Hello Friends!
When planning for a camping trip some items that you’re going to, in doubt need, can become very pricey. I wanted to give you guys some sustainable short cuts so you aren’t breaking your bank when trying to just enjoy nature at it’s finest.
Due to the cost of items sky rocketing in the past few years, I believe you should be able to have a solution to said affordability. Especially, when you want to appreciate the outdoors.
I’ve curated a list of extremely common second-hand items that are in just about every thrift store or on Facebook Market. All of these items I’ve encountered are relatively new or in some cases still in the packaging.
Side note: I’ll show some of my own purchases as well as the ones I’ve passed up. All in all you’ll be able to see the actual items raw and their prices.
Keep Close To Nature’s Heart And Break Clear Away, Once In Awhile, And Climb A Mountain Or Spend A Week In The Woods. Wash Your Spirit Clean.
John Murr
Here are 10 common affordable camping items:
1.) Foldable All Terrain Chairs
With all the years I’ve been shopping second-hand I have surpassed an incredible amount of camping chairs.
They come in all different sizes, colors and conditions. The best part is the pricing set for them. You’ll find yourself paying under $10 for a brand new chair in some cases.
Side Tip: Always fully inspect the chairs and even give them a test run to make sure they’re fully reliable. You don’t want to purchase it and have it collapse once you use it for the first time.
2.) Cooking Pots of All Sizes
I highly recommend buying your pots and pans used rather than using your regular day to day ones.
Most thrift stores have such a large selection of pots and pans that aren’t fully rundown. You are destined to find some great cook ware when shopping second-hand, that’s guaranteed.
Keep In Mind: Always look at the cast iron skillets and their conditions because I’ve scored on a few brand new -not seasoned- skillets and have never turned back!
3.) Thermal Cups & Bowls
These will be a life saver when wanting to consume soup, hot chocolate, some spaghetti or even coffee.
You’ll find these where the plastic containers and Tupperware are oddly enough. Highly recommend having these on your to get list.
For instance, when going on an all day hike or even just meal prep you’ll want these handy for when the time comes. These go for $3.99-6.99 each! They’re extravagantly cheap and very common to find.
4.) Grilling Tools
These are key when camping but what you don’t want to do is use your everyday grilling tools, you’ll want to have separate for sanitary and organization reasonings.
You can find these everywhere and anywhere don’t get me wrong. But, the costs of second-hand grilling tools are exceptional.
Tip: Always look in cases because you never know what they’ll entail. I’ve opened up many boxes per se and have found a full set of grilling tools, multiple times. That’s why I always say thoroughly inspect the closed items!
5.) Lanterns or Gas Lamps
Your community goes out with the old and in with their new. See the thing with this is we can strive with their old and make it our new.
With that, there are multiples of these that you pass up and you don’t even realize. They can be battery operated or gas operated.. they are there!
I’ve picked up a few lanterns as well as gas lamps myself -as you can see above- and the pricing is phenomenal, I will never turn to retail unless absolutely needed. These lamps have lasted me multiple trips and I can assure you they’ll run you for longer then you spent on them.
6.) Cutting Boards
At first I believed I wouldn’t need a cutting board when going camping due to either meal prepping or just having quick easy meals.
It is very important to have a clean surface in any circumstance, but even just laying your food for preparation beforehand can get tricky when outside.
Shockingly enough there are so many cutting boards everywhere in thrift stores. You can find plastic cutting boards, plank wood boards or even butcher blocks (that they price so cheap lol).
Side Note: From personal experience I believed I wouldn’t need a cutting board handy but you can find yourself in situations where it’s crucial to have. Not the biggest priority when packing but it will become useful I can assure that.
7.) Portable Stove
This ideally is something you would absolutely want to have especially if there isn’t a grill accessible.
You’ll come across single burners, butane or propane stoves. I will admit the pricing will range within each but all in all they’re exceptionally cheaper than buying a brand new stove for retail prices.
With experience, I would say this isn’t a rare find but I wouldn’t say it’s extremely common either. However, they are out there and in most cases in very good conditions.
8.) Tactical Storage Containers
Your entire experience will change once you invest the little money into obtaining a reliable all terrain box.
These can come in so many various sizes which is perfect when organizing your gear to camp.
With any environment you’re in, these are so beneficial. Having at least one dependable container can make your adventure easier because you can maintain organization and it’ll allow your items to be at reach.
Tip: Implementing Facebook Marketplace, Offer Up, eBay or any multi vendor marketplace where you’re able to purchase like-new products, can really be useful when looking for this item specifically.
9.) Cooler/Ice Chest
When in doubt, this is one of the main items you’ll be taking with you when camping. It’s so easy finding various amounts of coolers anywhere; of course.
Nevertheless, shopping sustainably for said cooler, you’ll be able to not only pay very little but obtain a very reliable product that will genuinely last you.
I had purchased the coolers above when I wasn’t actively camping and they have lasted me a long three years of constant usage.
10.) Foldable Table
I will admit, this isn’t an item most people would assume they’d find at any second-hand location but they are more common than you think.
From what I’ve observed, yes they are most times very worn in. But, if you’re camping remote you will want to have this.
Especially when only using this on occasion, you’ll typically not want to spend $50 on a table that you’re utilizing rarely. There’s always plentiful of table cloths you can use to cover the mess of others.
Wilderness is not a luxury but necessity of the human spirit.
Edward Abbey
Final Note:
Taking advantage of second-owned items can really be resourceful when trying to go camping on a budget. My main advice would be to always do a bit of research before you turn to retail because there’s a plethora amount of gear just at your finger tips.
Wether you make the time to scavenge through a thrift store or even explore Facebook Market place, you won’t be disappointed with the lower cost camping gear. If you ever find yourself wary that you’ve forgotten anything I highly suggest checking out my Curated Camping Lists that you can download free of charge to ensure you are adequately prepared for your upcoming trip!
I hope you guys found these little tips on camping sustainably, inspiring. When in doubt there is always somebody in your community getting rid of an item that you need!
