2006 July

The first thing you should probably consider when shopping for discount hiking gear is knowing what can be purchased on the cheap and what discounted items you should stay way from. You should be honest with yourself and decide what level of a hiker you are; if you’re just a weekend walker or a hiker who just walks around on flat ground and sticks to the paths, or are a serious hiker that is gone for weeks at a time and is not afraid to go off the beaten path and become an explorer. Once you have established what type of hiker you are, you can establish what time of hiking gear you will need and can move on from that point. It’s no use shelling out the big bucks for allot of gear you don’t need, but at the same point you want to make sure you’ll be prepated for what nature and terrain throws at you if you are the later.

For those of you just beginning you need to watch out for the glamour of what most of the outdoor specialty stores are offering. A good idea if you are unsure is to talk to someone who is an experienced hiker or if you know someone you can have them go with you. You can never put a price tag on informed assistance, so having that seasoned hiker with you to help select your gear can save you a lot of time and money. Always ask multiple hikers for various opinions and weight them all in consideration.

Price Ends 6 Function Multi-Tool Kit Outdoor Camping Hiking Travel $3.48 12h 35m NEW TYPE POCKET TOOL SWISS ARMY KNIFE HIKING OPENER MU $0.89 15h Boy Scout Compass & Cover Camping Hiking Hunting Tool $6.55 22h 48m   View all items on eBay Disclaimer   These results were generated from eBay on 09-7-2008 7:19 pm.

Of course there are other places to purchase discount hiking gear such as a flea market which will have excellent prices and some quality equipment. At most flea markets, you will also find people that are willing to bargain. Look for sales when the season is just beginning or ending and try not to buy during the peak times because most specialty stores are looking to move in the new merchandise and will have a discount hiking gear sale.

Another way to save on discount hiking gear is to create your own set of hiking gear. You can save a bundle. One example of this is that walking sticks sell anywhere from $25 to over $100 dollars each. There are several other ways to convert household items and other miscellaneous items into valuable hiking gear that can help you out in the woods and possibly even save your life. Do not hesitate to explore your home for the possibilities today!

Finally, make sure that once you have compiled your hiking gear that it is comfortable to you. Ensure that you know all of the ins and outs of using your gear and try it out in smaller situations. It is better to find out that the communication device you created from a few empty pop cans doesn’t work in your own backyard than it is to make that discovery in the middle of nowhere. Thinking and planing ahead will save you angst down the road. Just keep in mind that experience is your friend. You’ll learn what you could do without, what you needed or peferred when you’ve notched a hike or two under your belt.