Inexpensive gear

[hockey2]

Does anyone know where I can get inexpensive outdoor gear? I heard there is a place in New Hampshire that sells slightly used expedition gear, but I don't have the web address.
I'm taking a winter survival course. I already have about 95% if the required equipment, but I need a few items and they're the most expensive ones; -20 sleeping bag - they sell for about $400.

Any help would be apprecitated.

Chad

[Ordin Aryguy]

Although I don't have any personal experience with the gear that this company produces, their prices don't seem too bad.

http://www.alpsmountaineering.com/

Ordin

[forevrwyld]

Might also try this one: http://www.sierratradingpost.com and I think REI has a "bargain cave". Try REI.com.

'Ev

[JJW]

Here are a few internet stores that sometimes have good deals:

https://www.outdooroutlet.com

https://www.gearx.com

https://www.wildernessoutlet.com

https://www.campmor.com

The last time I was in Lake Placid, we went to a store that I think was called "Lake Placid Mountaineer ?"
What ever it was called, they had some used equipment and it looked like some good sales on new stuff too.

Good Luck,
John

[GimmeTrails]

Of course, eBay is an option (I've never purchased anything there and if you haven't, you may want to get some advice from someone who has). 'Ev is right about REI, they have an online outlet store that usually has some steals. Good luck.

[RC]

I've purchased from Ebay with good luck. The pack I currently use came from someone on Ebay.


RC

[JClimbs]

You have a problem with the 'what' that you want, however. Serious winter sleeping bags aren't a common item in the closeout lists.
And to be honest, a lot of companies are pretty optimistic in their bag ratings: I've found that most -20 degree bags are good to maybe -10. And if you get hit with serious winter weather in the Adks, you may see -30. I've slept out once in a -15 degree bag in -27 degree temps and it wasn't pretty.
The point is, you may have to cough up the big bucks for your last bit of equipment, because it's that last bit of stuff that will make or break your trip. If you shave the line of good gear to save money, you may end up having a miserable time of it.
If you do go for sale items, I strongly recommend going with an even beefier (rated to -30) sleeping bag at the very least. Get the best bag you can possibly afford, get a wide sleeping pad so less of your body is exposed directly to the ground (& full length: in winter, those 3/4 jobs just induce really miserable feet), and finally, something to pee into at night! There is nothing worse than having to crawl out of your bag into a -20 degree night, expose your coziest parts to frigid air, and then struggle back into a bag that I guarantee ain't warm enough the rest of the night...
For those with young, strong bladders, that last bit may not be relevant

[adkdremn]

I agree with Jclimbs, when it comes to something like a winter bag you need to make sure you have the best that you can get. You never know what kind of weather you may run into, so be prepared, it could possibly be a life or death situation.

Check Campor.com, i think they have some of the best prices around, close-out and non close-out items.

[adkdremn]

I did a little research for you on Campmors website. I don't know how to post links to the items so I'll just tell you the name, price and item #. Hope this helps, sounds like some pretty good deals. They're out there you just gotta spend a little time hunting them out. These are regular length bags, if you need the long they have them just add ten bucks.
Here you go:
Mountain Hardwear 5th Dimension -25, $269.97, item # 44139
The North Face Darkstar Polarguard -40, $239.00, item #42327
The North Face Tundra Polarguard -20, $209.00, item #44020

Slumberjack also had three different bags that were rated at -20. One was $139.99, the other was $109, and one was only $69.99.

Hope this helps!

[kurtteej]

The most inexpensive I've ever found is on http://www.sportsmansguide.com.

The stuff is pretty durable and very inexpensive.

Kurt

[mountainboy12983]

I've ordered a good amount of stuff from Campmor.com, and I used to do business with gearx.com (used to be the Outdoor Gear Exchange in Lake Placid). There is a store in LP called Lake Placid Mountaineering, I usually like to get my stuff there, but lately I've noticed that the guy that runs it doesn't quite have as many good deals as he used to. However, he has some really good equipment and I really recommend going there. Trust some advice from someone who's done a number of 3 & 4 day hiking/camping trips, you get what you pay for. If you are only going to go hiking occasionaly and only on short 1 day trips you might get away with something a little less expensive. But if you wwant stuff that will hold up for a long time, as well as be COMFORTABLE (now there's an important word), plan on paying a little more.
Another place to check out would be Dick's sporting goods (dickssportinggoods.com). They have a clearance section, and some really good online deals.
Happy hunting.

[Dick]

You may want to edit your cited link to Dick's sporting goods!

[Dory]

Steep and Cheap

You've gotta watch as they have something new every day, but you never know what you'll stumble onto. Today is a Black Diamond Moonlight Headlamp for just under $16.
http://www.steepandcheap.com/

[mountainboy12983]

Thanks. I will check the link to make sure that I got the name right. I might have gotten it wrong. You never know.

[mountainboy12983]

Yep, got it wrong. The official site for them is www.dickssportinggoods.com. Thanks for letting me know, that would have been kind of important. (Original post now edited too.)