08/30/2026
Expensive backpacking gear worth investing in as a beginner 👇
1. Darn Tough Vermont Socks - $25 a pair with a lifetime warranty (buy it once, buy it for life!) DON’T SKIMP ON YOUR FEET!! Tip: you can rewear wool for MANY days because it won’t smell, so realistically 3 pairs are enough
2. GOOD footwear - Danner for cooler temps, rocky terrain and good ankle support, and Altra Running Olympus trail runners for warmer temps and a lighter weight shoe
3. NEMO Equipment Disco 30 down sleeping bag - compact, lightweight but still warm and comfy. This is the perfect sleeping bag for side sleepers, but they have several models depending on your preferences.
4. Food Dehydrator - make your own meals exactly how you want them, saves about $10 PER MEAL! (and is extremely easy - lmk if you want videos on this!)
5. REI membership - get 10% back on everything you buy and a bunch of other perks
Other ways to save on backpacking gear:
- Facebook Marketplace: there always TONS of “used” gear on sale that’s barely been touched. This is a great place to look for tents, backpacking camp chairs, cooking gear, trekking poles, backpacks and more.
- Gear Rentals: this is becoming much more popular and small businesses are popping up everywhere! Renting backpacking gear is a great way to try new brands before you buy, and also a great way to access gear if you’re flying to your destination and don’t want to check a ton of bulky items.
- is an online marketplace for used outdoor gear (think Poshmark or Thrifted but for outdoorsy people) founded by The Adventure Addicts that launches next month. I expect this will be especially valuable to those in more remote areas where local used gear options are limited.
Any other gear or savings ideas you’d add to this list?
