Best Time to Buy a Tent

For nature lovers, the idea of a camping trip is exciting. If you are planning an escape from the everyday monotony, you will have to invest in a camping tent. And if you are on a tight budget and looking for a discount, you might wonder: what is the best time to buy a tent? Read on to learn.

Learn About Clearance Sales

Tents go on clearance around late fall. During this time, stores offer large discounts on outdoor gear. They do it to replace the old items with the new season’s products. Camping gear is like fashion items. They get fancier every year.

All stores are not the same. But you will definitely find stores that offer discounts on last year’s products. Manufacturers know that camping gear is highly in demand during the camping season. Therefore, they do not reduce the prices when the products are highly in demand.

When looking for discounts, there is another thing to consider. You might find a good deal on special days such as the fourth of July, Memorial Day, and Labor Day. Big discounts are also offered during the winter holidays. 

How Many Discounts Can You Expect?

Discounts depend on brands and stores. When stores offer discounts on lower quality tents, you might assume that the stores are just showing a reason to purchase new products. Popular and higher-end brands rarely offer big discounts.

Discounts are usually available on lower-end products because these brands want people to buy their products. Maintaining loyalty is not their major concern. 

However, you can still get a good deal on a high-quality tent when the production of a particular model has been discontinued. In some cases, the discount can be as high as 70%. The key is to figure out the best time to buy a tent. 

When Do Top Brands Offer Discounts?

If you look at the brands that regularly offer discounts on their products, you will notice that these are not usually the top brands. Top brands such as Marmot, Patagonia, and The North Face have strategies for preventing retailers from offering discounts on their products. 

They offer discounts but not as often as less popular brands. If you want to know whether a particular big brand is offering discounts, go to their website to see if they have end-of-season discounts.

In general, some top brands offer discounts around early winter, when the camping season is coming to an end. During this time you can get a high-quality tent at a relatively low price.

Think of Other Ways to Save Money on Your Tent

So far we have clarified that the best time to buy a tent is toward the end of the camping season. However, although buying a tent out of season is the best way to get discounts, there are other ways to buy cheap tents. 

 If you do a little bit of market research, you will notice that older models of tents are significantly cheaper than newer models. What about getting an older model? 

Shopping online is another great idea. It might sound counterintuitive, but you can actually save money shopping online. Some brands have web-only deals with huge discounts. Visit eBay, Amazon, and other online shops and you may find what you are looking for.

If there is a camping exhibition nearby, do not miss the opportunity. Visit the exhibition. These exhibitions often offer attractive deals. 

Some people prefer second-hand tents because they are very cheap. Many charity shops sell second-hand tents. If you decide to buy one, check the condition properly before you pay.

What About Other Camping Kit?

We have clarified that late fall is the best time for camping trips in the USA. The same rule applies to other camping kits. Discounted camping gear is available during major holidays and toward the end of the camping season.

There are some websites that sell past-season or discounted gear. SteepandCheap.com is an example. However, it is important to remember that these websites do not offer many options to choose from.

Things to Consider When Buying a Tent

You know the best time to buy a tent, and you will probably get a big discount. But the price is not the only thing to consider when buying a tent. What about the quality of the product you are going to invest in? Just because you are buying a tent at a big discount doesn’t mean that you have to buy the worst tent in the market. 

First, consider the size of the tent. Do not think that four people can comfortably sleep in a four-person tent. In fact, in a four-person tent, only two people can comfortably sleep. So, choose a tent that is a bit larger than you need.

You are going to need some extra space in your tent if the weather is poor. Remember, when it comes to choosing a tent, size matters. 

Also, buy a tent that is easy to use. Do not end up investing in one that takes a lot of time and a small army to set up. After arriving at your campsite, you do not want to waste your time trying to set up your tent. If you want to get rid of the hassle altogether, consider buying a freestanding tent.

Be careful when reading online reviews. Do not watch manufacturer videos because they mostly focus on the good features. Read independent reviews. You will learn what other users think about the tent.

The tent’s ventilation is another important thing to consider. If the ventilation is poor, you will wake up in the morning and find everything damp. It can be a horrendous experience. Even if the tent has vents, make sure they are well-placed. 

Best Time to Buy a Tent – Conclusion

Late fall or early winter is the best time to buy a tent. However, it is not easy to say when the best time is. Before you invest in camping gear or any other expensive item, it is a good idea to visit a few stores and look at a few websites. It will help you make an informed decision.