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🎒 Camping gear: rent it, buy it used, or buy it new
You don't need to buy everything for one trip. Renting or buying used saves money, and lets you try gear before you commit.
Most people go to:
| Site | Best for | Coverage | Cost | App | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| REI rentals ↗ | Renting tents, bags, packs and more at REI stores | US (store locations) | Pay per rental | Web | Visit ↗ |
| REI Re/Supply (used) ↗ | Used and returned REI gear | US | Pay | Web | Visit ↗ |
| Arrive Outdoors ↗ | Gear rental shipped to your door | US | Pay per rental | Web | Visit ↗ |
| Patagonia Worn Wear ↗ | Used Patagonia clothing and gear | US | Pay | Web | Visit ↗ |
| GearTrade ↗ | Buying and selling used outdoor gear | US | Pay | Web | Visit ↗ |
| REI ↗ | New gear, classes and member co-op | US | Pay | iOS, Android | Visit ↗ |
| Backcountry ↗ | New outdoor gear and apparel | US | Pay | iOS, Android | Visit ↗ |
💡 Rent the big, expensive items (tent, sleeping bag, stove) for your first trips.
Links open in a new tab. “Official” means a government site. Links are tagged so each site can see the visit came from Recreation.org. Prices and features change; check each site before you book. Last checked October 2026.
Questions
Can I rent camping gear instead of buying it?
Yes. Some outdoor stores and online services rent tents, sleeping bags and other gear, which is a good way to try camping before you buy.
More topics
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