Industry Secrets to Score Great Gear for Cheap: 5 Ways to Get Backpacking Gear Without Going Broke

[@red_bearded_backpacker]

Eric, i appreciate the focus of your videos geared towards the Average Joe backpacker. Not every new person is going to drop 1500 bucks on all new gear. One thing Id like to see more content on is durability and life expectancy of your big three, tent, sleep system, backpack Thanks!

[@clwhite1127]

I’m a wife and mom of 6. It’s hard for me to get gear for myself much less every person in the family. Recently we wanted to go backpacking so we rented a bunch of gear from a local shop. That and using the cheap gear that we already owned was the only way we could go. We had an epic time and learned a lot about the kind of gear we want to invest in as we are financially able.

[@elpretender1357]

Don't be affraid of buying used gear. Turns out a lot of people buy gear they never use or only used for a night or two and can't return. Even if something has holes remember that backpacking gear is built to endure some tough conditions, so it can still be very worth it.

[@wildeescape]

Thanks for the great information! As for REI, it's one year for more items (90 days for electronics). Also, many stores are making the "garage sales" every day now, but you must be a member (look for a section in each store, generally in the camping section, or hunt for the 1/4 tan thick tags attached to each item).

[@RoyceKitts]

dude! you are closing in on 90K subscribes. Congrats. Best gear channel. Best hiking channel.

[@michaeldriggers7681]

My sportsman's Warehouse carries the copper spur series from Big Agnes

[@johncheeseman6764]

Eric, you two other sites, when my wife and I started backpacking we got a lot of our gear at Sierra trading post. sleeping bags, tent, etc. Steep and Cheap has quality gear.

[@BackyardBiketours]

Thank you Eric. I'm looking to do e-bike bikepacking for 2023 (and I've got some years on you) and each of your videos has helped me a great deal. Currently just doing the research but already have a budget set up and a good list of things selected on an online retailer. I'll make my final decision if it's right for me in April of 2023. This video along with others that you've done has given me great resources and made me rethink a few things. Again, thank you for these videos and the great job you do sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@BackpackingTV]

So glad to hear that John, I hope you can do your big trip!

[@sheila5707]

I love tip #5 - Low-cost retailer. This is hard sometimes, once I lay eyes on my dream gear, I fall in love. Most of the time, it's the best, lightest, most expensive option out there. But, I don't really need the gear of a professional thru-hiker, I'm a weekend warrior that camps 25 nights a year. Therefore, a $700 tent is not the best option for me...(yet).

[@nicholasd101]

I relate to this very well. I tell myself I'll use it more and I'll always have it, or it will last longer which is true for the most part, and that more expensive usually means better and lighter materials which means I'll be more comfortable in the long run. I've come to terms that I have expensive taste when it comes to outdoor gear but that there are somethings that it is okay to go cheap on and not overthink.

[@FoundWorthy]

Great video, Im a 20 year Navy vet, I get a ton of discounts

[@nigelh3253]

Very useful video, Eric. Here in the UK there's some very good quality ex-British army kit available. Very strong/ heavy - yes, but durable! And not just made to look pretty, which much commercial kit suffers from!

[@BackpackingTV]

Haha that’s true, a lot of gear is aesthetic first, function second, unfortunately.

[@TheOlsonOutfit]

I've found some of the more cottage-ish vendors sell returns at a discount too. As long as you don't care about color you can save around 20-30% on quality gear.

[@BackpackingTV]

That’s a great way to score a deal. Cool that the cottage industry can do that too and not just the mega stores.

[@shawnr6117]

Actually go to your local outdoor retailers, there may be an unadvertised sale going on. In-store specials and clearance items.

[@heidih2887]

like others, I'm glad you included Sportsman's Warehouse in your list of options. :D In addition to some incentive options (rewards from each purchase of sale or reg. price items that can be applied to future purchases) SW also provides some periodic individual item discounts for "rewards" members, AND they have some decent sales now and then. And with brands like MSR, GSI, Columbia, Keen, Merrel, Smartwool, Black Diamond, Big Agnes and others, a careful shopper that's not in too big of a hurry can find a number of clothing items (with opportunity to try on to assure fit) and various items of gear that are trail worthy for a "decent" price. Do your research so you know actual features/model numbers and typical prices before shopping of course, don't JUST go by brand. :D Nothing like getting a decent headlamp on sale or footware the you KNOW fits properly etc. while saving a few $ :D

[@amywert8088]

Also, if you live near a wealthy area and there is a Salvation Army store there (or other charity resale shop) and you are close enough to take a run through - do it! I've gotten gear new in package for a fraction of the price!

