Backcountry Review for February 2021 - Camping Gear Store Reviews

Item: Backcountry Review
Rating: 4

Saturday, February 27th

2021 Camping Gear Store Reviews

Backcountry

"A+" Better Business Bureau rating
Outdoor gear for all seasons
Eco-friendly practices
Unlimited return policy for new, unused items

Backcountry is a Utah-based company that started in 1996. Since their humble roots in a garage in Park City, they've grown to have offices in Portland, Costa Rica, and Germany. They sell products to help outdoor enthusiasts enjoy Mother Nature in all four seasons. Whether you're looking for surfing. snowboarding, fishing, or hiking gear, Backcountry has you covered and has earned a high rating from us.

Name-brand Options

Backcountry carries a lot of recognizable brands like Patagonia, The North Face, Marmot, Salomon, Stoic, Black Diamond, and more. The categories of hiking equipment include:

Tents
Packs
Sleeping
Camp kitchen
Hydration
Camp furniture
Lighting
Navigation
Survival
Dog packs
Hiking clothing

Opportunities For Savings

If you sign up to receive emails from Backcountry you will receive 15% off of your first order. This could end up being a significant savings if you plan to spend a lot here. They also run periodic sitewide promotions that give major discounts on certain categories of their products that customers should watch out for.

Shopping Assistance

Right when you visit the Backcountry site, you'll get a pop-up with the option to chat with a "Gearhead" (someone who is an expert with their products). This is a great resource if you're unsure what camping gear you need or if you're debating between certain products and want a second opinion.

Advocates For Earth

Besides selling camping gear, Backcountry takes part in quite a few important causes. They've joined forces with The Nature Conservatory to protect natural landscapes, donate to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, partner with the National Ability Center to provide outdoor activities for those with disabilities, and they make sure their shipping packaging is 100% recyclable. Backcountry believes that to enjoy the outdoors, you should be committed to protecting it.

Standard Return Policy

Backcountry allows customers to return new, unused gear at any time for a full refund via the original payment method. Used gear must be undamaged and in like-new condition to be returned within 30 days for store credit. Store credits are only valid for one year before they expire. If there is reason to believe that a used item has issues due to a manufacturing defect, Backcountry's warranty department should be contacted to take care of the problem.

Customer Satisfaction Going Downhill

A major complaint that Backcountry receives is about their return policy and shipping practices. You have to pay at least $7 for return shipping even if the item you received was defective. Customers have mentioned that in earlier years, Backcountry was easier to work with but it seems that their customer service is slowly getting harder to work with. Some say it takes a long time to get your money back if you choose to return your items. On the flip side, there are customers who have happily bought from Backcountry for 20+ years because of their expertise in the industry and wide selection of products.

Still A Good Option

Although Backcountry has some areas they could improve in order to keep their customers coming back, they are a well-known name in the camping industry for a reason. They have a huge inventory of camping gear to take care of all your needs. Backcountry won't be your cheapest option since they supply name brands and high-quality products, but if you're a serious camper, this is a good place to shop online.

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The 9 Best Camping Gear Stores

Where Is the Best Place to Find Camping Gear?

Leaving your home to enjoy the great outdoors for a few days might mean leaving behind some of the conveniences of electricity, heating and A/C, plumbing, and other basic comforts. So, you'll need to find high-quality gear to keep you warm, make food, and stay sheltered on your camping trip. Whether it's a large tent or a camping stove, you'll want to get a few things before heading out.

Shopping online for all your camping gear needs is the best way to get your favorite brands, a good selection of products, and the top deals on everything. Rather than running from store to store trying to check off your list of camping essentials, kick back in the comfort of your home and browse retailers on the internet. As a perk, everything will get delivered straight to your door, so the only place you'll be heading is on your camping trip!

Continue reading below

Camping Gear Store FAQ

What camping gear will I need?

It might help to search online for a simple camping gear checklist and start with that. It will likely include the basics like a tent, sleeping bag, flashlights, firewood, tool kits, warm clothes, hiking boots, water bottle, camping stove, utensils, food, water, and more. It takes a surprising amount of gear to spend a few nights outdoors!

What is the cost of camping gear?

The cost of camping gear could range anywhere from a $10 water bottle to a large $600 tent. If you're starting from scratch with what items you have, you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for everything you need. Realize that not everything that's considered "camping gear" is essential, so you could slowly acquire more things as you become more serious about outdoor adventuring.

Can I return gear that didn't perform well?

It's hard to know just how good an item is until it's been tested, but it helps to read customer reviews and see how others like the product. Inspect items when they arrive to make sure there are no defects before taking it on your camping trip. If you've done both of those things and are still upset with how a product worked for you, refer to the company return policy (make sure to check this before buying products) and if they allow for refunds and returns on used items, you can send it back within the given return window.

