Outdoor Shopping
🔞 ALL INFORMATION CLICK HERE 👈🏻👈🏻👈🏻
Outdoor Shopping
From mega stores to discount and used-gear sites, we break down this year's top websites to buy outdoor gear
Breadcrumb
/ Home
/ Outdoor Gear Guides
/ Best Sites to Buy Outdoor Gear
Welcome to our outdoor gear buyer’s guides and reviews here at Switchback Travel. We take a great deal of pride in researching, testing, and presenting the best gear on the market across a wide range of activities like hiking, camping, skiing...
Of all the outdoor activities we cover here at Switchback Travel, hiking is dearest to our hearts. It is one the easiest ways to get outdoors for people of all experience levels, and simply put, any time spent on the trail has a way of soothing the...
Here in the Pacific Northwest, we know a thing or two about rain. From months of daily drizzle to heavy downpour in the mountains, we’re acutely aware of the benefits of a quality waterproof and breathable shell. Below we break down the best rain...
Hiking boots are critical to your comfort and performance on the trail, but this no longer means a stiff and burly model that will weigh you down. The trend is toward lighter materials that still offer decent support, and waterproof boots...
This age-old question stymies both newbie backpackers and veterans alike. You've already spent a substantial amount on a tent, but should you tack on the extra purchase of a footprint?
Whether you’re headed to the beach, tailgating before your favorite sporting event, or camping in the wild, keeping your food and drinks cold is absolutely key. Thankfully, the market is packed with high-quality...
The momentum in hiking footwear is moving away from bulky boots toward lightweight shoes and even trail runners that are faster and more comfortable. You do lose some ankle support when carrying...
Peru’s Ausangate Trek is epic, and we aren’t throwing that term around lightly. The region is loaded with glacier-capped peaks that reach over 20,000 feet in elevation, yet despite good infrastructure...
Shoes, harness, rope, helmet, cams, locking carabiners, draws, chalk bag, wind shell, puffy, rain shell, base layer. What am I forgetting? Oh yeah, headlamp. And food. Sound familiar? If you are a climber...
About Us
Contact
Support Us
Jobs
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
© 2021 Switchback Travel. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.
Outdoor Gear Guides
Skiing Gear
Winter Gear Reviews
Hiking Gear
Backpacking Gear
Biking Gear
Camping Gear
Climbing Gear
Footwear Reviews
In-Depth Gear Reviews
Jackets
Winter Jackets
Down Jackets
Synthetic Jackets
Rain Jackets
Hardshell Jackets
Softshell Jackets
Windbreaker Jackets
Fleece Jackets
Ski Jackets
Footwear
Winter Boots
Hiking Shoes
Hiking Boots
Trail Running Shoes
Running Shoes
Approach Shoes
Mountain Bike Shoes
Climbing Shoes
Snow Apparel
Ski Jackets
Ski Pants
Midlayers
Baselayers
Ski Socks
Snowboard Jackets
Snow Equipment
All-Mountain Skis
Ski Boots
Ski Bindings
Ski Poles
Backcountry Skis
Backcountry Ski Boots
Skis for Beginners
Snowboards
Splitboards
Snow Accessories
Ski Goggles
Ski Helmets
Ski Gloves
Ski Backpacks
Airbag Packs
Avalanche Beacons
Winter Gear
Winter Jackets
Winter Boots
Winter Gloves
Snowshoes
4-Season Tents
Hiking Gear
Hiking Boots
Hiking Shoes
Trail Running Shoes
Hiking Socks
Hiking Pants
Daypacks
Rain Jackets
Windbreaker Jackets
Trekking Poles
Baby Carriers
Running Vests
Backpacking Gear
Backpacking Tents
Backpacking Packs
Backpacking Sleeping Bags
Backpacking Sleeping Pads
Backpacking Stoves
Backpacking Food
Water Filters
Altimeter Watches
Down Jackets
Handheld GPS
Biking Gear
Mountain Bike Helmets
Mountain Bike Shoes
Mountain Bikes
Mountain Bikes Under $1,000
Mountain Bikes Under $2,000
Gravel Bikes
Bike Brands
Kids' Bikes
Hitch Bike Racks
Camping Gear
Camping Tents
Rooftop Tents
Camping Sleeping Bags
Camping Mattresses
Headlamps
Camping Chairs
Camping Stoves
Coolers
Duffel Bags
Climbing Gear
Rock Climbing Shoes
Beginner Climbing Shoes
Approach Shoes
Climbing Helmets
Climbing Harnesses
Climbing Quickdraws
Belay Devices
Climbing Ropes
Climbing Backpacks
Crash Pads
Mountaineering Boots
Photography
Mirrorless Cameras
Full-Frame Cameras
DSLR Cameras
Point-and-Shoot Cameras
Travel Cameras
Lenses
DSLR Lenses
Mirrorless Lenses
Norway
Lofoten Islands
Lofoten Hiking
Hardangervidda
Jotunheimen
Dovrefjell
10 Great Norway Hikes
Public Huts
New Zealand
Milford Sound
Queenstown
Abel Tasman
Marlborough
Tongariro
Great Walks
Adventure Towns
Patagonia
Torres del Paine
Chalten and Glaciares
Calafate
Lake District
Patagonia National Park
Ushuaia
Ruta 40
United States
Alaska
California
Colorado
Montana
New York
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
About Us
Contact
Support Us
Jobs
Privacy Policy
Terms of Use
© 2021 Switchback Travel. All Rights Reserved. No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission.
