There’s Nothing Wrong With Discount Camping Equipment

People are picky. They often equate “expensive” with “high quality” and “high safety”. In some cases, they are correct. But in the case of discount camping equipment, they are wrong. If you have some common sense and patience, discount camping equipment can every bit as functional and safe as newly purchased camping equipment.

Horses For Courses

Don’t just pick up any old discount camping equipment on a whim. Think about it. You will have to most likely carry this stuff around with you a while. A discount flashlight might seem like a great idea at the time, but not after a few miles in your backpack. Make a list of what you NEED and STICK TO IT. If you can’t sew, for example, there really is no point in picking up a dollar store sewing kit.

At the bare minimum, these are what you need in discount camping equipment:

a waterproof/water resistant sleeping bag
a machete, hunting knife or hatchet
a tent
a pot
a spoon
a kettle
a spoon
some way to start fire
a water carrier
a water resistant backpack
boots
rain coat or anorak

All else is luxury.

Where To Go

Where can you find good quality discount camping equipment? There are many places you can check out. Camping and sporting goods stores are the obvious choice, but not if you are on a tight budget. Check out classifieds and yard sales. Your selection is limited, though. Army and Navy surplus stores are GREAT. Pay whatever they ask. Most of the discount camping equipment there is tough as nails.

But by far the best places to go for discount camping equipment (discount as in free) are festivals and huge outdoor concerts where people camp out in between acts or activities. A surprising number of people will prefer to ditch their camping gear rather than carry it back home. The resulting trash is treasure for you. There are people who make their living “tatting” – traveling from festival to festival and gleaning the best discount camping equipment from the leftovers. They then sell their finds, sometimes at the very next festival.

You can also check out public campgrounds and places where homeless people once lived by camping out. Often good quality stuff will be abandoned. Check all finds for damage and, in the case of cooking ware, clean and disinfect thoroughly before use.