I’ll be honest — I love the outdoors, but I don’t love hauling gear across the city or trying to stuff a tent into a closet the size of a shoe box. So when I heard about Arrive Outdoors, a service that lets you rent high-quality camping gear and have it shipped straight to your door, I knew I had to try it.
This is my full Arrive Outdoors camping gear rental review — what I ordered, how it went, what I learned, and whether I’d actually do it again. Spoiler: I absolutely would.
What Is Arrive Outdoors?
Arrive Outdoors (found at ArriveOutdoors.com) is an online outdoor gear rental platform that partners with premium outdoor brands — think Marmot, Helinox, Therm-a-Rest, and Nemo — to make outdoor adventures more accessible.
Instead of buying expensive gear that you’ll use a few times a year (and then have to store), you can rent everything you need: tents, sleeping bags, pads, stoves, cookware, lanterns, backpacks, and even outerwear.
They deliver it right to your home, hotel, or even a FedEx location near your campground. When you’re done, you just pack everything back into the same box, slap on the prepaid label, and send it back.
It’s camping made simple — and sustainable.
How Arrive Outdoors Works
Arrive Outdoors works like a mix between REI Rentals and Airbnb for gear. The process is intuitive, even for someone renting for the first time.
Here’s how it went for me:
- I chose my gear online.
I selected the Camping Set for Two, which includes all the essentials: a Marmot tent, two Nemo sleeping bags, sleeping pads, headlamps, a lantern, a compact camp stove, and a cooler. You can also add optional extras like chairs or cooking kits. - I picked my rental dates.
Arrive Outdoors makes scheduling easy — you just select your start and end dates and they handle the shipping to ensure it arrives before your trip begins. - The gear arrived right at my doorstep.
My boxes showed up two days before my departure, perfectly on time. Everything was neatly packed, clean, and labeled. They even included instructions for setup and return. - After the trip, I shipped it all back.
Once I got home, I packed everything into the same boxes, attached the pre-paid return labels, and dropped them off at FedEx. Done.
There’s no waiting in line at a gear shop, no worrying about storage space, and no clutter in my apartment when I get home.
How Much Does Arrive Outdoors Cost?
Let’s talk numbers — because affordability is one of the main reasons people search for Arrive Outdoors camping gear rental review in the first place.
Prices on ArriveOutdoors.com vary depending on the season, gear type, and duration, but here’s a general idea:
| Item | Average Cost per Day | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trekking poles / hiking boots | $1–$5 | Perfect for casual hikers |
| Two-person tent | Around $12 | Varies by brand and season |
| Camping Set for Two | $50–$80 | Includes tent, sleeping bags, pads, lantern, cooler, stove |
| Ski clothing sets | Up to $80 | Includes jacket, pants, gloves, base layers |
I rented during peak summer — so I paid around $83 per day for the two-person camping set. Yes, it felt steep at first. But when you realize that the gear inside costs more than $1,600 to buy outright, it suddenly feels like a bargain.
Plus, shipping and returns are free on most orders over $49, and new users get 10% off their first rental over $99.
My Experience Using Arrive Outdoors
When my Arrive Outdoors boxes arrived, I was impressed right away. The gear was spotless and organized — each piece was packed with care and labeled by brand and use.
I took the gear on a weekend trip to a lakeside campground about two hours from home. Setting up was surprisingly easy. The Marmot tent came with color-coded poles and clear instructions, and even though I hadn’t used that model before, it took me less than 10 minutes to pitch.
The Nemo sleeping bags were cozy and clean, and the Therm-a-Rest pads made a world of difference — I actually slept through the night. The lantern included in the set doubled as a power bank for my phone, which was a thoughtful touch I didn’t expect.
Everything worked flawlessly. I didn’t have to worry about missing poles or broken zippers — something I was admittedly nervous about.
The only minor hiccup? The boxes are big and bulky. If you don’t have a car, getting them to a FedEx drop-off can be a hassle. I had to borrow a dolly just to wheel them there. Still, that’s a small inconvenience for the ease of the whole experience.
