Places to Get Backpacking Gear
Places to Get Gear
Under each category I have placed the list in order of my preference. All descriptions are my opinion based on personal experience.
If you have any suggestions for places to get gear or would like to state your opinion, please let us know.
Online Outfitters
WeGotYourPack.com
This store covers Summer/Mountain hiking, camping, and backpacking trips. It's origins date back to the early 1970s. WeGotYourPack.com provides all the equipment one may need for any trip that requires a backpack. This site sells tents, travel gear, camping gear, and of course; PACKS! They are dedicated to excellent service. Free shipping on all orders over $75.
CampSaver.com
This site is dedicated to helping adventurous campers and hikers get the gear they need with great service. They are a very knowledgeable group of experienced outdoor enthusiasts. They have an excellent selection of packs, tents and sleeping bags. Another site dedicated to great service. Free shipping on orders over $50.
A very large online store that also has a large outlet for discounted gear. They provide world-class service, exceptionally fast delivery and a straightforward buying experience. They maintain a 100% gaurantee. From their site … "We've created a guarantee that takes the risk out of shopping: If you're not satisfied with your purchase, you can return any item at any time for a refund of the purchase price of your product. Easy returns at any time." They als0 have free shipping on all orders over $45.
UpsideOver.com
This site specializes in outdoor gear for kids and families. They have the best selection of kid's bakcpacks and sleeping bags, which can be hard to find. They also have family tents and other outdoor advanture gear aimed at the family. They als0 have free shipping on all orders over $45.
Appalachain Outdoors (AppOutdoors.com)
Another online store for quality outdoor clothing and equipment since 1974. They carry a decent selection of the standard backpacking, hiking and camping gear.
TopSleepingBags.com
This site specializes in high quality sleeping bags and tents.
Free shipping on all orders over $75.
Outdoor Sport Outfitters (online, retail stores and catalog)
REI
If you choose to shop here, become a member right away and do not wait. Membership has several privileges including a dividend check on your purchases at the end of the year. This is the best place for selection of high-quality gear. Even their own name brand gear is often some of the highest rated items. The local stores have regular "garage sales" where they sell returned items at super discounts. My 15 year old son was able to get an REI brand tent that usually sells for a couple hundred dollars for only $25. Know that the garage sales are tough to get into and people usually camp out in the parking lot overnight to be the first in line. My son was blessed by a lawyer friend of ours who waited in line for a few hours and grabbed the tent for him.
Sierra Trading Post
This is an outlet type store that deals in overstocks and seconds. Their items are usually priced 50% - 80% off. Their items are usually in better than excellent condition and they back everything up with a strong guarantee. I have had the best experience with their service. The only downside is that they do not carry a consistent stock of backpacking gear so you need to check back regularly.
Campmor
This may be the largest mail order business in outdoor gear. I have been getting their newspaper catalog since I was a kid. They may also have the most extensive selection of gear at the lowest regular prices. I would say that they carry average quality brands. I usually shop here for all my small and miscellaneous items.
L.L. Bean
Probably the most famous of the outfitter stores. They are best known for their unconditional lifetime guarantee. I have visited their mecca in Freeport, Maine which is basically a small city unto itself. They typically carry high quality items. When there is an item that I plan to purchase and use frequently and want it to last forever, I look here. Some people feel L.L. Bean is too expensive but this has not been my experience.
One Deal At A Time Sites
These types of sites are a novel concept where they list only one item at a time at an extremely discounted price and leave it there until all the stock for it is gone, which is usually pretty fast. The obvious problem is that you have to check constantly or use their widget for notifications when a new deal is put up.
Steep and Cheap
This site has almost a religious following of gear addicts. They list the highest quality gear at absudly low prices. One of the main problems is that they only occassionaly list backpacking gear as their focus seems to be snow sports. If you have specific item that you want to buy a high quality brand for, then look through their archives to see what their listing pattern is for that type of item and start watching regularly. I was fortunate to snag a lightweight Patagonia rain jacket for more than 60% off, because a friend knew I was trying to get one from there and called me the moment one listed. One of the other problems is that the really good items will sometimes only be listed for a minute or two as people buy them up so fast.
DODTracker.com
This is a site that lists many of the other sites that offer a single deal for a day. Look under their Sports section.
Department Stores (online and retail stores)
Wal-Mart ( Great Values for the Great Outdoors at Walmart.com )
Target
Not so good on selection but occasionally they will carry some inexpensive camping items.
K-Mart
I do not know what this store carries since there is not one near me but I assume they have similar departments as Target and Wal-Mart.
Thrift Stores and Garage Sales
To find thrift stores, you will have to research them locally. Start by looking for Goodwill, Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of America, etc. The same friend that grabbed the REI tent for my son regularly stops by thrift stores on his way home from work to see what they have. He has picked up many excellent high quality outdoor clothing items. Also, check the newspapers on Thursday and Friday to see where the large family garage sales will be. Don't hesitate to ask your empty-nest neighbors if they have any old gear stored away. Often families that have sons who have moved out will have old Boy Scout equipment in the attic. Sometimes all you have to do is ask.
Remember to stick with high quality brands when buying used equipment. Don't necessarily turn down an item because it needs repair since repairing a high end item is usually not that costly and buying used can save lots of money.
Online Auction Sites
I strongly caution you here. I have had a little success with auctions by getting a small woman's backpack for my young son to use. However, I have seen too many really bad deals being chased by uninformed buyers. I have witnessed several auctions where the shoppers paid 30% more for a used item than what they would have paid for a brand new one. Always do extensive research before bidding and beware of knock offs from sellers in Asia. There are several of these auction sites, but I stick mainly to eBay.
Other Online Superstores
Buy.com
They will sometimes have a few camping or backpacking items. What I have seen there is typically low quality outdoor brands.
Overstock.com
This is the same deal as buy.com except their inventory is not stable and you will need to check back frequently to keep track of the changing stock.
Amazon.com
They have a whole department dedicated to outdoor sporting goods. Unfortunately, very little of it is for backpacking.
by Bryan 4/1/2009
