Why Hiking Gear’s So Dang Expensive Now (and Why It’s Not Just Inflation)

You’ve probably noticed it too. Gear that used to be a solid deal now makes your wallet hurt. A two-person tent that once ran about $150? You’re lucky to find one under $350 these days. And that’s before you get to poles, pads, or first aid kits. Even after factoring in inflation, the numbers still don’t add up. Something bigger’s going on— it’s as if the whole hiking scene itself changed.  It has.

1. Hiking Isn’t Just Hiking Anymore

Roll back to the early 2000s and hiking felt simple—just you, a pack, and hopefully a decent weather window. Now it’s a lifestyle, wrapped up in wellness, travel, and who we are online. The crowd’s grown, and so have the expectations. People want lighter, comfier, better-looking, and more sustainable gear. Even the “budget” stuff has features that used to be high-end. Basically, base models got fancy.

2. The Death of the Bargain Bin

Remember the days you could grab a $30 tent that barely survived one storm? Those options are pretty much gone—unless you’re buying from a gas station. Most brands ditched the “cheap and cheerful” approach. Their entry-level lines are now “starter quality,” not “use it once, toss it later.” That shift means everything costs more across the board. Better stuff, sure—but your wallet feels it.

3. Fancier Materials, Pricier Gear

Even the basic gear today is using tech that used to be reserved for hardcore expedition setups. Aluminum instead of steel, silicone-coated fabrics, tensioned poles—it’s all slicker now. But the tradeoff? Costs shot up. Add supply chain chaos, shipping hikes, and smaller production batches, and the price never really settled back down.

4. Simplicity Got Complicated

Take a look at tents—lighter poles, faster pitches, better weather resistance. Or sleeping bags—they’re warmer with less bulk. Even your trekking poles have shock absorbers and carbon shafts. None of that feels “simple” anymore. Tiny improvements stacked up, and suddenly that “basic gear” became a mini engineering project.

5. Gear Inflation Beat Normal Inflation

This one stings: even after adjusting for inflation, hiking gear just outpaced everything else. Labor, materials, environmental standards, all of it got pricier. Add in customer expectations—lifetime warranties, tougher durability, sustainable sourcing—and prices aren’t dropping anytime soon.

What That Means for Us on the Trail

That’s why we’re seeing more folks trade, rent, and repair instead of always buying new. The used-gear market’s booming, ultralight minimalism is thriving, and people are rediscovering the joy of their local trails. It’s not that hikers got cheap—we just got creative.

Trail Wisdom at the End of the Day

Gear today really is better—but it’s also pricier for real reasons. Once you get that, it’s easier to pick your battles. Know when to splurge, when used gear will do just fine, and when “budget” means “good enough.” Because let’s face it—the trail doesn’t care how shiny your setup is, as long as it gets you out there and back.