[@christopherkelly9153]

Thanks for Gear Trade! I have a Mystery Ranch Terraplane - never used - that I need to sell! Perfect!

[@BackpackingTV]

That should work for you, good luck!

[@amywert8088]

REI garage sake is online now, maybe it wasn't 10 months ago when this video came out? I got my son and myself packs for about 60.00 total, my shoes, trekking poles, and some Smartwool!

[@techguy9023]

Found several packs on eBay-some still with tags on them. It took looking for a few months but if you know what you want and can wait you can save a lot. Got three Osprey packs for a little more than the cost of one new.

[@UnlikelyHiker]

National Ski Patrol qualifies for industry discounts as well and I also get free/discounted skiing!!!

[@BackpackingTV]

This is true. There are so many cool jobs that qualify you for these discounts.

[@UnlikelyHiker]

@@BackpackingTV NSP helps my gear problem lol

[@heidih2887]

OH! forgot to add: For those wanting to TRY backpacking before having to BUY every single item needed, don't forget to check on rental options from places like REI, a local College with outdoor programs etc., or at least check for local hiking "clubs" or groups. If you are going on an overnight/weekend/weeklong trip with the group, they may have some rental/loaner gear, or an individual member may be willing to loan you an item or two or at least let you see/touch THEIR gear to see if it might work for you! :D I'm forever grateful for the loaner gear that allowed me to go on my first backpacking trip decades ago! :D

[@Sirrehpotsirch]

Way back in the day, I made my first camping stove out of a few tin cans and bought lightweight aluminum cooking pots and utensils from local thrift store. Hobo twig stoves are easy to make. Actually, everything from boots and clothes to my sleep system, cooking and most other gear was purchased at second-hand stores or homemade. The journey is the thing, not the gear. If you keep your eyes opened all year round, you will find items you can use will cross your path when you are not even looking. If you avoid purchasing items just before your trip, you can avoid making expensive purchases of new items. Don't be afraid of used gear. It is ALL used gear after your first trip.

[@NoItsNotMe]

This is amazing, thanks

[@jpriddle]

Check outdoor enthusiast forums as well. Many of them will have gear swap/sell sections. They tend to be more specialized, but those communities also buy, sell and trade a lot of barely used equipment just to try it out.

[@graym7803]

That was cool. Thanks for the info.

[@thewildboi7025]

Such a big fan

[@JulietVorster]

In the UK Lidl and Aldi have great outdoors kit. I regularly buy their hiking trousers and workwear trousers for just a few £££s. They currently have a 2 person tent for £49 ($70 ish US) with a 3000mm HH, weighing 1.7kg. At that price anyone can get out and camp.

[@Jedwoods]

I've bought a number of Merino base layer pieces at Aldi - my t-shirts were only £10, and they've been great.

[@allibeardsley]

Aldi doesn't have as many goods for sale in the US as the UK, but usually in the spring they have some camping items like foldable chairs, tables, lanterns, etc. I've gotten a number of things from here and love a surprise budget find!

[@patina_turner6791]

If found some very nice stuff at places like Target and Costco for clothing and trekking poles even. And another great place to look, is TJ Max, Ross or Nordstroms Rack.

[@garyprice8330]

Thank u this is very good information thanks again brother

[@mygoldfishdrown5178]

Was that you with Dan becker in the lost creek wilderness yesterday?

[@BackpackingTV]

Haha nope, he wouldn’t let me join him!

[@joshwilcox8941]

Great vid!

[@melissaverdoni845]

i got a BRS stove and toaks cookpot , and osprey backpack, sea to summit women's sleep system, i WILL repair my gear , it s a great investment.

