Online Gear Deals
Bargains on Backpacking Equipment from Sporting Goods Stores on the Web
Mar 27, 2006
It takes some money if you decide to take up backpacking. Gear is not cheap. The best way to get it is to watch for sales and deals.
Rei-outlet is a good place to find deals. So is Campmor.com's hot deals. I have purchased more gear from Campmor.com than any other place.
It might be a mistake to go invest in a bunch of gear if you are just starting out backpacking. Renting all or some of your gear until you can purchase it is another option. Many of the large sporting good stores (like REI) have reasonably priced gear rentals.
Most backpacking gear is durable, and once you buy a backpack or tent or sleeping bag, it is likely to last many years.
I have had the most trouble with my white gas (Coleman) stoves, and have purchased several of them over the years. That is the only thing I have replaced however. The only other gear problem I have had is a tear in my sleeping bag, and a tear in the insect mesh of a tent. Both problems were fixed for around $20 (each).
Be wary of water filters with plastic handles. I had one break on me when I was in the backcountry, and was forced to boil my drinking water from then on. Fortunately I didn't run out of fuel. After than I bought the
Katadyn Pocket Filter,which has all metal construction, and has not given me one problem in five years of heavy use.
Going slow and reading a lot of reviews before you purchase is another great idea. I have always liked Outdoorreview.com for gear information,
because the gear reviews are from the people who have tried the gear in the field. Backpacker Magazine also has gear reviews.
I noticed that outdoor review's top-rated backpack - The Kelty Super Tioga, is one of the hotdeals in Campmor.com right now. ($119 insted of $189.)
