Hiking For Free (or close to it)

Hiking For Free (or close to it) - EST Gear

Money Saving Tips For Hiking

Hiking and camping are not an expensive hobbies! Despite what REI might have you believe… Nature (for the most part) is free, you don’t need to get sucked into the commercialism of camping to enjoy it. 

 

Share Gear
If you’re going camping or hiking with a loved one or friend you can split the load, not only will this save you weight on your back, but it will also save you money. Things like sharing a tent and food prepping supplies can save you a ton of money if you don’t already have them. Check with them before you run out and buy anything they may already have and be willing to share.

 

Borrow, Borrow, Borrow
Send a mass email or use your social networks to see if anyone has what you need, you’d be surprised how many people will be willing to share or even give you the things that have been taking up space in their attic all these years. I got an amazing pair of brand new hiking boots from someone that had bought them for a trip years ago she never ended up taking. You just never know!

 

Second Hand 
(Think: Thrift Stores, Ebay, Craigslist….)
Most hiking and camping gear is very easy to wash and clean so get things second hand for your first few trips. You quickly learn what’s actually worth spending the extra money on and what you can make do with. Besides the more you camp the less you worry about how things look, you’re camping, your gear is going to get dirty and worn pretty quickly anyway. Learn to enjoy the beauty of nature instead of the beauty of your things. 

 

Return
This is probably the most overlooked money-saving tip I can give you. If you buy something that turns out to be a dud or you just simply don’t end up using it, return it. Most gear stores will accept returns, even used so if you made the mistake of impulse buying something, no worries just return it. Don’t lie to yourself and pretend it will be useful down the line, most hiking and camping trips are pretty similar to each other in terms of what gear gets used, if you didn’t use it, lose it. 

 

Read Reviews
Ok this isn’t a “free tip” but it’s definitely a money saving one
If you are really into gear and are ready to make a purchase, buy high-quality multipurpose gear that has good reviews. This will not only ensure that you are getting great gear, but that that gear will actually be useful to you. Read or watch reviews of the things you want to buy before you buy them so you know exactly what you are getting. It’s OK to splurge every once in a while, just make sure you know what you are getting