Just as there are advantages and disadvantages to camping in different seasons, so are their strategic times to buy all the outdoor equipment campers will need on their camping trip in the backcountry.
Whether you’re an ultralight camper who carries as little camping gear as possible to a primitive camping campsite or a glamping enthusiast who’s always outfitted with brand new sleeping bags, backpacks, cookware, hiking boots, sleeping pads, hammocks, and headlamps from top brands like The North Face and Big Agnes, you’ll surely begin wondering when the best time of year to buy new camping gear is?
Avid campers know to keep an eye out for outdoor gear sales at retail stores and on Amazon year-round to avoid paying the full price to get a crucial piece of camping gear last-minute before a camping trip.
Campers might consider buying equipment for the off-season, such as hiking boots or winter-treated sleeping bags, during the spring and summer when everyone else is grabbing hammocks and sandals off the shelves
That’s a good rule of thumb, but the savviest outdoor gear shoppers should also have some idea of the seasonal change in prices that, depending on the type of equipment, fluctuates throughout the year. Cookware, for example, doesn’t tend to change the price on a reliable, seasonal basis, since it’s useful all year round. Other camping gear, like sandals, are primarily useful to campers during the warm months, and therefore may drop in price at the end of the season or in the off-season. Major holiday seasons run parallel to the natural ones and affect the availability and price of camping gear. The periods following Christmas and Father’s Day often have retail stores eager to get rid of the surplus they ordered and may not have managed to move during the holidays.
There are a few different scales you can use to determine the best time of year to buy camping gear. To stay prepared and ready for any last-minute camping trip that may present itself, read through this guide and stay mindful of the season and the condition of your current gear. Don’t wait until the night before you head out for the campsite to replace the first aid kit or the second-hand hiking gear you bought last year. The best time of year to buy your camping gear is out-of-season before you need it. Shop then and you’ll be happier and better prepared.
Beware about shopping during the in-season because campers who fail to adequately prepare for their camping trips will be rushing into big-name retail stores like Walmart to pay full price for some last-minute outdoor gear.
Keep an eye out for Outdoor Gear Sales on Amazon