How to Choose the Right Outdoor Gear
It’s no secret that more people are finding new outdoor sports to enjoy and new ones to try with their family and friends. Mounting research validates the idea that spending time outdoors in nature improves mental well-being, lowers stress, and improves attention. If you’ve recently joined the ranks of budding outdoor enthusiasts, finding all the necessary gear can seem incredibly daunting. What gear do I need? Which brands are the best? How much should I spend on a tent? What if my family doesn’t end up liking it?
What Does MTN Gear Offer?
MTN Gear set out to make the outdoors more accessible by prioritizing a “try before you buy” and “use it when you need it” approach. If you already know what you want, it’s easy to browse for high-quality pieces of gear and make a purchase. However, if you’re unsure where to start, we offer several options to simplify the process. While you’ve been able to rent tents and skis for years, renting outdoor apparel gives you even more flexibility. Not sure you’re going to love your new ski jacket or hiking raincoat? Don’t risk hundreds of dollars and hope it works for you. Try it out first at a fraction of the cost and none of the risk.
Rentals
You’d be surprised at just what you can rent instead of buying. If you want to get outside, but those around you aren’t as keen, rentals are a way to try out the hobby without making a major financial commitment. Or, if it’s simply an annual ski or camping adventure, you can take the latest gear and apparel and forget the storage requirements for the other months of the year. Renting gear isn’t just great for the newly minted enthusiast, though. Even if you’re a seasoned adventurer, you might want to try something new without buying new. Whether it’s a larger tent, a different brand or style, or a new backpack, rentals give you the option to try something in the field without needing to commit prematurely. Rentals aren’t the only option from MTN Gear. While they’re a great starting point, if you know what you want to buy already, rentals aren’t the only useful tool to get outside.
The Ultimate Try Before You Buy: Demoing
While similar to renting, demoing a piece of gear operates slightly differently. If you’re serious about buying, but you want to try something before fully committing to it, you can demo your gear for three days and give it a good real-world usage test. Yes, that’s right. Take the tags off – ski it, hike it, camp it. After your three-day demo period, you have the option to buy, and your demo fees go towards the purchase. If not, you can return it.
Used Gear
Used gear is becoming a more popular option across the board in the outdoor industry, and it’s a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. When you buy gear and clothing from quality brands, used pieces are still in great shape and have plenty of miles left in them. MTN Gear offers Used Gear for purchase. All Used Gear is assessed and cleaned prior to resale to ensure it’s in quality condition.
Gear Restoration
Do you already own a jacket you love? If you have older equipment in your closet, you don’t have to give up on it. MTN Gear will restore and refresh your outdoor apparel pieces to give them new life and keep them out of landfills. We offer cleaning and waterproofing services for hard shells, puffers, sleeping bags, and vests.
New Approach to Outdoor Retail
Look, most people don’t need the most expensive or newest gear or clothing. What most people benefit from are responsible and sustainable purchases that will last a long time. It’s a fact that the US throws away over 11 million tons of clothing each year. While fast fashion is the root of a lot of this, the outdoor industry isn’t blameless. If you’re looking to lower your climate impact, thinking differently about what you buy versus what you use can go a long way. MTN Gear strives to offer a variety of options and focuses on top-tier brands for new and avid adventurers alike. Our goal is to provide the best gear and best options so you can spend more time outdoors and even get into a new sport.
Make a Plan and Head Out There
Going outside is good for you. The science is quite clear on that. However, while most of us say we want to get outside more, that isn’t always a reality. Costs are a limiting factor for many people, including the cost of gear, season passes, or just travel costs to get to trailheads and ski lifts. At the end of the day, we're outdoor enthusiasts and believe we can enhance your outdoor experience while at the same time creating a better way to access premier outdoor gear & apparel.
