How to Find Bargains on Trekking Kit

One of the most common questions we get asked by Bucketlisters is “where can I find the best deals for the equipment on my kit list?” If it’s your first time going trekking, it’s likely that there will be quite a bit of kit you’ll need to get hold of for your big Bucket List adventure, whether it’s trekking to Everest Base Camp or climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Hiking in the mountains – and hiking full stop – requires specialist equipment, which is vital in keeping you safe and comfortable so you can have an unforgettable experience. But everyone wants to save as much money as possible when buying gear. So how much should you spend, and where should you look?

How much should you spend on trekking equipment?

Well, in regards to the first question, it largely depends on what you want from your gear. If you’re just looking for something you can use for the one trip and then pass on, you can get away with spending a little less. However, if you then decide to do another trek (which most of our Bucketlisters do!), you may find yourself having to repurchase items. This is almost invariably more expensive than it would be to spend the extra on high-quality equipment that will last (not to mention that buying long-lasting gear is better for the environment).

If you’re looking for trekking equipment that will last you a lifetime, it’s more than worth investing more. Many top-of-the-range brands offer lifetime guarantees, meaning that if your items do get worn out, they will replace them for free. There are also certain items that you want to invest as much as possible into, as they will be keeping you warm – and therefore safe – on your trek, such as down jackets. As a general rule, if you buy the best quality kit you can, you will have a much more enjoyable time on your trip – and this is supposed to be an incredible adventure, right?!

Of course, it’s really up to you how much you spend on buying your kit list. But, to help you get the best value for money possible, we thought we’d create this handy guide on how – and where – to find the best deals on trekking kit! Enjoy!

Tips for finding cheap trekking kit

Don’t worry, we’ll get onto the best discounted outdoor gear retailers soon, but first there are a few things you need to know. Follow these simple tips and you will be able to find the best prices on any piece of kit you need, from any outfitter.

Buying out-of-season

The first, and probably most obvious, tip for finding discounted outdoor gear is to buy out of season. All major retailers release a new line at least every winter and summer season, meaning that if you’re looking for snow gear, you should be looking for kit while the sun is beating down to find the best deals! In the off-season, remaining stock from previous lines will be discounted to clear. We all know the drill. Just make sure you plan ahead to give yourself enough time to get the deals while they’re around! Luckily, our payment plans allow you to book several years in advance, giving you plenty of time to scout out gear deals.

Price matching

Price matching might seem like something of an old-fashioned idea, but there are still companies who promise to match – or beat – any deal you can find elsewhere for a particular item they stock. GO Outdoors are a brilliant example of this, as they not only match any offer you can find online, but they beat it by 10%, AND still let you use your discount card.

Email subscription discounts

More or less every outdoor gear website these days offers a discount on your first purchase if you subscribe to their mailing list. Now, we know that you probably don’t want hundreds of sales emails in your inbox, but hear us out. The first time you visit the website, go ahead and click off the email subscription pop-up. Then search the site to see if the item you want is in stock, and at a good price.

If you decide to buy it, close the window and clear your Internet browsing history and cookies. Then, open the website again and the pop-up will appear again – now you can enter your details. Add the item to your cart and proceed to the checkout with your email discount code. Once you’ve bought your items you can easily unsubscribe from the mailing list by scrolling to the bottom of an email and clicking ‘unsubscribe’.

Discount cards

It’s also well worth getting hold of discount cards for the major retailers you are likely to buy your kit list through. Outdoor equipment superstores such as GO Outdoors, Cotswold Outdoors and more offer loyalty schemes, where you can either accrue points to spend, or get a nice discount on every purchase. Also bear in mind that becoming a member of certain groups such as The British Mountaineering Council can give you additional discounts in many shops.

Install the Honey extension

You’ve probably seen lots of adverts for Honey recently, but it is actually a brilliant tool. This is an Internet browser extension for Google Chrome. Any time you add an item to your basket on an online shop, Honey will automatically scan the web for discount codes, vouchers and deals for the item and website. It will then show you the one that gives you the best discount, so you can simply apply it in the checkout. This simple plugin will save you so much time, and ensure you never miss a discount code again!

