Key takeaway: Black Friday is a good time to buy tents, sleeping bags, insulated jackets, packs and GPS watches, but not every sale is the lowest price of the year. Set price alerts now on the exact items you want, then use the price history to decide whether to buy or wait.
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The Short Answer
Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales land in late November, and outdoor retailers usually discount across most categories. The catch is that a lot of "Black Friday" prices match deals that showed up earlier in the season. The way to win is simple: pick your gear early, track its price, and only buy when the price is at or near the lowest it's been.
This page is our evergreen hub. We update it in place every year, so bookmark it.
What Usually Goes on Sale
Here's how the main hiking and camping categories tend to behave around Black Friday. These are general patterns, not promises; prices vary by brand, retailer and year.
Tents and shelters
Tents often see broad discounts in late November because it's the off-season for camping in much of the country. Last year's colorways and models are the most likely to be marked down. If you're eyeing a specific ultralight model, set an alert; popular sizes can sell out.
Sleeping bags and pads
Sleeping bags and pads are common Black Friday picks, especially previous-year versions. Check the temperature rating, fill type and weight, not just the discount. A cheap bag that's too cold for your trips isn't a deal.
Insulated jackets and fleece
Puffy jackets are in season in late November, so discounts are often on older colors and less common sizes. If you need a common size in a current color, waiting can backfire. If you're flexible on color, Black Friday can be a solid time to buy.
Backpacks and daypacks
Packs are a regular part of outdoor holiday sales. Fit matters more than price, so know your torso length and the capacity you need before the sale starts.
Hiking boots and trail shoes
Footwear often goes on sale, but sizes go fast. Know your size in the exact model you want before the sale, ideally from a pair you've tried on, so you can buy quickly.
GPS watches, headlamps and electronics
Electronics are some of the most heavily promoted Black Friday items. Older models are often discounted when newer ones launch. Compare the features you'll actually use, then decide whether last year's model is the better value.
Stoves, cookware and small gear
Smaller items like stoves, water filters and trekking poles often show up in bundles and stocking-stuffer promotions. These are easy wins if you already know what you want.
When to Buy: Before, During or After Black Friday
The best time to buy is when the price hits a low you're happy with, which isn't always Black Friday itself.
- Before Black Friday: many retailers start "early Black Friday" promotions in the days leading up to it. If an item you want hits a price at or near its recorded low, there's little reason to wait.
- Black Friday weekend: the widest range of discounts, but also the fastest sell-outs in popular sizes.
- Cyber Monday: often similar prices to Black Friday, sometimes with extra online-only promotions.
How to Use Price Alerts
A price alert tells you when a product drops to the price you want, so you don't have to check every day. On Gear Snyper:
- Find the product you want on our deals page or through search.
- Open the product page and set a price alert for your target price.
- Manage everything you're watching from your price alerts.
- When an alert fires, check the price history and decide whether to buy or wait.
Set your alerts now. That way you start building a picture of each product's normal price well before late November.
How to Decide: Buy or Wait
Compare today's price with the product's own price history, not with the "was" price.
- Buy if the current price is at or near the lowest we've recorded, and your size is available.
- Wait if the price has been lower recently, or if the item is a current-season model that often sees wider sales later.
- Buy anyway if it's an uncommon size or a limited color you really want. Once it sells out, it's gone.
Black Friday Buying Checklist
- Make a list first. Write down the specific gear you need and the model you want.
- Know your sizes. Boots, packs and jackets all need the right fit.
- Set a target price for each item and set alerts.
- Check the return policy. Holiday return windows vary by retailer.
- Watch shipping costs, which can wipe out a small discount.
- Skip the impulse buys. A big discount on gear you don't need is still money spent.
Common Mistakes
- Judging by the "was" price alone. Check the price history too.
- Waiting too long on a common size. Popular sizes can sell out before the weekend ends.
- Buying the wrong temperature rating or capacity because the discount was big.
- Forgetting older models. Last year's version is often nearly identical and cheaper.
FAQ
Is Black Friday a good time to buy hiking and camping gear?
Often, yes. Tents, sleeping bags, packs, insulated jackets and electronics commonly go on sale. Check the price history to make sure the deal is actually at or near the item's low.
When do Black Friday hiking gear sales start?
Black Friday and Cyber Monday fall in late November, and many retailers start promotions in the days before. Set price alerts early so you catch the drop whenever it happens.
Are Cyber Monday hiking gear deals better than Black Friday?
Usually they're similar. Some retailers add online-only promotions on Cyber Monday, but popular sizes may already be gone by then.
Should I buy last year's model?
Often, yes. Older models usually get the deepest discounts, and many change little from year to year. Compare the specs that matter to you.
How do I know if a Black Friday price is a good deal?
Compare it with the product's own price history rather than its list price. If it's at or near the lowest recorded price, it's a good time to buy.
This guide is updated each year. Gear Snyper earns a commission on some purchases made through links on our deal pages.