The mountains are calling, and you must follow. But will your budget allow it? After all, camping and wilderness gear can get quite expensive! Thankfully, budget backpacking is possible! Without much extra work, you can get all the gear you need at an affordable price, making your escape to the wilderness more attainable and budget-friendly than ever.
Start by summer backpacking
Winter is a hard season to source for. You need additional clothes, thicker sleeping bags, and a lot more insulation. Getting lightweight but warm gear is expensive! By starting in the summer, you can get your fundamental backpacking gear squared away without having the additional cost of winter gear.
Make a backpacking budget and stick with it
Before you start buying, make a list of what you need and the maximum price you’re willing to pay for it. Sticking to this list keeps you on track and spending within your budget. If it’s not on the list or more expensive than what you listed, don’t get it. Keep those unexpected costs at bay!
Focus on your essentials
There are some things you don’t want to skimp out on, like your sleeping system, your tent, and your backpack. You’re going to be spending a lot of time with that pack strapped to your back, and you want to make sure it’s comfortable and sturdy. Likewise, if you don’t sleep warmly and comfortably at night, it’s going to make for a miserable day of hiking. By making sure these are high-quality and right for you, you can keep your budget happy and your backpacking memorable.
Best budget backpacking tent: Eureka Suma Backpacking Tent. Not only is this tent affordable, but it’s lightweight for its price range. To save weight, there are some inconveniences such as only one door on the two-person tent, but that’s an easy workaround to take advantage of the savings.
Best budget sleeping bag: What sleeping bag you need will depend on what temperature you’re going hiking in and your comfort level at night. Some people naturally sleep warmer while others sleep colder. Looking to compare different sleeping bags? Check out this helpful list Ashli put together!
Best budget backpack: It’s important that backpacks fit well and carry the gear that you need. The fewer frills a backpack has often means it also weighs less. You may have to try several different backpacks to find the one that works just right for you. Use this helpful backpacking list of the 10 Best Lightweight Backpacks to start your search!
Buy used backpacking gear
Just because one person is done with their backpacking gear doesn’t mean it’s cursed. Plenty of gear is still perfectly fine to head out to the woods with, and since it’s not new, it often comes with a steep discount.
REI Garage and Used Gear is a great way for REI members to save big. You do have to be an REI member to access it, but a lifetime REI membership costs only $20 and enables you to get additional discounts on new gear and access to the used or outlet gear. Plus, if you find that you have gear you don’t like or that you’ve replaced with something else, they have a trade-in option that allows you to earn REI gift cards for your gently used gear.
Geartrade is a website that focuses specifically on selling used outdoor gear. This means they have a huge collection and a system that works pretty well. You can get gear at a fraction of the cost of what it would cost if you bought it new.
Garage sales are another good way to get outdoor gear for cheap. Just be sure that before you bring it home, you check it over carefully. Look for scuff marks, places where the fabric may be wearing thin, or any sign of previous repairs. These may show signs that the gear won’t hold up for you when you need it to.
Facebook Marketplace has a lot of backpacking, camping and hiking gear you can buy for great deals. Like garage sales, be careful that the gear you’re purchasing isn’t wearing thin or close to breaking. Just remember: camping gear and backpacking gear are not the same. When people post on Facebook, you may think that you’re getting a fantastic deal on a sleeping bag, only to have it show up and weigh five pounds. Always ask them about the weight of the item, and make sure it’s actually set up for backpacking and not car camping.
Find more websites to score discounted gear at here.
Know when the sales are
If used gear isn’t your jam and you want new gear, get the best bang for your buck by utilizing sales! Just like many other stores, most gear shops have sales around holidays. REI has a major sale right before and after Black Friday (but not on Black Friday).
Join the mailing lists for all the shops you’re thinking about buying from. Keep an eye out for any flash sales or member-only sales. Additionally, you can often get coupons through these mailing lists which can be used to cut that cost down even more.
Affordable backpacking is within your reach
The mountains are calling and you can go! Use these tips and tricks to stick within a budget and get out on the trail for less than $500. What’s holding you back?
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