Buy This, Not That: Affordable Camping Gear Alternatives
Camping is a fun and affordable way to relax during the summer months. Here's how to build up your camping gear on a budget by buying alternatives to popular outdoor brands.
With the price of travel increasing due to inflation and no end in sight, my family has been trying to come up with alternative vacation options for the summer. We've considered a family camping trip, but still want to stay within budget, even if we need to buy some new gear.
Most everything is going up in price, but if you know how to shop smart and which budget brands to buy, you can plan a great camping vacation for thousands less than taking a family trip that requires airfare and a hotel.
Affordable Alternatives to Expensive Camping Brands
Building out your camping kit can get expensive, especially if you're going for brands like Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, or The North Face.
We've put together a list of some alternative camping brands that will help you save a few bucks without compromising quality or durability. These brands are highly rated, well-reviewed, and affordable.
Coleman
This is a camper's favorite on nearly every review site we've found. With excellent reviews and unbeatable price points, Chicago-based brand Coleman is a perfect brand for campers on a budget. For casual campers or beginners, it's a great option. The Coleman Sundome 2-person tent is $50 and the 4-person tent is $74.99. Hundreds under many other (even bargain) brands.
Shop Coleman For
REI Co-op
Much like Coleman, REI Co-op is on almost every camper's list for the best budget camping brands. Not only that, their Co-op brand actually is actually on quite a few non-budget lists for best camping gear for 2022 as well!
Based in Washington state, the REI Co-op brand has figured out a way to combine quality with affordability. We found an REI Co-op product on nearly every budget list we researched while putting together our list of things to buy this summer.
Shop REI Co-op For
Shop Camping Deals
- Exclusive
Vevor Camping Kitchen Table $38
ReadyWise Protein Bucket $198
Kelty
Not priced as low as the Coleman brand, Kelty is more of a mid-range camping brand. They are based out of Colorado and, for casual campers, they offer great quality for an affordable price. Their tents range from $100 to $300 depending on size and functionality. They aren't as lightweight as some other tents but are very easy to set up and take down and offer plenty of interior space.
Shop Kelty For
ALPS Mountaineering
Mid-range in price and headquartered in Missouri, ALPS Mountaineering offers durability and usability for beginner or casual campers. Like the Kelty tents, their tents range in price from $100 to $300, depending on size and functionality. Campers have commented that these tents hold up well in inclement weather and keep everything dry.
Shop ALPS Mountaineering For
Teton
Teton is a Utah-based company that makes tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, and other camping accessories. Their backpacks are well-reviewed and range in price from $60 to $150. A great call-out is the Teton Sports Explorer Internal Frame Backpack for $85.
Shop Teton For
Camping On a Budget
If you're hoping to get outdoors and do some camping this summer, don't let the high costs of all the equipment stop you. Shop for budget brands, only buy the necessities, and build up your affordable camping gear collection little by little as your budget allows.