Finding good hiking gear for your outdoor adventures is a challenging quest. If you’ve been hiking and camping all your life, then you probably are familiar with the major brands and know what you like. But what about the rest of us?
Standing in the middle of REI looking around at all the hiking and outdoor gear you could buy is overwhelming. Then you look at the prices and your budget.
This can be a big purchase. And if you are like us, you want to get it right!
That’s where we come in. Imagine Tanya and I standing next to you at REI.
“Don’t worry, we got this. We are going to show you our absolute favorite hiking gear and how to make it budget friendly.”
Since we can’t actually be in that store, we’ve started a series of outdoor gear reviews to share with you what we take on Colorado hiking trails. When you head out shopping, here are some things to keep in mind.
Know what you need.
Research it.
Buy outdoor gear at a place like REI or Backcountry that will take it back if it doesn’t work out.
Once you know it works, then scout used hiking gear or online outdoor gear swaps.
If you live in or near Colorado Springs and Denver, we have a post all about our favorite local resale shops!
Find quality used gear on online at eBay, Poshmark, and Mercari.
Hit clearance sales with a “no return” policy with confidence.
Garage sales.
We only recommend the stuff we use and love. We don’t review products we don’t use or wouldn’t buy or have never heard of. These are the things we treasure (and hide from our kids and husbands). Because when out on the best Colorado hiking trails, or camping, our gear is our constant companion and the key to success.
We slipped inside the Zenbivy Core Bed overnight on a few summer time camping trips here in Colorado to learn how this unique backcountry sleeping bag acts more like a bed and less like a classic bag. Updated for 2024, see how the Core Bed offers options for staying warm or cool while tent camping. All kinds of sleeping positions relish the slip-free sleeping pad with this sheet and quilt combo.
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