gas Fire Pit is small enough and light enough to add to an overlanding kit without taking up a bunch of space. It sets up in just a few minutes time and gives you a clean and smokeless fire to enjoy. With 64,000 BTUs, it’ll keep you warm, too!
This is a complete kit with the fire pit, a lid, and a 5-foot hose. The kit also includes a natural lava rock set that gives the fire a dynamic look and feel. Plus, the heavy-duty steel construction will stand up to the elements and offers years of reliable service.
Learn more about the Camp Chef 18″ Redwood Deluxe Gas Fire Pit
Exped DeepSleep Mat
This fantastically comfortable sleeping mat from Exped is a medium-wide width that will give your loved one a good base upon which to get a good night’s rest. And since it weighs just 10 ounces, they won’t have to worry about carrying a lot of weight to get that good night’s sleep!
The brushed 75D fabric on the mat is soft against skin and is quiet, too, so if your loved one tends to roll around, it won’t make tons of noise.
The open-cell foam core is soft and conforms to the body, providing excellent support. When it’s time to pack up, the extra-large deflation valve helps make quick work of matters, as does the oversized stuff sack, which easily accommodates the deflated pad.
This is one of those gifts that might not be super sexy, but it’s something your loved one will use over and over again!
Learn more about the Exped DeepSleep Mat
Maxsa Innovations Escaper Buddy Traction Mats
Overlanding and off-roading aren’t about whether you’ll get stuck, but when. And when that happens, you want your loved one to have good traction mats to help them get out.
These mats from Maxsa Innovations are heavy-duty, 48″ long, 14.5″ wide tracks that help prevent tire spin in mud, sand, snow, and ice.
The durable construction means overlanders and off-roaders will get years of service, too.
They’re lightweight, easy to store, and could mean the difference between getting unstuck or remaining stuck!
Learn more about the Maxsa Innovations Escaper Buddy Traction Mats
Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool
This made-in-the-USA tool is the ideal gift for loved ones that spend time outdoors and on remote trails.
It has needlenose and regular pliers, wire cutters, a knife, a bottle opener, and a bit driver. Better still, any of these tools can be opened one-handed!
True to form, this Leatherman is compact, lightweight, and can be easily carried in a pocket. It comes with a 25-year limited warranty, too, so it’s a gift that you can have confidence in for literally decades to come.
Plus, at about $80, it’s well below the $250 threshold!
Learn more about the Leatherman Skeletool CX Multi-Tool
Camp Chef Everest 2-Burner Cooking System
This small but mighty stove from Camp Chef is an ideal gift for someone that loves the outdoors and enjoys a great meal at the same time.
The Everest features dual 20,000 BTU burners that offer plenty of power for cooking all sorts of food. The folding lid and fold-out side walls offer a three-sided windscreen to protect the burners’ flames, so even if the weather isn’t ideal, the Everest is ready to cook!
Using this stove is a breeze, too. The matchless ignition system gets the burners lit quickly so your loved one can focus on the food they’re preparing rather than struggling with a complicated ignition system.
Add a one-pound propane tank to the mix, and this grill is ready to rock!
Learn more about the Camp Chef Everest 2-Burner Cooking System