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 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 November 28, 2021
Hey there: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission with no extra cost to you. Thanks -Taryn
Table of Contents
When are the Sales?
In 2021, Black Friday is on Friday November 26th. 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 2021, Cyber Monday is on Monday November 29th.
Many outdoor retailers will also have Boxing Day sales on hiking and backpacking gear. In 2021, Boxing Day is on Sunday 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.
Altitude Sports
Black Friday Sale: Up to 40% off
- Up to 40% off Smartwool base layers and clothing
- 30% off Icebreaker clothing and long underwear
- Up to 40% off Sea to Summit camping and hiking gear including sleeping pads, sleeping bags, and cookwear
Amazon.ca
Cyber Monday Deals: Up to 50% off sports and outdoors gear.
- Up to 37% off Coleman camping gear
- Up to 50% off Mountain Warehouse gear and apparel
- 15% off Sawyer Squeeze filter
- Up to 42% off Garmin GPS watches
- Up to 51% off apparel from Columbia, Arctix, Helly Hansen and more
- 15% off Naturehike ultralight chair
- 15% off Naturehike backpacking tent (the design is a clear knock off of the MSR Hubba Hubba)
- Up to 20% off Klymit sleeping pads
- 40% off Columbia clothing and footwear
Amazon.com
Cyber Monday Deals: Up to 50% off sports and outdoors gear.
- Up to 25% off Hydro Flask
- Up to 30% off Oakley sunglasses
- 26% off TrailBuddy trekking poles – now $38.24
- Up to 29% off Garmin watches
- 42% off Lifestraw 2-pack
Arc’teryx
Black Friday: 20% off with code SALE20 (ends November 29)
Atmosphere
Black Friday Event: Up to 60% off hiking and camping gear and apparel
- 25% off MSR Hubba Hubba tent (now $419.96)
- 25% off MSR Evo Trail 22 inch snowshoes
- 20% off Osprey packs
- 25% off MSR Stoves and pots
- Up to 30% off sleeping bags from Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and The North Face
- Save $70 on GoPro Hero9 Black (ends November 29)
- 40% off Garmin Vivoactive4 Fitness Watch – I have used the Vivoactive3 for the last few years. (Ends November 29)
- Save $60 on Merrell winter hiking boots (ends December 1)
- 25% off Petzl headlamps
HEY CANADIANS: Join the Canadian Hiking Gear Deals Facebook group for the latest sales and discounts on hiking gear in Canada
Backcountry.com
Cyber Monday Sale: Up to 60% off top selling gear and 20% off one full-priced item (ends November 29)
- 25% off Jetboil stoves and accessories
- Up to 50% off Smartwool clothing and base layers
- 25% off Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite sleeping pad
- 25% off MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe Stove Kit
- 25% off Gregory Packs
- Up to 65% off Mountain Hardwear apparel
- 20% off MSR Tents including MSR Hubba Hubba NX
Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia
Holiday Special: Buy two signed and personalized copies of my book, Backpacking in Southwestern British Columbia for only $58 including Canadian shipping. (Ends December 12)
BioLite
Black Friday Sale: 25% off sitewide (ends December 6)
- Deals of the Day (November 26-29)
Black Diamond
20% off select equipment (ends November 29)
- 20% off trekking poles (including my favourite, Alpine Carbon Cork poles)
- 20% off headlamps
Booking.com
Black Friday Deals: Save at least 30% on selected properties. Book by December 1 for travel before June 30, 2022.
Campsaver
20% off one full-price item & 20% off the Outlet with code TWENTY (Ends December 6)
12 Days of Deals (November 25 to December 6)
Columbia
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale: Get 25% off almost everything (ends November 30)
- Spend $100, get a $20 promo card to use December 3-24
- Up to 50% off Door Crashers
- Up to 50% off hiking boots and trail shoes
- Up to 50% off hiking rain jackets
Columbia Canada
Black Friday & Cyber Monday Sale: Get 25% off almost everything (ends November 30)
Cotopaxi
- Up to 75% off past season products
- Up to 30% off current season favorites
- 30% off down jackets and vests
- 30% off Allpa Travel Packs
Eastern Mountain Sports
Cyber Monday: Up to 80% off
Eddie Bauer
Black Friday Sale: Up to 50% off (ends November 30)
- Up to 30% off MicroTherm insulated jackets – this is my current favorite lightweight down jacket
- Up to 25% off performance hiking pants
- Up to 25% off technical fleece
- Take an extra 50% off clearance – use code THANKSGIVING50
Eddie Bauer Canada
Black Friday: Up to 50% off
- Take an extra 50% off clearance – use Code THANKSGIVING50
- Up to 30% off MicroTherm insulated jackets – this is my current favorite lightweight down jacket
- Up to 25% off performance hiking pants
Englightened Equipment
Holiday Sale: 20% off in-stock gear and 10% off custom gear (ends November 29)
Garage Grown Gear
Holiday Sale: Up to 40% off gear from cottage brands
- 15% off Kula Cloth
- 15% off Toaks Titanium 550ml ultralight pot
- 10% off Hyperlite Mountain Gear tents, packs, and organizers
- 10% off Ursacks
- 20% off Englightened Equipment quilts
