Renting Camping Equipment: which gear is worth buying?

Camping is a popular outdoor activity that allows you to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature. Whether you're a seasoned camper or a novice looking to embark on your first outdoor adventure, one question often arises: should you rent or buy camping equipment? This decision can significantly impact your camping experience, budget, and overall enjoyment. In this article, we'll explore the pros and cons of renting camping equipment and highlight which outdoor gear items are worth purchasing even as you're starting out.

The Pros and Cons of Renting Camping Equipment

Before we dive into the specific gear items worth buying, let's take a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of renting camping equipment.

Pros of Renting Camping Gear:

• Lower Up-Front Cost for Beginners: Renting can be a solid option for beginners who want to try camping without making a significant financial investment upfront.
• Variety: Rental services often offer a wide range of equipment options, allowing you to choose gear that suits your specific needs and preferences for each trip.
• Maintenance-Free: Renting eliminates the need for equipment maintenance and storage space since you'll be returning everything after your trip.

Cons of Renting Camping Gear:

• Long-Term Costs: While renting may seem cost-effective initially, you will likely end up spending more money over time compared to purchasing your gear to start.
• Inconsistent Quality and Condition: Rental equipment can vary in quality and condition, which may affect your overall camping experience.
• Inconsistent Availability: Owning your own gear means you're guaranteed to have the gear you need, when you need it.
• Limited Personalization: You might not find gear that perfectly fits your preferences and requirements, such as the ideal sleeping bag or tent size.

Camping Gear You Should (Probably) Rent

If you've decided to rent camping and outdoor gear, here are the items to rent:

Camp chairs: Rent to see what you find most comfortable. While there are some great chairs out there, if you're looking for something basic you can't really go wrong with renting a camp chair. (Ready for a fancy, extra comfortable chair? Consider the Nemo Stargaze or Helinox Savanna chairs.)

Pick a chair, any chair. Helinox chairs are durable and comfy, and the Nemo Stargaze allows ultimate relaxation. © Outdoorithm

Specialty equipment: Various outdoor activities can accompany a camping trip, and some require special gear - think winter sports(e.g. snowshoes), water sports (e.g. paddle boards or kayaks), or climbing gear. Renting specialty equipment is a great way to afford a new sport as well as to try out different pieces of equipment to see what works for you. Any time you rent technical equipment make sure to rent from a reputable gear shop that maintains their equipment well and checks it thoroughly before renting it out.

Bikes: This one is a toss-up. Bikes are expensive but rentals can likewise get very pricey. Budget out how many days you plan on renting and take into account whether you're in need of a specialty bike that you likely won't use elsewhere (e.g. are you needing a mountain bike for trails or fat-tire bikes for sand? Are you bikepacking and need to carry your camping gear on your bike?). If, however, a hybrid bike will suffice and you plan to use it on a regular basis, purchasing could make more sense.

Bear cans: These are often required to store food in the backcountry. If it's your first backpacking trip and you're not sure if or when you'll go again, renting bear cans is a great way to go. As with technical equipment, make sure to rent from a reputable gear shop that maintains their equipment well.

Feeling empowered to move mountains in her Osprey kids backpack. All photos ©Outdoorithm.

Backpacks: We've added these to the rental list because they get pricey. Once you find one you really like, even if you only go out a few times a year, go ahead and purchase it if you're able. Investing in a high-quality backpack that fits your body well and accommodates your gear can make your trip significantly more comfortable and enjoyable. By the end of your trip your backpack may even feel like a trusty travel companion (and possibly impart super-human strength).

Camping Gear Worth Buying

Camping gear can be a little chicken-and-egg. While an interest in camping will propel you toward actually camping, sometimes having gear you really like and enjoy (and don’t want to go to waste) will give you the extra push to get outdoors more often. For those who have an interest in camping regularly or who simply want a more personalized camping experience, investing in your own gear is a wise choice. Here are some camping essentials that are worth buying (you can also check our top gear recommendations for each category):

Tent: Owning your tent ensures you have a comfortable and reliable shelter, and makes it much more likely that you'll actually go camping again. Choose a tent that suits your camping style, be it a lightweight backpacking tent, a family-sized cabin tent, or a specialized four-season tent for all weather conditions. This is one of those high-ticket items, so try to catch a sale if you can.

Nemo 3 person similar to the Nemo Dagger.
© Outdoorithm

Springbar Traveler tent, similar to Highline tent. © Outdoorithm

Sleeping Bag: Comfortable and warm sleeping bags are crucial for a good night's sleep in the outdoors. Finding one with the right temperature rating and insulation type for your needs can greatly enhance your camping experience. If you purchase a bag on sale or lightly used (for instance from REI’s annual garage sale), the price difference between renting and buying a mid-range bag usually doesn't justify the hassle of renting.

Sleeping Pad: A comfortable sleeping pad provides insulation and cushioning, ensuring your body temperature stays regulated and you get a restful night's sleep. Choose one based on your body's needs, your preferred sleeping position, and the terrain on which you most often sleep.

Cooking Equipment: While some campers may prefer the convenience of rented cookware, having a durable and reliable camping stove (single burner or portable grill), cookware set, and utensils can significantly enhance your outdoor dining experience. Because you usually won't want to camp without it, owning camping cooking equipment will make it more likely that you'll go camping when the opportunity arises since you won't have to wait for rental availability.

Water filters: A basic filter is something you should just go ahead and purchase since they are fairly inexpensive - a LifeStraw Collapsible Water Filter goes for approximately $30. If you plan on going out a lot or need water for a group you can invest in a larger system, but since most campgrounds have potable water (always check before you go) and in the backcountry you don't want to carry anything heavy anyway, starting with smaller filters that attach to your water bottle is usually sufficient.

Footwear: Comfortable and durable hiking shoes can prevent discomfort and injuries on the trail. Opt for multi-use shoes (like the Altra Lone Peak or Salomon trail running shoes) that you can also wear for walks around your city or on runs. There is usually not a need for a hiking boot, even when backpacking.

Headlamps: A reliable source of light is essential for safety and convenience during camping trips, and something you can use hands-free is highly recommended. Even if you end up camping infrequently, a headlamp is great to have for other tasks around your home or in the case of an emergency.

Remember, renting vs buying is not an all-or-nothing. You can do a combination, picking and choosing based on what gear you need and your budget. Quality gear is available at a variety of price-points, plus there are ✨ major annual sales ✨ from retailers such as REI, Backcountry, and Moosejaw. REI also has a Resupply that sells used gear, as well as an annual garage sale.

Yes, camping gear can be an investment but it’s one you can make over time, and keep in mind that you’ll be able to take many camping trips for the same cost as one or two vacations (think flights, hotels, restaurants, etc.). There are various options for getting the camping gear you need so don't let the (false) notion that camping requires going on an all-in major shopping spree keep you from getting outdoors.

Interested in seeing our top picks for each major gear category? Check out our GearMeUp tool.

Happy Camping! 🏕️