Discount Travel Gear and Where to Find It

After years of being a gear junkie (maybe not in name, but certainly in practice) I have learned one thing:

Gear is expensive.

Really expensive.

Really frigging, annoyingly, make-you-whine-about-it-on-blog-posts expensive.

After even more years of being a dedicated bargain hunter, I have learned one other thing: where to go for  discounted travel gear.

Bargain gear shopping is (for those of us in 9-5 office jobs) the suburban equivalent of exploring a new mountain. Adrenaline rush? Check. Sense of accomplishment? Check. Possibility that I’ll be bragging about the experience to my friends? Umm…CHECK.

Because that’s what bargain hunting is all about.

See below for a list of websites and stores with affordable, sometimes ludicrously-cheap travel gear.

1. Backcountry (www.backcountry.com)

I love Backcountry. A lot. From their funky goat logo to their tongue-in-cheek blog, they clearly have a sense of humor, some serious product knowledge and, of course, the right prices. Also very helpful: the tons of user reviews on their products, and a live chat with gear experts (for when you need to know the difference between a chaco and a teva). Sign up for their newsletter to be alerted to sales, and to receive occasional 10%, 15% and even 20% discounts.

Check out the Backcountry outlet (www.backcountryoutlet.com) for even more reduced prices.

2. Steep and cheap (www.steepandcheap.com)

Their motto: “One killer deal at a time until it’s gone.” And that’s what they offer. One item is posted to the site, for 20 minutes. Buy it then or regret it forever. From hiking boots to backpacks to sunglasses, they cover it all, and yes, the prices are that good.

For skiers/snowboarders, also check out: www.brociety.com

For cyclists/mountain bikers, also check out: www.bonktown.com

3. Sierra Trading Post (www.sierratradingpost.com)

It’s like an old-fashioned trading post where you can barter for goods. Only you have to barter with money. And it’s online. (But their prices are awesome, as is their customer service, and they have a home decor section. Score).

4. Swap meets, end-of-season sales and the ever-interesting worlds of Craigslist and Ebay

It takes a little more effort on your end, and you have to approach these vendors with some flexibility, but if you have the time and the determination, you can certainly make each of them work to your advantage. Check out local listings for swap meets in your area (often held at big retailers or on college campuses) and end-of-season sales at your favorite stores (REI has a special friends and family sale a few times a year with jaw-dropping reductions. Become a member to partake).

5. Brick and mortar stores

The following list of stores is specific to the Bay Area. You lucky readers who live in our neck of the woods can now reap the knowledge we’ve accumulated after years of living in the city by the bay.

Sports Basement: Guaranteed they’ll have SOMETHING you like. Flash a Costco card, a Master’s athletic team membership card or tell them where you live (if it’s nearby you get a friends and family discount) for a further 10% off your purchase.

Find their nearest store location here.

The NorthFace Outlet:

It’s like getting legit German Bratwurst for the Oscar Meyer price. But seriously: there are a few pieces of gear I use almost daily – my northface fleece, some running gloves (because I have the lamest circulatory system ever), hiking boots – all of which I found here for a song.

1238 5th St
Berkeley, CA 94710
(510) 526-3530

The Patagonia Outlet (Okay, so it’s in Reno but if you’re in Tahoe for the weekend, why not stop by?)

8550 White Fir St
Reno, NV 89523
(775) 746-6878

Let us know if we left any off the list. I can promise that if you recommend something, I’ll check it out. And maybe try to give you a hug the next time I see you.

Alexi is a resident gear junkie at NileGuide. Have a question about travel gear? Shoot the gear junkies an email at gearjunkies@nileguide.com.