Show me a person who would willingly buy a fully-priced item instead of a discounted one and I’ll give them a $10 coupon. We love a good deal: we love sales, we love rebates, discounts – whatever it is that helps us save money. It’s always pleasant to come across them by chance, but true discount hunters know that a sale is never too far if you know where to find it. Be it your local outdoor store or a favorite online retailer, there are always some discounts available. In this guide, we focus specifically on outdoor gear and cover how and where to snatch the best deals.
Understanding Outdoor Gear: An Overview
When we talk about outdoor gear, what exactly are we referring to? The term ‘outdoor gear’ encompasses a wide array of equipment and apparel specifically designed for activities set in the great outdoors. It’s one of the most extensive product categories that includes everything from hiking boots, tents and backpacks to specialized clothing like weather-resistant jackets, moisture-wicking shirts, and thermal leggings. It also covers accessories such as water bottles, headlamps, camping stoves and high-tech gadgets like GPS devices or action cameras.
Being an outdoor enthusiast entails a lot of things, not only having a great passion for pursuing activities. It also implies the ability to appreciate the quality of outdoor gear and the importance of finding one you can rely on. Here’s why the last part is as important as enthusiasm itself.
Firstly, outdoors are best known for their elements, sometimes forgiving, sometimes less so. The quality outdoor gear is designed to withstand them, at least in their moderate manifestations. When you’re out exploring, you need your equipment to handle whatever comes its way – be it a sudden downpour, intense heat, rough terrain or chilling frost.
Secondly, the overall quality of your outdoor trip is closely related to the reliability of the equipment you use. Ever tried hiking in shoes that don’t fit properly or sleeping in a tent that leaks? Then you know how poorly-made gear can turn what was supposed to be a thrilling adventure into an ordeal. But with the right equipment, you don’t need to worry about such things.
Finally, while quality outdoor gear might seem pricey at first glance, it’s actually more cost-effective in the long run. Cheap gear lures with a promise of needing to spend less only to have you pay even more to replace it once it wears out. Quality gear, on the other hand, is honest. You might pay a bit more than you wanted (and we always want to pay less), but you are much more likely to get your money’s worth.
The Best Time to Buy Discounted Outdoor Gear
Sellers know their business, so there are always some discounts jumping at you the moment you enter the page. Sometimes those are items that have been resting on shelves for far too long, but it’s also quite possible to catch a great deal on a sought-after product. Shopping for discounts is a bit like a game, and knowing when to score the biggest deals is key. Here are some of the main discount periods throughout the year that you should mark on your calendars:
Christmas, After-Christmas and New Year Sales (Dec. 25 to Jan. 1): The tradition of giving Christmas presents yearly leaves millions of people in need of gifts. They are ready to spend their money, but to whom shall they give it? It’s up to sales to determine that. But even once the holiday rush is over, stores are eager to clear out their remaining stock. This means huge post-holiday sales where you can snag some serious deals.
Black Friday (Day after Thanksgiving): It’s famously known as the biggest shopping day of the year. Retailers across the board offer significant discounts, making it an ideal time to buy just about anything.
Cyber Monday (Monday after Thanksgiving): The online version of Black Friday. Expect major deals from online retailers, including outdoor gear stores.
Amazon Prime Day (Usually in July): This is Amazon’s annual sale event exclusively for Prime members. With discounts across all categories, it’s a great time to look for discounted outdoor gear.
Memorial Day Sale (Last Monday in May): Many retailers have sales over the Memorial Day weekend. It’s a great time to grab deals on summer items, including outdoor gear.
Labor Day Sale (First Monday in September): As the unofficial end of summer, many stores offer sales on summer products to make room for fall inventory. That can be your best chance to snatch something for the next summer.
Knowing your timing is important, but there are other things worth keeping in mind. Remember that the best time to buy outdoor gear isn’t always when you need it. With all this “ don’t buy things you don’t need” philosophy it might sound counterintuitive, but it is really not. After all, you probably know which elements are lacking in your outdoor gear collection. While you might be itching to grab that shiny new tent in the middle of the camping season, buying before the start of the season or waiting until it ends could save you a pretty penny.
It might be a good idea to follow your favorite brands on social media platforms. Companies often announce flash sales and exclusive discounts on their social media channels. Subscribing to the newsletters is another good idea. Many companies offer special deals and discounts to their newsletter subscribers, so if there is a brand you fancy, you can stay informed about their sales and promotions.
Finally, there are coupons! Everybody likes coupons, but not everybody uses them. Always check for coupons before making a purchase. Websites like RetailMeNot and Coupons.com aggregate coupons and discount codes from a wide range of retailers.
Where to Buy Discounted Outdoor Gear: Trusted Platforms
The sea of outdoor retailers is abundant, some might say excessively so, but good competition spurs sellers to improve their service. However, you still need to somehow decide which one to choose. You can take the trial-and-error path, checking every store yourself. Or simply choose one of the stores we’ve researched for you.
Gritr Outdoors: If you happen to live in Texas, you won’t find a better outdoor and sports goods retailer. Known for their wide selection of outdoor gear, Gritr Outdoors offers a wide variety of products for camping, hunting, fishing, and more. The Sale section on their website is ever-present and every seasonal sale features much-in-demand items.
The Clymb: The Clymb is an online shop with daily and weekly deals on outdoor apparel. They also offer 10% off your first order once you sign up for email and text.
Steep & Cheap: This platform is a great place to find discounted outdoor gear. They have a large selection of goods for hiking, camping, running, cycling, paddling and snow sports. They feature daily deals, flash sales, and last-chance items at up to 80% off.
Sierra Trading Post: An awesome outdoor gear supplier known for their competitive prices. Their selection covers a wide range of outdoor activities like snow sports, fishing, running, hiking, hunting and camping.
REI Outlet: REI Outlet offers discounts on top-quality outdoor gear and clothing. It’s a great place to find deals on overstocked or closeout items for climbing, cycling, water and snow sports.
Moosejaw: This online retailer offers discounted prices on outdoor clothing and gear. They have one of the best collections of camping supplies and gear for climbing, biking and snow sports.
Geartrade: Geartrade is a unique platform where you can buy, sell, or trade used outdoor gear. It’s a great place to find deals on items that have seen some use but are still both presentable and functional.
Conclusion
And there you have it, our guide to outdoor gear discount hunting. The rules are pretty much the same: examine the location, know your timing and be quick to seize the chance. We’ve offered some help with the first two points, but the latter is solely up to you. Remember to stick to reliable sellers and buy items before you actually need them.