Trade accounts and bulk discounts

One option that the lucky among you may have is finding discounted trekking kit through a friend who has a trade account. Business owners of companies such as climbing walls, cycling shops or schools may have trade accounts with certain outdoor brands, giving them a lower price on items. If you’re feeling really cheeky, you could try to sweet-talk a friend with one such setup to see if they can get you a good deal.

This might be particularly useful if you’re trekking in a group and all need one particular item – band together and you could secure a bulk discount.

Google Alerts

If you’re really serious about finding one specific item at the best possible price, it’s time to get tech savvy. When you’re scouring the web for hiking kit deals, you’re most likely to begin your search on Google. Well, the search engine has a handy feature that will send you alerts for specific search phrases. All you have to do is go to Google Alerts, and type in the phrase you want to receive notifications for. This could just be the product name, or you could also include your size. You will then receive an email every time a new search result for this term is added to Google, meaning that you’ll be the first to know if the product is stocked by any online shop.

Where to find cheap outdoor gear

Here’s the bit you’ve all been waiting for – the ultimate list of where to find bargains on trekking and hiking gear. From the classic outdoor retailers to secret web stores and second-hand hacks, we guarantee this list will have you covered on whatever you covet!

The classic outdoor gear retailers

First, let’s start with the ‘big guns’. These are the outdoor equipment retailers you’re likely to have heard of – and you may already have checked them out. Although these aren’t always the cheapest of shops, they do usually run good seasonal sales and have outlets that are definitely worth a look.

Blacks

https://www.blacks.co.uk

Blacks has been providing outdoor equipment to hikers since 1861, when Thomas Black founded a sail manufacturing business on the Clyde River. Shortly after, he used his expertise to begin making tents, and over the years, it has evolved into a major UK-based outfitters. The Blacks website carries a wide range of high-quality hiking brands, from Osprey backpacks to Leki trekking poles. They also provide a Price Promise, so if you find an item cheaper elsewhere, you can enquire and they will beat it by 10%.

Cotswold Outdoors

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

Cotswold Outdoors was founded in 1974, and has since become a high street name when it comes to the UK outdoor gear industry. They provide equipment for a range of outdoor pursuits, from hiking and camping to rock climbing and cycling. Head to the clearance section on their website to find their best bargains. Oh, and they also offer price match services, so if you find the same item for less from another UK retailer, they either match the price or refund the difference.

GO Outdoors

https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk

GO Outdoors is one of the biggest outdoor retailers in the UK. What makes them stand out is that they have several large, warehouse-style stores in major cities across the UK. Here, you can find everything from Gortex coats and specialist trekking insoles to harnesses, diving gear and bikes. They claim, “we’re the only UK outdoor retailer to offer good, better and best choices from a £10 walking shoe to a £900 air tent.” So, next time you’re planning a trip – or even just looking to update your gear – make sure you pop by your local branch for a browse!

Epic TV shop

https://shop.epictv.com/en

If you’re a fan of rock climbing, you might be familiar with Epic TV from their YouTube channel, which discusses the latest climbing news every week. However, they also have a website, which features a shop section. Here you can find a curated selection of outdoor gear on special offers. The great thing about the Epic TV shop is that it often provides deals on items that might not be discounted elsewhere, so make sure to check it out every now and again!

The top discounted outdoor kit websites

If you’re new to hiking, you may not know about some of the smaller trekking kit websites that are out there. Well, it’s time to change that, because there are some incredible deals out there. Here are our top discounted outdoor gear sites – chosen for their range of stock, customer service and, of course, amazing prices.

Wiggle

https://www.wiggle.co.uk

Wiggle is one of the better-known online retailers for a range of hiking gear and other outdoor items. It began as an independent bike shop in Portsmouth in 1995, and slowly grew into the online superstore it is today. They stock various well-known brands across most outdoor pursuits, as well as their own brands, dhb, Vitus, Nukeproof, LifeLine, Prime Wheels, and X-Tools. Their clearance page offers up to 50% off a huge amount of trekking kit and clothing.

Simply Hike

https://www.simplyhike.co.uk

Simply Hike has a small, curated selection of hiking gear and equipment for camping and skiing, from boots to tents and more. It was launched in 2006, and has grown its name for its low prices (checked daily), simple returns process, and next day delivery. Their sale page is a good place to find deals up to and in excess of half price on hiking and skiing brands such as Salomon, Roxy, and The North Face.

