We are definitely gear heads - outdoor gear, that is.  Our garage is filled to the brim with backpacks and shoes, paddling gear, and bikes.  In fact, our collection of gear has been gathered over the course of years, even decades.  When our son grows, or something gets worn out, or the tech changes so dramatically that one item can do the work of five, we begin hunting for replacements and sales because - let’s face it - gear can be expensive. 

We like to find deals and save money, too.  After all, that savings can go towards the adventures that the gear is intended for!  That’s when we started looking around for places, websites, and apps that have better deals.  While it would be nice sometimes to have the latest-and-greatest, that’s just not feasible every time for many of us… especially when kids grow like weeds.  

So after much searching and hunting for times to buy and special offers to enter at checkout, we decided that the effort to save a few bucks every so often with sketchy coupon codes wasn’t paying off.  Instead, we started shopping smarter and finding consistent, reliable places to find what we’re looking for.  

Here’s our list of places we love to shop when we need a break on outdoor clothing and gear:

1. Steep and Cheap. Many people have heard of this website/app’s bigger brother, Backcountry.com, but not as many realize that this off-shoot is the home of some deeply discounted gear and clothing. You might find obscure sizes or styles/colors from a season or two ago, but when you find something that works for you, you’re going to find it at a great price here.

2. Facebook Marketplace. If you’re from an area that’s not in the heart of the outdoor sport environment you love (say you live in the Midwest but love snowsports, or you’re sitting in Denver but have a passion for kitesurfing), widen your search area and be willing to pay for shipping. You might be surprised by some of the things you find on Marketplace that will fill the gaps in your gear closet for great prices.

3. Eddie Bauer Gear Rentals. This platform is pretty new to the gear grounds. Eddie Bauer recently launched a gear rental program that currently covers the basics of a backpacking or camping trip, but is continually adding new items to rent. From shoes to tents, pants to backpacks, you can get outfitted for a reasonable price-per-day and they’ll even ship that package to wherever you are. On vacation in Oregon for a week but don’t want to carry your tent and backpack for an overnight? Set up what you need and schedule it to be shipped to your hotel and you’re all set. We’re hoping that more brands see the success of this and follow suit! It’s also a great way to try out their items before committing to a purchase.

4. Used/Consignment Gear Stores. We discovered these while on a long road trip out West and, while that may seem obvious to folks that live in places like Moab, Eugene, or Colorado Springs, we don’t have these where we live! Especially when it came to kids’ clothing, we hit the jackpot on jackets and winter gear. In fact, we enjoyed purchasing from consignment gear stores so much that when we head West, we sometimes take a box of outdoor clothings/gear to consign ourselves.

5. Gear Shop Sale Racks. Again, may seem obvious, but more and more we’re seeing new-gear shops putting up sale sections that remain evergreen throughout the year (rather than only during a certain season or sale event). Peek around because they might be hiding upstairs, downstairs, or in an obscure corner of the shop.

6. Patagonia Worn Wear. This program was started a couple of year ago by Patagonia. One of the things that we love about this brand is their commitment to environmental stewardship. Not only are they very conscientious about how their products are made, they make long-lasting clothing/gear with solid warranties, repair options, and now have added a way for Patagonia lovers to let go of their gently used gear and offer it to buyer looking for exactly that - of course, at a good price.

7. REI Outlet. Similar to how backcountry.com/Steep and Cheap are structured, REI Outlet is housed within the REI website and app. Find last season’s stuff for a much lower price. From clothing to coats, bike panniers to climbing harnesses, snowboard goggles to backpacks, you might be surprised by what you can find here for a great deal! REI also has a very generous return policy in case the item you found doesn’t work for you in the way it should.

8. REI Garage Sales. Alright, these are no longer the hush-hush secret that they were years ago. REI Garage Sales are a big deal because it’s other REI-lovers’ gear that you can get for a steal. That said, get there early because you can typically scope things out before the sale opens and people know what they want and exactly where to grab it when the doors open. You must be an REI member to attend (but why resist? 10% back on your purchases as a dividend is an additional savings for the following year). UPDATE: during the pandemic, they have paused their large gathering Garage Sales in person, but REI stores have now started selling used gear in-store that you can pursue through at your leisure. You can also shop used gear on their website AND trade your gently used gear in for REI gift cards!

We love our time outside and the adventures that reliable, high-quality gear and clothing can help us achieve.  By finding savings here and there, our exploration gets extended.  When we have the items we need to safely and comfortably #GetOutside, it makes planning a trip and making the time a whole lot easier.  For tips on making time for your family adventures, check this out.

What are some ways you save money when hunting for gear or clothing?  Do you have any tips that might help others do the same?