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Backcountry.com is a one-stop shop for all types of outdoor gear, and their Semi-Annual Sale—which runs from Thursday, August 1 through Thursday, August 22—is a great time to save on top-rated products from some of the best brands in the business. From big-ticket items like tents and sleep systems to clothing like rain shells, insulation, and hiking footwear, it’s a prime opportunity to invest in quality gear without breaking the bank. Below we outline the dates and details of Backcountry’s mid-summer sale, along with 12 of our favorite discounted items.
This article has been sponsored by Backcountry, but the picks and descriptions below were made independently and based on our experiences with and opinions of the products.
Dates and Details: August 1-August 22, 2024
From August 1 through August 22, you can shop online at Backcountry.com and save up to 50% on products from leading brands like Salomon, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Black Diamond, Cotopaxi, and many more. Shipping is free on orders over $50, and all items are covered by Backcountry’s 90-day return policy (note: Products must be unused and in their original packaging in order to be eligible for a full refund). Importantly, only select colorways are discounted, so we recommend doing your research ahead of time and shopping sooner rather than later due to limited inventory. Below we outline some of our top picks for on-sale gear, including camping and backpacking tents, sleeping bags, hiking boots and shoes, backpacks, and more.
Our Favorite Semi-Annual Sale Deals
Black Diamond Men’s StormLine and Women’s StormLine Stretch: Up to 40% Off
We can’t overstate the value of a quality rain jacket, whether you’re schlepping miles into the backcountry with a full pack or embarking on an after-work bike ride under cloudy skies. Black Diamond’s StormLine has been a favorite of ours for years and stands out from traditional designs in one major way: the addition of stretch. By integrating 12% elastane into the jacket’s construction, Black Diamond managed to strike an impressive balance between protection and comfort. The interior is soft to the touch and doesn’t have the plasticky feel that you get with most traditional designs, and there’s a noticeable amount of “give” in the shell fabric—great for fending off snags and abrasion, as well as maximizing mobility. Final highlights include a performance-ready feature set, competitively low weight, and nice selection of classy colorways.
See the Men's BD StormLine Stretch See the Women's BD StormLine Stretch
Cotopaxi Men’s Fuego and Women’s Fuego Hooded Down Jacket: Up to 40% Off
Along with reliable wet-weather protection, we consider a solid down jacket to be a must-have for any outdoor-goer. One of our current favorites is Cotopaxi’s Fuego, which checks most of the boxes we look for in a solid all-rounder: It’s packed with premium 800-fill down, features a reasonably tough and water-resistant shell, and boasts the trendy retro styling that Cotopaxi is known for. Throw in responsibly sourced down and the fact that Cotopaxi is a certified B Corp, and the Fuego is an easy jacket to get behind. A couple other discounted down jackets that we love are the ultralight Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2, which is well suited for fast-and-light enthusiasts looking to keep weight and bulk to a minimum, and Outdoor Research’s Helium, which features a waterproof fabric on the hood and shoulders for added assurance in wet weather.
See the Men's Fuego Down Jacket See the Women's Fuego Down Jacket
Smith Forefront 2 MIPS Helmet: Up to 40% Off
Smith is an irrefutable leader in optics and helmets, and their Forefront 2 MIPS mountain bike lid is a case in point. What immediately jumps out about the design is its innovative build, which combines layers of EPS foam and Koroyd—a unique material that resembles plastic straws glued together. The claimed benefit is a 30% improvement in absorbing low-speed impacts, plus the cutouts help make the Forefront among the lightest trail helmets on the market. Just as importantly, we think Smith nailed the finer points with excellent all-around comfort and top-notch materials that hold up well over time. Finally, it’s very easy to dial in fit thanks to the VaporFit adjustment system, which comprises a circular dial at the back that’s glove-friendly and effective at keeping the helmet securely in place throughout the day.
See the Forefront 2 MIPS
Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket: Up to 40% Off
Camping blankets are a fun bunch, whether you’re basecamping at a state park, tailgaiting before a sporting event, or curling up with a good book on a weekend cabin trip. Rumpl’s Original Puffy is arguably the most popular design on the market, and for good reason: You get thick synthetic insulation that's great for 3-season use, a reasonably hardwearing shell with a water-repellent coating to shed light rain and snow, and an excellent selection of vibrant patterns and colorways. The features are nicely sorted, too, including a “Cape Clip” that allows you to secure the blanket around your shoulders to go hands-free, plus corner loops to anchor it down in the wind. Note: We linked to the popular Cascade Fade colorway above, but there are several other discounted patterns and designs to choose from, including the brighter Sunset Fade, subdued Arizona Fade, and a handful of National Park-inspired options.
See the Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket
Chaco Men’s Z/Cloud and Women’s Z/Cloud Sandals: Up to 40% Off
Chaco is one of the biggest names in adventure sandals, and their adjustable Z-strap models are legendary in the hiking and water sports markets. Their Z/Cloud earned our endorsement as the best overall design this season thanks to its comfortable and well-cushioned midsole, deep lugs for digging into softer surfaces like mud and sand, and thick straps that effectively secure the heel and forefoot. And arguably the biggest selling point: Chacos last a very long time. In fact, we’ve had pairs withstand up to three full years of consistent use before needing to be resoled or replaced. They look the part for wearing around town, too, which isn’t always the case with trail-ready sandals. For a little added support, we also like Chaco’s popular Z/1 Classic, which boasts an extra 5 millimeters of PU cushioning and is discounted by up to 35%.
