Cheapest place to buy gear?

[theflyinglama]

I'm looking for ways to obtain cheap/used gear. Does anyone have any advice?

[T.S.Kobzol]

ebay, craigslist and for sale forum on whiteblaze or local mounaineering coop if you have one.

[swjohnsey]

ebay and be patient.

[Old Hiker]

Looking for anything in particular? May want to put a thread up on buying gear.

[Wise Old Owl]

Ebay? not so much... used WB is the bomb...

[Tuckahoe]

I'd suggest that to know what items and makers you are in the market for. Know that your looking for a sleeping bag with features xyz from makers abc. Once you know what you are watching out for scour the for sale adds on places like White Blaze. You may even find good, deals on Ebay. I have found a few items at thrift stores, mostly clothes that I'll use for hiking. Others have had luck finding better deals at thrift stores.

[Serial 07]

unfortunately, walmart...i bet you could get everything you need minus a tent and sleeping bag for $300...

[Old Hiker]

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/show...ength-Like-New

[Another Kevin]

I'm looking for ways to obtain cheap/used gear. Does anyone have any advice?

That's a frequently-asked question. This article has one man's take on it - and that one man is pretty wise about such things

[MuddyWaters]

The absolute cheapest way to aquire gear, is to buy it right, the first time.
Buy gear you wont want to replace in a year, or after hiking with it a while.
That will save you far more money, than a lower purchase price on an item.

Generally, you will probably find the best deals on new gear, on closeout stuff that is sold at Sierra Trading Post.
Last yrs model stock, after discounts and coupons (always search for online coupon codes) goes for ~50% of what it did as a new model.

Steep and Cheap also does some great deals. You just have to catch them. It is Backcountry.com closeouts and discontinued items mostly.

[Feral Bill]

Also, REI garage sales, or whatever they call them lately, and their clearance site. I'd agree you shouldn't buy junk, but you don't need the latest and greatest either.

[RF_ace]

Backcountry.com is the *****, and they price match

[double d]

I would say REI and/or Campmor are excellent sources of good, high quality gear at fair prices. Also, I bought a day pack on Ebay (a North Face) and got a good deal on it, but be careful of Ebay and make sure to look at the pictures closely. Good luck.

[Derf]

The absolute cheapest way to aquire gear, is to buy it right, the first time.
Buy gear you wont want to replace in a year, or after hiking with it a while.
That will save you far more money, than a lower purchase price on an item.

Well said! there is enough info at your finger tips to do it right the first time.

[Chaco Taco]

campmor.com
sierratradingpost.com
backcountry.com
craigslist
backpackinglight

[SunnyWalker]

Trekite.com

[Hoofit]

Some of the 'golite gear' is good quality and a good deal, especially when they reduce the price, which happens pretty often.

[Snowleopard]

All of the above places, plus check sales at EMS and REI. It's worth checking Amazon's prices if you're looking for a specific piece of gear.

For some things, my local outfitter is knowledgeable about many things and saves me money by helping me buy the right gear the first try. [New England Backpacker, Worcester, MA]

[Another Kevin]

The absolute cheapest way to aquire gear, is to buy it right, the first time.
Buy gear you wont want to replace in a year, or after hiking with it a while.
That will save you far more money, than a lower purchase price on an item.

That's sound advice if you know what your hiking style is. Most folks on here asking about gear haven't figured that out yet. They're probably best getting something cheap until they have enough experience to know what they want.