Pros and Cons of Arrive Outdoors
After my weekend adventure, I had a clear sense of what Arrive Outdoors does best — and where it could improve.
Pros
- Top-tier gear: Everything felt like it came straight off a retail shelf — clean, new, and high-performance.
- Convenience: Delivered right to my door, return-ready packaging, and flexible rental dates.
- Eco-friendly: Renting reduces waste and supports a circular economy — less gear sitting unused in closets or landfills.
- Affordable for occasional campers: Perfect for weekend warriors or families trying out camping for the first time.
- No storage needed: Ideal for apartment dwellers or city adventurers.
Cons
- Shipping size: Boxes are large, which makes drop-off tricky without a car.
- Limited last-minute availability: You’ll want to book at least a week ahead during busy seasons.
- Cumulative cost: If you camp often, renting repeatedly will cost more than owning.
Who Should Use Arrive Outdoors?
In my opinion, Arrive Outdoors is made for three main groups:
- City dwellers with limited space — If your camping gear currently doubles as decor in your closet, this is for you.
- Beginners or occasional campers — If you’re testing the waters before investing hundreds of dollars in equipment, renting is a smart move.
- Travelers and explorers — Perfect if you’re flying somewhere and don’t want to check bulky gear.
It’s also a great choice for families who camp once or twice a year or for anyone who values sustainability.
Sustainability and the Circular Gear Model
One of the most impressive aspects of Arrive Outdoors is how they’ve integrated sustainability into their business model.
Instead of encouraging endless consumption, they promote reuse and longevity. Every piece of gear is carefully cleaned, sanitized, and maintained between rentals using eco-friendly and CDC-approved methods.
They also follow a circular economy model, meaning returned gear is either rented again or resold at a discount in their resale section — nothing goes to waste. It’s a practical and planet-friendly approach that lets you explore the outdoors responsibly.
This alone makes the brand stand out among outdoor retailers.
How Arrive Outdoors Compares to Competitors
I’ve rented from other companies before — including REI Rentals and Outdoors Geek — and while those services are good, Arrive Outdoors wins in a few key ways:
| Feature | Arrive Outdoors | REI Rentals | Outdoors Geek |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home delivery | ✅ Yes | ❌ In-store only | ✅ Yes |
| Premium brands | ✅ Marmot, Nemo, Helinox | ✅ REI Co-op, MSR | ✅ Varies |
| Cleaning & sanitization | ✅ Eco-friendly, CDC-compliant | ✅ | ✅ |
| Package sets | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | ✅ Yes |
| Customer support | 7-day live chat & email | Business hours | Limited |
REI Rentals are great if you have a store nearby and don’t mind pickup. But Arrive Outdoors’ nationwide shipping and curated sets make it easier for anyone — even those without access to a gear store — to get outside.
Final Verdict: Is Arrive Outdoors Worth It?
After my full Arrive Outdoors camping gear rental review, here’s my honest take:
If you love the idea of getting outdoors but hate the cost, clutter, or commitment of owning gear, Arrive Outdoors is a game changer.
The convenience is unmatched. The gear quality is exceptional. And the whole process — from ordering to returning — is smoother than I expected.
Would I rent from them again? Absolutely. In fact, I already have my eye on one of their backpacking kits for my next trip.
Renting gear shouldn’t feel like a compromise. With Arrive Outdoors, it feels like an upgrade — to your camping experience, your wallet, and even the planet.
Quick Takeaways
- Best for: Casual campers, travelers, and eco-conscious adventurers
- What I loved: Premium gear, doorstep delivery, and sustainability focus
- What could improve: Smaller return boxes for city users
- Overall rating: 9.5/10
If you’re planning your next camping trip and don’t want to buy or store a mountain of gear, head to ArriveOutdoors.com and see how easy it is to rent your entire setup.
Trust me — you’ll be setting up camp faster than you can say “s’mores.”
