2020 Black Friday and Boxing Day Deals for Hikers

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 Boxing Day sales to see if there are good deals on hiking and backpacking gear. This year I’ve complied all the Black Friday and Boxing Day deals for hikers 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 26, 2020

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 2020 Black Friday is on Friday November 27th. 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 2020, Cyber Monday is on Monday November 30th.

Many outdoor retailers will also have Boxing Day sales on hiking and backpacking gear. In 2020, Boxing Day is on Saturday December 26th.

Lots of outdoor brands also have general holiday sales throughout December. I’ve got details on those below too.

The Deals

Here’s my running list of all the Black Friday, Boxing Day, and holiday sales on hiking and backpacking gear that I know about. I’ll keep them updated every day during the holiday shopping season. If you hear of other great deals, let me know in the comments and I’ll add them.

Amazon.com

Holiday Deals (on now)

• Up to 45% off sports and outdoors gear

Amazon.ca

Holiday Deals (on now)

• Up to 40% off sports and outdoors gear

Backcountry

Happy New Gear Sale (December 26)

• 40% off bestselling gear

Black Diamond

Save on Ski + Binding Bundles (on now)

• Save an Extra 25% when you purchase skis and bindings together

Cairn Subscription Box

Get One, Gift One (November 16-December 31)

• When you subscribe to Monthly Cairn you’ll receive a FREE GIFT MONTH to send to someone you care about
• Use promo code GOGO
• Get up to $50 worth of outdoor goods in each collection

Camelbak

Winter Sale (on now)

• Save up to 40% of discontinued styles and colours

Campsaver

Secret Santa Sale (December 25-27)

• Save on apparel, footwear and gear
• $20 off orders of $100 or more – use code SAVE20
• Up to 25% off Danner boots
• Up to 20% off Fjallraven
• Up to 20% off Hanwag
• Up to 25% off Outdoor Research

Columbia

Winter Sale (December 27-January 13)

• 25% off select styles

Columbia Canada

Boxing Day Sale (December 26-January 4)

• 50% off select styles

Cotopaxi

Winter Sale (on now)

• Save 30% on current season
• Save up to 65% on past season styles.
• Take an additional 30% off select items – Use code WINTER30

Eastern Mountain Sports

Winter Deals (on now)

• Up to 80% off all EMS Clothing
• Take an extra 20% off clearance items
• Up to 50% off backpacks
• 25% off all Smartwool clothing
• Up to 70% off hiking boots

Kammok

Holiday Sale (December 17-31)

• Free limited edition Cabin Socks with orders over $100.
• 10% off Roo Double hammock.
• 10% off Swiftlet Portable Hammock Stand.
• Extra 10% off Roo Double and Swiftet when purchased together.

KEEN Footwear

20% Off Sale (December 1-31)

• 20% off orders over $100
• Use code 20PercentKEEN2020
• Not valid on utility products

Daily Deals (December 15-31)

• Save up to 50% on daily deals

Boxing Week Sale (December 24-31)

• Up to 40% off select styles

MEC

Boxing Week (December 26-January 3)

• Up to 60% off select items – more than 1500 products added to the sale

Moosejaw

Winter sale (on now)

• Up to 40% off jackets
• Up to 50% off Moosejaw brand

Mountain Hardware Canada

Boxing Week Sale (December 26-January 4)

• 25% off everything

Outdoor Research

Last Change to Save in 2020 (December 26-31)

• 25% off select items

prAna

Boxing Day Sale (December 26-January 6)

• 40% off select items
• Free shipping

REI

End of Year Clearance Sale (December 25-31)

• Save Up to 50% Off All Clearance Clothing & Footwear

Salomon Canada

10% Off Salomon Outlet (November 5-December 31)

• Use Code TIMETOPLAY10 for 10% off anything in the Salomon outlet
• Free shipping included

Toad & Co.

Take an additional 20% off sale items (November 10-December 31)

• Use Code JOYFUL
• Includes organic cotton summer dresses and my favourite recycled wool sweaters

UST Gear

40% Off Classic UST items (November 22-December 26)

• 40% off classic UST items like compasses and lanterns
• Free shipping on orders over $30

30% off New UST items (December 25-26)

• 30% off new UST items like sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and tents
• Free shipping on orders over $30

What Gear is on Sale?

There are two main types of products offered at a discount for Black Friday and Boxing Day: stuff that is discontinued and stuff that’s marked down just for the holidays.

Discontinued Gear

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.

Seasonal Mark-Downs

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.

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