Howdy outdoor board,

Does anyone know of a way to rent/buy/get backcountry camping gear on the cheap? Open to any and all ideas.

Thanks in advance!

Hiking or 4x4 in?

I've found that unless the weather is atrocious, there are few things that cheap Budget gear can't suffice for If you're willing to carry marginally more weight or do without a couple of conveniences. A 5lb Walmart tent is FAR cheaper than a 3lb specialty backpacking tent and I can carry 2 more pounds really damn far to save $200, personally. Unless you get caught in a blizzard or monsoon, you wouldn't notice much difference.

https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-08-10/want-more-people-of-color-in-the-outdoors-give-them-gear

Just ask for it.

Walmart has a very generous rental/return policy.

You can purchase what you need for a trip, use it for a weekend, and if you decide you don't want it, you can return it.

Im a notorious cheap ass. I buy primarily from steepandcheap.com and Sierra trading post. Typically you can get almost all of your gear at least at a 30% discount if you are willing to wait. All my packs, tents, fly fishing gear has come off these sites. I will sometimes cross reference with amazon just to see if there is any difference.

Watch for the REI clearance sales. I used to do some consulting work for REI and they were very proud to say their store brands were just as good as the more expensive name brands. Still more than Walmart however.

Don't go cheap on your footwear or socks.

https://www.fieldsupply.com/camping.html
gotta go everyday

My advice would differ depending on when and where you want to go. If you want to go in the next month or you are planning for a trip next spring I'd probably suggest something different. Places do rent camping gear. You can get good deals on steepandcheap.com or sierra.com.

This place rents all the nice stuff

https://rgunsngear.com/

When I hear back country I'm assuming back packing, so that's what I'm going to start with.

You need shelter, a cook kit, a sleeping system and something to carry it all in.

Shelter can be a lot of things depending on where you are going and what season it is. In the rockies in the middle of summer a tarp and a ground cloth is all I would need. Push that till September and I want a tent with full rain fly and a vestibule. If you are an A&M student you can rent decent back packing tents from TAMU outdoor program. Keep in mind backpacking tents are small, there is just room in there for sleeping and if you are with someone your sleeping bags are probably touching.

Cook kits are pretty simple, a pot and a burner. This Stanley pot from Walmart, https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stanley-Adventure-Camp-Cook-Set-Stainless-Steel/16784406, works fine and will last forever. Dump one of the cups and add a small fuel canister and this burner, https://www.amazon.com/Titanium-Backpacking-Miniature-Ultra-light-Camping/dp/B01N5WRJ8A/ref=sr_1_10?crid=1VVNBTTOWMNXA&dchild=1&keywords=ultralight+burner&qid=1597162958&sprefix=ultra+light+burn%2Caps%2C170&sr=8-10, and all you need is a spoon to eat with.

With the sleep system, again it depends on when and where you are going. You want to start with a pad, you need something insulating you from the ground. You can get decent foam pads for pretty cheap and they always work and won't ever deflate in the night. Next is the bag, if you are going to spend some money this is where I would suggest doing it. In general the temp ratings are for lower limit or survival ratings not normal comfort level. Some higher end brands will show both of these numbers, but as a rule of thumb I add 10 degrees from the number on the bag and use that as my lower limit of comfort, a 30 degree rated bag would be comfortable at 40 degrees. Some colder sleepers, my wife for instance, want more like 20 degrees to stay comfortable. Temp ratings are also tested for a person in full base layer clothing with socks on. These can also be rented from TAMU Outdoors.

If you think you are going to do this more than once then backpack is the other place I would suggest spending your money. If you are going to cover very many miles at all, having a pack that fits you well and has a good weight belt system is critical. For $200 this is a really good pack from REI, https://www.rei.com/product/148589/rei-co-op-flash-55-pack-mens?cm_mmc=aff_AL-_-34947-_-46631-_-NA&avad=46631_d1c511155&CA_6C15C=120217890006153853, but you need to have it fit and set up for you. There are sizing instructions online and it's not to hard to have a friend measure your torso length.

