Most Useful Gear You Bought Under $100

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
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5,250
This was inspired by a thread in another website I was reading. What's the best piece of kit you've bought for under a hundred bucks (can be a lot less). Not necessarily the highest quality, etc., just the "best" however you want to define it.

For me, years ago I bought a little package from I think it was Case4less but I can't really remember. It was a nylon belt sheath that held a Leatherman Wave, a Mini Maglight and a little reversible screwdriver with a phillips and a flat head (two different sizes of each that all fit in the handle).

I've since replaced the Maglight with a Fenix but the original cost was under $100. The Leatherman is obviously useful, but the screwdriver has been worth its weight in gold over the years. Amazing how much you can accomplish for little repairs with just those things.
 
If gear includes knives then the $90 clinch pick is one of the most awesome pieces of gear for less than a bill.

Also my Kershaw Emerson CQC7k is the best inexpensive blade I know.
 
This is a tough call, but I have two...maybe 1a and 1b.

If we're talking pure usefulness, and what's been in my pocket nearly every single day for the past 5 years or so since I bought it, I'd have to say the original Leatherman Juice S2. I still find myself using it for something all the time. Even used it to install some LED can light conversions recently.

The second item would go to my Zebralight SC600Fd Mk III headlamp. Most useful light I've ever owned.
 
It was an OptiVisor to which I added a couple of clips and an Olight T light. This thing is good for sliver removal, knife sharpening, watch repair, reading fine print, etc. If you turn it over and eliminate the magnification, it is good for pitching tents, changing tires, sorting socks, reading in bed, etc. Lying on the table, it is good for photography, microscope light, reading, etc.
View attachment 811025 View attachment 811024
 
I have a generic version of this screwdriver in fluorescent orange. Bought it for about five bucks twenty years ago.
'Darn thing has gotten more use, and been involved in more repairs than I could even begin to remember (much less list):

SDDD41.jpg
 
Any one of my SAKS and not sure if Crocs qualify as gear but hands down one of the best purchases I have ever made. Yes they are ugly but they are amazing indoor shoes,and a lifesaver on my back.
 
Carabiners.

Cheap aluminum ones. Multitool ones. Ones with knives. Heavy duty locking ones. Doesn't matter.

I keep my keys on one, and switch out just what I'll need for the day. I keep a couple on each of my various gear bags and packs to carry small lengths to cord, attach small items, or even attach other bags. I use heavier ones to hang bags and gear above the ground at the campsite. Heck, they have almost as many uses as duct tape and WD-40!
 
Victorinox Farmer.
Condor Kephart.
Osprey Kestrel.
Brunton TruArc3.
Mini Trangia.
SVEA 123.
MSR Pocket Rocket.
Long stemmed lexan spoons.
Belgian M88 field jacket.
Swede M59 vindrock/jeep coat with liner.
Alpaca wool cap.
M59 artic pants with liner.
M64 field jacket liners with row of buttons sewn in.
Thinsulate mittens.
WW2 wool sleeping bag liner with cover.
Black Diamond Spot headlamp.
Snow Peak titanum cup.

All but about two items above was less than $50. Many were less than $25.

Using at least 5 of the items above today.
 
I've got a few, but sticking to the near 100$ mark, my Ribz pack. I've worn it nearly every day for almost three years now, done all manner of stuff in it, and its always had my gear ready to go. Its starting to wear out, and I'm thinking I might need to build a similar setup as I'm not sure they are still in production, but the number of times its helped me out is without count.
 
I bought this Bushnell pro t100l back on January 31st for $20 at Walmart and it's been a great EDC light.
Runs on 2x AAA's and puts out a good clear beam of 100 lumen light.

I'm not into the tactical flashlight look at all, but it works and has been perfectly reliable.
 
That would be the Hill People Gear chest pack (don't remember the exact model) that I bought here on the Exchange. It has gone on every hike with me since I bought it, and looks to have many years of life left. If the day ever comes when it falls apart from wear and tear, I'll definitely buy another.
 
