To rent or to buy outdoor gear?

AS THEY SAY, IT ALL DEPENDS …

By Jenna Thompson

Whether you need to gear up for an upcoming expedition, or just need ideas while wandering the aisles of an outdoor shop, it’s worth taking a moment to figure out whether buying makes sense – before you pull out your wallet.

For starters, the price tag is a huge factor for most people. Good outdoor gear isn’t cheap, and though renting can be more expensive over the long run, it gives access to better quality equipment that you might shy away from and never get to try. So if you lack cash and are looking at a cheaper but heavier fibreglass canoe, you could rent a high-end, lightweight Kevlar, which you’d thank on a two-kilometre portage.

Then there’s upkeep and maintenance. Some gear needs tuning, cleaning, waxing, sharpening, and adjusting that can be timeconsuming and costly. Will you do it, or do you need to pay someone to do it for you?

That said, renting has its downside. When you own your own gear, you can hit the trails, scale that rock face or rip those rapids whenever you want. Renting limits you to the operating hours and location of the store. Availability is another issue – it can be iffy. When you’ve planned a weeklong canoe trip in Algonquin Park, it’s a downer to find out all available canoes are already rented out, if you haven’t reserved in advance.

Your own experience and plans are other

factors. Renting lets you try different styles and models before picking the one that’s right for you. There’s no point in investing in gear unless you are going to use it a lot. If you are trying something (tennis? overnight camping? a canoe trip?) for the first time, renting is almost certainly the best bet. Nobody knows whether they’ll like a new activity or stick to it. If you do stick to it, and improve, then your gear requirements may change and you could find yourself the unhappy owner of a Toys “R” Us-level outfit.

Then there’s storage and transportation if you buy. Most stuff needs to be kept dry, and any gear item has to be safe from thieves. Where to put that brand-new canoe? Your garage, backyard, or shed, if you have one? If it’s a long haul to an adventure destination, there are air transport fees for oversized sports equipment. Do you really want to give up space in the suitcase for those snorkel fins? Do you have roof racks for that kayak? Do you even own a vehicle?

Other considerations on the buy-it front include versatility. Gear with many uses like tents, backpacks and sleeping bags is a good buy. Plus you can sell gear later if you change or upgrade, or rent your stuff to others. Since everything eventually wears out, try to estimate the life expectancy of the item you’re buying.

There are rental options, whatever the destination. If you are heading south of the border, Outdoors Geek and Mountain Side Gear Rentals will ship rental gear almost anywhere in the United States. While we wait for a similar service in Canada, check out outfitters close to your destination. Ottawa outdoors stores, including Mountain Equipment Co-op and Trailhead Paddle Shack, will rent out almost anything, from canoes and kayaks to sleeping bags, tents, stoves, climbing equipment – and skis and snowshoes in winter. 