We humans are hardwired, through millennia of survival in a world of scarcity, to be concerned with acquisition despite living in a modern world of surplus and excess (at least for most of us researching backpacking gear online.) This extends back to our hunter-gatherer roots. We like stuff. More of it can make us feel more secure. It is in our biology, and this tendency is thrown into overdrive by a culture of heavy marketing and glorified consumption. I’m certainly not immune. Keeping all of this in perspective when shelling out hard-earned money is wise. Backpacking gear can get absurdly expensive. I know it took me a few months to build up my gear kit just to get out for my first overnighter. If you’re new to backpacking or in the process of refining your existing gear, saving money can be the difference in how soon or in what conditions you’re able to get out in the wilderness. Buying low quality gear, however, can lead to less fun on the trail or even dangerous situations if essential gear fails in the backcountry. Below is a list of websites, places, and methods to find quality gear and outdoor clothing affordably, as well as the caveats involved with “bargain hunting” (because sometimes things are cheap for a reason…)
