Where can I find the cheapest camping gear?
Summertime is just around the corner and it is a great time to start planning a camping trip into the great outdoors. For those in the market for some new camping gear, keep in mind that buying camping equipment does not have to break the bank. There are plenty of places to find killer deals on all the essentials.
Garage Sales
As the saying goes, one person’s trash is another person’s treasure. Garage sales are, hands down, the best place to acquire camping gear. Many people offload camping-related stuff and, most of the time, there is nothing wrong with the equipment being sold. Plus, you can bargain with the sellers. If you have an eye on a $5.00 dollar tent and an $8.00 dollar fishing pole, trying offering five bucks for both. Since people have garage sales, for the most part, to rid themselves of excess or unwanted items, the sellers are willing to consider any reasonable offer!
Army Surplus
While some of the things you find in an Army Surplus store will probably be used items, generally, all the things that are sold are in good condition. They are also a lot less expensive than what you would find in, for example, a Bass Pro Shop or REI. In addition, you can find some really cool and durable stuff that was designed for military use.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores may not have a lot of camping equipment to choose from, but, occasionally, you can find a few gems in all the clutter. What thrift stores ARE great for is camping clothing. Heavy jackets and hiking boots are two things that you will more than likely be able to find in a thrift store.
Ebay and Craigslist
Ebay and Craigslist are in some ways the online equivalent of a garage sale. Usually, people placing camping goods up for auction are just trying to offload the stuff and make a few bucks in the process. If one puts in the time, one can find more than a few camping equipment bargains and related treasures on either website.
The REI outlet has a lot of good gear that’s marked way down. http://www.rei.com/outlet http://www.backcountryoutlet.com has a lot of good gear for as much as 70% off, but you have to dig to find what you’re looking for. Army surplus is probably the cheapest option, but its usually much heavier than most commercial products, but often more durable.
