32 Easy Places to Buy Discount Outdoor Gear For a Steal

Have you ever wondered where all of last season’s inventory goes? Did you know that REI has a discount site? And Backcountry? And Patagonia? They sure do!

There are a lot of websites out there that are selling slightly older models of gear for much cheaper. If you are looking for cheap hiking gear, consider browsing last season’s styles to save quite a bit of money.

So, what are the benefits of discounted outdoor gear sites?

1. Online recreation stores make it easy to compare prices – all you have to do is open multiple tabs on your computer! No more running around town stopping in a handful of stores.
2. Most of these sites have a return policy and/or warranty, unlike gear swaps or peer-to-peer marketplaces.
3. Access to new gear at lower prices. They might be last season’s colors, but who cares if you like them!!

1. REI Outlet

The REI Outlet is where the last season’s gear goes for steep discounts. We often check out the Outlet for gear we need before anything else. It’s the same high-quality gear, just last season’s colors!

If you are an REI Member (only $20 for a lifetime membership) you can receive exclusive access to deals and even deeper discounts only for members. Plus, you will receive yearly dividends on purchases. We often find a lot of deals for car camping gear, hiking shoes, and backpacks.

2. Steep & Cheap

Steep & Cheap is like the Nordstrom Rack for Backcountry.com. It’s where last season’s gear and colors go for even deeper discounts, steals, and great deals.

They often boast that there are “new steals even 5 minutes” so keep checking back often for new products uploaded all the time!

Great items to buy on outdoor discount websites? Camping hygiene gear! New styles come out all the time, but they all get the job done. Grab a trowel, travel towel, or packing cubes on these discounted camping gear websites!

3. The Clymb

The Clymb is a discount outdoor gear site that gives deep cuts up to 80% off! It’s for members only, but you can sign up for free to take advantage of these deals.

We recommend checking this often because sales are short and go very quickly (think flash sales). It’s a random assortment of outdoor goodies, great for gifts!

4. Backcountry.com Sales and Clearance Pages

Backcountry.com is a popular outdoor retailer that makes it easy to choose their sales section to find discounted outdoor gear.

There are always new sales to discover, and opportunities to take advantage of even more discounts by signing up for their email list or using a promo code during certain times of the year.

5. Moosejaw

Moosejaw is Walmart’s version of REI or Backcountry.com. They have a wide selection of affordable camping gear, outdoor toys, hiking clothes, and accessories.

Their sale section gets 40-50% off on popular brands like Darn Tough, Fjallraven, Merrel, and Nemo!

6. Amazon

If you are someone who loves to compare prices, make sure you’re checking Amazon for discount outdoor gear!

Oftentimes, they have cheap camping gear that rivals the prices of their competitors.

When purchasing outdoor gear through Amazon, make sure to read reviews and double-check dimensions. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if you’re getting the right size (especially if it’s camping gear) as other sides so do your due diligence before buying!

7. Sierra Trading Post

If you love shopping at stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods, Sierra Trading Post is run by the same people!

Just like its sister retail stores, if you are willing to do a little digging, you can score some name-brand gear for quite the steal. We recommend this site for browsers and casual shoppers!

8. OutdoorPlay

OutdoorPlay is an online retail shop for recreational gear – think kayaks, paddleboards, trailers, camping gear, and more. They originated in the water sports sector, but have now expanded to offer even more clothing and camping gear.

Their sale section is always changing, so if you’re looking for big-ticket outdoor gifts or items like a canoe or kayak, keep tabs on their sales page!

9. Camp Saver

Camp Saver is the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a backpacking gear outlet. They carry some of our favorite backpacking gear and brands like YETI, Big Agnes, Marmot, Hoka, NEMO, and MSR.

Check out their Camp Saver Outlet section for tons of deep discounts. I’ve even seen deals up to 73% off!

10. evo

For the surfing, skateboarding, and snowboarding enthusiasts, you’ve got to check out EVO. They are known for board sports (their motto is ‘Mountain, Street, & Water”) and have a huge selection of skies, snowboards, skateboards, and more.

EVO even has a price match policy, meaning if you find a piece of gear at a lower price somewhere else, they will price match and even beat it by 5%!

11. The House

Mostly known for winter sports, The House sells equipment like skis, snowboards, and snow accessories.

They carry a large selection of cheap winter gear, and also offer a price match program if you find a product cheaper somewhere else.

12. MEC Clearance

MEC is the Canadian equivalent to the States’ REI. Mountain Equipment Co-Op’s Clearance section provides great deals on camping gear, hiking clothes, water toys, and so much more.

If you are a Canadian citizen, avoid those pricey international taxes and keep your money local at MEC!

13. Decathalon

Decathalon is not a sale site, but a place to grab camping and outdoor gear for REALLY cheap.

Their prices are super low because they are committed to sourcing their products at a low price, while also staying true to their values in sustainability!

It’s a great place to buy gear if you are just starting out in the outdoor recreation world!

