Ask the Gear Guy

Inexpensive outdoor equipment

Last weekend my dad took me to the local outdoors store, but we both couldn’t believe how expensive camping stuff is. Please help! Where can I get good outdoor equipment without paying huge prices?
- Sticker-Shocked Steve, San Diego, Calif.

Dear Sticker, we sympathize. Outdoor gear can indeed be really expensive. Luckily you have options.

On the Web, there are a handful of stores that sell quality brand-name camping gear and outdoor clothing at reduced prices. Basically these sites buy discontinued gear and overstocks from manufacturers then sell it direct to you at super-cheap prices. The color and size choices are often limited an you don’t get the face-to-face advice you do from your local outdoors store, but if you look around you should be able to find what you need.

Here are a few of the most well-established online stores:

• Sierra Trading Post
• Northern Mountain Supply
• Campmor
• REI Outlet
• Steep and Cheap

Also, instead of always sticking with brand-name stuff, consider buying the “house brand” from these companies.

Much of the gear from the big brand names is made with the exact same fabrics and materials in the very same factories. Often the main difference is simply the trendy label that’s slapped on the thing.

• REI
• L.L. Bean
• Eastern Mountain Sports

And, as always, a great source for BSA-approved gear and clothing is the BSA’s own supply catalog, found at www.boyslife.org/links/scoutstuff.

Finally, check out eBay. There’s plenty of gently used outdoor gear up for auction there.

Happy bargain hunting.

Read 3 comments about “Inexpensive outdoor equipment”

1. 1 - madja2000 says:
   March 8th, 2008 at 11:04 am

   Hi- the gear guy rules! The outdoor equipment is cheap and cool.

2. 2 - Old Guy says:
   March 10th, 2008 at 4:09 pm

   Don’t forget to improvise or make your own gear.
   There is nothing wrong with a bedroll instead of a sleeping bag. Tarps can be great to sleep under if the bugs aren’t bad.
   You can find some used gear at thrift shops. I have found mess kits at Goodwill and Salvation Army thrift stores. I have also used cake pans as my plate/frying pan (use pliers for a handle) on trips.
   Learn to sew and make your own pack. If anyone says anything about “sewing is for girls” just tell them that a sewing machine is just another Power Tool.

   Talk to some of us old guys and we’ll be happy to tell you how we used to do things. Believe it or not, some of the things we used to do still work.

3. 3 - scoutmen96 says:
   May 5th, 2008 at 10:58 am

   thanks for the tip i will look at the websits for r boyscout camp thanks

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