Cost of Hiking gear

Hiking gear can get very expensive, very quickly, and the choices that face you oftentimes comes down to lighter = more expensive. In this article I break down the price of common gear items, and if it always makes sense to invest in the most expensive option.

The cost of hiking gear usually comes down to weight and performance versus price. The lightest options are most of the time the most expensive. And the cheaper gear is heavier.

As for anything regarding hiking, there are of course exceptions to the rule. Some plastic sheeting that you pick up and cut from a hardware store into a tarp will be one of the lightest and cheapest shelters out there. However, the most comfortable it is not.

I will refer to pricing in Euro throughout this article, since the US dollar is pretty much the same at the time of writing.

The big 3

What you will see when you walk into any outdoor store or do some research online is that the most expensive gear items will lean towards the following gear picks.

• Backpack
• Sleeping bag / pad / etc.
• Shelter

They are also the items otherwise known as the Big Three, if counting your sleep system in 1 go. That will take up the most space and weight in your backpack, and combining that with your cook kit, clothes, first aid, water filter, other items, can add up to 1500 euros/dollars easily. The choices can be more broken down per categorie and what choices you make in that determine the budget for your gear.

Backpack

A backpack is an important gear item that will determine how comfortable your hiking experience will be, get the wrong backpack that digs into your back and you will have a bad time. A quality backpack that fits well, and will last for as long as you need it to will therefore be well worth the money. I worked in an outdoor store for 6 years and had ample opportunity to try a lot off them on. I suggest you do the same, I ended up going for a now older model of the MacPac Torlesse 65, that has been with me on all my adventures.

Try out different backpacks if you can, and take a look at the wide range off options available. Decide which features you would like to have, and take a look at the newer kinds off Ultralight Backpacks. Expect to spend around 200 to 300 euros or more on a backpack.

Sleeping bag

Sleeping bag is another make it or break it part of any hiking load-out. Get cold enough, and not only can your enjoyment of your hike turn more into a survival exercise, but you can get into serious trouble when hiking off the beaten path.

Down vs Synthetic sleeping bags are another topic in and off itself, and I would recommend to read my previous article on the subject. Get one that is appropriate to the temperatures your going to be hiking in, is comfortable, and long lasting. An excellent more affordable option I have found is the Aegismax line off sleeping bags. For summer, spring, and autumn temperatures, this sleeping bag has served me well.

Down sleeping bags will be often more expensive than Synthetic counter parts, since they offer more insulation per weight. And can be compressed to a smaller size. Expect to pay anywhere from 150 to 400 euros for a sleeping bag.

Sleeping pad

Sleeping pads often get lumped in with the term sleep system, but I think they deserve their own attention. Getting a good nights sleep can be vital to restore energy for the next demanding day of hiking, and getting as comfortable as you can in your sleep system can be the difference between enjoyment, and wanting to get it over with.

A popular budget option is to go for a closed cell foam pad, which are basically indestructible and light. At the downside of taking up a lot off space on the in or outside of your backpack. These can be had from 20 to 50 euros.

When taking a look further than closed cell foam mats, you will find self inflating sleeping mats, these have been almost entirely replaced in the public eye with lighter and compact inflatable sleeping pads without the self inflating functionality. In my mind, the sleeping pads from Exped, Thermarest, and others make for the best nights sleep while hiking and camping. At the cost of being more vulnerable. The self inflating mechanism is replaced with a pump up stuff sack in most cases. Which prevent you from blowing your lungs out after a long days hike. These sleeping pads are expensive however, and usually start around 150, and can get up to 300 euros.

Shelter / Tent

Tents are another great way of getting rid of a lot of savings, and ultralight tents are ultra expensive. For my trusty MSR Hubba NX I spend 450 euro’s on. And is a joy to use, but can be a pain to have to buy when just starting out backpacking.

True, in Europe you often need to stay on a campsite if you want to keep it legal. But a single tent without a car is oftentimes under 10 euros a night.

Research tents with that in mind, and get one that ticks all your boxes. A great tent makes for a cozy night in the woods. While a clammy, stuffy, and annoying to stay in tent will make you want to stand out in the rain instead off inside your tent.

Gear that can also get expensive

With just the above gear items your not there yet, and you need many more items to cover all the needs when out hiking.

Take for example a down puffer jacket, if you buy these from a name brand it can easily be 200 euros more that you will need to invest in it. You will get a warm jacket that you can stuff into a tiny package and weighs grams.

What you can also do however is root around in the back of your closet and find an old-fashioned woolen sweater. Thrift shops are also full of them. These you can abuse to hell and back and will always be warm, even when wet.

Hiking shoes and boots are another item that is always a wallet puncher, and depending on your hiking needs and style can get quite expensive. They alone will easily run you anywhere from 150 to 250 euros. And will wear out pretty much after one season.

Same goes for gas canister or cooking stoves, you can spend around 50 euros for decent one. Or DIY a Fancy Feast Alcohol stove for pennies. And as a bonus, alcohol stoves are a lot cheaper to run than gas canister.

Its often the best idea to go out hiking and see if you actually like it, before spending an arm and a leg on all the gear that will live in your closet the rest of your days. Try to borrow gear, loan gear, or purchase a more affordable option first before committing. You can also upgrade your gear step by step, and see what really makes a difference to you and your needs.

At some point in your journey of going hiking, you will need to see what you like about your gear and what you don’t. You also don’t have to follow all the trends that are popping up left and right.

As long as you can get a good night’s sleep, stay healthy, and cover kilometers at your own pace you’re golden.

Happy Hiking and Hike for Purpose!