15 Places to Buy Discounted Outdoor Gear

New outdoor gear can be very expensive and purchasing products at full price isn’t always in my budget. Here are the places I shop for my gear when I’m looking for a deal.

All of my gear for a 3 night backpacking trip

My priority when buying new outdoor gear is balancing quality with the price tag. I want to make sure my gear is built to last, but I don’t want to pay an arm and a leg for it.

My go-to stores for buying gear tend to be REI for hiking and camping and Garage Grown Gear for ultralight backpacking. However, if I’m looking to score a deal, I often look elsewhere to see if I can find what I’m looking for at a cheaper price.

Sometimes you can find last season’s model at heavily discounted prices, and the only difference is the color. I got my latest Patagonia Nanopuff at more than $150 off simply because it was a discontinued color…but it required shopping around for it.

If you want to save money on gear, here are the best places I typically look for new and used gear to hunt down a good deal.

1) Steep & Cheap

Run by the gearheads at Backcountry.com, Steep and Cheap is an online outdoor retailer that offers daily steals and bargain prices for the deal-hungry shoppers out there. You can find big-name brands, daily deals, plus plenty of apparel and equipment to get geared up for an epic time outside.

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2) REI Outlet

One of our favorite outdoor retailers, REI, is a go-to for reliable and multi-functional gear that is built to last. But did you know that you can snag some budget-friendly and awesome discounted outdoor gear in their online gear shop, REI Outlet? Yep. They have daily deals as well as ongoing sales that cover a wide variety of outdoor gear categories from footwear to backpacking tents and so much more.

Also, be sure to sign up for REI’s emails to be alerted about new deals and sales. And if you become a member you can receive yearly dividends from gear that you purchase as well as member-only coupons. A lifetime REI membership is only $20 and it definitely pays for itself!

Considering becoming an REI Member? Check out all of the REI Member Benefits that I love.

3) Sierra Trading Post

Sierra Trading Post is a discount outdoor retailer run by big names like HomeGoods, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx. They’ve got a wide selection of everything from shoes to camping gear, although you do have to do some digging to find quality products. It can be helpful for scoring small pieces of gear and expensive clothing that would usually cost a lot at regular retail price.

4) Backcountry

Backcountry is one of the largest online retailers for outdoor gear and they have some amazing sales and discounts on a variety of gear. Shop Backcountry’s sales page for current deals and sign up for their email to be the first to know about special sales events.

5) Outdoorplay

Outdoorplay has grown to become one of the largest specialty outdoor gear retailers in the country. While their roots are in kayaking, they’ve expanded to include products for rafting, stand-up paddling, hiking, camping, and more. Check out their sale section for deals and keep an eye out for different gear promos they run throughout the year.

6) CampSaver

CampSaver is an online retailer that is dedicated to providing the best gear at the best prices. You can find big-name brands alongside smaller specialty brands in categories that span a variety of outdoor gear from sleeping bags and pads to kayaks, skis, and snowboards. While all prices at CampSaver are a deal, you can find extra bargains in the CampSaver Outlet.

7) Active Junky

Active Junky is a rebate website that offers cashback when you shop through their portal. Simply sign up for a free account and start shopping! You can earn cashback rewards with online brands such as Backcountry, The North Face, Oakley, Chaco, and dozens more. Get up to 20% off select brands just by signing up to be a free member.

8) Patagonia Worn Wear

Patagonia is dedicated to keeping your well-loved gear in use for the long run with their Worn Wear program. If you own Patagonia products and apparel that have run their course but still have a little life left in them, you can trade them in for store credit or buy some pre-owned gear for yourself!

Patagonia also offers repair services so you can fine-tune your favorite fleece or simply update your gear to keep it in action longer.

9) REI Used Gear

Did you know there’s an entire REI Used Gear section on their website? It’s a great place for outdoor enthusiasts and gear lovers to score deals on hundreds of pre-loved products for way less than new price tags. Plus, all the discounted outdoor gear on their site has been inspected for quality so you can save some moolah while still knowing that you’re getting something in good condition.

If you have outdoor gear that you’re ready to part with, you can use the Trade-in program to turn your used gear into REI gift cards.

