I definitely believe that the outdoors is for everyone, but unfortunately one of the barriers to getting outside is often the shear amount of gear that’s involved. And of course, that gear doesn’t come cheap! One of my tried and true tips for getting deals on hiking and backpacking gear is to wait for sales. So of course in the run-up to the holidays, I’m always watching the Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day sales to see if there are good deals on hiking and backpacking gear. This year I’ve complied all the deals together into one giant post so you can view them all at a glance. I’ve also provided my picks for the best gear from each of the sales and some tips on how to make sure it is really is a good deal.
This page was updated with the latest deals on December 8, 2018
Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase. Thanks for supporting my website. -Taryn
When are the Sales?
In 2018 Black Friday is on Friday November 23rd. Look for lots of sales to start the week before and continue through the weekend. (Black Friday is now turning into Black Friday Week and Black Friday Weekend!) Cyber Monday happens on the Monday immediately after Black Friday. In 2018 Cyber Monday is on Monday November 26th.
Many outdoor retailers will also have Boxing Day sales on hiking and backpacking gear. In 2018 Boxing Day is on Wednesday December 26th.
The Deals
Here’s my running list of all the Black Friday, pre-Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Boxing Day sales on hiking and backpacking gear that I know about. If you hear of other great deals, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them.
REI
Shop Now, Be Done Sale (Dec 6-10): Save Up to 40% Off at REI.com
Backcountry.com
Holiday Deal (December 3-10): Take 20% Off One-Full Priced Camp or Climb Item at Backcountry.com Use Code “TAKE20CC” at Checkout.
Santa Cruz Bikes Sale (November 15-December 10): save 30% or more on select Santa Cruz bikes
Cotopaxi
Holiday Deals:
Leatherman
Deals:
- 25% off Leatherman Juice S2 (While quantities last)
- Free custom engraving (Now-Dec 31, 2018)
Get 50% off custom tools with code CUSTOM50-HOLIDAY18 (Ended November 22)- Year End Sale (November 23-December 31): 20% off Charge+, Wave+, Rebar, Super Tool 300, and Micra
My Pick: An engraved Leatherman makes a great gift.
Amazon.ca
Rotating Outdoor Gear Deals – Often up to 40% off
Amazon.com
Early Black Friday Deals on Outdoor Gear
Cnoc Outdoors
Water Container Deals (Until December 10):
Six Moon Designs
Holiday Sales (November 21-December 31): 20% off all packs and shelters
Cyber Monday Sales (Ended November 26th): 25% off all packs and shelters
MSR
Holiday Sale Deals (Ended November 29): 25% off winter gear
Therm-a-Rest
Holiday Sale Deals (Ended November 29): 30% off select item
LifeProof
Black Friday Week Sales (Ended November 27):
25% Off Site-wideUp to 50% Off on Clearance Items (normally 30% off)50% Off Aquaphonics Waterproof speakers
Cyber Monday (Ended November 26):
Buy a GOA or SQUAMISH XL Backpack, Get a Free AQ10 Speaker (normally $200!)
Moosejaw.com
Thanksgiving Sale Deals (Ended November 27)
30% off our select brands.25% off 1 full price Arcteryx item Use Code THANKS25
Anniversary Sale Deals (Ended November 18)
30% off select products from The North Face, Patagonia, ArcTeryx and more (Use code: ANNISALE)20% off one full-priced item (Use code: ANNISALE)Free 2-day shipping on orders over $49
Camp Saver
20/20 Event Sales (Ended November 27):
20% off one regular priced item (Use coupon 20TWNTY)20% off one outlet item (Use coupon code TWNTY)
Sunski Sunglasses
Black Friday Week Sale (Ended November 30): Save 35% on all adult sunglasses
Platypus
Thankful for the Trail Sale (Ended November 29): Save 25% off all products
My Pick: Get the Gravity Filter. It’s probably the easiest water filter I’ve ever used. Plus its light.
Seal Line
Float Their Boat Sale (Ended November 29): Save 25% off all gear
My Pick: I use a Bulkhead View drybag as a food bag on all my backcountry trips. It’s easy to see inside.
