By Kris McDowell
Many camping plans are wrapping up for the year, but it’s not too soon to start thinking about next year. What gear did you wish you had during this year’s outings? What gear do you have that you no longer use? While camping trips are still fresh in your mind, it might be time to make adjustments to what you have.
New gear can be expensive but there are resources for gently used gear. The City of Portland has compiled a list of ways to save money on gear. Before buying new gear or tossing old gear in the garbage, take a look at their resources that help to save money, reduce waste and support local businesses and nonprofits. From Buy Nothing groups to repair cafes to gear rental programs you might not even know exist, the city’s list is full of ways to explore the outdoors for less.
Neighborhood Buy Nothing groups can be a great place to get tents, stoves, backpacks and other gear that still has years of life left in it for free. Visit buynothingproject.org to get started with your neighborhood group.
Buying secondhand from outdoor consignment shops and thrift stores can be a way to get high-quality boots, clothing and camp equipment at a fraction of the cost. Next Adventure (SE Grand Ave.) has a Bargain Basement stocked with inspected, gently used gear and offers in-store credit if you trade in your own items. Foster Outdoor (SE Foster Rd.) operates both a resale shop and gear library, accepts consignment items (tents, packs, apparel) and regularly updates their selection. REI Re/Supply (Clackamas, SE Portland area) is one of only two REI stores in the country that sells entirely used gear, specifically, customer returns or trade-ins, inspected and sold at a discount. National resale store Play It Again Sports, offers used outdoor and fitness gear, including tents, boots and backpacks.
Areas to inspect when getting used gear are zippers, seams, waterproofing, boot soles and tent integrity. Even if gear has a little wear and tear in an area, it’s often easy to repair; volunteers at a Repair Cafe may be able to help and re-waterproofing gear isn’t complicated.
Renting before buying is a great way to test the gear and the hobby it’s associated with before committing to it. Find out whether you truly love backpacking, or whether you just loved the idea of being someone who loves backpacking before investing a lot of money. Next Adventure (SE Grand Ave.) offers rental or demo equipment, especially for backpacking, camping, climbing and paddleboarding. Mountain Shop (NE 33rd Ave.) offers rentals for camping/backpacking gear, paddleboards, snowshoes, climbing/avalanche gear and more. PSU Campus Rec Rental Center (ASRC, 505 SW Harrison St.) rents gear to anyone (not just PSU students), including tents, packs, sleeping bags, trekking poles, crampons, avalanche tools, kayaks and SUPs. GearGarage is a peer-to-peer rental service offering camping, paddleboarding and climbing gear.
As with secondhand gear that may need minor repairs, fixing a small tear or hole in a jacket or sleeping bag can be done much cheaper than buying a replacement. There are easy-to-use peel-and-stick-on patches made specifically for technical, synthetic fabrics to provide instant, waterproof repairs that can be purchased online or at a local outdoor store. If you need help, visit a Repair Cafe where volunteers can help fix zippers and revive snagged gear for free. Quick wash technical-fabric cleaner and spray-on or wash-on waterproofing treatment can make a tired rain jacket shed rain like new again.
For the full list of resources and links to places mentioned, visit bit.ly/4guWZnP. And if you have gear that you no longer need, there’s also a list of places to sell, consign or donate your gear to.
Graphic by City of Portland.