We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. Read more about us .
For those who love the outdoors, the options for buying gear and clothing online continue to expand. Below we’ve picked the best sites to buy outdoor gear in 2020, from the mega sites with the widest selection to discount retailers and even used gear. Along with a detailed description of each retailer, we’ve included information on shipping costs, returns, and international shipping. We also would like to note that when you make a purchase through the links below, we receive a small commission, helping us continue to review and write about outdoor gear. For our top picks in each category, see our detailed outdoor gear reviews .
Seattle-based REI Co-op is the king of outdoor stores, and the vast majority of its inventory is available online. For everything from backpacking tents to hiking boots and mountain bikes, you won’t find many product categories or sports that REI doesn’t carry. In addition, their in-house line of gear from technical outerwear to mountain bikes continues to impress us. Customers like REI’s dividend program (members receive a 10 percent dividend annually) and generous return policy, and REI.com offers free shipping to its stores for pickup. Last but not least, REI has a whopping 165 brick-and-mortar stores in 39 states and the District of Columbia, which certainly is a plus.
In addition to gear for beginners and weekenders, REI continues to expand its offerings for those who know their way around the backcountry, including some of the niche brands that haven’t been available in years past. However, brand selection still is smaller than some of the retailers below, and especially for winter sports. That said, it’s one of the easiest-to-use sites out there and REI has great customer service, both online and in-person. If you’re in Seattle, make sure to stop by the flagship store, which is located right off Interstate 5 and a deserving tourist destination in its own right. Visit REI.com
Backcountry.com is an online behemoth. The company is based in Park City with major distribution centers in Utah and Virginia, and aside from one retail store, almost all of their business is done via their website. They carry a wide range of clothing and equipment from most major brands, a decent portion of which is on sale at any given time. You’ll often find past-season colors and the lowest prices at Backcountry.com, and we love the free two-day shipping on orders over $50, which always has arrived on time and in perfect condition for us.
As we mentioned above, Backcountry only has one brick-and-mortar location in West Valley City, Utah, meaning most people don’t get the convenience of walking into the shop for advice or returns like you do at REI (or Evo on the West Coast). Another small gripe is that although the website is beautiful, the product specs can be hard to find, which sometimes leaves us searching elsewhere. Last but not least, during major sales popular items can sell out, so make sure to stay on top of inventory. However, Backcountry’s brand selection and shipping are hard to beat, and they offer a lot of technical gear that other sites don’t. Visit Backcountry.com
For snow sports and mountain biking, Evo.com has established itself as one of the top sites on the internet. This Seattle-based company has an extremely helpful online interface for choosing gear and placing your order (we especially like the sell-out risk that shows exactly how many of an item are left), and you get free ground shipping in the U.S. on orders over $50. Evo also has a comprehensive sizing and buying guide section, which covers everything from ski boot sizing to articles on waterproofing technologies. For big-ticket winter purchases and accessories, it’s a great option.
Outside of winter gear and mountain bikes, however, Evo is relatively limited on what they carry. For hiking, backpacking, or camping, we more often turn to REI or Backcountry. That said, Evo often has good discounts on past-season items and a healthy sale section. And in addition to the flagship Seattle store, they now have branches in Portland, Denver, Whistler, and Salt Lake City soon—you can order online and get store pickup and even shop services. Visit Evo.com
Amazon.com is the world’s largest online retailer, and the site’s outdoor offerings continue to expand. You can shop for all kinds of outdoor footwear, clothing, and gear on Amazon, and if they don’t carry the product themselves, you’ll often find a third-party listing that does. Retailers like REI, Backcountry, and Evo typically are more reliable if you’re looking for big-ticket or technical items like performance apparel or skis, but Amazon’s selection and value pricing are impressive nevertheless.
