5 Tips for Buying Cheap Gear

<div class="m-detail-header--content"><h1 class="m-detail-header--title" itemprop="headline"><img src="https://t1.daumcdn.net/cfile/cafe/99B0984B5BDA911D33" class="txc-image" width="931" style="clear: none; float: none;" border="0" vspace="1" hspace="1" actualwidth="931" data-filename="54545.png" exif="{}" id="A_99B0984B5BDA911D3393C6"/></h1><h1 class="m-detail-header--title" itemprop="headline"><a href="https://www.backpacker.com/skills/5-tips-for-buying-cheap-gear?utm_campaign=Backpacker%20Gearhead&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=67109846&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9fZxztSWEkUdMry05SIIK3svif1Gp8pXEJG5060XznU87EDMOemDMfqzUVuij5j8YaS9RSnWqKfH8oJZf5fU1ZdlVRRA&_hsmi=67109846"><span style="color: rgb(9, 0, 255); font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">https://www.backpacker.com/skills/5-tips-for-buying-cheap-gear?utm_campaign=Backpacker%20Gearhead&utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&utm_content=67109846&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9fZxztSWEkUdMry05SIIK3svif1Gp8pXEJG5060XznU87EDMOemDMfqzUVuij5j8YaS9RSnWqKfH8oJZf5fU1ZdlVRRA&_hsmi=67109846</span></a></h1><h1 class="m-detail-header--title" itemprop="headline">5 Tips for Buying Cheap Gear</h1><div class="m-detail-header--dek">Great outdoor gear doesn't have to cost a mint. Follow these five easy tips to fill your closet without emptying your wallet. Author:<a class="m-detail-header--meta-author" href="https://www.backpacker.com/author/emelie-frojen" rel="author" phx-track-id="Author Name" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">Emelie Frojen</font></u></a> Publish date:<phoenix-timeago><time title="2015-08-28T20:14:09Z" itemprop="datePublished" datetime="2015-08-28T16:14:09-04:00">Aug 28, 2015</time></phoenix-timeago></div></div><div class="m-detail--body"><div class="m-detail--body-item m-detail--body-item-inline" style="text-align: left;"><figure class="l-inline tml-image m-detail--tml-image--inline" itemtype="http://schema.org/ImageObject" itemscope=""><phoenix-picture><a><picture class="is-loaded"><source type="image/webp" sizes="(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)" data-srcset="https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.webp 380w, https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.webp 620w, https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.webp 700w, https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_750/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.webp 750w"><source sizes="(min-width: 1240px) 700px, (min-width: 675px) 620px, calc(100vw - 40px)" data-srcset="https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_380/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.png 380w, https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.png 620w, https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_700/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.png 700w, https://www.backpacker.com/.image/c_limit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_750/MTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz/patagoniajacket.png 750w"><img width="750" height="440" class="m-detail--tml-image m-image" style="clear: none; float: none;" alt="vintage patagonia jacket" src="https://img1.daumcdn.net/relay/cafe/original/?fname=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.backpacker.com%2F.image%2Fc_limit%252Ccs_srgb%252Cq_auto%3Agood%252Cw_700%2FMTQ0OTE0MTExNTkwMzExNjUz%2Fpatagoniajacket.png" srcset="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" itemprop="contentUrl url" decoding="async"></picture></a></phoenix-picture><figcaption><p class="tml-image--caption" itemprop="caption"> Vintage gear can be twice the fun of new duds. (Photo: Skippy Haha Vintage/Flickr)</p></figcaption></figure></div><aside class="m-in-content-ad-row l-inline not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d" phx-inline-ad-layout="ad-84ed06935e864bf086b8e75b7500bef7"><div class="m-header-ad not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d" data-max-ad-reloads="5" data-ad-group="header-0" data-class-rules="[]"><div class="m-header-ad--slot is-placeholder not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d"><div id="ad-84ed06935e864bf086b8e75b7500bef7"></div></div></div></aside><p> Gear can be expensive, but don't let that deter you from getting outside. It doesn’t have to cost as much as you think to get a new tent, hiking boots, or pair of snowshoes. Follow our five tips, and you’ll be on your way with money to spare.