I thought it would be fun to start a thread for the purpose of sharing our favorite deals on tripping related gear.

I would not consider myself a gear head, but when I know what I want/need I get excited if I can find a really good deal. Unfortunately my wife doesn't share my enthusiasm for these types of deals, so instead of boring her I figured it would be fun to share with some like minded folks.

This can be a recent deal, or one in the distant past. It can be something new or used, big or small. Maybe you got it from a big box store or maybe a garage sale or thrift shop. It can be a great deal $ wise, or maybe it's a more sentimental deal.

I'll start off with a recent one for me. I picked up 5 brand new rapala deep tail dancers, size 11, for $8 a piece. (This isn't a current deal I can share with you all or I gladly would!)

Another for me was an old Portage Pack Co. #3 pack for $20. It's not canvas, but rather a heavy cordura-like fabric, very rugged and a super simple pack. It's not the biggest, but quite comfy and very light weight (1lb 12oz) for light weight solo trips.

What other kinds of finds have you all come across??

My great-uncle sold me an MSR stove and 2 fuel canisters for $20 when he heard i was developing an interest in canoe tripping. He worked with the USFS in the BWCA back in the 90s, so we've had a lot in common to discuss about that.

Many years ago perhaps 15? I found one of these water proof packs from Seattle Sports online for about 20 bucks. I bought one and thought it was excellent so told my buddy about it and he bought another. then we bought a third figuring they weren't going to be available at that price forever.

Fast forward and we are still using the original 2 packs after 15 years of 1-2 trips a year. They have never failed us, completely waterproof, no real signs of wear and work as good as the day we got them. No waist belt but pretty comfortable with a medium load and pretty bulletproof, you can toss them around without worry. I am frankly amazed that they have held up this long and this well. One of the best buys we have ever had. They will fit a bear vault with room around the edges and significant room above for reference as to size.

I love equipment that works well and performs the function they are designed for for a long period of time. If I happened to get a great deal on that piece of equipment, even better:)

The one the jumps out at me was the MSR Elixer 2 tent I found in the Cabelas bargain cave for $80. Not sure the regular price then, but it’s over $300 now.

I had just started trying my hand at solo tripping, but didn’t know if I was going to like it and wasn’t planning on a new tent and was content using my Taj 3 and not spending money on a smaller tent. But for $80 I couldn’t pass it up. Packs smaller than the Taj and saves me a couple of pounds and takes up less space in the pack and a much simpler set up up. It is great on my solos with the dog and sometimes I’ve used it on trips with one of my kids.

My cedar strip canoe was a bargain. Owner was being transfered at work and motivated. He listed on cl and I saw it 20 minutes later. Was strapping on my car about an hour after he listed it!

Garage sale find. Everything you could fit into a grocery sack for $1. I put a good Thermarest in and my wife put about three other things in the bag. I figure the Thermarest cost me $0.25!

Several years ago I received a tip that an estate auction 3 hours away would be selling some high end paddling gear. I went and apparently was the only paddler bidding. I got 2 ZRE paddles for $25 each, and a Kevlar Minnesota 2 for $450. Last year I found a Eureka Timberline 4 at the local Goodwill for $8.

About 15 years ago I was driving past the Johnson Outdoors store at their headquarters in my town. In the front window were numerous yellow barrels with harnesses made by Eureka Canada. I had a friend who was a SC Johnson retiree get me a 30L and a 60L. I paid something like $48 for the 30 and $56 for the 60. When my tripping buddies found out, I had to get a few more for them. I also picked up a Eureka tent that was a demo tent on the shop floor w/o a box for $40. Lastly I was given 8 tin Old Town signs the store was discarding.

When I paddle in Canada I appear to be a local with the yellow barrels. On a 2009 Quetico trip rangers stopped by our campsite expecting to talk to Canadians.

lindylair: "


I love equipment that works well and performs the function they are designed for for a long period of time. If I happened to get a great deal on that piece of equipment, even better:)"

YES! That is " GREEN".

Same thing for me with the Sealline Baja Bags. Bulletproof. Still using after 33 years.