All Outdoor

https://www.alloutdoor.co.uk/clearance-deals/

All Outdoor sells a huge range of adventure kit, from tents to trekking clothes, sleeping bags and even rock climbing gear. Founded in 2006, their warehouse and offices are based out of North London. One thing that makes this website special is that it has a specific section for Everest Base Camp trekking gear. They also offer specialist safari kit sections and various other activities to filter your search for the most specific results. If you sign up for their Allpoints scheme, you can get an additional 4% cashback with most purchases. Orders of 12 or more are eligible for special deals, so if you and your Bucketlister buddies all need one particular item, it could be a good idea to band together and order from this site.

Great Outdoors

https://www.greatoutdoorssuperstore.co.uk

Great Outdoors sells a good variety of trekking kit from the most well known mid-range outdoor equipment brands, and a few of the higher-end names, too. From Dare 2 Be to Mountain Equipment, you can find kit for most budgets here. They have over 30 years experience in outdoor retail and stores in Newcastle and Shiremoor – making this a good place to stop by for those living in the North of England. Whether you’re looking for a thermal top, a tent or a stove, you can find some great deals on their site or in-store.

Second-hand trekking gear options

If you are willing to compromise on having brand new items, then you can find some absolutely fantastic deals on high-quality second hand trekking kit. As well as generally keeping an eye out in charity shops, here are a few places you can find used hiking gear in good condition.

Outdoor Gear Exchange

Outdoor Gear Exchange UK is a gold mine for good quality used outdoor items. This Facebook group is made up of sports enthusiasts of all kinds, selling or exchanging items at great prices. Join the group and then use the search bar on the left to find items by brand name or product type. You can then negotiate a price with the seller and get an amazing deal! Alternatively, you could always search on Facebook Marketplace to see if anyone else is selling the product you need.

eBay

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Sports-Hobbies-Leisure/bn_7000259669

Everyone knows that eBay is the place to go to buy second hand items. But don’t reject the idea of used hiking kit – on eBay you can find a lot of items as good as new for heavily reduced prices. Search for items and add them to your watch list so you can put in a bid when they are nearly finished on auction, or set reminders for similar items to be notified when the product you want is listed.

Preloved

https://www.preloved.co.uk

Sites like Preloved and Gumtree are also a great place to find second-hand trekking kit. The great thing about these websites is that you can talk with the seller easily to find out an item’s condition, how it functions, and ask for more photos and details. There are even free sections on these sites, so it’s worth checking them every now and again – just in case!

Borrowing trekking gear

Of course, you don’t have to buy everything you need for your trek. If you’re sure you’re not going to use that pair of crampons again, for example, you can easily hire items. There are various ways to do this – here are a few ideas.

Outdoor Hire

https://www.outdoorhire.co.uk

There is currently a growing presence of online trekking gear rental companies offering kit hire to hikers. Outdoorhire is one such website, which is run by a team of dedicated trekking enthusiasts, with International Mountain Leaders and safari expedition leaders among them. On Outdoorhire, you can find just about anything you could need for any Bucket List trek. Simply select an item and how long you want to hire it for, add it to your cart, select the delivery and return dates, fill in your details (contact information, sizing, etcetera) and you will be given a quote. When you return, you simply return the items!

Local gear hire

The majority of treks begin nearby a town or city, and with the increasing number of trekking visitors, most of these destinations have adapted to offer their own hiking gear rental options. Whether you’re beginning a trek in Kathmandu or heading off trekking in Morocco, you can easily either buy or hire a range of trekking kit when you arrive – but don’t rely on this for your most important items, because you can’t guarantee they’ll have the item or size you need!

Borrowing from family and friends

Finally, you can try to sweet talk your closest friend or family member into lending you some of their trekking gear. Perhaps your sibling has hiking boots in your size, or your friend has a great 3-season sleeping bag. Why not ask?! They might be feeling generous!

So, those are our top tips for finding trekking kit at the best prices. For more insider kit list tips and packing advice, check out the Bucket List Company YouTube channel, where we’ve made a whole trekking tips playlist on this topic! If you’d like any more guidance on finding the items on your Bucket List trip kit list, feel free to contact us on 01769 309 007.