10) Outdoor Gear Exchange

This Burlington, Vermont-based outdoor gear shop sells a large selection of pre-owned and lightly used gear in addition to new products for every season. Not in Vermont or New England? Check out Outdoor Gear Exchange’s online consignment shop. It’s perfect for out-of-state gearheads who want to buy or sell their lightly used products. One thing that is cool about using Outdoor Gear Exchange is that consignment gear that doesn’t sell after 8 months is donated to charities, including refugee groups.

11) The Gear Room

The Gear Room was founded by two brothers from Tucson, AZ. It’s a consignment shop in Salt Lake City for outdoor lovers but they also list most of their stock online for easy online ordering. I picked up a discounted pair of backcountry skis from the Gear Room a few winters ago and they were great!

12) GearTrade

GearTrade is essentially the eBay of used and discounted outdoor gear. On this online used gear marketplace, you can find anything from packrafts to backpacks, to bikes, and more – and everything is sold by the owner.  Sometimes you can even find deals on gear that is practically brand new! Be sure to keep your eye on this site if you’re looking for something in particular.

13) The Pros Closet

If you’re looking for discounted bike gear, The Pros Closet is a great place to start. Located in Boulder, Colorado, this online marketplace sells Certified Pre-Owned bikes that have been inspected, serviced, and readied for a new owner. You can also trade-in your current bike and put that money toward an upgrade or new components. Shop for your next road bike, mountain bike, or gravel bike!

14) Facebook Groups & Marketplace

There are a plethora of gear exchange groups on Facebook including regional gear exchanges such as Arkansas, Colorado, Las Vegas, etc. There are also women-specific groups and groups dedicated to cycling, backpacking, climbing, etc. Just do a quick search of “outdoor gear exchange” and you’ll find dozens of groups.

Another option is to use Facebook Marketplace, which is similar to Craigslist. You can find tons of great outdoor gear deals on the Marketplace and many sellers are willing to ship. Facebook even has their own payment system to protect sellers and buyers from fraud.

Looking to score a deal on cheap camping and outdoor gear? Here are 17 places to buy discounted outdoor gear - both new and used.

15) Swap with Family and Friends

A great way to get new-to-you gear is to have your own garage sale and get your family, friends, and adventure buddies to bring their used stuff over to swap. Almost everyone has gear that’s been collecting dust in the corner, so this is a good chance to give your old or unused products a new life and snag something new (or old!).

I hope this post helps your bargain-hunt for discounted outdoor gear.

Where are your favorite places to buy used or discounted outdoor gear? Share your experiences, tips, and questions in the comments section below.

Looking to score a deal on cheap camping and outdoor gear? Here are 17 places to buy discounted outdoor gear - both new and used.

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14 Comments

  1. Hey, let us know what you’ve found in the Adirondacks – we’re headed there in 3 weeks for the first time. Not sure what to check out. Thanks for all the helpful info you post – a lifechanger!

  2. OUr family took a Boundary Waters Canoe Area guided, fully outfitted tour with Piragis out of Ely, MN. Every season they start with 100% brand new equipment. They sell the used equipment at very nice discounts. This means absolutely everything from spoons, pans, backpacks, canoes, camp seats—you name it, they replace it every single year.

  3. All great suggestions, thanks! With most of these retailers you can also use ActiveJunky.com and get up to 20% cash back on all the gear you buy but just bing a member.

  4. I know this is an old post – but we are rethinking the used gear game. Trying to make it more available, affordable and accessible. We’re called the rerouted co-op. I am the founder and would love to chat with you about what we’re doing!

  5. This is a great resource! I’ve also started using switchbackr.com–they partner with local gear shops to offer super affordable gear online.

  6. This resource (summithut.com) may help you expand your list of where to buy discounted outdoor gear.

  7. I’m am planning to get outdoors more this year to back in track of nature.. However, I would be honored to have some directional input and the correct and direct professionals to quide me through my next experience.

    1. Hi Reign, we recommend guided trips and classes led by REI. You can also search for local hiking groups and guided activities. Best of luck!