Unlike the sites above, don’t expect to find consistent or detailed product specs or sizing information on Amazon, although the multitude of user reviews can be helpful. We recommend doing research beforehand and then finding the product on Amazon once you’ve decided and are ready to buy. And a nice perk for Prime members is free two-day shipping on certain products (and even one-day shipping now in certain cities). All in all, it’s good for peace of mind when the product ships directly from Amazon, but it can be tempting to buy from third-party retailers offering prices below the competition (they may be overstocked at the moment or otherwise wanting to move inventory). Visit Amazon.com
Michigan-based Moosejaw has long been a power player in the outdoor industry, selling just about every piece of gear you can think of across activities like hiking, camping, biking, and climbing. When creating our handy price comparison pages here at Switchback Travel, we’ve been impressed that Moosejaw seems to carry most items we look up and often has them in stock in a variety color and size options. They also offer a 10-percent-back rewards program (2.5 percent on discounted items) along with free two-day shipping on orders over $49.
Compared to the retailers above, Moosejaw’s website feels a bit dated, although it’s still relatively easy to find what you’re looking for and product specs are nicely laid out. And the marketing and site lingo are interesting to say the least, but Moosejaw is one of our go-to sites for ordering outdoor gear online. An interesting note to end on: if you can find it cheaper anywhere on the internet (excluding marketplaces like Amazon or eBay), Moosejaw will match the price on any product. Visit Moosejaw.com
REI sells many discount and closeout products through their Outlet. It’s a good site to monitor—and particularly as the offseason nears—for bargain prices on top outdoor brands. At the Outlet, you also can check out REI’s Deal of the Day (and stalk upcoming deals), where the company liquidates single items at a fraction of their sticker 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 gear.
However, as is common with a lot of marked-down items, it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. Popular products tend to go quickly, and many that make it into the outlet only are available in very limited size and colorway options. But these complaints aren’t particular to REI, and we think it’s one of the easiest-to-navigate discount sites currently on the web. Members should keep in mind that discounted items don’t count toward your yearly dividend. Visit the REI Outlet
Owned by Backcountry.com, Steep & Cheap essentially is a massive showroom of limited-quantity discounted gear from major brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Arc’teryx, and more. Often, these are past-season items or colors and sizes that weren’t selling well, but the deals are impressive nevertheless at around 30 to 60 percent off most products. A good section to monitor is their Current Steals (similar to REI’s Deal of the Day), and we like the intuitive site layout and ability to filter by brand, price, and even color. You also can sign up for price alerts on any product, which triggers an email to you when the cost drops. We have bargain-hunting friends who swear by Steep & Cheap and we understand why.
Unlike most of the competition, however, Steep & Cheap doesn’t offer free shipping, which can amount to a good chunk of the total cost if you’re only purchasing one or two inexpensive items. Plus, if you need to make a return, you’ll have to pay an additional $7 for a label. But these issues aside, Steep & Cheap is one of our favorite sites to check for name-brand gear at a hefty discount. And like Moosejaw above, Steep & Cheap will match the price on any new product if you can find it cheaper (same size, color, and year) on a competitor’s website. Visit SteepandCheap.com
CampSaver.com is a significant presence on the outdoor gear discount scene. In addition to many of the top outdoor brands, the site also carries a number of smaller names like Rab and Hilleberg that you won’t always find at the big retailers. The site has a clear emphasis on camping and outdoor clothing, but also offers gear for running and snow sports like snowshoeing and backcountry skiing. And during big sales and clearances, you often can find rock-bottom prices.
All that said, compared to many of the sites above, CampSaver.com can feel cluttered and overwhelming if you’re unsure of the exact product you’re looking for. And once you do land on an item, choosing the correct color and size is another obstacle. That said, CampSaver’s offerings are plentiful, and we especially like how transparent they are about stock (you can see how many items in a particular size and color are available right on the page). If you’re just browsing, be sure to check out the “deals” tab to see current coupons and products eligible for free two-day shipping. Visit CampSaver.com
Formerly Sierra Trading Post, Sierra specializes in discounts, closeouts, and overstocks on the full spectrum of outdoor gear and clothing. If you are flexible with manufacturers or don’t mind past-season products, it’s a great place to shop for outdoor gear on a budget. Shipping rates are based on the price of your order and not the weight, but the standard rate does max out at $17.95 on orders $200 and up (this may be well worth it depending on how big of a discount you get on the product).
