Fitorch ER16 has decent throw, but it is a 18350 light.
Emisar D1 or upcoming GT micro?
B158B fits in my pants pockets. Not comfortably but it does. 
Many people reported that UF-1504 fits their jacket pockets.
BLF X5 or Manker T01. Emisar D1S has more throw, but the head is prob too big to fit well in a pants pocket. I have all these lights and the first two would be my picks. The X5 gives maybe a bit less throw but the beam is smooth and lights up a better area. Bonus for the manker is that it will also run on a non LiIon aa if you need to but I never do unless I’m killing off a alkaline.
Definitely the upcoming Lumintop GT Micro. If you are not that patient, a bit heavier option is the BLF X5, or the Astrolux version.
Emisar D1s
Edit, this has a larger reflector and will throw farther, but it is 35usd.
Also you are looking for something smaller then a C8 so BLF X6/astrolux S2?
Imalent DM21T is throwy and I think you can find a coupon for it for much cheaper than the retail price (if I remember correctly, I got mine for about $30-$35 a few months ago).
My vote is for The GT mini … 
This is my daily companion on morning and night walks. Easily fits in a jacket pocket or cargo shorts. Incredibly bright with mega throw. Best UI on the market IMHO. No other light currently available will beat this beauty for size and throw.
Matt’s Review: Lumintop GT Mini Pocket Thrower! - YouTube
Weltool W3, or if you want slightly larger the Acebeam W10.
Oh and if you want a more regular style flashlight instead of laser, then the P12GT/MH12GT have the most throw of any 18650 light without a large head.
D1 with Black Flat LED ? 60kCd
Well, the head of the mini GT is larger then a C8, and OP said C8 is not pocketable enough…
Nitecore MH20GT.
1x18650, 33 000cd, 1000lm.
The head is larger than the body, but less than the C8.
I think it can be considered a torch.
Nice, but it was supposed to be under $30.
I would add Lumintop SD mini II - maybe with some kind of a coupon you could get it for close to your budget.
Oh I completely missed that too part lol
I’m sorry, I did not notice the price limit.
Are you limiting your choices to tube size lights? They generally need to be run on the highest output to throw well and they heat up fast. If you go up in size and price a little, you will get a more sustainable output. Are you picky about the UI? The Haikelite SC26 with XPH 35 Hi will throw well for a smallish light. On sale in the mid $30s.
(AA/14500) +1 on the Manker T01 if you gotta have throw.
(18650) I still like my P60 lights w/SMO and XP-L HI, they have descent throw.
Come to think of it. The original name of the Jaxman M8 was Jaxman C8 Mini.
A slimmer brother/sister with familiar features of the light you thought to be too big to fit into your pants.
The M8 was from the start designed to have an XP-L emitter and is said to have a dedicated reflector.
Only detail that is not in line: why has (my) reflector a 9mm hole in it instead of a 7mm hole.
Like the new(er) C8’s it has an integrated shelf. On the driver side there is no retaining ring (means soldering).
Quite frankly I am not overwhelmed by it’s throwing capabilities. But then again: it has a 2.1A driver.
All in all good build quality, but Jaxman is not a company that pushes the envelope in the Amp’s segment.
C’mon guyz. Pocket size + THROW. Not walking around like he’s John Holmes, Jeremy Irons, Boaz, man. 
I mean he ain’t tryin’ out for ‘Boogie Nites II’, here ok?
Surprised kinda that no one goes into zoomie land options. I’ve got zoomers that out throw per oz, girth, and length vast majority of reflector flashes ‘handedly’. And this is with 14500/even AA. TRUE pocket rockets.
Now granted dedoming most times helps significantly. Butt even then without dedoming he should get there with a zoomie short of an Acebeam W10/LEP type easily.
He won’t impress the ladies as much tho’ butt that’s another story. 
PS. AFAIK John Holmes has expired so he ain’t doin’ much walkin’ these days.
PSS. To me, any 18650 size flash in a pants pockets feels like borderline ridiculous. It’s heavy, it bulges, and it’s swingin’ into and bangin’’ around too close and thus potentially rubbing up too warm against Mr. Happy. I might as well keep a roll of radioactive lead quarters down there. Jacket pocket another deal altogether. C8 doable of course. Back pants pocket goes quasi-stupid if ya gotta sit down a lot especially in public. I mean watt do ya do then? Set it on the ground next to you? Yeah a pipe-looking object. That’ll work just great these days.
Bottom line, ‘pocket’ practically means pretty dam small and light. Unless he carries a purse witch these days ain’t all that uncommon either.
PSSS. Oh btw, ‘pocket size’ really should include SHIRT POCKETS too. Have ya ever tried to comfortably clip on or otherwise EDC a 18650 flash in a shirt front pocket? First and foremost it pulls/sags your neck ring/collar over so much that it looks like you’re essentially homeless or you buy all your T’s&shirts from Cheap Azz T-Shirt Mart. It really sux!
PSSSS. Somehow this post wavered into rant territory. 
PSSSSS. Ya know before ya buy anything try one of these uber-Xpensive little jobbies. I EDC one when I wanna go REAL light, stealthy and sleek, plus it has THROW. Now I did mod it some by using a dedomed XPG2 and legoed another brand switch on it butt I gotta say when it weighs only about 20 grams and has the output it does, an AWESOME true pocket size wunder. I even kept the pocket clip on which I kinda rarely do for other flashes since I tend to belt holster 18650 and above. Even stock this little runt will perform decent enuff in the throw dept., plus ya got flood too to boot. It may not be the ‘most’ throw butt I bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised bang for the grams. Btw I run a AAA Eneloop in mine. Watts not to like?
What are you going to use it for? A de-domed BLF-A6 has some penetration, fits in a pocket, and it's in your price range.
OTOH if its for hunting or search light duty, you probably need something bigger than a pocket light.