Affordable Camping Gear

Go Cheap But Still Get Good Quality

 

Outdoor equipment gets expensive in a hurry. Luckily, affordable camping gear is available, including everything from tents to sleeping bags and more.

Camping is my favorite way to enjoy nature and get away from all of the noise of the city and a busy life. When I go on a serious camping trip, I usually end up far away from stores and the usual modern comforts. Thus to be completely prepared I always seem to need a lot of gear.

More gear usually means more dollars. So, it's a good thing that affordable camping equipment is found year round online and offline, at websites, superstores, and garage sales.

Saving Money on Equipment

Let's face it, I'm not made of money and certainly don't have much of it to spare and you probably don't either. Unless you go camping frequently, it really doesn't make sense to spend tons of money on camping gear that only gets used a couple times each year or even less.

If this is your first camping trip or if you only head out a couple times a year, just stick with basic affordable camping gear and supplies. That said, if you go camping a lot, you may just need more high-end equipment for camping.

Expensive isn't always better though. I used to think that affordable equipment means that it's cheaply made and not so good quality. Lucky for you, this isn't necessarily true.

In looking around I've discovered tons of affordable camping gear that will last a long time and fill the camping need. You don't have to spend a ton of money on equipment anymore to get good yet affordable gear for camping and that would put a huge dent in your personal finances.

Affordable Essentials

When you go camping, whether it's in the wilderness or at a music festival, there are some basic essentials that you need. No matter what, you need a decent camping tent , and to be on the safe side, it should be a waterproofed and fully enclosed tent. Other basic needs are a             sleeping bag and lights.

In addition to these basics, you might also want to think about investing in a small portable camp stove, a couple fold up chairs, and some binoculars for  great sightseeing. Keep your eye out for affordable camping gear deals on items you'd like to have for your next camping trip. Often things turn up when you are least expecting.

Local Deals

I usually find better deals on basic camping gear by visiting the local Wal-Mart superstore, as opposed to a dedicated camping store. Simple things like bags, bottles, food coolers, warm socks, and backpacks are inexpensive there.

Take advantage of seasonal sales. Often there are great deals offered early in the camping season. Then later, I've spotted some awesome discounts in off-season closeouts.

Check local garage sales and thrift shops for low prices on used equipment. Often you'll find affordable camping gear like tents, sleeping bags, and cookware for dirt cheap.

Inexpensive Lights

When it comes to lighting, you have tons of affordable choices. You can get mini flashlights and glow sticks . Glow sticks are really cheap and you can get huge multi-packs at really low prices. Glow sticks are fantastic because they do not need batteries or any power to run. Also, you can hang them up in your tent as a makeshift light.

You can find great deals on lighting by going to a local superstore and possibly even a dollar store. I've easily found great lighting equipment that lasts without having to spend much money. Lights may be cheap, but there are other larger items that really add up quick.

Tent Expense

The tent was my most expensive purchase. To make sure that you don't overspend on a tent, first figure out exactly what your needs are before you go ahead and buy one. Then you won't end up having to buy a different tent because you bought the wrong one the first time around.

When choosing a tent, think about how many people are going to be sleeping in it and how much space each person needs. Some tents say that they've been made to accommodate five people comfortably, but then when you use it, things are really cramped. Bigger is always better when it comes to the tent especially if you are fairly tall or if the person you are sharing a tent with is tall. There's an exception. If you are backpacking, then you'll want as small a tent to carry as possible.

Look online to get the best tent deals. There are tons of camping stores that sell discounted tents all year round. Some stores sell overstock tents, which means that you'll get huge savings.

If you're really determined to save money, check out online classified ads after the music festival season has ended. Tons of people sell their nearly new tents shortly after they get back from a festival.

Cheap Sleeping Bags

On the other hand, sleeping bags are one item where expensive is usually better. When it comes to the sleeping bag, never purchase the cheapest thing available. There's nothing that ruins camping quicker than being miserable and chilly all night long. Learn how to choose the right sleeping bag before going gear shopping. Be sure to check the temperature rating and get one that suits your comfort level.

A good quality sleeping bag is well worth the extra dollars it takes to find a good one. If a new one costs too much for you, try looking around for a secondhand bag, perhaps someone has one in storage that isn't being used. Sleeping bags are readily available both online and offline.

Where to Find Affordable Gear

You can get tons of affordable camping gear these days by shopping websites or superstores. Used equipment is often found yard sales and pawn shops.

Here's a list of places to check for affordable camping gear:

Online:

• Ebay.com - Keep an eye out for auctions or buy it now items.
• Amazon.com - A huge selection of gear from many sellers.
• Craigslist.com - Find people in your neighborhood with items for sale.

Offline:

• Yard sales
• Garage Sales
• Pawn Shops
• Thrift Stores
• Walmart

Fortunately for me and you, cheap equipment can be really durable and satisfy all of your camping needs. It's not hard to find, you just have to keep an eye out for good deals all year round. Affordable equipment is readily available nearly everywhere you look.