Compared to REI Outlet and CampSaver.com above, Sierra is decidedly less performance-oriented. If you’re looking for technical climbing, skiing, or even backpacking gear, you’ll likely be able to find a wider selection elsewhere. That said, Sierra provides detailed specs and information for each product, which we always appreciate. When comparing the same item across sites, we regularly find the lowest price on Sierra, which is the deciding factor for many shoppers. Visit Sierra.com
Most discount gear websites mark down overstocked or past-season items until they sell out, but The Clymb is all about flash sales. This means that prices are slashed 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 happen to find what you’re looking for, the prices can be hard to beat. In addition to outdoor gear, The Clymb also features discounted trips through their Adventures program to wild places like Patagonia, Peru, and Nepal—just to name a few.
Unlike all of the sites above, you have to join The Clymb before being able to view prices, which can be a deterrent to those who like browsing. Sign-up is easy and fairly painless (you only need to provide your name and an email address), but it’s additional hurdle to clear and, of course, more emails in your inbox. Further, not everything is discounted on The Clymb. If you’re eyeing an item that doesn’t have a “slash” through the price with a lower cost next to it, it’s likely listed at full retail. If that’s the case, we recommend shopping elsewhere (like Backcountry.com or REI) for the free shipping. Visit TheClymb.com
Sustainability has become a major focus within the outdoor industry over the last several years, and many companies now sell used items to encourage outdoors-goers to recycle their gear. REI recently threw their hat into the ring with their Used Gear program , which has a similar layout to their main site and is quite comprehensive ( read more about the program here ). Other used gear sites include Patagonia Worn Wear, The North Face Renewed, and Arc’teryx Used Gear. In addition, crowd-sourced platforms—including GearTrade and Mountain Equipment Co-op’s Gear Swap—allow people to list their used outdoor products, but keep in mind that there’s really no way to verify an item’s quality before purchasing. If you go the retailer route, return policies vary by site but are on the whole much stricter than for new (or even discounted) gear.
The outdoor retail sites above often make for the most economical and efficient shopping experiences, but you also can buy directly from the outdoor brands. Of course, by buying directly you’re virtually guaranteed to get the right product and can deal with 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 hassle—you aren’t able to feel or try on the products, and it can be time-consuming 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 big emphasis on the amount of information and overall usability. For example, REI and Backcountry often include multiple photos of each product, including standalone photos of the item from different angles. If it’s clothing, they will also often have various pictures of models wearing the product so you can get an idea of overall shape and fit without trying it on.
In evaluating the sites, we also looked closely at product specifications (specs). When comparing outdoor gear, specs like weight and details about the materials can be incredibly helpful, and especially when they’re presented well. REI includes detailed specs along the righthand side of each listing, and Backcountry and Moosejaw are reasonably diligent about providing good information (Evo is excellent in this regard). Taking it a step further, some sites have extensive buying guides, “how to” articles, and even videos that can help you with your buying decision and answer commonly asked questions. Bridging that gap in the online environment is tremendously helpful and we value the sites that make the effort.
All of the sites we’ve listed above have comprehensive selections of outdoor gear, but some stock more brands than others. For example, REI offers an extensive collection of casual outdoor gear (including oversized items like rooftop tents and stand-up paddle boards ), but Backcountry wins out when it comes to technical items (for example, ski equipment for alpine touring and deep powder) and products from smaller boutique brands. Amazon.com often has limited availability of big-ticket items like skis and mountain bikes, although you’ll consistently find the lowest prices on accessories and clothing. In the end, you may have to do some shopping around to figure out which site is best for your preferred activities, but you should be able to find what you’re looking for on most of them. The landscape is a little different for ski equipment and clothing, so if that’s what you’re after, check out our article on the best sites for ski gear .
