Whether you are a beginner adventurer still learning how to pack a backpack or a seasoned thru-hiker looking for new gear to tackle the epic Alta Via 1, renting camping gear is easy, straightforward, and economical. During my extensive research I found tons of regional marketplaces catering to specific cities and even neighborhoods across North America. For the sake of this article though, I focused my search on the best camping gear rental shops—including both established and upstart brick and mortars and online retailers—catering to a widely dispersed audience. With this guide, I hope to make your search for rental outdoor gear as simple as possible.
Below you will find five great places to rent camping gear, trusted by experts and enthusiasts. Plus some background on why you might want to (and should) rent outdoor gear. In the end, all you have to do is actually plan a trip!
Reasons to Rent Camping Gear
There are plenty of reasons to rent camping gear rather than buy a bunch of new stuff. Here are just a few of the most common:
- Limited storage space at home. It can be difficult to make room for outdoor gear, especially if you live in a teeny apartment and especially if your interests extend beyond basic camping. Renting gear saves you the hassle of trying to pack more stuff into a closet, or worse, having to invest in special gear storage systems or an external storage unit.
- You want to try before you buy. Camping gear, especially quality equipment, is expensive. If you’re unsure if an item will work for you, renting is a great way to try before you buy.
- Traveling far from home for your trip. If you’re heading to a remote destination and don’t want to lug your camping gear through the airport, on the train, or on your back, renting near your destination is a great way to save energy and a few bucks on checked luggage.
For those looking to simply keep costs down, I recommend checking out secondhand gear marketplaces for deals on gently used outdoor gear—if renting isn't in the cards for you.