Where to buy outdoor gear?

We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission for purchases. REI sells many discount and clearance products through its Outlet. It's a good place to monitor, especially as the off-season approaches at bargain prices on major outdoor brands. In the Outlet, you can also check the REI offer of the day (and check for upcoming offers), where the company liquidates individual items at a fraction of their label price.

And we like that the Outlet has the same generous one-year return policy as the main REI store, which isn't always the case with discounted items. However, as is common with many discounted items, it can be difficult to find exactly what you're looking for. Popular products tend to sell out quickly, and many that only make it to the outlet are available in very limited size and color options. But these complaints aren't specific to REI, and we think it's one of the easiest discount sites to navigate today on the web.

Members should note that discounted items do not count toward their annual dividend. Visit REI Outlet Most discount websites discount past season items or in excess until they sell out, but The Clymb is all about flash sales. This means that prices are cut for a certain period of time (usually 72 hours, but sometimes longer), allowing The Clymb to undercut much of the competition. Quantities are very limited, but if you find what you're looking for, prices can be hard to beat.

In addition to items for outdoor activities, The Clymb also offers discounted trips through its Adventures program to wild places such as Patagonia, Peru and Nepal, just to name a few. The outdoor retail sites mentioned above often offer the most economical and efficient shopping experiences, but you can also buy directly from outdoor product brands. Of course, by buying directly, you are practically guaranteed to get the right product and can resolve warranty issues with the manufacturer itself. There are too many individual companies to list, but some of the most popular outdoor brand sites include Patagonia, The North Face, Arc'teryx, Black Diamond, Osprey, and La Sportiva.

Online shopping can be a nuisance that you can't feel or try on products, and it can take a long time to deal with returns and exchanges if you end up ordering the wrong size. With that in mind, when choosing the sites above, we placed a great deal of emphasis on the amount of information and overall usability. For example, REI and Backcountry typically include several photos of each product, including separate photos of the item from different angles. When it comes to clothing, they also usually have several images of models wearing the product so that you can get an idea of the overall shape and fit without trying it on.

When evaluating the sites, we also carefully analyze the product specifications (specifications). When comparing outdoor equipment, specifications such as weight and material details can be incredibly useful, especially when presented well. REI includes detailed specifications along the right side of each listing, and Backcountry and Moosejaw are reasonably diligent in providing good information (Evo is excellent in this regard). Going one step further, some sites have extensive buying guides, how-to articles, and even videos that can help you with your purchasing decision and answer commonly asked questions.

Bridging that gap in the online environment is tremendously useful, and we value sites that make the effort. The quality of a site's customer service department can have a big impact on your overall online experience, especially if you have a problem or need to return something. The good news is that all of the sites we've listed above have customer service teams that are generally quick, helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. We especially like the live chat feature at REI, Backcountry and Evo, which allows you to chat with a representative in real time for those times when you don't feel like calling or emailing.

We have contacted more times than we can count for product specifications and other information (by phone, email and chat) and have had very few negative experiences to date, Back to Top Outdoor Equipment Mega Sites Return to Our Ranking Criteria. Sure, there are products for backpackers in nature and ultralight products for backpackers, but GO Outdoors also has plenty of equipment for motorhomes. OutdoorFest is a 10-day outdoor adventure festival that connects New Yorkers to local adventure resources. You can find tons of great outdoor equipment deals on the Marketplace and many sellers are willing to ship.

Garage Grown Gear has made a name for itself as the online store where small outdoor brands can have a greater reach. This massive guide doesn't look like it can grow, but there are dozens of online outdoor stores that aren't included in this list. This means that the site is fully built and powered by its users, who are rabid outdoor addicts who love ultra-light offers and equipment. Campmor is another online outdoor store that has a wide selection of equipment, decent offers, and an authoritative atmosphere.

Here you can find tons of brands and items for outdoor activities at great prices, from camping items to bicycles and everything in between. Formerly Sierra Trading Post, Sierra specializes in discounts, liquidations and overstock on the entire range of outdoor equipment and apparel. On the other hand, it can also seem risky to buy used or discounted outdoor equipment if you don't know where to look. While the selection is more limited compared to larger outdoor tents, it's still a great choice for outdoor fans, especially those who are fans of the trusty L.

REI is a physical store with more than 140 locations, has an online outdoor store used by thousands and is the current dominant force in the market. You can find reputable brands along with smaller specialty brands in categories that cover a variety of outdoor items, from sleeping bags and pads to kayaks, skis and snowboards. I haven't been into outdoor stores recently and I love the products in the store so much, so I need to look for some new products. .

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