How to Save Money When Buying Camping Gift Set
How I Save Money on Camping and Hiking Gear
Spending time outdoors can be a great budget-friendly activity, but a lot of the time the technical gear involved with outdoor activities can quickly add up. Every outdoors enthusiast understands the constant struggle of upgrading gear, new technologies, and new trends. Here are a few tips and tricks I've picked up over the past couple years to help save a little when it comes to buying gear.
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Buying used
Before buying anything new always consider shopping used, which is more sustainable and more economical!
I always like to check Facebook Marketplace and also stay connected in any local Facebook groups dedicated to backpacking or California hiking as people will sometimes post there and you can score some pretty great deals on second hand gear while also reusing gear.
I'm also really excited that REI has launched a used gear section on their site, which enforces a certain level of quality since they have a criteria for accepting used gear. GearTrade is another favorite site of mine that offers a centralized hub for selling used gear.
Good Camping Gear on a Budget
Most top-of-the-line camping gear is loaded with luxuries and features that mimic the comforts of home. But unless you're getting out every weekend or like to 'glamp' (a glamorous version of camping), the latest and greatest technology isn't a prerequisite to having a great time in the outdoors. In fact, there are more options now than ever for high-quality, affordable camping gear, so we've written this article to help point you in the right direction (spoiler: Coleman dominates the market). From essentials like a camping tent and sleeping bag to kitchen items like a camping stove and cooler, below is our list of the best budget camping gear, which totals to $539 at the time of publishing. For a complete list of options, check out our detailed camping gear reviews.
Editor's note: We updated this article on July 21, , to amend our list of budget picks to reflect those currently featured in our camping gear round-ups.
Our Team's Budget Camping Picks
Budget Camping Equipment
Many of the best camping tents retail for $400 or more, have near-vertical walls, and are constructed with high-end materials for reliable protection against bad weather. But the truth is that the majority of us venture out on clear summer nights and don't need to spend up for extra features. For fair-weather campers, the Coleman Skydome 6 gets the job done, offering good privacy, protection from light to moderate rain, and a layer of separation between you and the bugs. Don't expect premium quality here'the tent is made from inexpensive materials, and the single door isn't ideal for more than a couple campers. But for just under $150 on Amazon at the time of publishing, the Skydome features a spacious 85 square feet of floor area, has good ventilation, and is a breeze to set up. For a cheaper alternative, Coleman's own Sundome 6 is available for $100 and offers an additional 15 square feet of floor space, although the partial-coverage rainfly offers limited wet-weather protection.
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Like the Skydome, Coleman's Sundome is budget-friendly tent for fair-weather camping | Credit: Jason HummelCamping Sleeping Bag: Coleman Brazos 20 ($53)
Unlike backpacking gear'where weight and packability are paramount'comfort is the name of the game for camping sleeping bags. The best models will be roomy (look for rectangular designs), feature soft fabrics, and come filled with ample insulation (usually synthetic fill) for warmth on cool nights. Our favorite budget model for is another Coleman offering: their synthetic Brazos 20, which is rated to 20 degrees Fahrenheit and will keep you comfortable on chilly to moderate outings in the summer and shoulder seasons. At just over $50, you can expect cheaper materials and fill (you will probably want to add extra layers to stay warm as you approach the 30-degree mark), but it's a steal considering most options in this category cost well over $100, with some premium down bags creeping into the $300+ range.
If you're like us, a key ingredient to a quality night's sleep is a good mattress. Top-end camping mattresses can cost upward of $200, but you can rest almost as easy on a model like the $89 Sea to Summit Camp SI Sleeping Mat. This self-inflating mat boasts a durable construction with thick fabrics, a 3-season-ready R-value of 4.2, and a simple but functional one-way valve for quick and easy inflation and deflation. It's also light and compressible enough that we have no hesitations about taking it on the occasional backpacking trip, and the self-inflating design means you won't get dizzy trying to set up your bed. The bad news is that there's only 1.5 inches of padding between you and the ground'if you're a side sleeper, we'd advise upgrading to the Camp Plus SI, which is 3 inches thick and costs $99 for the Rectangular Wide model.
Premium camping stoves are made with heat output and flame control that can rival your home kitchen, but these models can cost you $150 or more. For the casual camp chef, the Coleman Cascade Classic is a tried-and-true stove for just $100. The Cascade is the bread-and-butter of camp stoves: It's simple to operate and features two burners so you can boil water for coffee while flipping your pancakes. It also includes push-button ignition to keep your hands safe during start-up, which is fairly uncommon at this price point. More expensive models will come with their own stand or a larger cooking surface (some even have three burners), but for simple camp cooking, the Cascade can be everything you need and nothing you don't. For around $40 less on Amazon at the time of publishing, Coleman's own Triton is a little more powerful but sacrifices some precision and doesn't come with auto ignition (you'll need to spend up for that).