Gossamer Gear
Black Friday Sale: Up to 25% off (ends December 5)
Gregory Packs
Black Friday Sale: 25% off hiking and backpacking packs – use code THANKS (Ends November 29)
- 25% off Nano day packs
- 25% off Paragon, Maven, Katmai, Kalmia, Targhee, and Alpinisto backpacking packs
Good to-Go Meals
Black Friday Sale: Up to 35% off meals
Hydro Flask
Holiday Sale: 25% off site-wide (November 25-December 5)
Icebreaker
Black Friday Sale: 30% off
Icebreaker Canada
Black Friday Sale: 35% off
Kammok
Black Friday Sale: 25-50% off (ends November 29)
- Blankets: Up to 50% Off
- Roo Hammocks: 40% off
- Mantis Hammock Tent: 35% Off
- Bobcat 45 Down Quilt: 25% Off
- Get an extra 10% off your entire cart over $250
KEEN Footwear
Black Friday Sale: Up to 20% off select styles and use code SECRET10 for an additional 10% off
KEEN Footwear Canada
Black Friday Sale: 20% off select styles
Kelty
Black Friday Sale: 25% off sitewide – use code HOLIDAY2021
- 40% off Cosmic DriDown 20 sleeping bag
- 25% off backpacking sleeping bags
- 25% off backpacking tents
- 25% off camp chairs
Klymit
Sitewide Sale: Save 30% (ends November 29)
La Sportiva
Black Friday sale: 30% off apparel + free shipping – use code HOLIDAYSHIP21
Leatherman
- 50% off customization
- Free shipping on orders over $75
- 45% off Tread collection
Mark’s
Black Friday Savings: Up to 70% off
Marmot
Black Friday Sale: 30% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY (ends November 29)
- 30-60% off all sale items (ends December 6)
MEC
Black Friday Sale: Save up to 55%
- 25% off Black Diamond trekking poles (ends November 29)
- 15% off Garmin inReach Mini (ends November 29)
- 26% off Zoleo satellite communicator (ends November 30)
- Up to 70% off kids insulated jackets and pants
- 25% off Outdoor Research gaiters (ends November 29)
- 25% off Smartwool socks (ends November 30)
- Up to 25% off Black Diamond (ends November 29)
- Up to $200 Garmin products (ends November 29
- Up to 20% off Osprey packs (ends November 29)
HEY CANADIANS: Join the Canadian Hiking Gear Deals Facebook group for the latest sales and discounts on hiking gear in Canada
Moosejaw
Thanksgiving Sale: Up to 30% off
- 30% off Marmot tents, sleeping bags and backpacks
- 25% off Black Diamond headlamps
- 20% off MSR Tents – includes the Hubba Hubba NX
Mountain Hardwear
Holiday Sale: 25% off everything (ends December 2)
Up to 70% of select apparel with code MHW70OFF (ends December 5)
Mountain Hardwear Canada
Holiday Sale: 25% off everything (ends December 1)
- 50% off select apparel with code MHWNOV50 (ends December 5)
Mountain Warehouse
Black Friday: 50% off or more on all Mountain Warehouse items
- Get an extra 10% off with code BFEXTRA10
Nomad Nutrition
Black Friday Sale: 20% off everything
Osprey Packs
Winter Sale: Up to 40% off select products (November 12-29)
- Up to 40% off Sirrus and Xena backpacking packs
- Up to 30% off hiking day packs including Talon and Tempest
Outdoor Research
Cyber Deals: Up to 60% off (ends November 29)
Prana
Thanksgiving Sale: 30% off selected styles (Ends November 30)
70% off selected items with codes:
- 70% Off Men’s + Women’s Short Sleeve Tops, Tees & Dresses + Free Shipping! Use code: SAVE70
- 70% Off Women’s & Men’s Swim + Free Shipping! Use code: SWIM70
- 70% Off Yoga & Active + Free Shipping! Use code: ACTIVE70
REI
Cyber Week Sale (ends December 6)
- 40% off Mountain Hardwear Ghost Shadow jackets and vests (ends November 29)
- Up to 25% off Arc’teryx jackets and pants (ends November 29)
- 30% off Icebreaker clothing
- 14% off Garmin inReach mini (ends November 29)
Rumpl
Black Friday Sale: 25% off everything (Ends November 30)
SAIL
Black Friday: Up to 50% off (ends November 29)
- 25% off The North Face, Columbia, and Merrell
- 20% off Arc’Teryx and KEEN
Salomon
Black Friday/Cyber Monday Sales: 25% off all apparel, excluding S-Lab products (Ends November 29)
Saxx Canada
Cyber Monday Sale: 20-40% off
- Up to 30% off Kinetic HD boxer briefs (one of my picks for the best men’s hiking underwear)
Sea to Summit
Holiday Savings: Up to 50% off gear
Sierra Designs
Holiday Sale: 25% off sitewide with code HOLIDAY2021
Steep and Cheap
Black Friday Sale: Up to 70% off
Sunski
Black Friday Sale: 25% of sitewide (ends December 5)
- These are my favourite reasonably priced polarized sunglasses
The Clymb
Black Friday Deals: Up to 80% off
UST GEAR
Cyber Week: 70% off gear
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 on sale 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 gear. 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 Sales
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.
I hope you found this list of the best Black Friday deals for hikers helpful. (And I hope you snag some sweet gear!) Have you spotted any other good Black Friday deals on hiking and backpacking gear? Tell me in the comments and I’ll add them to the list.
HEY CANADIANS: Join the Canadian Hiking Gear Deals Facebook group for the latest sales and discounts on hiking gear in Canada
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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!