Looking to upgrade your outdoor experiences without overspending?
You’re not alone. Record numbers of people are getting outside across all demographics. To be exact, 181.1 million Americans participated in outdoor recreation last year. That’s nearly 60% of Americans over the age of six!
But here’s the thing:
Most enthusiasts are throwing their money away on expensive gear upgrades that make little difference. While having nice gear is fun, some of the most impactful outdoor upgrades cost almost nothing at all. Instead they improve comfort, safety and performance with tiny investments in budget-friendly accessories.
Below, the top budget-friendly gear upgrades that will change your outdoor experiences for the better are listed. Read on to learn more!
What you’ll learn:
- Why Budget Outdoor Gear Upgrades Are Important
- The Most Overlooked Budget Outdoor Upgrade
- 5 Budget-Friendly Gear Upgrades That Make All The Difference
- How To Choose What To Spend Money On Outdoors
Why Budget Outdoor Gear Upgrades Are Important
There’s one gear-related misconception just about everyone believes.
Spending money on outdoor gear will drastically improve your experiences in the backcountry.
Yes and no. Spending money helps, but only if you know where to direct your attention. By choosing the right budget upgrades you can dramatically increase comfort outdoors without buying a costly new pack or hiking boots.
Take sun protection for example. Rather than buying a $200+ UPF shirt, spend $15 on a sun protection scarf and gain the added benefits of wind defense, dust coverage and staying power. Your shirt may offer UV protection but what good is that when your neck, ears and nose start burning? Suddenly that $200 feels like a waste.
Instead of throwing money at expensive solutions, direct your attention to budget upgrades that fix common pain points. With outdoor gear there’s almost always a cheaper solution.
Here’s the one budget outdoor upgrade most people completely overlook…
The Most Overlooked Budget Outdoor Upgrade
Sun protection is by far the most overlooked gear category.
Why?
Most people think about SPF sunscreen and a hat. But few think about sun protection from head to toe. That’s where a sun protection scarf comes in handy.
An outdoor sun protection scarf doesn’t just shield you from the sun’s rays. It doubles as a face mask in dusty conditions, emergency bandage, sweat rag, keeps your neck cool and can even function as an emergency sling.
Anybody looking to shop shemaghs right now will find they’re one of the best bang-for-your buck buys.
Here’s the problem with sun exposure:
The sun causes cancer. About 90% of skin cancers reported in the United States are caused by exposure to UV radiation. When you’re outside for long periods of time that exposure skyrockets.
A sun protection scarf covers your neck, ears and the sides of your face. All areas sunscreen is difficult to apply or likely to rub off. They’re also inexpensive and pack small. There’s really no excuse not to own one.
Back to those budget-friendly upgrades…
5 Budget-Friendly Gear Upgrades That Make All The Difference
The list you’ve been waiting for. These are the budget-friendly (sometimes free) upgrades every outdoor enthusiast should own. Review each one, select the ones that fit your needs, and implement them today.
Better Socks
Wait, what? Yes, socks.
Most people’s feet hurt on outdoor adventures because they’re wearing cotton socks. Solution? Buy a nice pair of hiking socks made from either wool or synthetic fibers.
Pros: Prevent blisters. Travel clothes dry faster.
Cons: Slightly more expensive than your typical cotton ankle sock.
Headlamp
Toss the flashy flashlight and get a headlamp instead. Headlamps are by far the most useful lighting solution for nighttime adventures. They’re great for everything from finding a tent at night to securing tarps during windy conditions.
Not only will a headlamp free up your hands for multitasking, but they don’t cost very much either. You can pick up a quality LED headlamp for around $15.
Pros: Hands-free lighting for camping and hiking.
Cons: Overkill for those who don’t spend much time outside after dark.
Better Water Bottle
Nothing fancy. Just a durable water bottle that can keep your water cold for hours in the summer sun and hot during freezing temperatures. Having a reliable water bottle is key when it comes to staying hydrated outdoors.
Temperature controlled hydration is made possible with an affordable, insulated water bottle. Expect to spend around $20-$30.
Pros: Stay hydrated with cold/hot water.
Cons: More expensive than a disposable plastic bottle.
Emergency Tarp
Stop struggling with tents and tarpenades. An emergency tarp is one of the most versatile budget items you can buy. Whether you need a quick shelter from rain, wind or sun an emergency tarp can help.
Throw one of these in your bag and never worry about unexpected weather again. Most emergency tarps start at around $15.
Pros: Come in small sizes. Multi-use shelter
Cons: Takes practice to set up like a tent.
Multi-Tool
Last but certainly not least a quality multi-tool. There’s a reason every man, woman and child on Netflix’s wilderness survival show brought a multi-tool on their journey.
You can find a tool to fit any need. Knife, pliers, screwdriver bottle opener, scissors. The list goes on and on.
Look for a multi-tool that suits your biggest needs and spend around $20.
Pros: Will help you with dozens of tasks.
Cons: Can be bulky if you don’t choose carefully.
How To Spend Money On Gear Wisely
Think about it. If you could solve one problem while spending zero money what would it be?
When it comes to budget-friendly gear upgrades start with the items that fix the biggest problems.
Ask yourself these questions:
- What causes pain or discomfort on trips?
- What safety concerns are currently unaddressed?
- What would make day-to-day life in the wilderness more convenient?
For most people these are:
- Sun protection
- Feet blisters
A sun protection scarf and quality pair of socks will run you less than $30 and solve two of the most common comfort issues faced while outdoors.
From there it’s up to you! Make a list of gear you think could upgrade your outdoor experience. Take that list and compare it against the questions above. If your gear answers those questions then you’ve found some of the best bang-for-your-buck items out there.
If not? Keep searching.
Wrapping It All Up
Budget-friendly gear upgrades can massively improve outdoor experiences while keeping your wallet full.
But only if you know what to buy.
The best budget upgrades:
- Solve common pain points. Blisters, sun exposure and dehydration are issues everyone can relate to.
- Have multiple uses. Tarp? Check. Multi-tool? Check. Pair of socks? Check.
- Are inexpensive. Literally all the items listed here should cost you $30 or less.
To review:
- Focus on sun protection and blister prevention
- Add a LED headlamp and better water bottle
- Consider investing in a lightweight emergency tarp and a quality multi-tool
- Look for solutions to common pain points first
And remember, there’s never been a better time to own a sun protection scarf. Not only will it keep you sun safe, but when purchased from the right site it doubles as a dust cover, wind barrier, and 12 other useful items.
Don’t waste money on expensive gear. Upgrade smart with the above tips and tricks.