Budget Friendly Guide How to Find Quality Camping Equipment For Cheap

Camping on a dime in the United States isn’t as hard as it sounds. There are plenty of free camping sites, activities to try, and camping equipment you can find. But if you’re looking for high-quality stuff, you’ll have to pay out of pocket. Don’t worry; you won’t have to pay much!

11 Ways to Find Quality Camping Equipment Cheap

According to a KOA report, approximately 47% of United States campers spend between $51 and $200 on camping equipment. You can spend even less if you shop in unexpected places.

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1. Look Out for Off-Season Sales

Every traveler knows that booking a trip off-season is much cheaper than flying when it’s busy. Similarly, seasonal items like camping gear are incredibly cheap during the winter, whether they’re new or used. The only problem is, you’ll have to wait until next year if it’s the summer!

Still, it often pays to wait. When camping suppliers are looking to liquidate their items, they’ll sell them for 60% to 80% off. The best part about it? All of your camping gear will be new and shiny!

2. Shop at REI’s Outlet & Re/Supply

Whether you’re looking to save more money for travel or you’re mostly interested in saving a few bucks, consider shopping at REIs. REI caters to campers, hikers, and plenty of other outdoor adventurers. Shoppers can frequently find good deals on new outdoor gear at the REI outlet both online and in-store.

Another option is shopping at the Re/Supply table in-store or online. While all of the items are used, they’re in great condition, and you can get things like tents, backpacks, and boots for over 80% off. If you have a REIs store near you, consider checking out their sale items in-store. They typically have a table full of stuff all year round.

For their most loyal members, REI also holds an in-store garage sale one day a year. Stock is limited and you must be a Co-op member to shop (but it’s only $30 for a lifetime membership.)

3. Discount Camping Gear Websites

If you’re not interested in shopping at REI, there are still plenty of options to choose from. Our favorites include:

Steep & Cheap, which is the official outlet store of BackCountry
CampSaver
Outdoor Gear Exchange
GearTrade
MooseJaw

To see the gear and equipment deals at these online stores, sign up for their email list. While you may not get the discount code right away, you should see an email outlining all of their best deals and any upcoming camping equipment sale within a few days or a week.

4. Searching for Grand Openings

One of the most interesting ways to save money on camping gear is by searching for grand openings. Websites like openings24.com help you find out the latest retail store openings in the US, so you don’t have to worry about driving around in your car in hopes you’ll stumble on one!

Grand openings (and grand reopenings) will often offer exclusive deals to shoppers. Big box retailers like Walmart or exclusive camping supply stores like Cabela’s will feature its best items at a lower price point. And if you’re lucky, you may find an opening that features free food!

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5. Borrow Your Gear From Friends

Camping equipment isn’t something you’ll need every single day, so there’s a good chance your friends or family don’t need theirs at the same time you do. If you know someone else who loves to camp, consider asking them to borrow their equipment. This option will save you a lot of time and money.

But if your friends or family members don’t have everything you need, it’s still worth it to ask for a sleeping bag or a cooler. The more you borrow, the less you have to spend on your trip.

6. Rent Your Gear From a Company

We don’t always surround ourselves with people who have the exact same interests as us, so maybe you won’t be able to borrow camping equipment. That doesn’t mean you’re out of options! You can still borrow an entire camping set from a local or big box camping company.

This option is perfect for people that don’t have the space for high-quality camping equipment but still want to capitalize on the best experience possible. But if you choose to rent, you’ll need to take really good care of the equipment. Significant damage could get you stuck with a big bill.

Want help planning your next camping trip? Shop our Etsy Shop and everything you need to plan, prep, cook and entertain on your next grand adventure!

7. Facebook Marketplace or Swaps

Facebook Marketplace has pretty much replaced all used items or ad websites, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. It means that you have more people on the same site who are willing to sell their camping equipment. You can find a lot of great things if you take the time to shop.

If you can’t find what you’re looking for, ask your local Buy Nothing Facebook Group. Search “(Your Town) Buy Nothing,” and you’ll find a group with people giving things away.

8. Peruse Local Thrift Stores

Thrifting is in and many people are giving away their lightly used camping equipment to these stores. While you may need to hunt for a while to find what you need, it may be worth it in the end. In some cases, you can find quality equipment for 90% off, and what’s better than that?

Unfortunately, as thrifting rises in popularity, so does the price of used goods. If your city has been hit with thrifting fever, consider driving out of town and checking out smaller stores.

9. Go to Local Garage or Yard Sales

As camping season starts to ramp up, you’ll start to see plenty of local garage or yard sales. If you live in a community with lots of homes, keep your eye out for garage or yard sale signs. Don’t be afraid to ask your neighbors if they’re looking to sell their camping equipment!

While you can really get some great deals at yard sales, many of them are hit-and-miss. You may find the quality isn’t great, but that’s only a worry if you actually find the equipment. Still, it’s worth it to give it a shot because you never know what you’ll find in your neighborhood!

10. Shop Outdoor Gear Consignment/Resale Stores

Outdoor consignment shops are a great way to save money when shopping for outdoor gear. These stores get their inventory from people who no longer need the items they own, and they resell them at discounted prices. We have found great ones like the Hoarding Marmot in Anchorage and The Moab Gear Trader in Moab, Utah.

Another great way to save money is by shopping at Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Alabama. This is the only retailer of lost luggage and their ski sale is legendary. The selection can vary from day to day, but it is usually filled with brand-name clothing and equipment – making it the perfect place to snag a bargain on your next outdoor adventure!

11. Only Shop Off-Name Brands

Off-brand names aren’t synonymous with low quality, but that can often be the case. At least with brands like Patagonia, Osprey, or Coleman, you’re guaranteed a great product. With that said, off-brands can help you save money, especially if you can’t use other discount options.

With that said, you should splurge on tents, backpacks, and sleeping bags to ensure they don’t break on you. But camping mugs, tarps, or headlamps don’t need to come from name brands.

In Conclusion…

Fortunately for camping enthusiasts, camping equipment doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. There are plenty of ways to find discount camping supplies, outdoor gear discounts, and cheap camping accessories.

Use our advice here to cash in on some high-quality but inexpensive tents, sleeping bags, coolers, and more. But if you’re buying used, make sure to inspect your items! Take the time to make sure you get good quality gear that will last. Happy camping!

By following these tips, you can save some money and still have a great camping experience. For more information and tips on camping, see:

Create your Camp Kitchen – Choosing the Right Camping Cookware
Don’t Overpack – Here’s What to Pack For Beach Camping + Packing List Printable
9 Tips For Getting Your Best Night’s Sleep Camping in a Tent
Grab and Go Weekend Camping Menu
22 Ways to Make Camp Coffee

For more outdoor activity inspiration, check out our latest posts here:

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