I picked up a SOG "Three day ninja pack" as an EDC pack about 2 years ago. I spent around 30$ Man does that thing kick ass! I've loaded this this down with beer around 40 pounds.... No problems! My BOB is a Sandpiper of caLIBfornia and I trust the SOG pack way more! Great purchase!
 
robgmn said:
I have a generic version of this screwdriver in fluorescent orange. Bought it for about five bucks twenty years ago.
'Darn thing has gotten more use, and been involved in more repairs than I could even begin to remember (much less list):

SDDD41.jpg
Click to expand...

"bang for the buck" is very high with these. I have several of them, including a couple I bought at Harbor Freight for about $1 or $2 each.

I could make a long list of the low priced items that are very useful to me.
I carry a Fenix PD25 light every day and use it more than my EDC knife.
I bought a well used Luminox Navy Seals watch for about $50 and wear it frequently on weekends. Being already beat up I don't worry too much about what happens to it. My schedule on weekends is more varied than weekdays so I have more occasion to use the tritium illumination to see the time during the night.
I have a couple of cheap articulating arm workbench lights that I use frequently- one on my workbench and one on my desk at home. It always helps to get good light where you need it. I also have a few cheap magnifiers laying around.
I bought a cheap set of screwdriver bits at Walmart many years ago. I have several larger and more expensive sets but this set is in a small case and is what I grab when I'm heading out with the cordless drill.
And speaking of cordless drill- I just got a Magnogrip holster for a cordless drill. I tend to be using my cordless drill a lot while I'm on a ladder. It is difficult to manage the drill plus fasteners plus other tools while on a ladder. I don't know why I didn't get one before- the holster lets me put the drill down temporarily to free up my hands. Magnogrip makes another interesting product that I haven't bought yet- a cloth wristband with velcro and a flat magnet inside. You can stick screws or small tools to the magnet while you are working to free up your hands a little bit, then when you get ready for the little thing you can grab it off of the magnet.
I use Sharpie markers occasionally at my workbench, and I've noticed people on TV using them, but for woodworking I've found for me that a mechanical pencil works very well. I use Pentel pencils with 0.9mm lead in my engineering work and I put an extra one on my workbench to mark on wood. The 0.9mm lead is much stronger than more common 0.5mm and doesn't break easily.
Also handy are the cheap digital calipers that you can get from Harbor Freight. (I just have to keep a stock of LR44 batteries around.)
 
I'll throw a few out there in some different categories.

1. Clearance winter parkas from Kingsize for $39 each. Normal price is $80-100. Coupon code made shipping free. I'm 6'7" about 285 lbs and live in MI. Having a good winter jacket is important. 4xlt or 5xlt items are hard to find. Columbia, North Face, etc are really expensive in the big sizes if you can find them. Solid parka at a great price. I bought 2 in 5xlt over the summer and the sleeves are long on me. It's not hard dropping $80 on a winter coat and I got two for that price.

2. Bags. People tend to laugh at LA Police Gear brand (especially on other forums) but the bail out bag ($20) and backpack ($30 - older generation) are very solid bags for the price. I use the bob for my range kit and the backpack for my truck kit (food, water, fire making gear, etc). They have held up well over the years.

3. Flashlight. As someone who works 2nd or 3rd shift, it's dark when I'm up and about. Nite EA1 on clearance for under $30 IIRC. I like the 2 button UI vs tail cap clicker.

4. Knife. Rat 1 in D2 for about $40 shipped to me. Knifeworks exclusive in the orange handles (which I love). Still one of the best bangs for the buck in the knife world.
 
Plumb Boy Scout hatchet.

Tyvek (ground cloth/tarp).

Cigar boxes (free at tobak shop) for storing all sorts of stuff.

DMT pocket stones.

Sleeping bag liner. For a few ounces adds about 20 degrees to a fart sack's temp rating. Allows me to sleep in 0 degree weather.

Titanium mug with hot lips attachment.

Double walled stainless coffee mug.

Lexan long stemmed spoon.

USN artic socks.

Bear bell.
 
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