Outdoor gear is expensive. It鈥檚 even more expensive if you鈥檙e buying a name-brand product from someone like The North Face, Patagonia, or Canada Goose. While those companies all make great stuff, you can find generic gear at outlets like REI and even Walmart for much cheaper. But I always wonder: Am I sacrificing performance by not buying from one of those big, well-respected manufacturers?
This article aims to answer that question. Over the years, I鈥檝e stumbled onto a few great buys from off-label brands, all listed below. Some things are worth spending a lot of money on from the outdoor world鈥檚 most widely recognized companies. These six products don鈥檛 fall into that category.
Kirkland Signature Men鈥檚 Trail Socks ($12 for 4 pairs)
I have a lot of Darn Tough and Fits socks in my drawer, but socks from Costco that were gifted to me years ago. They鈥檙e 70 percent merino, 30 percent nylon and spandex, and so thick that they鈥檙e ideal for shoveling or hanging out in the snow. I鈥檝e washed them dozens of times, and they still show no sign of wear.
EMS Men鈥檚 Thunderhead Jacket ($80)
For $80, you get a with some nice touches, like pit zips and a well-tailored fit. Buy one and keep it in your car in case you unexpectedly get stuck in a blizzard.
Ozark Trail Folding Chair ($7)
No, I wouldn鈥檛 take any of Walmart鈥檚 Ozark Trail gear on a fast-and-light mission, but the products are ideal for car camping. Case in point: . I kept one of these in my truck for years. It survived dozens of campouts and backyard barbecues.
Cabela鈥檚 Alaskan Guide X-White Headlamp ($30)
I like this 78-lumen headlamp because it uses AA batteries, so I can carry extras and not worry about running out of juice in the backcountry. Branded by Cabela鈥檚 but actually built by Princeton Tec, it鈥檚 waterproof and runs for 90 hours.
Trader Joe鈥檚 Kentucky Bourbon ($15)
You can鈥檛 go wrong with this聽bourbon, which is distilled and bottled by . It鈥檚 a good bottle of liquor at a fair price聽and won鈥檛 give you gut rot the next day.
Target Market Pantry Knapsack Trail Mix ($8)
I鈥檓 picky about most of my camp food, but I鈥檒l scarf down pretty much any trail mix. And $8 for 42 ounces is . One of these bags kept my friend and me from getting hangry during a six-day road and kayaking trip across British Columbia.