If you’re a camper, hiker, or general outdoors enthusiast, you’re probably waiting patiently for winter to pass so your favorite trails and parks are accessible once more. The colder months are generally downtime for campers, but the perfect opportunity to stock up on gear is in the offseason — and the holidays make this time even sweeter.
Whether you’re buying for friends and family or building a wish list for your own inventory, knowing where to turn to find the best deals on gear is as important as packing your backpack for a through hike. Follow these buying trails as you approach the holiday season and win big in the backcountry.
Independent Holiday Guides
There are publications out there doing the hard work for you. Popular outdoor sites such as Outside Online always publish a Holiday Gift Guide. They have you covered in categories ranging from mountain bikes to hiking boots to the best ways to carry your whiskey on the trail. And because they’re not actually trying to sell you anything (unless they have any brand affiliation), you can be confident with a non-biased review.
Retail Holiday Guides
Just because independent holiday guides are unbiased does not mean the opposite is true for retail. Retail stores, both online and brick and mortar, have a product to sell but those products are still made by third-party companies.
Take Cabela’s, for example, which is a worldwide leader in outdoor retail. Browse any section from camping to archery, and you’ll see they have the best products front and center, not based on price or profit, but relevance and popularity. Don’t be afraid to have some faith in the products retail sites recommend.
Browse Favorite Brands
Ask any real outdoors enthusiast about favorite brands, and he or she will always have a top name they trust above all else. Maybe you trust nothing less than Patagonia to keep you warm in the backcountry. Premium brands such as this will usually guide you through the layers (literally) as Patagonia helps you choose base layers, insulation coats and rain shells so you can survive the cold and wet when you’re out on the trail. Just be sure to check out more than one brand before you buy, even if have have a loyal favorite.
Don’t Overlook Used
While you’re out there looking for new gear, thousands are selling old items that have great value for beginners or even expert explorers. Don’t assume that sites like eBay and Craigslist are full of junk. Just like what’s available at consignment shops, there are plenty of diamonds in these roughs if you have patience and a little luck.
Pro tip: look for message boards in areas where outdoor activity is popular. For example, look through Denver’s Craigslist if you want a new pair of skis, and ask the seller if they’re willing to ship.
Shop the 26th
Sure, the holidays have passed, but that’s why you will have access to some of the best deals of the year. If you’re buying for yours truly, hold out until the day after Christmas and enjoy the deals that could be even cheaper than Black Friday. If you’re shopping for someone else, however, this might not be the most considerate option.