Hydroflask
Cyber Weekend (Ended November 26): 25% off Site Wide + Free Shipping! Use offer code UNDERTREE
Keen Footwear
Black Friday/Cyber Monday (Ended November 26): Save 20% off everything
Backroad Mapbooks
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales (Ended November 26):
Get Up to 50% OFF on Backroad Mapbooks, Fishing Mapbooks and Waterproof MapsGet Up to $50 OFF on GPS Maps
Black Diamond
Holiday Sale Deals (Ended November 17)
Save up to 25% on packs, trekking poles, lights and climbing gear.Save an extra 20% on sale items. Use code HOLIDAYSTOKE.
My Picks:
25% off Trail Pro trekking poles. These are basic and reliable poles with no extra features – mine have held up for years.20% off Apollo lantern. A compact yet bright lantern that lights up backcountry cabins.
Columbia Canada
Black Friday Sale (Ended November 23): Almost everything on sale + 50% door buster specials
Kammok
Black Friday Sale (Ended November 25): 30% off site wide
The Clymb
Black Friday Sales (Ended November 24) 25% Off Sitewide using the code WINNING
Enlightened Equipment
Holiday Sale Deal (Ended November 26): 10-15% off Enlightened Equipment Gear
My Pick: I love my EE Rain Wrap. It’s a super-lightweight wrap skirt/kilt that I wear instead of rain pants.
Garage Grown Gear
Black Friday Week Sale (Ended November 26): Save 11%-33% off start-up gear brands like Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Vargo Outdoors, SlingFin, Thrupack, Six Moon Designs, Purple Rain Adventure Skirts, Kora, Cloudline Socks, Give’r, Xero Shoes, Peak to Plateau, Possumdown, Flowfold, Himali, Good to-go and many more!
Bio Lite
Black Friday Sale (Ended November 26): Save 35% on all in-stock Bio Lite products.
Steep and Cheap
12 Days of Christmas Sale: Shop a New Deal Everyday and Save up to 85% Off Gear & Apparel
Pre-Black Friday Sale (Ended November 23): Get up to 75% off top brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Arc’teryx & more
Cyber Weekend Sale (Ended November 26):
60% Off Patagonia, Arc’teryx and Marmot.Take 10% off any one camp item. Use Code “CAMP10” at Checkout.50% off full-priced Stoic item. Use Code SAVE50STOIC at Checkout.
What Gear is on Sale?
There are two main types of products offered at a discount for Black Friday and Boxing Day. Most of the hiking gear that is on sale is usually colors or styles that will be discontinued next year. Retailers want to clear this stuff out so they’ll have room for next year’s stuff. In November and December you will usually find the dregs of last summer’s gear on deep discounts. You might also find winter gear like jackets on sale. Typically winter gear goes on sale this early if the retailer bought too much and they aren’t selling that well. The main things you’ll find in this category are clothing and footwear since they change every year.
The other type is just regular priced product that is selling just fine, but the retailer decides to mark-it down for a limited time to bring in extra sales. The retailer is making less profits on these products but they hope that you’ll buy more stuff and boost their overall sales. Tents, backpacks, stoves, headlamps and other non-clothing gear is what you’ll find in this category. Since this kind of gear rarely goes on sale otherwise, Black Friday and Boxing Day are the best time to find deals on hiking and backpacking gear.
How to Make Sure You’re Getting a Good Deal
Just because it’s on sale, doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. Be sure to do your research before you buy. Make sure the gear you buy is the right size and works for your style of hiking or backpacking. Be sure to read reviews. Make sure you buy from companies with good return policies.
Some retailers will offer seemingly insane deals on gear from brands you’ve never heard of. Do your research. These are often knock-off brands that sell things super-cheap anyway. The best Black Friday deals are on brand name gear that doesn’t usually go on sale otherwise. Save your money for the deals that are actually good – not the ones that just LOOK good.
1 Comment
April
November 16, 2018 at 6:38 pmSo very true! Proper hiking equipment can be expensive. If you opt for the cheap stuff, you quickly learn it was a waste of money. And, I agree, research what you want/need, and then wait for the sales. I was looking for a a water filter system and after reading and reading about the various options. I made my decision and then waited. And, got a great deal last week with REIs sale!