ActiveHiking & WalkingHiking kit buying tips: 5 hacks to save on your outdoors kitWe asked an outdoors expert for her advice on how to save on your hiking clothing and kit – here’s what she saidWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ActiveHiking & WalkingHiking kit buying tips: 5 hacks to save on your outdoors kitWe asked an outdoors expert for her advice on how to save on your hiking clothing and kit – here’s what she saidWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
We asked an outdoors expert for her advice on how to save on your hiking clothing and kit – here’s what she said
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
(Image credit: Jack Wolfskin)
Hiking is one of life’s great free activities. That is, until you find yourself in your local outdoors shop racking up a massive bill for all the equipment you may or may not need. Figuring out exactlywhat to wear on your hike, and from there, the things you need to invest a bit more on, and where you can afford to pick a cheap or non-specialist option, is key.
As a Trainee Mountain Leader, DofE Supervisor, and Jack Wolfskin ambassador (you can see her above in the red bobble hat on aJack Wolfskin Wolftrailexcursion), Marie is a font of knowledge when it comes to outdoors kit and equipment.
“It’s about being strategic with where you invest in kit,” she tells T3. “Something I mention to people when they’re just starting or trying if it’s for them, is a few bits of kit that they can perhaps go a bit cheaper/more basic to start with. And then over time they can invest!”
Read on for Marie’s invaluable hiking kit buying advice to ensure a comfortable hiking trip without breaking the bank.
1. Use gym kit for base layers
While agood base layeris important, you probably have something in your gym bag that’ll do the trick to start with – Marie often uses her gym and running clothing for treks. If you don’t have that, there are also plenty of affordable, basic base layers around. “Just make sure they aren’t cotton and wick away your sweat,” says Marie. “The idea being that you want the moisture to escape so that you are dry if for example you sweat going up a hill then cool down when you reach the top.”
2. Consider renting pricier items
More and more brands now offer the option to rent, rather than buy, certain items of kit. That’s a great option if you just need something for one specific trip, or are still seeing if something is for you.
“Some brands or outdoor shops now provide options to hire items for specific time period,” says Marie. It really comes into its own for occasional items like sleeping bags, she says (the best lightweight sleeping bags can be seriously pricey, and you might only need it once or twice), but setups likeRab’s rental schemelet you borrow general hiking clothing and down jackets too.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
3. Don’t bother with technical beanies and gloves
As with base layers, while you can get plenty of pricey, outdoors-specific gloves and hats, there are also lots of cheap options around that will be fine too, says Marie. “Again, over time you will probably work out what works best for you and when you need more technical items,” she explains. “But there are a lot of more cost effective options for these out there that do the job.”
4. Spend more on good footwear
Poor footwear can quickly ruin an excursion, so this is somewhere to invest a bit more. When choosing your boots, test them out thoroughly and prioritise comfort.
“Ill-fitting boots and shoes will make or break your trek,” says Marie. “Go to a reputable shop with staff who are outdoorsy people and tell them what it is you will be doing. Ideally you will try a few pairs of shoes and some shops also have a small ramp to allow you to try walking up and down an incline. You should be getting a pair of boots / shoes that have some toe room so that your toes don’t bash the end on a downhill and get black toenails. Usually you may go up 0.5 to 1 size up to allow for this depending on the make.”
Check out T3’sbest hiking boots for men,best hiking boots for women, or, for lighter walks, we also have recommendations forwalking shoes for menandwalking shoes for women.
5. Use a dry bag as a pillow
Finally, a quick hack for multi-day trips. When you’re on a longer excursion, you can get creative with what you’ve packed. “Dry bags double up as a useful pillow if you stuff it with your clothes!” says Marie.
Nintendo’s retro classic returns over 30 years after landmark original – ahead of Switch 2’s rumoured revealDonkey Kong Country Returns HD is on Nintendo Switch – 15 years since the Wii’s reimagining and 31 years since the SNES classic
Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is on Nintendo Switch – 15 years since the Wii’s reimagining and 31 years since the SNES classic
The ultimate full-body gym workout for beginners, according to a fitness expertWant to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Want to hit the gym to build strength and muscle, but don’t know where to start? This workout can help
Change my mind: the smaller, the better with portable power stationsPut your portable power station to work when you’re not using it
Put your portable power station to work when you’re not using it
This rugged adventure Garmin is mega cheap in Walmart’s Black Friday saleThe Instinct 2 is a top watch for outdoor and sport enthusiasts
The Instinct 2 is a top watch for outdoor and sport enthusiasts
YETI’s best-selling products are ridiculously cheap in Amazon’s Black Friday saleFancy yourself a tumbler, rambler or cooler? Amazon’s reduced them all
Fancy yourself a tumbler, rambler or cooler? Amazon’s reduced them all
Knee pain when hiking? Try these four helpful hacks from a strength coachThere’s no need to hang up your hiking boots just yet
There’s no need to hang up your hiking boots just yet
Feeling cold on your winter hike? An outdoor expert says you’re making this mistakeApparently it’s common with ‘first-time hikers’
Apparently it’s common with ‘first-time hikers’
5 gadgets you need for your fastpacking adventure, according to an outdoor expertIf you aren’t taking these out for a fastpack, then it’s time too!
If you aren’t taking these out for a fastpack, then it’s time too!
What’s fastpacking: the adventure sport that lets you go further, faster, and lighter on the trailsTrail running meets backpacking for one epic adventure
Trail running meets backpacking for one epic adventure
Columbia Wyldwood Waterproof Hiking Shell review: the most waterproof (and shiny) jacket I’ve ever wornIt might not have the matt finish most people expect from a jacket, but the Wyldwood really shines when it comes to protecting you from wet and windy weather
It might not have the matt finish most people expect from a jacket, but the Wyldwood really shines when it comes to protecting you from wet and windy weather