TLDR: you can rent most from TAMU Outdoors, get a good pack and sleeping system with a pad.

My best advice is to figure out what camping you want to do first and only buy/rent the gear you need. You need less than what you think. You can spend an insane amount of money and there is a vast difference between overnight car camping vs. a PCT through hike.

My next best advice is to start small even if its literally in your own backyard because it will give you a good idea if it's something you may enjoy and what items you really need.

Third piece of advice is that you are about to see a bunch of deals on camping gear because the season is almost over.

rootube said:

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Third piece of advice is that you are about to see a bunch of deals on camping gear because the season is almost over.

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we are in texas. we haven't come out of halftime of camping season yet.

If youre going to buy a bunch at once: Join REI and then also apply for the credit card. Youll get a $100 gift card when you are approved for the card and I think like $20 when you join the membership. The REI Membership plus credit card gets you 15% back from all full price purchases from REI and 1% back on all other purchases and are released with your dividend in March right around the time they have their big sale. You can save hundreds this way and get top rated quality gear which will make everything way more enjoyable.

AggieOO said:

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rootube said:

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Third piece of advice is that you are about to see a bunch of deals on camping gear because the season is almost over.

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we are in texas. we haven't come out of halftime of camping season yet.

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Have not checked, but has camping gear gone the same way that bikes have during covid? Can't find a bike to save ur life.

Are the roof top tents really worth the insane price tag if u 4x4 in? I like the idea but seems a ground tent for $100-200 would do the same thing.

Naveronski said:

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https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2020-08-10/want-more-people-of-color-in-the-outdoors-give-them-gear

Just ask for it.

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I attempted to read that.....didnt last long

Buy gear used when possible. There's a good chance that hundreds of people in your town/neighborhood bought gear at some point, used it once or twice & would now sell it to you at a steep discount. Ask around a bit before you buy new.

JesusQuintana said:

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AggieOO said:

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rootube said:

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Third piece of advice is that you are about to see a bunch of deals on camping gear because the season is almost over.

---

we are in texas. we haven't come out of halftime of camping season yet.

---

Have not checked, but has camping gear gone the same way that bikes have during covid? Can't find a bike to save ur life.

Are the roof top tents really worth the insane price tag if u 4x4 in? I like the idea but seems a ground tent for $100-200 would do the same thing.

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RTT's are handy if you're relocating to a new spot every day. Worth the price? That's a personal decision.

I recently bought one, used, that's going on a trailer I'm building. We typically head to a place, setup camp, and explore from there. State parks, off-road parks, even places like Colorado, we don't usually spend every night in a different place.

Vehicle mounted RTT's can be a pain to setup every day if you're always returning to the same spot, where a ground tent could be setup and left all day.

stuff a tarp, fleece blanket, summer sausage, and water bottle in your jansport and you should be good for a couple days

JJMt said:

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The long hikers carry almost nothing. Maybe 5-10 lbs. max. At least the ones that finish.

I gave a CDT hiker a ride once and was astonished at how little he was carrying. His water was in a milk jug, his food in a grocery sack, and his food was chips and crap food. He was on his 12th trip, having successfully completed 11 previous trips. He had completed an equal amount of trips on the PCT and the AT.

Of course, a few years later he got caught in a remote campground in northern New Mexico during a early fall blizzard and starved to death, so there's that.

https://www.outsideonline.com/2336896/snowbound#close

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that story in the link

Used to go to REI's scratch and dent sales, those were great.

I started out going to the REI garage sales and got most of my starter gear that way. I think I paid $300 for everything I needed to start out and it would have cost me $1,000+ if I had bought it all new. All of that gear lasted me 5+ years and some of it I am still using 8 years later.

The REI garage sales are not as amazing as they used to be especially after they changed their return policy. More people and less stuff.

I go to the clearance section on REI online. A lot of times they have name brand high quality stuff that has been discontinued or is in an abnormal color. I got my current tent and backpack doing that and they were each 40% off saving me about $250 and still allowing me to get top tier equipment.