Getting into backpacking can be an extremely expensive. The cost of hiking gear unfortunately holds a lot of people back. Finding inexpensive backing gear like a quality tent can be a challenge for beginners. If you've been watching my videos then you've probably seen my gear shack. What you may not have realized is that I paid significantly less than retail price for much of this arsenal. How can you do the same? Here are 5 ways to get the stuff you need while keeping a little extra money in your jeans and gas in your tank.
Hiking Gear Hack #1
WWW.GEARTRADE.COM
A lot of people don't know about this site, but I have used it a ton! You know that friend that buys a bunch of sweet stuff, uses it for one weekend getaway and then takes it back to the retailer with their best “It just didn't work for me” pitch? Have you ever wondered how some brands or outlets can offer such lenient return policies?
You might think they just clean it up and resell it, but once the packaging is damaged, that's a no-go. This is where geartrade.com picks up the slack, and where us bargain hunters can swoop in. On this site you'll find essentially new stock for anywhere between a nice 10% discount all the way to a staggering 70 or 80%.
Best inexpensive backing gear score from geartrade.com
One of my best finds was a 20-degree sleeping bag that normally retails for $900 USD but that I got for just over $200! Literally the only thing “wrong” with it was that I found 3 dog hairs inside. I simply picked these off and then found myself with a perfect winter sleeping bag. That to me is well-worth a $700 discount.
Geartrade.com isn't just a place to buy. Private users can also sell their gear, which helps boost the budget for new equipment that may be needed for unique adventures. While you're online, you'll be able to see if you're buying from an individual or one of those big guys. Check them out here.
Hiking Gear Hack #2
REI “Garage Sales”
This tip is more like the classic version of the geartrade.com method. REI retailers they will usually have 2 garage sales per year, which again stems from the returns department. REI used to have an unlimited return policy. Though they've had to revise their stance a little, it is still a pretty generous system. This leads to a lot of returned gear that is once again in near mint condition.
The backpacking gear can't be plopped back on the shelves with their immaculately packaged equivalents. These member-only events can have some of that Black-Friday intensity to them. Be prepared to line up out the door and make quick decisions once you get in there. I've managed to wrestle some pretty great inexpensive backpacking gear over the years.
All joking aside, these are fun events that make a big difference when purchasing some of those elusively expensive pieces. Keep your finger on the pulse as REI usually starts advertising these sales about a month in advance. And whatever you do, get there early. I'll tellin' ya…
Hiking Gear Hack #3
Getting A Pro Deal Discount for Hiking Gear
Oftentimes, guides or starving athletes will qualify for prodeals with relevant brands. These companies know that clients, peers, and fans tend to mimic the positive examples they see while on a tour or at an event. Only the top echelon can actually get full sponsorships, and so prodeals are just a nice way to support the community and keep these hard-working individuals in the mix.
You might be thinking that this doesn't apply to you, but you'd be surprised how diverse the standards can be. For example, I used to qualify for prodeals when I was a wilderness guide in a therapeutic setting. I didn't need to be a hardcore mountain guide, risking life and limb trying to help clients bag summits. No, I was just out there facilitating some backcountry goodness.
Anyone with outdoorsy skills can probably find jobs that will land you various prodeals (as long as you apply for them). Some of these outlets include: volunteer firefighter, search and rescue volunteers, forest services/department of interior/other government agencies in this general field, law enforcement, Navy Seals, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Air Force, phys-ed teachers, team coaches (high school and beyond), yoga and fitness instructors, NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership Skills) alumni, etc. Any of these are great options to explore.
I highly recommend NOLS as a general way to advance your outdoor prowess. Taking this course is a great way to spend the summer. When it's over, you can start applying for those sweet discounts.
Hiking Gear Hack #4: More Secondhand Options for Hiking Gear
Every once in a while I make a habit of perusing sites like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and some of those other websites that show me what's available locally from everyday Janes and Joes. There never seems to be a shortage of stuff that I didn't even know I needed until I saw it (so be careful!).
If somehow you can't find what you're looking for in your immediate vicinity then you can simply expand the search to other areas. In this day and age people can ship stuff to you no problem. Again, this goes in the other direction. Sometimes I have certain gear that I find I haven't used in a year or two and so I'll pop it up one these sites. This helps me to clear space while also recycling these perfectly fine pieces back into the community.
Hiking Gear Hack #5: Low Cost Retailers Sell Hiking Equipment
Last but not least, the elephant in the room. Though I love to support boutique retailers, sometimes that can be a luxury. There is no doubt that heading to places like Wal-mart, Target, maybe Canadian Tire for all you Canucks up there, and other big-box retailers can get you fixed up with perfectly acceptable gear at a much lower cost. Hunters and more laid-back outdoorsmen have known this for a long time and have no issue skipping over the top-of-the-line stuff in order to fuel their passions.
The downsides of these markets are that, generally speaking, the gear is less-durable and bulkier/heavier. Nonetheless, all of this stuff will still keep you warm, dry, and fully-outfitted for most outdoor experiences. Once you develop your skills and crave more advanced adventures, then you can pepper in that higher-end stuff that will take you to the next level. Simply spreading out major purchases over time can really take the edge off.
So there you have it fellow savvy shoppers; 4 ways to get great gear for a bargain and 1 way to get, well…gear! Don't be deterred by those intimidating price tags, there are ways to get around those. I want backpacking to be for everyone, not just those rollin' in the dough. I hope you took something away from this article. For more tips, reviews, and backpacking adventures subscribe to our newsletter.