Got a Sealline Boundary Pak 115 L on CL for about $40. Great value. I added heavy duty carry handles so you can place and lift th black on its side in and out of a canoe.

I love Craigslist deals the best. Last week, I got a 1952 Coleman 200A red gas lantern and a two burner 425 Coleman stove and a gallon of fuel for $20!

Best deal I ever got was through this site! I was trying to learn more about PLBs and someone offered me their used SPOT 3 for the cost of postage...still using it today.
Thanks pineknot!

About two blocks from my house I made a garage sale haul! Got a Granite Gear Quetico pack (90's version with heartier cordura than what they use now) for $20, inside of it was a Granite Gear Thwart bag and the owners told me "that's included". At the same garage sale I got a BB paddle and a couple of stuff sacks for an additional $10. I walked in the door wearing the pack on my back, the thwart bag around my waist (it has a built in belt) using the paddle as a walking stick...my wife just rolled her eyes at me!

Tony

GopherAdventure: "About two blocks from my house I made a garage sale haul! Got a Granite Gear Quetico pack (90's version with heartier cordura than what they use now) for $20, inside of it was a Granite Gear Thwart bag and the owners told me "that's included". At the same garage sale I got a BB paddle and a couple of stuff sacks for an additional $10. I walked in the door wearing the pack on my back, the thwart bag around my waist (it has a built in belt) using the paddle as a walking stick...my wife just rolled her eyes at me!


Tony"

YES!

Love this thread.

I scored an Wenonah Blacklite Elbow paddle for $100 a couple weeks ago on FB marketplace. Couple tiny knicks and scratches, otherwise perfect. Maybe not a screaming deal but I know even the used ones from outfitters are more these days and they are usually a bit more beat up.

REI Labor Day sale is on.
Personally I'm usually not impressed at the "deals" at REI, but it may be good for some folks to save a few bucks on something they want.

Sorry... DP

Just scored a big agnes torchlight 20 bag for a total of 34 bucks...discontinued model, I had $54 in rei bucks, and 20% off the sale price!

Eddie Bauer has some good sales.
If you check their clearance section now, there is some good stuff there.... and take 60% off of the already marked down clearance price.

In 86 I was trying solo canoes at Ketter Canoeing and saw an Kevlar/foam core Advantage on the lawn with a bent gunwale and a crack across mid stern. It was a new boat from Hoigaard's that had been blown off the rack during a thunderstorm and they had brought it to Ketter for repair. Drove to Hoigaard's and asked them what they wanted for it "as is". Walked out with a bill of sale for $400. Took almost 45 minutes to repair.

15 years later got a near-new MNII from Piragis for $200. Someone dumped on Farm Lake and left the boat partially submerged in waves overnight. The bow 1/3 was 3/4 torn away from hull- held on by a few inches of the bottom and the gunwales. It took replacing both gunwales and a few extra pounds of glass and resin. Not a pretty boat, but fast light and fully functioning.

I got a steal on this fixer-upper on eBay. Pick up only in Thunder Bay probably limited the market. The seller didn’t realize that it was a Peterborough cruiser, a very desirable canoe

Cooke Custom Sewing 1.1oz 15x15 Silnylon Tarp on sale online at Piragis today (9/4/23) $402 down from $575: CCS 1.1 TARP HERE

Today I made an excellent CL score. Pristine condition 1964 Coleman 200A gas lantern. In this condition it would go for up to $?300 or so on eBay. 20 bucks

Kinda creeped out by the "used shoe" deals at REI. Maybe it's just me.

NotLight: "Kinda creeped out by the "used shoe" deals at REI. Maybe it's just me."

When I lived in Boulder I would frequent the REI and they always had outlet and used gear sales right in store in their backroom, and some of the shoes were downright trashed. Couldn't believe they were asking $40-50 for some of that stuff still.

AlexanderSupertramp: "

NotLight: "Kinda creeped out by the "used shoe" deals at REI. Maybe it's just me."

When I lived in Boulder I would frequent the REI and they always had outlet and used gear sales right in store in their backroom, and some of the shoes were downright trashed. Couldn't believe they were asking $40-50 for some of that stuff still. "

What really creeps me out is the used BVDs.