As a backpacker you always have an eye on your budget. Although backpacking is getting easier and safer, you can spend a lot of money for your gear. To avoid wasting money you have to plan carefully and look for alternatives. Here are some tips for you to help you doing so.

Backpacking nowadays can be much easier and more comfortable than it was ever before. Backpacks are light and comfortable to wear thanks to new technology and design. But all this progress comes at a price. So how can you save money without having to give up the ultralight equipment or your safety gear? Well, there are some ways how stay within your budget without loosing any of the fun.

The big clue behind all these tips is to look for alternatives. Do you really need the newest model of the backpack? Does it really have to be the fancy GPS locator or can you just do with your mobile and a simple GPS unit. Of course it always depends where you are going, and you should never risk your safety, but if you can safe money doing it another way it is worth to give it a shot. So, why don’t you try to:

“1. Buy used gear.

I would never buy an old sleeping bag, because the filling gets destroyed with time. On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with used aluminum pans or tent stakes. I have seen both in thrift stores for a fraction of what they cost new. You can also find some decent backpacking equipment online at either Ebay or in outdoor forums which allow users to sell their old gear.

2. Stay close to home.

A big part of the expense of backpacking can be the travel expenses to get to the trailhead. But do you really have to go 2,000 miles to backpack somewhere beautiful? If you intend to eventually hike some of the trails closer to home, why not start with them? Inevitably there will be destinations you never get to, so why not have them be the more expensive ones?

3. Buy real foods.

Forget the expensive freeze-dried backpacker’s meals. Bring nuts, granola and other inexpensive real foods. For cooked meals, bring instant brown rice and a fast-cooking legume like red lentils. Noodles with olive oil, parmesan cheese and spices can be more delicious than a freeze-dried dinner and cost only a fourth as much. Many supermarket foods are better than specialty “backpacking meals” in my opinion.

4. Buy regular clothing.

Contrary to the impression given by outdoor clothing manufacturers, you don’t need a new high-tech wardrobe to get out into the wilderness. Instead of a $16 super-wicking t-shirt, try a 50/50 cotton polyester blend t-shirt from Wal-Mart for $4. It will probably be more comfortable, and dry almost as fast if it gets wet. In a warm climate with brief summer showers you can forgo the $120 waterproof/breathable rain jacket in favor of a $20 low-tech one, or even a $2 emergency poncho. There are usually ways to save a lot of money on clothing if you consider where you’ll be going and what is truly necessary.

5. Base camp.

If you just want to get out and hike, you might consider camping in your car or in a cheap tent next to it. You can hike all day with just water, food, and the few other things you need in any cheap day pack (buy it used at a thrift store to save money), and return to the car to sleep. You don’t need a great sleeping bag, backpack, tent or other expensive gear if you don’t plan to spend your nights out there in the woods. This technically isn’t backpacking, but perhaps the point for you is just to see and hike in some beautiful places, and on a budget.”

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