Do you want to buy hiking gear but don’t have the time to visit a store to try out a few pairs of hiking boots in person?
Or…
Do you simply prefer doing something else instead of going out and walking into different stores looking for the right gear?
If yes, you’re in the right place.
If you’ve always bought your gear from physical stores, you may wonder whether it’s possible to buy backpacking gear online.
Shopping for your hiking or backpacking gear online can help you save money and time. You buy the best gear from the comfort and privacy of your home or cabin.
When shopping online, according to Explore, a Canadian magazine, make sure you use a site with an easy return policy. It’s also important to know your size or measurements in detail to get perfect fits.
For instance, get your torso length right to buy the right backpack online. Also get your shirt, pant, and shoe sizes right. If you’re new to backpacking, check out authoritative resources online on backpacking guides and reviews to help you make an informed decision.
The best online gear stores easily return items that customers reject. They help clients to get the right measurements for convenience and offer the information you need to select the right backpacking gear.
The platforms are also responsive, stock a wide variety of gear brands in varied colors and styles to suit the different needs out there.
Whether you’re looking for the most recent hiking gear on the market, or want used gear in good condition because you’re working on a tight budget, here’re a few online retail stores to get you started.

Amazon

Amazon is a leading online retailer and the best to shop for your gear. It has an endless selection of backpacking and hiking gear from different reputable sellers. If items are sold and shipped by Amazon, you’re guaranteed a good return policy.
What’s more, the online store has lots of reviews on individual products from real people who bought and used the items. Use the reviews to help you choose the right gear for you.
The deep and vast hiking and camping section of the store allows buyers to make refined searches of what they’d like to buy. This helps you save time you’d spend browsing.
Although a backpacking water filter is not strictly necessary when going for an outdoor adventure, you can purchase a good from this online. Make sure you choose the right brand.

REI

Founded in 1938, REI has been in the outdoor industry for many decades to know what backpackers and hikers look for in their gear. You can access lots of information and advice on buying the right gear and how to use it outdoors from the REI website.
The store honors returns on most items within a period of one year from the date of purchase. It stocks gear from top brands worldwide, including their REI-branded gear uniquely designed for your specific needs.
Shopping at REI for your backpacking gear assures you a great purchase and the fact that you’re buying from the right people. If you intend to shop more in the future, purchase the $ 20-lifetime membership to gain access to closeouts and outstanding sales whenever they’re available, for a year.
After the one-year membership expires, you receive a 10% refund on your purchases.

Moosejaw

With a great product selection and lots of useful information such as product reviews left by previous buyers, Moosejaw is a great place to shop for backpacking gear online. The popular site provides live chat services for a fast and easy response to your queries.
The store accepts refunds of items in good condition. They also offer unbeatable prices and orders above $35 are shipped at no extra fee.
If there’s a need to improve the overall quality of water when you’re outdoors, you’ll need the best reverse osmosis system. Find a portable water filter bring with you when backpacking.

Backcountry

Founded in Utah’s Park City’s hiking haven, Backcountry is another great online store to get your outdoor gear. It has an attractive logo and a good share of the outdoor gear market.
Visit the Learning Resources page to access information on how to select the right gear and use it. The store has an easy return policy and you can get back your money at any time on unused items.
Every product category has a “best sellers’ option to help you see what others are buying and top sellers on the platform to guide your purchase.

Altrec

Altrec is located in Minnesota. However, it was first located in Oregon’s Bend area where hiking is a popular outdoor activity. You’ll find useful reviews on the site to help you make the right choices; people who’ve bought and used gear from the site are behind the authentic reviews.
The store provides free shipping on all purchases worth more than $50. Returned items in an unused condition and with tags attached qualify for exchange or credit. This is only true for orders made between the 1st and 15th of the month and within 30 days after purchase.