[@melissaverdoni845]

i love my ar'terryx sinsola hat !! i decided not to save on my sleep , it's SSSOOOO important

[@BackpackingTV]

Investing in quality gear makes a long lasting difference!

[@DeerHunter-wo5ns]

In the last 2 weeks I have spent $2200+ on gear for my fiance and I. We've saved around $700 just by buying things on sale. This video came out a little too late for me lol.

[@monkey0lovin]

Part time ski resort will get you 1 year pro deal at most places. Any job at a resort

[@Klff69]

In Europe we have Decathlon, like low cost, but sometimes fairly good quality gear can be found there. Also I have my tip for gear from down - it's Ukrainian brand RockFront 👈 They have way more cheap down bags, but very high quality level.

[@BackpackingTV]

Great to hear! I'm vaguely familiar with Decathlon. And thanks for the tip on the Ukrainian brand, cool!

[@jenniferdavis6608]

There's pretty much nothing listed on fb marketplace for me.

[@BackpackingTV]

That's a bummer. But I think there is a way to expand your region and have sellers ship items, even though that changes the dynamic of the transaction for sure.

[@Saint__Thiccolas]

Just found this video and I just saved $100 on gear trade 👍

[@Aworldalone]

I believe REI has changed the style of their garage sale- they just have an area of the store for the items that's constantly available rather than a huge blowout sale

[@jonsanford2515]

You are correct. They did away with the garage sale events a couple years ago, when having large crowd events wasn’t an option. Members can also purchase used gear on their website now.

[@kgwash]

Now it is called ReSupply...and sometimes there is a sale too. I got the majority of my shoes there. We sold off some of our rental tents. Some barely used. But really read those tags.

[@thomasp225]

This is controversial but aliexpress has some pretty nice stuff if you know where to look. I say controversial because A LOT of it is knock-off of big brands or even cottage brands, especially in the tent and backpack categories. It's also pretty much 100% Chinese brands so you're not buying local. But some of those brands are pretty small affairs, so ethically, it's probably not worse than buying from Walmart. Plus, even if you buy from an American brand like MSR, their stuff is made in China. I've bought some very nice tent, lightweight tarp, lots of titanium mugs, bowls, spoons, some decent paracord for very very cheap. 3F UL Gear, Flame’s Creed, Aricxi, Mobi Garden, Naturehike, AONIJIE, Widesea and Boundless Voyage are some of the brands you might want to look into. But there are many more. Of course, I think the best way to acquire gear is to buy second-hand and locally, if possible. It's amazing what you can find on FB Marketplace (or whatever listing site is popular in your area) with a bit of patience.

[@JamesSymmonds]

Some pro-deal jobs you'll want to make sure you have a primary job to go with it. Otherwise, certain jobs you might spend your entire paycheck. 😆 (Looking at you outdoor retail.)

[@wetl2628]

I don't agree backpacking should be expensive and need specialisrd equipment. As a teen I did backpacking in France, Corsica, Hungary, Romania,Belgium,...without the 'special gear' and without a budget. Just a backpack and the will to be carrying. Use the sleeping bag you (your parents have) have, use the tent you (your parents) have, etc. Leave at home the extra t shirt, extra shoes, extra underpants,take just a bar of soap and a toothbrush and of you go eating 3 weeks of only noodles and pesto pasta and Patato chips. I must admit that after some kilometers/miles the girlfriend (now wife) started walking like a duck. She didn't really like the weight😂 The aim in weight was to be around 12kg 27lbs for the backpack without water. Never remember people did this back in the day with a cotton tarp and a whoop blanket. Of course you shouldn't do the most demanding trails or mountaineering...

[@katrose5572]

You don't need the most expensive gear. what about yard sales , flea markets, and military surplus stores.

[@melissaverdoni845]

i HATE carrying weight, i am petite ,,, sucks that's not an option.

[@JohnZook78]

I can’t get on gear trade.

[@BackpackingTV]

No? Why not?

[@JohnZook78]

@@BackpackingTV maybe cause I’m in Germany maybe?

[@discrete333]

Huge secret! Get a youtube channel....make up some review! Get paid to up a product and get free gear!!!!

[@AC-kk3vo]

If you live in a democratic state I think you can just walk right of the store with it now 😂