What should I look for in camping gear?

You won't want to buy camping gear and then have to replace it after a few years. Even though it may cost extra, try to get the best quality of products - which may mean buying a name brand. Camping won't be enjoyable if you're cold, hungry, or wet, so buy the best protective items. For example, when you're in the mountains, it is often very cold, especially at night. Find a sleeping bag with a good temperature rating that will keep you warm even when temperatures drop to nearly 0 degrees. In addition to finding items that are appealing, check customer reviews and read product descriptions to make sure you're getting the best of the best.

What types of things do people do while camping?

People often go camping to get away from the demands of work, social media, and revitalize relationships with loved ones. Being outside is refreshing mentally and fresh air is good for your health. There are many activities you can enjoy while camping, but hammocking, playing games, hiking, napping, swimming, and stargazing are just a few popular pastimes of campers.

Do kids need their own camping gear?

There are certain things that kids will need before going camping, like appropriate clothes, boots, a water bottle, and maybe a size-appropriate sleeping bag. However, the majority of things needed for camping like a tent, cookware, tools, camp chairs, and tables will work for everyone in a group regardless of their age. Once you establish a collection of high-quality camping gear, it can benefit the whole family.

Is camping safe?

Camping is safe as long as you follow a few basic rules. Check the weather before heading out to make sure you won't get caught in a storm, make sure someone who isn't going to be on the camping trip knows exactly where you're going and when, stay hydrated, use insect repellent, store food safely, watch out for wildlife, and stay alert. Camping is an enjoyable hobby that many people share and if you abide by basic safety rules, you can relax and have a refreshing getaway with Mother Nature!

What are some items that people often forget when camping?

Since there are so many things you need to bring when you head out on a camping trip, it's easy to leave some essentials behind. Some commonly forgotten items include firewood, a hatchet, utensils, bug spray, first aid kits, extra socks, and sun protectant. Make a thorough checklist before packing for a camping trip to help you avoid leaving important items at home.

Continued from above...

By being able to compare the price of different items between retailers, you can easily stay within a budget when shopping for sleeping bags, shoes, cookware, backpacks, food, and all the other necessities for outdoor survival. You can keep an eye out for sitewide sales and discount codes to get the best prices on name-brand items. It's easy to do a lot of research about what you're buying online, which is important since the camping gear you purchase will likely be used many times over.

Before choosing a store to buy camping gear from, we recommend you keep the following criteria in mind:

Price. Some retailers carry name brands that have high markups. Compare the costs among retailers to see who is offering the best deals. The cost of camping gear can add up quickly, so you'll want to buy from an online store that won't break the bank.
Selection. When it comes to camping, you don't want to skimp on gear that will keep you warm, full, and safe. Ideally a retailer will offer lots of products for your survival needs.
Reputation. Just because a camping gear store is well-known doesn't mean they are well-liked. What does the Better Business Bureau have to say about them? Do they have good customer service, convenient return policies, and high-quality products? Pay attention to what customers have to say about their experience with the company.

To help you identify the best camping gear retailers, TopConsumerReviews.com has reviewed and ranked a variety of options. We hope this information helps you find all the outdoor gear you need for your next adventure.

Compare Camping Gear Stores

Select any 2 Camping Gear Stores to compare them head to head

best-camping-gear-stores

Campman

Bass Pro Shops

Backcountry

Wayfair

Bob Ward's

CampSaver

Cabela's

Moosejaw

REI vs Campman REI vs Bass Pro Shops REI vs Backcountry REI vs Wayfair REI vs Bob Ward's REI vs CampSaver REI vs Cabela's REI vs Moosejaw Campman vs Bass Pro Shops Campman vs Backcountry Campman vs Wayfair Campman vs Bob Ward's Campman vs CampSaver Campman vs Cabela's Campman vs Moosejaw Bass Pro Shops vs Backcountry Bass Pro Shops vs Wayfair Bass Pro Shops vs Bob Ward's Bass Pro Shops vs CampSaver Bass Pro Shops vs Cabela's Bass Pro Shops vs Moosejaw Backcountry vs Wayfair Backcountry vs Bob Ward's Backcountry vs CampSaver Backcountry vs Cabela's Backcountry vs Moosejaw Wayfair vs Bob Ward's Wayfair vs CampSaver Wayfair vs Cabela's Wayfair vs Moosejaw Bob Ward's vs CampSaver Bob Ward's vs Cabela's Bob Ward's vs Moosejaw CampSaver vs Cabela's CampSaver vs Moosejaw Cabela's vs Moosejaw

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