Backpacking Gear At Walmart
Backpacking gear at Walmart? I know some of you gearheads out there are thinking I’m crazy right now but hear me out. Walmart is definitely not my favorite place to shop. I personally find the sprawling retailer to be a bit overwhelming and would much rather shop in smaller local stores whenever possible. However, Walmart does have a camping and outdoors section and I am willing to give it a shot for two reasons. One, it can be a lifesaver for hikers who don’t have an outfitter in their hometown. Two, shopping for gear at Walmart can save you some serious cash.
For other ways to save on gear check out Where To Buy Discount Gear
I am certainly not recommending you purchase a full backpacking setup from a big box store. (But I’m also not saying you can’t.) Although larger items like tents, packs, and sleeping bags are available at Walmart, you are probably better off shopping elsewhere. There are many smaller items, however, that even experienced backpackers should consider purchasing at Walmart.
Prices listed were accurate at my local Walmart at the time I researched for this post but they may vary. Selection may also vary depending on location. My local store has a pretty nice variety of gear and supplies but I have seen larger outdoors sections in Walmart stores near popular hiking and camping destinations
This post is meant to highlight some of the possibilities available and hopefully inspire some creativity and resourcefulness. It is not a gear review. I can not speak to the durability or quality of many of the items as I have not tried them myself. However, everything in this article is something that I would purchase and be willing to try if the need arose.
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Light My Fire Sporks
A two-pack of sporks from Light My Fire is $3.86 at my local Walmart. At large outdoor retailers the same product appears to run about $6. I love my titanium spork but these would be a great buy if you don’t mind plastic.
Backpacking Meals
I found Mountain House and Backpacker’s Pantry meals in the camping section at Walmart. Be sure to check the serving size these. It may seem like you are getting a good deal until you realize that some of the packages contain a single serving. Most commercial dehydrated meals are labeled two servings but many backpackers can easily finish the whole package on their own. Most of the meal prices are very similar to what is found at major outfitters but there may be exceptions. For example, the Mountain House Turkey Dinner Casserole pictured above was $8.94 at Walmart and is listed for $11 at REI.
Sawyer Water Filters
My local Walmart currently has both the Sawyer Squeeze and Sawyer Mini in stock. The Squeeze is $29.97 ($39.95 at REI) and the Mini is $19.97 ($24.95 at REI). If you need a filter this could be a great opportunity for savings without having to wait for a sale or coupon.
Water Purification Tablets
If you use iodine tablets to purify your water, you may also be able to save at Walmart. These purification tablets are Coleman branded but the packaging also features the Potable Aqua logo and the statement “powered by Potable Aqua.” The 50 count package also includes the PA Plus tablets to reduce iodine taste and sells at Walmart for $7.76. The comparable 50 count Potable Aqua product is listed for $11.95 at REI.
Head Net
My local Walmart sells a bug head net for just $1.48. The cheapest bug net that i could find at a major online outfitter was around $10. At under two dollars I would seriously question the durability of the product but I would certainly give it a try in a pinch.
Collapsible Cup
I have this little red collapsible cup from Walmart and I absolutely love it! My cup cost $1.42 and weighs 2.33 ounces. Sea to Summit sells a comparable product for about $12 with a claimed weight of 2.4 ounces. My cup is definitely not of the same quality as the Sea to Summit version but for $1.42 I was willing to give it a shot. The cup is a luxury item so, while it would be disappointing if it failed on trail, it wouldn’t be too big of a problem. My cup can be a little bit unstable and I need to be careful with it to avoid spills but otherwise I pleased with the product so far.
Tent Stakes
Walmart carries a variety of tent stakes, including these nine inch ultralight pegs at 76 cents a piece. I grabbed a few of these to try and they weighed in at .6 ounces on my home scale. I have used them to set up a tent in my backyard and they worked well but I have not used them on trail yet and can’t speak to their longevity or performance in high winds. Similar stakes from brand name manufacturers retail around $3 each.
Frogg Toggs
Frogg Toggs rainwear, while not particularly durable or flattering, has proven effective for many hikers. Some thru hikers even swear by their Frogg Toggs. Walmart sells a few different rainwear options and a pants and jacket set costs $20 – $30 at my local store.
A Few Other Things…
Purchasing these items at Walmart probably won’t save you much money but it may be convenient to grab them when you are doing your regular shopping. Fuel canisters, emergency blankets, and Tenacious Tape for gear repair are all available in the outdoors aisle.
Bonus Item!
While you’re at Walmart, grab one of these reflective windshield sun shades. (You’ll have to head over to the automotive department for this one.) Confused? Be sure to check out next week’s post to find out what on earth to do with this thing!
Have you made any great gear finds in unexpected places ? Have any suggestions for backpackers on a budget? Any other backpacking gear at Walmart you think we should know about? Please leave a comment below!
Looking for packs, tents, or sleeping bags? Check out my picks from some of the awesome new gear available this season:
New For 2018: Backpacking Packs
New For 2018: Backpacking Tents
I have been using Walmart gear for years with no issues. In fact Kodiak Wool sock sets work better for me than Smartwool, saved a ton just on the socks alone
Thanks for the tip Christopher! I’ll have to keep an eye out for the Kodiak socks and give them a try.
Good advice for saving on some of the needed gear
Thanks for reading mike. Happy hiking!
Been buying Coleman propane cylinders, paracord, water filters and other camping gear there for years. I even bought a small 2 person tent. Perfect for warmer weather. Their prices are great. Now granted if I were going on a serious back country trip the tent wouldn’t compare to my REI half dome. But for incidentals Wal Mart beats everyone price wise. I hear a lot about a store called Canadian tire. Gotta check them out.
I’ve been haunting WM for small backpacking gear for years. Great bargains even you’re ultra-lite or modified ultra-lite. Though, even pre-pandemic, I’ve been having trouble finding some items in stock: fuel canisters, Tenacious Tape, wool socks to name a few.