Hiking is a great way to enjoy the outdoors and get some exercise. But if you’re like most people, you don’t want to spend a lot of money on gear. Here are some places to find hiking gear on a budget.
Some of the links on this page may be affiliate links and I may earn a small commission at no cost to you if you purchase through these links.
Mountain Steals
An outlet type store from my favorite outdoors company, Moosejaw. I happened upon this store when I was online window shopping for the $225 Marmot jacket I’ve been eyeing. I found it at Mountain Steals for $80! They have more than hiking gear. You can also find gear for many outdoor activities, including climbing, cycling, watersports, even travel gear.
You guys, I’m not kidding when I say this place is amazing. They carry a huge variety of brands and have crazy awesome deals. You need to check them out.
Here’s just a few of the awesome brands they carry at a huge discount
- Big Agnes
- Black Diamond
- Camelbak
- Carhartt
- Columbia
- ExOfficio
- Fjallraven
- Gregory
- Kelty
- Marmot
- Nemo
- Osprey
- Outdoor Research
- Ruffwear
- Sea to Summit
- SmartWool
- Therm-a-Rest
- Yeti
REI Outlet
Also known as the REI Garage, this is another good place to find outdoor gear for various sports. You can find the best deals easily by using the 50% off categories which will show you everything in the given category (womens, mens, kids, hike and camp, etc) that’s 50% off or more. While I’ve found better deals at Mountain Steals on the same items offered at REI Outlet, I have come across some excellent deals here. If you’re interested in a specific item, I would cross check it at both of these stores to see where you can get it cheapest.
Gear Trade
This goldmine is kind of like a super organized Craigslist for outdoor gear, but there’s no in person meet up required. You can use this site to find budget hiking gear and clothing that’s new or used, or to sell your unwanted stuff to others.
I like Gear Trade because they have a pretty large assortment of gear and it’s easy to search the site to find exactly what you need. Search by item type or brand, even by the discount percent’s like everything over 90%. I also like them for the ease of which they make finding important information. When you’re looking at an item, you’re shown the seller, their rating, their average shipping time, and any questions others have asked about the item along with the seller’s answers all right there under the product pictures.
Some of the bigger brands you’ll find here are
- PrAna
- Marmot
- Osprey
- KEEN
- Kelty
- Big Agens
- Camelbak
- MSR
Gear Trade is a great site for finding outdoor gear. They have a large assortment of items and make it easy to find what you need. You can also trust that the sellers are reputable, because Gear Trade verifies their ratings and shipping times.
Create a free account now and check them out!
Borrow from Friends or Family
If you know anyone who spends time outdoors, they may have some gear they’ll let you borrow. Borrowing is a good way to find out what you like before actually spending your money on it and finding out you don’t like it or it’s uncomfortable.
- Friends
- Neighbors
- Coworkers
- Family members
- Members of your hiking group
Rent Gear
Renting gear is another good option for figuring out what you like before actually purchasing it. Stores like REI and Moosejaw offer individual items or convenient sets, like REI’s basic backpacking kit that’s made for 2.
One of the caveats to renting is that it can get pricey fast. Depending on where you rent from, you can get discounted prices if you’re a member, like at REI. (REI also waives the deposit if you’re a member). So if you’re going to rent, it’s smart to sign up for the memberships, and most are free to join.
Some stores require you to pick up your gear in person while some will ship the rented gear to you wherever you are. These 3 offer both:
- REI
- Moosejaw
- Outdoors Geek
Yard Sales and Thrift Stores
Who doesn’t love a good scavenger hunt for the perfect find? Garage sales, yard sales, and thrift stores are excellent places to find gear, especially if you live in an area where many people love the outdoors.
Some good areas to search for these sales are
- In outdoor loving cities
- Near outdoor recreation areas like state or national parks
- Near college campuses
Check Facebook Hiking Groups.
Some allow selling gear, and some are specifically for selling and buying outdoor gear. Local groups are also great places to ask where you can find budget hiking gear in your area.
There are many great places to find cheap hiking gear. We encourage you to explore your options and see what works best for you. Please share your best gear find in the comments below!