The outdoor and camping stores in Austin provide you with gear such as hiking boots, rain jackets, tents, sleeping bags, back country backpacks, and much more. Having such a great selection of outdoor gear locally is a great way to see gear in person before your next outdoor adventure. There are a small mom and pop outdoor gear stores and there are also outdoor stores run by the largest outdoor retailers.
Here is a list of the top 5 Austin outdoor goods and camping stores to help you get started. Each store will have its own unique selection of outdoor goods and brands. By visiting each store you will be able to find the outdoor gear items you need that fit within your budget and preference.
- Kammok – offers outdoor apparel, hammocks, tarps, camping gear, and more.
- Whole Earth Provision – provides outdoor gear, shoes, apparel,backpacks, tents, and more.
- REI – – national outdoor chain offering outdoor shoes, apparel , camping gear, biking gear, backpacking gear, and more.
- DICK’S Sporting Goods – Sporting goods store that offers equipment, apparel and footwear for athletics, outdoor recreation, and fitness.
- Patagonia Austin – offers outdoor clothing and gear for hiking, climbing, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding.
Kammok
Address: 1401 East 7th Austin, TX 78702
Phone: (512) 614-4071
Hours:
MON-FRI 11AM-6PM (SAT 11AM-5PM | SUN Closed)
Store Site: http://www.kammok.com
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/oBwKwhSkRLSvBqnA6
Description:
Adventure grade and better made. Kammok creates high performance gear to take your adventures to new heights.
Return Policy: 30 Days new with tags
Gear Rentals: No
Whole Earth Provision
Address: 4477 S Lamar Blvd Westgate Shopping Center Austin, TX 78745
Phone: (512) 899-0992
Hours: MON-SAT 10AM-8PM (SUN 12PM-6PM)
Store Site: https://www.wholeearthprovision.com/
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/diV4zNuZS3U8Xq748
Description:
Retailer stocking outdoor apparel, gear & accessories, books, shoes & nature-oriented gifts.
Return Policy: Within 1 Year of Purchase in sellable (unworn and unblemished) condition with original packaging, tags, and a receipt.
Gear Rentals: No
REI
Address: 601 N Lamar Blvd Austin, TX 78703
Phone: (512) 482-3357
Hours: MON-FRI 10AM-9PM (SAT 10AM-8PM | SUN 10AM-6PM)
Store Site: https://www.rei.com/stores/austin-downtown.html
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/2RPJAJZqjmNDQQRX8
Description:
National outdoor chain carrying gear, apparel & footwear for a wide range of outdoor & fitness activities.
Return Policy: Return for replacement or refund within one year of purchase.
Gear Rentals: Yes
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Address: 3210 Kramer Ln, Austin, TX 78758
Phone: +(512) 339-3299
Hours: MON-SAT 9AM-10PM (SUN 9AM-8PM)
Store Site: https://stores.dickssportinggoods.com/tx/austin/347/
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/V7rekPUFpuTfeQVa8
Description:
Sporting goods store that offers equipment, apparel and footwear for athletics, outdoor recreation, and fitness.
Return Policy: 60 Day Return Policy
Gear Rentals:
Patagonia
Address: 316 N Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78701
Phone: (512) 320-8383
Hours: MON-SUN 11AM-6PM
Store Site: http://www.patagonia.com
Google Maps Link: https://goo.gl/maps/gxo4SpjrZHTohjdZA
Description:
Outdoor brand offering apparel and gear for outdoor adventures.
Return Policy: Within one year with tags and like-new condition.
Gear Rentals: No
3 Considerations Before Shopping at Austin Outdoor and Camping Stores
Return Policy
Buying outdoor gear can be a large investment and it can be easy to get buyers remorse, so one of the most important things to consider is the store’s return policy. You can find the store’s return policy on their site or by asking a store associate. The main considerations for return policy are how many days they give you to return the item, if you can return used items or if they have to be unused, and if there is a restocking fee. Knowing the return policy can help you take action and buy the gear you have been eyeing without buyer’s remorse.
Brand Offerings
Outdoor gear can be very expensive, so its important to have a large selection to choose from for a variety of brands. Another important factor to consider is the brand offerings the store has for each product line. Some stores may only carry their branded products while others will have a large selection of brands. It is typically better to shop at the stores with more offerings as you can find the items you need at the budget you can afford. This will also allow you to see the items in store and compare the quality between the different brands. This will help you find the gear you need and can trust.
Rentals
A great way to try out outdoor gear without having to commit to it is to find a store that offers rentals. Equipment such as backpacks ,tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads are good items to rent as they are typically are the more expensive gear items. By renting this allows you to try out the gear at a lower cost and find out if its the right gear for you. You can try out brands you have been eying and see how they perform out in the field.
3 Ways to Save Money at Austin Outdoor and Camping Stores
Seasonal Sales
One of the best way to save money on your upcoming outdoor gear purchases is to wait for the next major holiday sale. Stores will typically have 20 to 40% off to help you save money on your outdoor gear items. Major holidays to wait for include New Years, Presidents Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. If you aren’t in a rush to buy your gear then it pays to wait for the next major holiday.
Price Matching
Another way to help you save money is to price match. You can ask a store associate or look on the store’s website to see if they price match their competitors. This has saved me thousands of dollars over the years. When one store doesn’t have a sale, their competitor might or the prices at one store can be lower than the one you are at. You should always search online for the item you are looking at to compare prices. If the store does price match then you can get the lowest price possible and be able to see the item in person.
Used Gear Sales
The last way to save money on outdoor gear might not be for some people, but it is another way to keep more money in your pocket. Sometimes outdoor stores will have used gear sales where they sell items that might have been used once or twice or were slightly damaged in transit. These items will typically be 30 to 70% off the retail price. You can always look into specific strategies on how to clean the item to make it feel brand new.
3 Alternative Online Stores to Austin Outdoor and Camping Stores
Backcountry.com
One of the best sites to shop online for outdoor goods is Backcountry.com. This store has a huge selection of outdoor brands and items. They have a ton of seasonal and clearance sales for you to buy really good gear at lower prices. They also have a fantastic customer service team to help answer any questions you may have on the items you are about to buy. I have been shopping here for years without any issues.
Sierra Trading Post
The next best place to check out items is Sierra Trading Post. This company is owned by big company that also owns Tj Maxx, Marshalls, and Home Goods. If you have ever been to any of those stores you know about the amazing deals you can find on brand name items. Sierra Trading Post is the same kind of store where you can save a ton of money on big outdoor brands at just a fraction of their normal cost. The downside to this store is that their inventory can be random so sometimes you just need to get lucky to find the item you are looking for.
Amazon
A place I didn’t always think to buy outdoor gear from was Amazon.com, however they are quickly becoming one of my go to places. They have offerings from a lot of smaller and more unknown brands, however they have incredibly competitive price points. Buying outdoor gear from Amazon is a good place for people getting started with outdoor adventures as you can try gear out at a lower entry point.
Summary
The outdoor and camping stores in Austin will provide you with the gear you need for your next outdoor adventures. From boots and jackets to tents and sleeping bags, you will be well equipped for your trips. Going in store to see the gear items will help you find the quality and material that fits your budget. If you follow the money saving tips above you will likely be able to save hundreds of not thousands of dollars over the years as you try and buy different gear.
Finding the right outdoor gear takes trial and error. Over the years I have tried many pairs of hiking boots, rain jackets, and backpacks to see what is best for me. Each journey is unique, but you can get amazing great at low prices by doing a mix of both online and in-store shopping. Enjoy all of your outdoor adventures!
