Insulated hiking boots? Check!
Down-filled hooded parka? Check!
Multi-compartment backpack? Check!
Whether you love camping overnight in your local state park or backpacking around the world, purchasing the gear that you will need for either can become an expensive proposition.
So, how does one get around this reality of increasing prices for recreational gear and stagnant incomes? The good news is that there are resources that will help you get everything you want at a fraction of the retail prices of stores like Dicks or REI. Army/Navy surplus stores offer many items like camping equipment, tents, sleeping bags and outerwear for pennies on the dollar.
There are two online stores that I frequent often to purchase travel gear in general and hiking gear specifically.
Bargain Outfitters is primarily aimed at the residential consumer looking for great deals on everything from furniture to toys. However, you can still find great deals on things like:
17 piece aluminum cookware set for 21.97! Soothe those hunger pangs while you dine under the stars:
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/stansport-17-pc-4-man-advantage-aluminum-cookware-set.aspx?a=671082
Executive Travel Fly & Spinning Rod Combo for $35.00
Chemical – fighting LaCrosse® 12″ Alpha Axel Rubber Boots for $27.00.
http://www.bargainoutfitters.com/net/cb/lacrosse-12-alpha-axel-rubber-boots-brown.aspx?a=411890
Communing with nature has never been so fun or so cheap!
Bargain Outfitters’ sister site is Sportsman’s Guide which focuses more on the athletic-minded consumer and some of the more interesting offerings on this site is Foreign military overstocks sold at cut-rate prices. Some of the best deals are:
New Italian Military Snow Camo Suit for $15.00
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=600414
Internal Frame Denali 65 Backpack for $49.97
Has built in rain cover!
Top section turns into waist pack!
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/denali-65-backpack.aspx?a=620484&pn=1
Five (5) New Swiss Work Jackets for 22.00!
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/5-new-swiss-military-work-jackets-gray.aspx?a=588009
The moral to this story is to check out surplus stores first, whether brick and mortar or online, to find some incredible values on very durable and well-crafted travel gear. For the those who love to “rough it” every now and again, you will find that this is a great way to minimize expenses which will allow you to pursue the pastime that you love.
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Juggler on 
FF on 
Taking advantage of military surplus means big savings for backpackers, but if you like to do your backpacking near or south of the Equator, there’s one really BIG caveat.
Developing countries with twitchy governments and ill-trained police and border guards may look upon a foreigner sporting military field gear with suspicion — and that suspicion can add some MAJOR complications to your trip.
In the developed world, especially the States and Western Europe, no worries.
Excellent point, Greg. It is important to look at geopolitical implications in almost everything these days…including surplus gear.