Amazon isn't the first place most of us go for outdoor gear, but the retail giant does stock a few good brands, and there are some deals right now during Prime Big Deal Days. Most of the good deals on outdoor gear right now, though, are at Backcountry and Public Lands, both of which are having sales. We've combed through the deals and picked the best ones based on all our testing. We only recommend the gear we actually like and use ourselves.
For more deals, check out our Absolute Best Prime Big Deal Days roundup and our Prime Day liveblog for the latest discounts.
Tent and Sleeping Deals
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
This is a great deal on our favorite 3-person backpacking tent, though we also like the 2-person model, which is what's on sale here. Nemo's Dagger Osmo is roomy for the weight, with steep sidewalls and generous living space. I've found that the nylon-polyester blend (the Osmo fabric that gives the tent its name) really does stretch less and repels water more than nylon alone, without misting as much as pure silpoly. The result is a sturdy tent that I've used without issue in snow, despite technically having a three-season rating.
The Big Agnes Copper Spur series is our top pick for freestanding ultralight tents. This is a high-quality, well-designed tent that's lightweight, easy to set up, and roomy enough to be livable in the backcountry. The “awning” design (with trekking poles or sticks) is a nice extra, and the mix of 15D nylon and 20D ripstop, which feels fragile, has held up well over time. These are on sale because Big Agnes recently revamped the Copper Spur; these are last year's models (but they're still great!). The 3-person model and 4-person model are also on sale.
This is my go-to backpacking tent when my kids are with me. It's light enough that I can carry it myself (about 4 pounds for the 3-person model), and roomy enough at 40 square feet that I can squeeze three kids in there with me (or at least I used to be able to; unfortunately, it turns out young children continue to grow). The semi-freestanding design saves weight, but it does mean you'll have to stake out the foot end, and the fabrics are light (read: less durable) than the Nemo Dagger tents. But the model I have has held up well through several years of use.
This is the best deal I've ever seen on MSR's Groundhog stakes. They're the best tent upgrade you can make for $20. They're super strong. I've never had one bend or pull out on me, and for the strength, they're pretty light. I carry a mix of stakes when backpacking, including four of these, some carbon fiber pegs, and some shepherd hooks. That way, no matter what the terrain, I've got something that'll work.
Photograph: Scott Gilbertson
The “mummy” design of mummy bags is about optimizing for warmth, not comfort. But let's face it, most of us are not sleeping in situations where our survival is at stake. Therm-a-Rest has addressed this with what it calls W.A.R.M. fit, which stands for “with additional room for multiple” positions. Indeed, this bag is very roomy for a mummy design. I was able to draw my legs up when side-sleeping and spread out considerably more than with most bags. If you toss and turn through the nights and don't want a quilt, this would be my top pick.
... continue reading