See the Men's Chaco Z/Cloud See the Women's Chaco Z/Cloud
Salomon Men’s Sense Ride 5 and Women’s Sense Ride 5: Up to 50% Off
For a trail running shoe that can do it all, we love the Salomon Sense Ride 5. Although not quite as snazzy-looking as some of the newer trail shoes, it’s not to be underestimated: The Sense Ride 5 is equally at home on quick door-to-trail runs as it is during ultra-distance pursuits and can even handle technical cross-country terrain with ease. The all-around performance isn’t surprising given the Salomon’s versatile design, which features a moderate amount of cushioning, generously sized toe box, fairly standard 8-millimeter drop, and proven Contagrip rubber outsole. All told, it’s one of the most well-rounded trail runners we’ve ever worn and a standout value at around $100 for two of the colorways through August 22.
See the Men's Salomon Sense Ride 5 See the Women's Salomon Sense Ride 5
The North Face Wawona 4 Tent: 30% Off
Backpackers are often willing to eschew creature comforts in the name of weight savings, but car campers can get away with heavier and bulkier gear for a much more luxurious home-away-from-home experience. We think the upgrades you get with a tent like The North Face Wawona are well worth it for those sticking close to their vehicle: The tunnel-like design provides a generous amount of space, including a standing-height interior, plenty of pockets for divvying up the essentials, and a massive front vestibule that can be used for gear storage or as a shaded seating area. Overall quality is also excellent for the price—at $400 full MSRP and just $280 during the sale, you’d be seriously hard-pressed to find a higher-quality camping tent for less.
See The North Face Wawona 4 Tent
Smartwool Men's Classic Thermal and Women's Classic Thermal: Up to 50% Off
As your next-to-skin article of clothing, a baselayer plays a fundamental role in pulling moisture away from your body and regulating core temperature. Smartwool has been the industry leader for years, and merino wool is the most sought-after material for the job. Made with 100% merino (many competitors are blends or synthetics), the Classic Thermal is the whole package: It’s warm, super soft against the skin, resists moisture, and doesn’t hold stink like polyester alternatives. All in all, it’s a great baselayer for skiing and other winter sports and even has a UPF 50+ rating for use as an outer layer in milder weather. Given its popularity, the design is also available in a quarter-zip variation that's discounted by up to 35% through August 22.
See the Men's Classic Thermal Crew See the Women's Classic Thermal Crew
La Sportiva Men’s Spire GTX and Women’s Spire GTX: Up to 15% Off
For serious day hiking and lightweight overnights, we're big fans of the La Sportiva Spire GTX. In short, the design is about as backpacking-ready as a hiking shoe gets, with good stiffness and a thick midsole that effectively isolates you from rough and rocky trails. In testing, we also found the fit to be noticeably more accommodating than expected—most La Sportiva designs run narrow, but the Spire should work for most foot shapes. Throw in excellent protection and grip over a variety of terrain, plus a quality build that we’ve come to expect from the Italian climbing brand, and you have one of the most capable hiking shoes on the market.
See the Men's La Sportiva Spire GTX See the Women's La Sportiva Spire GTX
Granite Gear Men’s Blaze 60 and Women’s Blaze 60: Up to 40% Off
Backpacking packs run the gamut from specialized ultralight designs for thru-hikers to feature-rich offerings that can shuttle serious weight on gear-intensive adventures. Granite Gear’s Blaze 60 lands squarely in the middle, combining heavy-hauling credentials and practical organization at a very competitive 3-pound weight. In testing, the pack’s sturdy frame sheet and substantial padding on the hipbelt and shoulder straps carried a full load extremely well (it’s rated for 50 lb.), and the zippered opening to the main compartment made it easy to access our gear. Further, the oversized front and side exterior pockets are extremely functional (you can fit two standard water bottles in one side pocket), and the myriad compression straps allow you to snug the pack down to fit your load—whether you’re hauling half the pack’s capacity or maxing it out.
See the Men's Granite Gear Blaze 60 See the Women's Granite Gear Blaze 60
Black Diamond Men’s Distance 15 and Women’s Distance 15: Up to 35% Off
Black Diamond’s running-inspired Distance 15 is purpose-built for mountain athletes focused on traveling fast and light. The hybrid pack/vest design checks in at a scant 12.7 ounces but easily accommodates a day’s worth of supplies (it can even fit a streamlined climbing helmet). Storage is another highlight: The zippered chest pocket, trekking pole sleeves, ice axe holders, side compression straps, and multiple chest pockets allow you to conveniently access the essentials without removing the pack. And with its body-hugging shape, the Distance makes it easy to move quickly and efficiently with a day’s worth of gear. For reference, we’ve worn the Distance 15 on everything from technical ridge traverses to 50-mile trail runs and alpine rock climbs and have found it to be impressively versatile and well engineered. It’s also offered in a 22-liter capacity that tacks on a large stretch-woven pocket at the front.
See the Men's BD Distance 15 See the Women's BD Distance 15
Mountain Hardwear Men’s Bishop Pass 15: 20% Off
Sleeping bags for backpacking generally fall into one of two categories: Ultra-premium designs that use 800-fill-power down or higher and budget-oriented synthetic options. Mountain Hardwear’s Bishop Pass 15 strikes an elusive middle ground as a mid-range down bag that will meet the needs of casual and experienced backpackers alike. The bag is both well built and comfortable with a 3-season-ready temperature rating, and premium touches like a generous draft collar to seal out cold and a noticeably soft liner that feels supple and cozy against the skin. It’s also offered in a Gore-Tex-equipped version for added wind and water protection, which is discounted by up to 35% during the sale. And for a boost in performance at a lower weight, we also love Mountain Hardwear’s Phantom, which uses loftier and more compressible 800-fill down. Note: The women's Bishop Pass 15 isn't discounted during the sale, but the 30-degree version is available for 25% off.
See the Men's Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 15
Editor's note: The picks above are just a small snapshot of Backcountry's extensive Semi-Annual Sale. You can see the full sale page here and support us in the process. Thanks!