Free shipping has become the norm for outdoor gear. If you need an item quickly, it’s hard to beat the free two-day shipping with Backcountry or Amazon (with Amazon Prime). Most of the remaining retailers on our list still have free shipping offers once you clear $50, but it’s standard shipping that can take a little longer. Knowing where your product is shipping from can help. For example, Evo has their distribution center in the Seattle area, so those in the West will get their items pretty quickly, but this doesn’t hold true for everyone. REI has distribution centers on both coasts, and should the item only be in stock in the one furthest from you, you may have to wait a little while longer. During the holidays, and particularly leading up to Christmas, most retailers offer expedited shipping at no additional cost, which is a real help to the procrastinators out there.
Most retailers—including Backcountry, Evo.com, Amazon, CampSaver.com, and Sierra—require items to be new and unused in order to be eligible for return. Backcountry also offers store credit within 30 days if you’ve used the item, and Moosejaw will accept returns indefinitely as long as an item is in “sellable condition” (of note: it must be returned in its original packaging with tags, so this is essentially the same as other retailers). REI is by far the most generous of the bunch, allowing returns for a full refund within a year of purchase if you’re not satisfied, no questions asked. Before buying, our best advice is to do your research and ensure you know when an item must be returned in order to be eligible for a refund. And of course, act in good faith and don’t take advantage of any retailer’s return policy (or you might find that it changes).
For those living outside the United States, international shipping is an added gear cost but often worth it (buying gear abroad isn’t always possible in remote areas, and it can be pricey if it is). That said, rates vary by retailer and not all brands and products can be shipped internationally. REI, for example, has a flat fee ($20), and orders of $150 and up receive free international shipping. However, oversized items may be extra, and not all brands can be shipped outside of the United States. Backcountry allows you to calculate international shipping costs by adding the product to your cart then entering the shipping address (you are not obligated to buy at this point). Moosejaw has a helpful tool on their “shipping” page that lets you select a country from a drop-down menu to find out how much shipping will cost. In the end, international shipping isn’t cheap but may be offset by price and availability.
The quality of a site’s customer service department can have a big impact on your overall online experience, and especially if you’re having an issue or need to return something. The good news is that all of the sites we’ve listed above have customer service teams that generally are speedy, helpful, knowledgeable, and friendly. We especially like the live chat feature on REI, Backcountry, and Evo that allows you to chat with a representative in real-time for those moments when you don’t feel like calling or emailing. We’ve reached out more times than we can count for product specs and other information (by phone, via email, and by chat) and have had very few negative experiences to date. Back to the Top Outdoor Gear Mega Sites Back to Our Ranking Criteria
Outdoor - Shopping - Internet Company - 4 Photos | Facebook
Best Sites to Buy Outdoor Gear | Switchback Travel
Outdoor Clothing & Equipment | Cotswold Outdoor
Online outdoor shop , buy online outdoor clothing & trekking equipment
The 28 Best Outdoor Stores in America | The Shops
FREE Next Day Delivery over £50
Sun - Fri before 4pm, T's & C's apply >
Pay Later with Klarna
18+, T's & C's apply >
Top Tips For Choosing The Perfect Boot
Pay later with Klarna
18+, T's & C's apply >
Gift Cards & eVouchers
Let them choose
© 2021 Outdoor and Cycle Concepts Ltd. All rights reserved.
A guide to maintaining your waterproof garment, ensuring years of quality performance...
Our guide to choosing the right walking boots for your adventures.
Whether you’re starting from the beginning or an frequent navigator these navigation and map reading tips will help you find your way...
We use marketing, analytical and functional cookies as well as similar technologies to give you the best experience. Third parties, including social media platforms, often place tracking cookies on our site to show you personalised adverts outside of our website. We store your cookie preferences for two years and you can edit your preferences via ‘manage cookies’ or through the cookie policy at the bottom of every page. For more information, please see our cookie policy. See our cookie policy
Sign up for the latest news and offers
Looking to explore more? Shop with our sister sites
Girlsway Lesbian
Xhamster French Mature
Www Nasty Com
Txxx Com Lesbian
Caprice Lesbian
h_1200" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">q_75" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">w_1200/v1/clients/omaha/_EF18416_c61b4f1f-d51d-46be-9906-3ef2c6fa1c6d.jpg" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">
h_800" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">q_75" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">w_1200/
q_65/c_fill" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">w_1500" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">h_998" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">f_auto/w_80" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">x_15" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">y_15" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">g_south_west" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">l_klook_water/activities/k82kwzn986d3bakuvnil/FidenzaVillageShoppingExpresswithOptionalEUR50GiftCard.jpg" width="550" alt="Outdoor Shopping" title="Outdoor Shopping">