14. REI Garage Sale

The REI Garage Sale is an in-person event at local stores. They will bring out returned items, gently used pieces, and items with minor dings and dents for a big discount.

As you browse the sale, each item will come with a tag, explaining why it’s there (return, defect, etc) and specifically stating why or what caused it to get marked down.

Check your local store’s website or call ahead to find out when yours is hosting its next garage sale!

15. REI Re/Supply

If you have your eye on a piece of gear from REI, see if they have it in their Used Gear section (aka Re/Supply) before buying!

Also, if you’ve got gear that you want to upgrade, you can bring in your old items and receive store credit. All used items are inspected and need to pass a quality test, so you know you’re getting a great item!

16. Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia Worn Wear is their program to keep loved and used gear in circulation, instead of just pumping out new stuff!

You can trade in your own Patagonia gear for store credit, and purchase used gear for a steal.

They also have a repair program, which is the goal of keeping your loved items outdoors and used as long as humanly possible!

17. The North Face Renewed

Like the Patagonia Worn Wear program or REI’s Re/Supply, The North Face Renewed is their very own version of the pre-owned and used gear trade.

This is great if you are a fan of the brand – they personally inspect, repair, and guarantee quality in their listings.

20. Wonderland Gear Exchange (Seattle, Washington)

Wonderland Gear Exchange (in Seattle, WA) is just one of many in-person locations that offer trade-ins or swaps, like a local Ski Swap.

They’ve always got a running list of gear they are looking for, and clearly spell out their seller and payout system so you know exactly what to expect when you come in store. If you’ve got extra gear just lying around, give it a visit!

21. Facebook Marketplace

Traveling on a budget? You can often find discount outdoor gear on peer-to-peer marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace for much cheaper than the brand-new price.

Buying used gear is a great way to save money. This is a great option for people who love doing research and have the time and patience to browse sites until they find the perfect item.

It might take some persistence and digging around to find exactly what you’re looking for, but when you do find what you’re after, it’ll save you some good money! You can also join more specific Facebook groups (like ski swaps or women-centered groups)

Facebook also has systems in place to avoid fraud on the marketplace, but be cautious of communication off the app, it’s sometimes a hotbed for scammers if they ask you to communicate off-app.

22. Poshmark

Alright, what if you can’t find what you’re looking for locally? Try Poshmark! It’s one of the best places to buy hiking gear at a deep discount.

Yes, it’s more of a fashion-forward marketplace platform, but I’ve scored some great outdoor clothing items (and some Chacos!) from Poshmark. I’d stick to searching for outdoor clothing on this platform.

Get $10 Free: Use the code EMILYMANDAGIE and receive $10 upon joining Poshmark and using my code!

23. ReRouted

Think of ReRouted like Poshmark, but specifically for outdoor gear! It’s one of the newest ways to find discount outdoor gear online, and we’re super excited about it!

We’ve seen every kind of listing from water bladders to backpacking sleeping pads, and dog leashes! If you are in the browsing stage of searching for discount outdoor gear, don’t let this option pass you by!

24. Outdoor Gear Exchange

Outdoor Gear Exchange is an east coast-based company but their online consignment shop is available for outdoor lovers nationwide!

If you are looking to sell your gear for money, they have very clear instructions on what they are looking for, how to mail in your items, and what exactly they accept.

One cool policy they have is if the gear doesn’t sell in 8 months, they donate to charities.

25. GearTrade

GearTrade is one of the most popular online outdoor gear consignment sites, started all the way back in 1999!

Everything is sold by the owner, kind of like, eBay or Poshmark. If you are looking for something specific, keep checking back here because you never know what might pop up!

26. Work For An Outdoor Company

Depending on who you work for, you might be able to snag a sweet discount on outdoor gear and supplies. For example, REI gives all employees 50% off all REI merchandise, 30% off other brands, and an extra 10% off sale items.

27. Sign up for a Pro Deals Website to get Discount Outdoor Gear

If you are an athlete, publisher, part of the media, or more, you might be able to qualify for pro deals!

Pro deals are a great way to get discount outdoor gear. The reason to give pro deals to these influential people is for brands to be seen in their hands, written about, or reviewed by field experts.

We occasionally use our own pro deals as publishers to review products to better share great gear with you! It’s a win-win for all.

Here are some pro deal websites to consider:

Outdoor Prolink: Connects brands with the gear that matters.

GuideFitter: Matches the pros with brand pro deal programs that fit their expertise.

Expert Voice: Offers publishers and outdoor industry leaders deep discounts on gear.

28. Borrow Outdoor Gear From Friends or Family

Not only is this option absolutely free, but it’s also one of the best ways to test gear before you buy it for yourself! 

Before borrowing other people’s gear, ask questions about specific care considerations and ask if there are any pre-existing holes or scratches to be aware of.

If you end up ruining their item out on the trail, make sure you have the means to replace it for them too.

29. Find Your Local Gear Library 

Wait, a gear library? What’s that?