</p><h3><strong>Know the season</strong></h3><p> The best rule for finding cheap gear is to buy out of season. Looking for a new pair of skis? Shop in June. Buy hiking boots in February, and a raft in October. The second part of this rule: never shop during holiday season. The prices will be higher no matter what you’re looking for.</p><aside class="m-in-content-ad-row l-inline not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d is-outstream" phx-inline-ad-layout="ad-5f8ad2a652cf4456b503123f199f9f1d"><div class="m-in-content-ad not-size-b not-size-c not-size-d" data-max-ad-reloads="5" data-ad-group="outstream-0" data-class-rules='[{"sizes":["0x0"],"classes":["m-advertisement--fluid-card"]}]'><header class="m-ad-outstream--header"><div class="m-ad-outstream--legend"><span><br></span></div><div class="m-ad-outstream--legend"><span><strong>Buy an older model</strong></span></div></header></div></aside><p> Yes, the newest version might come in an array of shiny new colors with a thousand more pockets, but odds are the product’s function is just as good as last years. If your wondering how far back you can go, three to four seasons is typically a good rule. So instead of getting the latest and greatest, grab an older, but equally great, model for half off.</p><p> If you’re going to be trusting your life to a piece of gear, ignore this rule. When it comes to things like avalanche beacons, a few extra bucks are more than worth it.</p><aside class="m-in-content-ad-row l-inline not-size-a not-size-b is-outstream" phx-inline-ad-layout="ad-2637ece760b44c2ead270b5360e58fed"><div class="m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b" data-max-ad-reloads="5" data-ad-group="outstream-0" data-class-rules='[{"sizes":["970x250"],"classes":["is-970x250"]},{"sizes":["728x90"],"classes":["is-728x90"]},{"sizes":["0x0"],"classes":["m-advertisement--fluid-card"]}]'><strong><br></strong></div><div class="m-in-content-ad not-size-a not-size-b" data-max-ad-reloads="5" data-ad-group="outstream-0" data-class-rules='[{"sizes":["970x250"],"classes":["is-970x250"]},{"sizes":["728x90"],"classes":["is-728x90"]},{"sizes":["0x0"],"classes":["m-advertisement--fluid-card"]}]'><strong>Shop online</strong></div></aside><p> To make sure you’re getting the best price, look on multiple discount gear websites and buy from the cheapest. Our favorites: <a href="http://www.steepandcheap.com/" target="_blank" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">Steep and Cheap</font></u></a>, <a href="http://www.theclymb.com/" target="_blank" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">The Clymb</font></u></a>, and the <a href="http://www.sierratradingpost.com/." target="_blank" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">Sierra Trading Post</font></u></a></p><h3><strong>Check out mountain town thrift stores</strong></h3><p> Near a national park, ski mountain, or other outdoor tourist destination? Check out the local thrift stores. I’ve found everything from a $6 mint condition Patagonia fleece, to $20 skis (with bindings), to a $15 backpacking pack at various thrift stores in the Rockies and Sierras. Don’t be frightened off by the “used” label: If you look hard enough, you’ll find gear that’s only been gently loved.</p><h3><strong>Get a pro deal</strong></h3><p> Pro deals typically give you a 40-60% discount, and you might be surprised at who qualifies—NOLS Alumni and PE Teachers, for example. Check out a more thorough list of who can get pro deals on <a href="http://sectionhiker.com/how-to-get-pro-deals-from-outdoor-gear-and-clothing-manufacturers/" target="_blank" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">Section Hiker</font></u></a>, then apply on sites such as <a href="http://www.promotive.com/" target="_blank" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">Promotive</font></u></a> or <a href="http://www.outdoorprolink.com/." target="_blank" phx-track-event=""><u><font color="#0066cc">Outdoor Prolink</font></u></a></p><div class="pgs-dpg-flex" data-loaded="true" widget-loading="true"></div></div><div class="m-detail--blockthrough-ads"><span class="bt-uid-tg" style="display: none !important;" uid="5ae8e67551-168"></span></div><div class="m-detail--sponsor"></div><footer class="m-detail--footer"><div class="m-detail--meta"><dl><dt class="m-detail--label"><a href="https://www.backpacker.com/tag/how-to-buy-cheap-gear"><u><font color="#0066cc">How to Save Money on Backpacking Gear</font></u></a></dt><br></dl></div></footer><p><br></p>