Cyber Monday is the best day of the year to save big on outdoor gear, from hiking and camping to skiing and snowboarding. However, it can tough the navigate all the deals and sales happening simultaneously around the internet. Below we’ve broken down the best outdoor gear deals for Cyber Monday 2014, with twelve top outdoor retailers and links to their most current offerings. It's still early, but this page will be updated consistently through the big day to reflect the latest Cyber Monday deals, so make sure to check back here. Happy shopping!
Backcountry.com
Backcountry.com is a powerhouse outdoor retailer that operates almost exclusively online. The site carries a wide range of outdoor clothing and equipment from all major brands, a decent portion of which is on sale. We also love their free two-day shipping on orders over $50.
Current deal: Up to 50% Off Cyber Monday Sale
REI.com
REI is the king of outdoor stores and the vast majority of its inventory is available online. Customers like REI’s dividend program (members receive a 10% dividend annually) and generous return policy.
Current deal: Up to 40% Off Cyber Monday Sale
Amazon.com is one of the world’s largest online retailers and the site’s outdoor offerings continue to expand including hiking, skiing, and biking. Nice perks for frequent customers are good customer service and free two-day shipping on certain products with Amazon Prime.
Current deal: Cyber Monday Deals Week
Campsaver.com
Campsaver.com has become a significant presence on the outdoor scene and offers great discounts and clearances. The site has a clear emphasis on camping and outdoor clothing but also offers gear for running and snow sports.
Current deal: 20% Off One Outlet Item
Evo.com
For skiing and snowboarding, Evo has become one of the top sites on the internet for new gear and clearances on old gear. The site is easy to use, has a great online interface for choosing products and placing your order, and offers free shipping on order over $50.
Current deal: Up to 60% Off Cyber Monday Sale
Rock Creek carries outdoor clothing and gear from virtually all the major brands, including an impressive collection of hard goods like kayaks and SUPs. The company also offers free shipping on orders over $49.
Current deal: Shop Cyber Monday Deals
Sierratradingpost.com
Sierra Trading Post specializes in closeouts and overstocks on the full spectrum of outdoor gear and clothing. If you are flexible with manufacturers or don’t mind past-season products, this is a great place to shop for outdoor gear on a budget.
Current deal: Extra 25 to 30% Off Cyber Monday Sale
Skis.com is a specialty ski and snowboard retailer that covers the full spectrum of snow sports equipment from beginner to expert. Their product photos and interface are among the best in the industry and also offer a low price guarantee.
Current deal: Up to 70% Off Cyber Monday Sale
Theclymb.com
Portland-based outdoor retailer The Clymb offers up to 50-75% off retail prices on outdoor gear and apparel, including daily sale items that move fast. You must register with The Clymb via email or Facebook to get access to their deals.
Current deal: See today’s sales
For hunting, fishing, and camping, mega-store Cabela’s is one the world’s largest outdoor retailers. The site is offering numerous sales in the buildup to the holiday season including deep discounts on certain items and specials on shipping.
Current deal: Cyber Week Sale
GearX.com
GearX is an up-and-comer on the outdoor scene and offers serious discounts. In addition to current gear for camping, climbing, and snow sports, you can find deals on last year’s models and other closeouts. The climbing section in particular is very strong.
Current deal: Up to 20% off top climbing brands
If you haven't yet heard of Jans, this Utah-based outdoor retailer is great for the silent sport community including gear for cross-country skiing, mountain biking, fly-fishing, and more. You also get free shipping on orders over $99.
Current Deal: Shop Jans Outlet
What About Shipping?
Shipping policies vary by seller, but the good news is that many of the outdoor retailers above offer free shipping on orders $50 or more (this is the most common price cutoff). More, many retailers throw out the minimum purchase requirement for the holidays. REI, for example, is offering free shipping for the 2014 holiday season with no minimum through December 31, including on skis on snowboards. Backcountry.com offers free two-day shipping on order over $50, which we love because many sites use ground for their free shipping option and that can take more like 5-7 business days. Make sure to check the retailer’s terms before making your purchase, but in general, Cyber Monday and the holidays are a great time for free and fast shipping on outdoor gear.
What About International Shipping?
International shipping also varies by seller. U.S. customers, and particularly those in the Lower 48 States, should be well covered by the sites above. Canadian residents also get fairly good coverage and it can be economical to order from a U.S.-based retailer. If you are located outside the U.S. or Canada, availability and shipping rates will vary by site and order. Backcountry.com ships internationally via UPS and provides tracking information so you know when your package will arrive (the rates are calculated based on the item). REI ships internationally but the rates are pretty hefty as a percentage of the purchase price. One of the best options for international shipping is Amazon, and depending on the seller, the rates are competitive. We have the Amazon logo above linked so that it will send you to your local Amazon site (Amazon.co.uk for readers based in the United Kingdom, for example).
What About Returns?
Again, return policies vary by retailer, but many of the sites above offer 30-day returns on used gear and longer on new gear and defective products. REI is known as being one of the most liberal companies in this regard—they used to offer lifetime returns but since have lowered the policy to one year (this still is generous and they are helpful if anything should go wrong). Backcountry.com has a 30-day policy for used gear and unlimited returns on new gear for store credit. Keep in mind that certain items sold on discounts or clearances may have a more limited return policy or none at all. For Cyber Monday, make sure to check the return policy for the site that you’re buying from and for that particular sale.