A gear library is pretty straightforward – instead of checking out and returning books, you check out and return outdoor gear!

You can find these programs in nearly every state, but you almost always need to be a program member to enjoy gear library access. Certain gear libraries cater to certain groups like youth, people of color, women, beginners, and more. Spend some time browsing online for gear libraries near you to find a program to participate in!

Here are some gear libraries in the Pacific Northwest (with membership!):

Washington Trails Association has a gear library for their Outdoor Leadership members. If you are a teacher, student-age, or part of a youth group, you can take the training and get access to WTA’s gear library for your next group outdoor adventure!

Wild Diversity in Portland provides its community members with access to their gear library. They use it to provide camping gear to people who are going on group trips, often for their first outdoor getaway!

30. Start Your Own Free Outdoor Gear Library

Want to start your own Gear Lending library with your friends or community? It’s a great way to share gear and support one another in your outdoor adventures. Here are some things to think about when building your own community gear library:

• Do you want it to be donation-based and have items collected in one space? Or rather an available borrowing system where everyone keeps their own items?
• Have all gear borrowers agree to a set of rules that everyone comes up with – sign something! Make sure to add rules about replacing items that get damaged.
• Create a live Excel or Google Sheet with your gear inventory.
• Columns on your inventory can include owner, make/model, color, serial number, check-in and check-out dates, and who currently has that item.
• Appoint a system where someone keeps track of gear and when it will be returned.

32. Rent Your Gear Locally

Gear shops like REI often have rental programs offering gear for camping and hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, snow sports, and even car racks. Another perk of renting gear? Like borrowing, it’s a great way to test out something you’ve had your eye on before purchasing it yourself.

Some items we have rented in the past have been snow shoes, skis, and bikes. These high-ticket items may not be worth a splurge (right now). Renting them is an inexpensive way to try out the sport, to see if you want to invest further in the future!

Other online websites that offer rentals: Outdoors Geek, Xscape Pod, and LowerGear Outdoors.

How to Safely Buy Discount Camping Gear On Resale Sites

If you are buying cheap camping gear from a resale site and meeting the seller for pickup, there are a few things to consider – to protect yourself and your investment. Here are some tips for shopping for cheap hiking gear:

• Always bring a friend with you for the exchange and whenever possible, meet the seller at a public place that isn’t either of your homes.
• Don’t promise payment ahead of time. Show up, inspect the item, then decide whether it’s in good condition and priced reasonably.
• Can’t check out the item prior to buying? Read the seller reviews. If they seem to have a good track record and positive reviews, then chances are, the item you’re buying will be true to its description.

Don’t Buy Ultra-Light Gear or High-Tech Gear (If You Don’t Need It)

High-tech gear is generally expensive because they often serve just a single purpose. That sub-zero sleeping bag that’s 100% down-filled? Mountaineers who take overnight trips in the alpine can use that to stay warm enough at night to survive.

That ultralight tent that weighs less than a pound? It can be used for thru-hikers, who travel thousands of miles on a single trail, and need gear that won’t wear them down day after day.

Let’s say you are staying pretty local and planning to do a low-key backpacking trip – just a couple of nights. You definitely don’t need the most high-tech jacket on the market. In fact, you may already have everything you need for your first, short trip to the outdoors.

Don’t feel like you need to spend a lot of extra money on ultra-lightweight, high-tech gear. That can come later as you plan longer, harder, more technical hikes. Camping equipment doesn’t have to be expensive to do the job well. The most important thing is that you enjoy being outside!

Shop Opposite The Outdoor Seasons For Discount Outdoor Gear

If you’re looking for a cozy winter jacket, try shopping for it in the summer when the demand is lower, driving prices down.

In addition, keep an eye out for end-of-season sales. Many stores offer sales on gear from previous seasons to make way for the new season’s gear. So, winter gear will often go on sale during the summer and vice versa.

There is often a surplus of discount outdoor gear at the end of the season to make room for new products, so you can snatch items are a great price. It takes patience (you’ll have to wait until next year to use your gear!) but it’s worth it to save some money!

Traveling with camera gear? Study up on these essential camera accessories for travel photography, and keep an eye out for future sales!

Keep Your Eye Out For Annual Sales To Grab Discount Outdoor Gear

Oftentimes, big outdoor gear retail companies will host an annual sale, with huge price drops on some of their most popular camping, backpacking, and hiking gear. You can find past-season deals on many of the most popular brands, including The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia, and more.

One of the most popular times to purchase cheap camping gear is during the REI Anniversary Sale (Mid-May). This is when we purchased our Garmin inReach – a pricey satellite communicator which we got for $100, just by waiting for the sale!

Holidays with historic times to buy cheap hiking gear and cheap camping gear:

• Memorial Day (Last Weekend in May)
• Labor Day (First Weekend in September)
• Black Friday (The Day After Thanksgiving)
• Annual Sale Days (varies depending on the retailer – look up your favorite one and stick it on your calendar!)