We all know gear can get expensive. For outdoor sports you participate in just occasionally or are trying out for the first time, you may not want to invest a ton of money upfront. Many outdoor gear rental companies are popping up to provide affordable access to high price gear or let you test out the latest and greatest gear before you decide to buy.
Whittaker Mountaineering will rent you the gear you need for everything from climbing Mount Everest to a weekend family camping trip. Equipment for hiking, snowshoeing, backcountry skiing, GoPro cameras, and even Spot GPS Messengers are also available for rent. For example, you can rent a full backcountry ski package, including Black Diamond skis, AT boots, skins, and poles at $60 for three days.
Gear Freedom is a brand new company targeting those outdoor adventurers who don't want to purchase, store, or maintain big and bulky sports gear. You will be able to rent a variety of outdoor equipment including kayaks, bikes, and skis.
Colorado based Mountain Threads will rent you the latest and greatest high performance ski apparel and deliver it straight to your resort accommodations. You no longer have to pack loads of gear for your ski vacation, and at the end of your trip, Mountain Threads will simply pick everything up.
Would you rent outdoor gear? If so, what type of gear would you be willing to rent and what would you rather buy?
UPDATE: San Francisco based Alite Designs has just launched their Ranger Station lending library where you can use, free of charge, a variety of camping gear including tents, backpacks, chairs, and lanterns. Alite Designs camping experts will be on hand to suggest their favorite local spots or help you with any questions about the gear.