The end of summer is often the end of camping season, as far as retailers go. As summer comes to a close, I’ve seen over the years, this is the best time to buy camping gear if you’re looking for deals.
Tent-shopping tip: Whatever number of people it claims to hold, cut that number in half to get a realistic view of how many people can comfortably sleep inside.
The fact that many people continue to camp after Labor Day doesn’t seem to matter. This is the time of year when I typically see sales, closeouts, and clearance labels on camping gear. Maybe retailers think people have already purchased most of what they’re going to buy for the season Kids going back to school has created a sales slump in gear? Perhaps retailers are making room for holiday merchandise? Whatever the reason, this is good news for you.
From now toward the end of September, keep an eye out for camping gear sales. You’ll find some deals online, but some of the best might be in brick-and-mortar stores. You might even get lucky like we did one time and be able to purchase a deeply discounted floor model simply because the store needed the space and wanted to make a sale. (Bonus: By shopping in person, not only will you have your item immediately, but you won’t have to pay for shipping.)
Here are some camping items you might find on sale:
- Tents and accessories like tent pegs
- Airbeds and cots
- Sleeping bags
- Coolers
- Flash lights/torches/lanterns
- Folding chairs
- Cooking gear
- Multi tools
- Canopies
This is a good time to take stock of the gear you already own, and what you might need to repair or replace. If you don’t already own any, this is the best time to buy camping gear for an upcoming trip. And if you don’t have an upcoming trip, new gear will inspire you to make camping plans!
Some stores we’ve purchased camping gear from include Coleman, Campmor, Bass Pro Shops, Dick’s Sporting Goods, REI, Amazon, Cabela’s, Moosejaw, Walmart, Kmart, and Play It Again Sports. You might have other stores in your area that sell sporting goods.
While you’re shopping, consider also looking for summer-related clothing and accessories. Swimwear, personal floatation devices (PFDs), and other “summertime” outdoors gear your family needs might be discounted so stores can focus on fall and winter clothing.
