Rent vs Buy Camping Gear Calculator
Rental prices add up fast — but so does a garage full of gear you use once a year. Enter your trips and prices to see the break-even point for each item.
The short answer
If you'll camp more than four or five times over the life of the gear, buying usually wins for the core items — tent, bag, pad and pack. Renting wins for your first few trips, for specialized gear you'll use once (bear canisters, snowshoes, winter tents), and when flying to a trip where hauling gear costs more than renting at the destination.
Renting first also lets you try gear before spending hundreds on it. Read what to rent vs buy item by item, and where to rent camping gear.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to rent or buy camping gear?
Renting is cheaper for one to three trips. For core gear like a tent and sleeping bag, buying usually becomes cheaper after about four to six trips, especially if you resell it later.
How much does it cost to rent camping gear?
Prices vary by shop and region. A tent rental commonly runs tens of dollars for a weekend, and complete kits for two cost more. Get quotes from a couple of shops and plug them in above.
What camping gear should you buy first?
Buy items that need a personal fit or that you'd rather not share: hiking boots, a sleeping pad and a sleeping bag or liner. Rent the big, expensive items like tents and packs until you know what you like.
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