Online shopping makes purchasing camping gear easy from the convenience of your own home, offering a wider selection and price comparison capabilities than in-store purchases alone.

REI has long been associated with wilderness backpackers and ultralight backpacking; however, its co-op store also carries an impressive selection of car camping equipment and regularly hosts sales with name-brand products at discounted prices.

Pre-owned camping equipment

Campers starting out may opt to purchase used gear to reduce costs; however, this may not always be the best decision as less experienced campers may find that budget gear breaks easily requiring them to spend more money replacing it than they would if they had invested in higher quality items from the beginning.

MEC’s Gear Swap provides an online marketplace where outdoor-oriented equipment that has been thoroughly inspected and repaired can be sold. They also have a generous refund policy in case the equipment does not meet expectations.

Patagonia and Arc’teryx are among the many brands that accept used gear in exchange for store credit, cleaning, repairing and refurbishing it before selling at discounted rates. These options provide savings while simultaneously supporting sustainable hiking and backpacking; furthermore they help reduce waste by keeping items out of landfills while encouraging reuse of existing products.

Outdoor gear exchanges

An active resale market for outdoor gear allows you to find fantastic bargains on equipment that would otherwise gather dust in garages. A gear exchange provides a safe space where people can purchase or trade used gear at great discounts.

The Decorah Gear Exchange is an annual fall event held to benefit local community. Not only can participants sell and buy gear here, but it’s also a chance to meet fellow outdoor enthusiasts as well as share resources about the region.

Other outdoor gear exchanges are also on the rise, including Isella Outdoor, an online marketplace founded by Mallorie Estenson in 2020. Isella offers items tailored specifically to women and nonbinary individuals, as well as smaller-bodied outdoorsmen. Furthermore, this marketplace serves as a great resource for buying used gear ranging from hiking and camping gear through mountain biking and kayaking equipment – while REI, Seattle co-op store REI also is expanding their used offerings to make outdoor recreation more accessible and cost effective.

Online retailers

Camping gear requires quality but price can also be an issue, which makes finding top-of-the-line brands at deeply discounted prices essential. Online retailers that specialize in camping gear offer top-of-the-line brands at significantly reduced rates similar to T.J. Maxx for outdoor gear shopping can be extremely useful here.

REI website offers outdoor enthusiasts one of the best selections and user experiences available today, with an easy interface and extensive product offerings. Plus, their seasonal sales make grabbing name-brand gear at discounted rates easier than ever!

Other online outdoor gear retailers include CampSaver, Sierra and Moosejaw – the latter is known for its massive selection and deep discounts as well as offering a loyalty program which pays you 10% back in Moosejaw Rewards when your order ships – it’s free to join! Another alternative are used gear marketplaces like Geartrade and Poshmark; both can provide store credit if items are returned within 30 days.

Expert reviews

No matter your experience level in camping or backpacking, having the appropriate gear is key to comfort and safety. Luckily, there are numerous online resources that can help you select suitable equipment for your outdoor journeys – expert reviews or “best of” lists can be particularly useful; in addition to recommendations from other campers through forums or communities.

Checking the weather conditions where you plan on camping is also key, since different gear is necessary depending on where it will be used – from cold mountain campsites to warm forest ones, so choose products which will complement each environment accordingly.

Before making your purchase, take time to consider shipping costs and delivery times before making a commitment. Some online stores charge additional for shipping costs and may take longer than expected in getting your package to you. Be sure to compare prices using price comparison tools prior to committing yourself; additionally read over their return policies carefully as well.