You can easily spend $100 or more on a camping chair, and you might be rewarded with features like a recliner, rocker, or even a built-in footrest. But that begs the question: Do you really need all these bells and whistles? In our opinion, a great camp chair simply needs to be comfortable and stable, which is why the Coleman Cooler Quad has won our hearts. And we're not sure what we're more excited about: the $45 price tag or the built-in cooler. The Cooler Quad also has a wide seat and tall back (both padded for comfort), and its tough fabrics will stand the test of time. It's not lightweight or super packable, and the steel frame can rust overtime (especially if you leave it out in the rain), but the Quad is all most campers need at a good price. If you're willing to forgo the cooler, you can save even more cash with Coleman's $30 Broadband Mesh Quad Chair.
Some manufacturers claim that their coolers retain ice for more than two weeks, which is extremely impressive if you're willing to shoulder the high price tags. But in reality, the majority of camping trips last a couple of days rather than a couple of weeks, meaning you don't need to keep your food cold for that long. The 70-quart Coleman 316 Series is our favorite cooler for casual campers and still features a respectable claimed ice retention of five days (we've experienced closer to two or three in favorable conditions). Available for around $85 at the time of publishing, the Coleman is made with lower-quality plastics than top-end models and won't stand up to abuse like a Yeti, but it won't take much of a toll on your wallet, either. And if you're looking for wheels for easier transport, Coleman's own 50-quart Xtreme is only $65.
Welcome to , where hands-free illumination for camping is a must. Luckily, headlamps in general are not too expensive'most mid-range models hover right around $40. For true budget shoppers, the Black Diamond Astro 300 stands out with a $20 price tag but a solid build from a reputable manufacturer. It's easy to use and has a max lumen output of 300, which is more than enough for setting up camp or cooking dinner. We wish the Astro had a softer red-light option for use at night, and we do like how many modern headlamps recharge via USB'you'll need to spend up for the $40 Astro 300-R for that capability. Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find a higher-quality headlamp at this price point.
Totaling it All Up: $539
You can get a lot of things for $539, including a domestic airline ticket, a couple nights in a nice hotel, or a half a month's worth of rent in some places. And as it turns out, $539 can also buy you most things you need for endless weekends of summer camping, which is as long-lasting an investment as they come. Plus, if you're buying for two, bear in mind that many of these items are made to share'including the tent, camp stove, and cooler.
*Editor's note: Sale prices are based on Amazon search at time of publication.
Where to Find Deals on Camping Gear
We always encourage you to support your local retailer first and foremost, but if you're hunting for deals, it can be a good idea to shop around. For outdoor gear, we're big fans of REI Co-op, which offers free shipping on orders $60 or more (members receive free shipping regardless of the total) and easy returns. Plus, REI has a number of notable sales throughout the year where you can find significant savings on much of their inventory. Keep in mind that if you shop at REI, it pays to become a member (with a one-time-fee of a $30) in order to access these sales and receive your yearly dividend (up to 10% back on REI purchases), among other benefits. Of course, Amazon is another easy and popular place to shop online, with nearly constant sales and a great selection of budget and off-brand products.
It's also worth looking for a used gear or gear consignment shop in your neck of the woods. Buying used gear can be a great way to find high-quality items at huge markdowns, and it's a good feeling to give someone's old tent or backpack a second life. But shopping this way can be a bit of a gamble'especially for the uninitiated'and you'll want to be sure to inspect your gear carefully to make sure it's in good shape. Online, REI's Re/Supply program also offers a nice selection of lightly worn goods, and as a bonus, if you're not satisfied with your gear, you can return it within 30 days of purchase.
Where We Draw the Line: Cheap Not Junk
The gear we've compiled on this list might be on the cheaper end of the spectrum, but it's certainly not junk. Saving money doesn't need to mean sacrificing performance and durability, and we feel strongly about purchasing gear that won't end up in the landfill after one use. Our biggest recommendation: Do yourselves a favor and buy goods that will last. At the same time, not everyone needs top-of-the-line equipment, especially casual campers who get out just a few times a year. With our recommendations here, we hope to help you find that nice middle ground of quality and price. And if you'd like to see what spending up can get you, check out our article on the best camping gear, which covers all of our top picks for .
See Our Camping Gear Reviews
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