Best Outdoor Gear Rentals

Best Overall: Arrive Outdoors

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Key Specs

• Price: $
• Online Reservations: Yes
• Locations: Contiguous U.S. 

Why We Chose It: We chose Arrive Outdoors as our overall winner for its extensive catalogue and choice of a la carte and package rentals. 

Arrive Outdoors is a one-stop-shop for hiking and camping enthusiasts, offering everything from the basics (like tents and sleeping bags) to more niche items (like baby hiking carriers, binoculars, and bear canisters). You can browse the a la carte catalog, or simplify things by opting for a set camping or backpacking package. The company also rents snow gear for men, women, and children. 

Reserving your gear is free; simply enter your dates and select the items you want. Rental periods may last anywhere from two to 21 nights. Your card is only charged 10 days before delivery, and up until that time you may cancel or change your order as often as you like.

Shipping is free on all orders over about $49, and returns are also free. Gear can be delivered to any home or hotel in the contiguous U.S. and must be returned to your nearest FedEx branch.

Best Runner-Up: LowerGear

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Key Specs

• Price: $
• Online Reservations: Yes
• Locations: Nationwide

Why We Chose It: LowerGear stood out for us as a worthy runner-up because of its ability to ship to all 50 states and its commitment to helpful, flexible service. 

LowerGear specializes in camping, backpacking, and navigation gear, with options ranging from tents and backpacks to cooking equipment and backcountry safety essentials.

Browse gear by specific category, and use the side-by-side comparison feature to make your final choice. You can rent for a quick weekend getaway, or for expeditions up to one month in length. Or, you can also select all-inclusive camping packages for two or four people. 

Unlike most outdoor gear rental companies, LowerGear will ship items to any state in America, including Hawaii and Alaska. Choose to collect from the store in Tempe, AZ, to avoid shipping costs.

When you’re finished with your items, simply box them back up and use the included, pre-paid shipping label to return them at any UPS store. LowerGear is known for its flexible approach and is open to discussing everything from longer rentals to group discounts.

Best for Tent Rentals: Outdoors Geek

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Key Specs

• Price: $$
• Online Reservations: Yes
• Locations: Nationwide

Why We Chose It: We chose Outdoors Geek as the winner of this category because it offers a greater number and variety of tents than any other provider we looked at. 

Whatever you need a tent for, Outdoors Geek offers one of the largest selections in the business. These are divided into four categories: camping tents, backpacking tents, glamping tents, and canvas hunting tents. Camping and backpacking models range from ultra-light, one-person bivies to sturdy eight-person tents. Expect top brands such as The North Face, Marmot, and Big Agnes. 

If glamping is more your thing, choose between safari-style and bell-shaped offerings, rented individually or in bulk for major events. Outdoors Geek has provided glamping tents for music festivals including Coachella and Firefly.

Rates are charged by rental period rather than by day, starting from one to three days up to 22 to 28 days. Gear can be shipped anywhere in the U.S. and is guaranteed to arrive clean and at least one day prior to your start date (or the rental is free).

Best for Camping Packages: Xscape Pod

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Key Specs

• Price: $
• Online Reservations: Yes
• Locations: Contiguous U.S. 

Why We Chose It: Xscape Pod was the obvious winner of this category because it specializes in camping packages that include everything needed for your wilderness adventure. 

Xscape Pod specializes in all-inclusive packages for camping and backpacking. These convenient sets come with everything you need, from your tent and sleeping bags to camp chairs, a stove, a cook set, lanterns, a first aid kit, and a cooler.

And items are made by top brands like Big Agnes, Petzl, and MSR. A la carte pod creation is also possible.

Once you’ve chosen the pod that best suits your needs, stipulate the number of campers and your dates, then wait for your package to arrive at least one day ahead of your trip. Shipping costs about $50 (free on orders over $349) and includes a return label so that you can drop your pod off at any FedEx store when you’re done. Long-term rentals can be arranged by phone.

Best for Climbers: REI

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Key Specs

• Price: $$
• Online Reservations: Certain stores
• Locations: Multiple stores in several states 

Why We Chose It: REI is one of the few multi-state companies to offer a comprehensive range of climbing gear rentals, which is why we chose it as the winner of this category. 

While camping and backpacking rentals are relatively common, climbing gear is harder to come by. If you’re looking to rent items such as climbing helmets, crampons, ice axes, bouldering crash pads, and rock climbing shoes, you’re likely to have more luck heading to your nearest REI outlet. Many (though not all) REI stores offer climbing gear to rent as well as buy, although stock and minimum rental periods vary by location. 

Prices are consistent, however, and are calculated as a set rate for the first night, with an extra fee for each additional night. Become an REI member for significant savings and the benefit of not having to pay a security deposit. Some stores also offer mountaineering packages. You will need to collect your rental gear from the store and return it there when you’re done. Some stores accept online reservations while others require renters to call for availability.