Second-hand Outdoor Gear
If you've ever gone into an L.L. Bean, REI, MEC, or any other recreational equipment store or website, you're probably familiar with just how expensive some items can be. No matter what activity you'd like to get into, you'll likely spend a couple hundred dollars just to get the bare essentials. For the sake of this article, let's assume an individual wants to go on their first backpacking trip with some friends. This would likely require:
a multiday backpack (likely 40 liters)
a pair of decent boots
appropriate clothing for the trek
We can assume a friend will let the individual borrow a tent and sleeping bag. When all is said and done, those three items on average will cost between $500 and $600. At this high of a price point, it's no wonder why so many people are turned away from outdoor pursuits, but there are ways to make it more affordable.
Second-hand stores are a great place to look for budget clothing and footwear. A large portion of my own outdoor apparel was sourced from places such as Plato's Closet, Amvets, and Goodwill. At Goodwill, shirts and jackets from brands such as L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, Columbia,
and Adidas can be found for only a couple of bucks. At places like Plato's Closet, prices are typically higher, but it's not uncommon to find Mountain Hardware, Marmot, The North Face, and Patagonia for under $40. Occasionally you may even find names like Lowe Alpine, Rab, and Arc'Teryx hangin' around. These slightly more expensive stores also carry footwear brands such as The North Face, Saucony, Merrell, and Timberline. Backpacks, tents, and other more specialized equipment are a little more difficult to find used, however, online marketplaces like Gear Trade, Facebook, and Craigslist aren't a bad place to start.
If you're looking to prepare yourself for an outdoor adventure, stop by your local thrift store and take a look. You will be pleasantly surprised by what you can find!
