The Pros And Cons Of Used Camping Gear

If you’re looking to buy some camping gear for your first trip, or if you’re looking for a way to put together a set of camping gear on a budget, you can always consider turning to used camping gear to satisfy your needs. Used camping gear can save you a bundle when you want to cut costs while getting some gear, but it can backfire if you purchase the wrong thing. If you’re trying to decide if you should go for used camping gear, you should weigh the pros and cons first.

Pros

The main benefit of buying used camping gear is, of course, the lower price you’ll pay for items. However, the great thing about used camping gear is that often people will sell the gear they have after using it once or twice. Usually, it comes from people who buy a bunch of new gear to try camping out and decide that it’s not to their taste. What this means is you get gear that’s nearly new for much less than you’d actually pay.

Buying used camping gear is a good idea in a few situations, usually when you have someone new to camping. For instance, if you have a child in Boy Scouts looking to go on his first campout, buying used camping gear can get him started without spending too much. Similarly, if you’re going on your first camping trip and don’t like the idea of spending hundreds at the local sporting good store, you can spend less buy purchasing used gear. This will ultimately save you money if you later decide that camping isn’t for you.

Cons

One of the problems with used camping gear, though, is that sometimes there’s a good reason why the individual has put it up for sale. Just as will all goods, some are better than others, and you may find that the gear you purchase is of poor quality. However, you can help ease the likelihood of getting some awful used camping gear by researching product reviews online. If you’re purchasing used gear in a store, be sure to try items like backpacks on so you know that they weren’t being sold just because they’re uncomfortable to wear.

Another, more minor problem with used camping gear is that you’re limited in style and color to what’s available when you’re shopping. Of course, while that’s not ideal, your camping gear should be bought for function first, then looks. But with a little care to make sure that your gear is right for you, used camping gear can save you plenty of money when you’re preparing for your camping trip.