Although retail prices have been greatly affected by inflation, it is still feasible to acquire affordable outdoor gear without staying at home and watching TV.
If you are a beginner in outdoor activities, you might assume that camping is too expensive for you. However, this is not true. In the following steps, we will demonstrate how you can prepare for a thrilling summer of outdoor adventures without breaking the bank by purchasing affordable yet high-quality gear.
In order to start from the beginning, it is essential to have the fundamental items such as a sleeping bag, a sleeping pad, a tent, and a backpack.
The Mantis tents are highly functional for both backpacking and car camping, making them a great option. They are available in 1-, 2-, and 3-person sizes, and feature a full-length rain fly to provide weather protection. This is vital as the weather can be unpredictable, and nobody wants to wake up wet.
After acquiring your tent, it is necessary to find a suitable place to rest your tired head once you have finished exploring for the day. We should begin by considering a sleeping pad. Despite being in a camping situation, there is no need to endure discomfort with rocks under your back while trying to sleep. The days of simply placing your sleeping bag directly on the tent floor and enduring sleepless nights are now a thing of the past.
The Hypnos 3 by Hotcore is a versatile sleeping pad that is ideal for camping in the spring, summer, and fall. It is specially insulated to keep you warm and is designed with comfort in mind. Its baffle wall construction ensures there are no cold spots and offers enhanced comfort in any sleeping position. Who wouldn’t want a peaceful and cozy sleep while camping? The best part is that it can easily be inflated using the roll-top stuff sack, eliminating the need for manual blowing.
Below are additional locations that offer inexpensive equipment.
SWAP
Swap is a great online thrift store where you can find outdoor apparel and clothes in general. I personally purchase the majority of my clothing from this website. Although Swap is not exclusively dedicated to outdoor apparel, you can discover clothing items from well-known outdoor brands like Outdoor Research, KÜHL, and Columbia. At this moment, I am browsing through a Columbia rain jacket on Swap, which is listed in “Like New” condition and priced at just $15. By shopping on Swap, you not only save money but also help reduce the wasteful cycle of overproduction. It’s hard to find any downsides to this.
REI USED GEAR AND GARAGE SALES
REI, a prominent outdoor gear company, offers a wide range of used gear and clothing on their website. They provide an extensive selection of products from various outdoor brands, including Columbia, Black Diamond, and The North Face, as REI functions as both a brand and an outlet.
During the pandemic, physical Garage Sales, which are only accessible for REI Co-op members, are an alternative option for purchasing outdoor gear and apparel. Membership costs $20 for life and provides quick benefits. Additionally, members receive REI gift cards as credit when they exchange their used equipment.
ASK AROUND!
If you have exhausted all other possibilities and put in a lot of effort, simply inquire with others. Share a message on social media, send a few texts to friends. You could even drop me an email! The other day, I sold one of my kayaks to someone who had read one of my articles.
If we want to be sustainable consumers, we must make sure to explore all possible alternatives before buying a new item and adding to the harmful cycle of production and waste that accompanies it.
During a previous encounter, I stumbled upon an Osprey backpack (with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $300 or more) at an REI Garage Sale, priced at only $60, which I gladly purchased for a past partner. Although there was a minor tear on one side of the backpack, I managed to stitch it up within a few minutes, resulting in the pack being in impeccable condition. We utilized the backpack on numerous hiking expeditions we embarked on throughout the nation, and it could still be in her possession, as far as I am aware.
WORN WEAR
Patagonia’s Worn Wear program aims to prolong the lifespan of pre-owned Patagonia gear and distribute it to fresh customers. In contrast to REI’s platform for used gear, the Worn Wear website exclusively offers Patagonia products and does not include items from other brands. Nevertheless, one can discover an impressive selection of high-quality used gear and apparel, ranging from backpacks to sleeping bags to down jackets.
GEARTRADE
Another option for finding used gear online is GearTrade. This extensive online marketplace offers a wide range of used gear, including apparel, ski and snowboard gear, climbing shoes, kayaks, mountain bikes, and more. It is recommended for larger purchases, as that is where you are more likely to find savings, although some sellers on this site tend to overprice their items. Unlike the used catalogs operated by REI and Patagonia, there is no oversight on GearTrade. However, it is still an excellent resource to have available.
CRAIGSLIST
It may come as a surprise, but I have purchased a large amount of affordable, second-hand technical outdoor equipment on Craigslist. My initial crampons, ice axe, and mountaineering boots were all acquired from this platform. Additionally, I have also used Craigslist to sell various items including tents, sleeping bags, motorcycles, and more.
When it comes to online thrifting sites, like Swap and REI’s extensive used apparel catalog, there is no need to search for outdoor apparel on Craigslist, as Craigslist is a mixed bag. However, if you are searching for an expensive piece of outdoor gear, such as a tent or a sleeping bag, Craigslist can be a great starting point. If you play your cards right, you are likely to find a better deal on Craigslist than in catalogs from REI or GearTrade, as many Craigslist sellers are outdoor novices who got overwhelmed and simply want to get rid of the expensive gear they purchased.
