Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Stock up on hiking and camping gear at the best places to shop for outdoor equipment deals

Boots, backpacks, bindings, backcountry survival gear, and more — get it all at the best possible prices

Mike Richard
By
Overhead shot of hiking gear laid out in a circle on a wood surface.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Most outdoor gear nowadays — especially the best outdoor gear — is designed to last for years, even decades, of use. Brands like Patagonia, for example, advertise products that are built to survive a lifetime. Hence shopping secondhand or even renting outdoor equipment is almost always a better alternative than buying new. It’s cheaper, helps keep perfectly functional hiking and camping gear out of our landfills, and limits the waste required to produce new products.

There are plenty of places to shop for outdoor gear, both online and off. But, if you’re looking for the very best outlets to find dirt-cheap deals on all kinds of equipment, here are five of our favorites.

Hiker in a red coat walking with a backpack near a backcountry lake, mountains in the background.
Gear Trade

Gear Trade

With more than 20 years in the game, Gear Trade is like the eBay of outdoor gear. It’s a peer-to-peer marketplace where buyers and sellers exchange used, and sometimes new, gear for far less than retail. Most listings are for brand-name products from industry heavyweights such as Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, and Osprey. Beyond the deeply discounted pricing, the site highlights one of the widest catalogs representing almost every outdoor and adventure sports category. Everything from hiking and camping gear to skis and snowboards (from some of the world’s best ski brands) to fly-fishing essentials is available here at incredible prices.

Related

Two trail runners warming up on a trail near a large tree.
REI Co-Op Used

REI Co-Op Used

Here in the States, REI is a retail juggernaut of the outdoor gear space. The company expanded its already massive catalog by adding the aptly named REI Co-Op Used section to its website. Traded-in gear is personally inspected by REI staff, and the company only offers the best products for resale. Inventory changes frequently, but the categories of used gear are similar to those on the main REI website, including camping gear, skis, outdoor apparel, and more. Additionally, the flat-rate shipping fees can be a steal if you’re shopping for oversized goods like tents, bikes, or paddling gear.

Recommended Videos

Shop REI Co-Op Used Gear

Smiling person in a North Face beanie and winter coat outdoors.
The North Face Renewed

The North Face Renewed

As the name implies, The North Face Renewed is a clearinghouse for the brand’s own previously owned gear. What sets it apart from similar resale sites is that The North Face personally inspects and, if necessary, repairs each piece of gear to bring it back to as close to new condition as possible. On the downside, the selection is limited to only TNF-branded goods. But, if you’re already a fan of the brand, it’s possible to find truly great deals on premium, near-mint outdoor gear.

A skier and a snowboarder coming down a snowy mountain together toward the camera.
Steep & Cheap

Steep & Cheap

Like its parent site, Backcountry.com, Steep & Cheap offers flash sales with, in their words, “new steals every 5 minutes.” It’s an online warehouse of frequently rotated, brand-new goods offered at deep discounts. Most are from major brand names in the outdoor space, including The North Face, Arc’teryx, Patagonia, and the like. The best deals — sometimes as much as 80% off — can be found on gear from the previous season or less popular colors and sizes. If you care more about scoring a good deal than you do about having the “latest and greatest” outdoor gear, this is the site for you.

Facebook Marketplace
PixieMe/Shutterstock

Facebook Marketplace

Somewhere between Craigslist and eBay lies Facebook Marketplace. In our experience, it’s a bit safer than Craigslist, as you can check out the profiles of potential sellers, but it lacks the rock-solid buyer protections of eBay. But if you’re willing to “freestyle” shop, you can score seriously amazing deals on must-have outdoor and camping gear. The key to scoring the best deals is to know exactly what you’re looking for and set alerts, so you’ll be notified immediately once new listings are posted. There are plenty of sellers looking to get rid of perfectly good equipment fast and cheap if you’re willing to be patient and do a little more legwork than the other outlets on this list require. In short: Caveat emptor.

Shop Facebook Marketplace

While you’re restocking your closet for the year, build out your ultimate outdoor and camping gear bucket list by checking out our picks for the best locally owned outdoor gear stores in the U.S.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Mike Richard
Mike Richard
Contributor
Mike Richard has traveled the world since 2008. He's kayaked in Antarctica, tracked endangered African wild dogs in South…
Costco has a secret online store, Costco Next, that any member can access – here’s how
It's just like Costco, only premium - and there are no hot dogs
Ft. Wayne - Circa August 2017: Costco Wholesale Location. Costco Wholesale is a Multi-Billion Dollar Global Retailer X

 

Whether you have a bunch of kids and need that Costco membership for the snacks or are entering your middle-age era and have started shopping for your jeans there, Costco membership holders are die-hard people. There are whole Reddit pages dedicated to how to best shop at the store and plenty of TikToks showing how to maximize Costco hauls. Plus, where else do you get a hot dog and a drink for $1.50 these days? But we all know that staying home and ordering online from your favorite store is where it's at, so get ready to be blown away by how to access Costco Next, Costco's best-hidden feature.

Read more
Hiking poles 101: All the different kinds — and our top picks
Get a great set of trekking poles for your next adventure
A man stands in a field wearing backpack and using Black diamond walking poles.

It's generally recognized among hikers and backpackers that there's no going back once you transition to using hiking poles. Using trekking poles may not be proven to reduce the strain on your body, but they help you balance on technical sections and help you to maintain posture, and increase your oxygen intake. These same reasons also see members of the ultralight and fastpacking communities using poles to help them cover longer distances more quickly.

While hikers understand that hiking poles positively impact your experience on the trail, many aren't aware that they come in multiple styles designed for different terrain. Different hiking poles are determined by various factors, including the tip and basket, handles, and how they fold up. Many of the best trekking poles can be adapted to suit a variety of terrain, saving you from having to buy multiple sets, but some sets are more niche for specific environments. Here are the different types of hiking poles and how to pick the best for you.

Read more
Swing yourself to sleep under the stars with the best camping hammocks
If sleeping in a tent isn't "roughing it" enough, ditch the traditional shelter and swing between the trees
A man relaxing on a red camping hammock by a body of water.

There is a subculture found in every group of adventurers, from minimalist thru-hikers to expedition-loving backpackers, who swear by their trusty camping hammock. While others are pitching tents out in the open, these woodsmen suspend themselves from the trees and rock the night away. If you've never tried hammock camping (or "hammocking"), it might look impractical and alien. In truth, there's nothing quite like gently swinging in a warm breeze, reading a great adventure book, and sipping a refreshing camp cocktail.

By adding mosquito netting, underquilts, and a rain fly or a good camping tarp, these hammocks can work as all-season outdoor shelters in almost any climate or terrain. Trust us; there really is no better way to relax in the wilderness. These are our picks for the best camping hammocks of 2023.

Read more