Outside gear has all the time been costly, however recently, it looks like we’ve reached a brand new pinnacle — as if rising costs have outpaced inflation. Wander the aisles of REI or scroll by means of GearJunkie’s opinions, and also you’ll see what I imply. There at the moment are $400 forged iron pans, $600 aluminum coolers, $1,300 camp stoves, and elaborate tents with costs that soar far past that.
However are these excessive value observations correct, or simply an financial phantasm? Is gear truly getting costlier, or have excessive costs plagued each technology of out of doors fanatics?
I wished to seek out out. It’s been a subject of debate and dialogue amongst our group for years. And my editors weren’t going to be happy with a easy Google search.
So I took to eBay, discovered a few classic REI catalogs from 1974 and 1991, and charged them to the corporate card (thanks, AllGear Digital). When the mags arrived, I ripped the packaging open and began flipping by means of their delicate pages, perusing the costs of the years previous.
What I discovered blew me — and the employees — away.
Our Strategies
After I purchased these REI catalogs, I did so to check apples to apples. I wished to distinction costs as instantly as doable for merchandise offered throughout the many years.
So I painstakingly picked SKUs I might most instantly juxtapose, calculated the inflation (with this Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) inflation calculator set to the month and 12 months the catalogs got here out), after which derived the % value change.
It was a problem. There aren’t many merchandise (and even manufacturers) that REI has stored on its cabinets for the previous 50 years. And even amongst those who have caught round, new options and applied sciences have affected some product costs greater than others.
I did my greatest to match all of it up, and after I couldn’t discover a precise throughline (which was for a lot of of those merchandise), I in contrast costs to the closest equal merchandise I might discover. I then contacted Jeronimo Carballo, an affiliate professor of economics on the College of Colorado, to get an skilled’s perspective on what may very well be behind the adjustments in value that I found.
Let’s dive in.
( * ~ Denotes closest comparable product GearJunkie might discover)
Boots, Attire, and Equipment
Whereas there are outliers in each instructions, the costs of trainers have typically fallen since 1991 and 1974. The truth is, a few of them, like Sorel boots and the Vasque Sundowner Boots, are notably cheaper now than they was. And Rockports? Even the costliest shoe on the model’s web site right this moment is a 3rd cheaper than its 1991 Cross-Tenting Moccasins.
“I feel that numerous the products that you simply see a discount in value need to need to do with the truth that these items might be produced on massive scales,” Carballo mentioned. “The know-how has improved quite a bit in producing this stuff. And I feel that that type of explains numerous the evolution that you’re seeing in a number of the items, like, for instance, boots.”
Carballo defined that because the ’70s, numerous manufacturing has moved abroad, opening up a lot bigger manufacturing scales. That tends to deliver costs down — even when the know-how constructed into the boots (like waterproof supplies and lighter foams and rubbers) will get extra superior over time. That is generally known as “economies of scale.”
Sorel Winter Boots
1974 Worth (Sorel Premium Boot w/ Felt Liner): $35 (~$211.87 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 Worth (*Sorel Caribou Winter Boot on REI): $200
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -5.6%
Rockport Moccasins
1974 Worth: $110 ($253 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 Worth (Edge Hill 2 Double Gore on Rockport): $140
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -44%
Vasque Sundowner Boots
1991: $149 (~$324.29 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (on Backcountry): $250
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -22.9%
Some brand-specific attire and equipment went the opposite path, although. Ray-Ban sun shades have develop into considerably costlier since 1974 and 1991. When requested about this, Carballo mentioned it’s vital to contemplate producer versus provide components. Manufacturers like these have a value to provide a very good (on this case, aviator sun shades). They then gauge how a lot they’ll cost on prime of that value to make a revenue.
“This markup is normally a measure of how effectively perceived the corporate is within the eye of the shoppers and what number of alternate options these shoppers have for a high-quality good,” Carballo mentioned.
Nevertheless, Carballo identified one other doable issue within the rise within the value of Ray-Bans. Luxottica, an Italian eyewear conglomerate, owns Ray-Ban and lots of of its “competing” eyewear manufacturers.
“So that they’re not going to be competing quite a bit,” Carballo mentioned. “All of them attempt to arrange costs and truly extract extra value from the shoppers.”
Ray-Ban Aviator Sun shades
1974 (Outdoorsman): $21 (~$127.12 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Aviator Traditional Polarized on REI): $230
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +80.9%
I used to be sure that Patagonia merchandise would have gotten costlier over time, too. The model pays honest commerce wages right this moment and has put sustainability and conservation on the forefront of its enterprise mannequin during the last 50 years. Shopper notion of the model is optimistic, and demand for Patagonia merchandise is excessive. It might (and does) cost increased costs for its title.
However after we appeared on the basic Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Jacket, the worth had truly come down by a full third within the final 32 years.
Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Jacket
1991: $98 (~$225.40 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (on REI): $150
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): -33.4%
Packs
Backpacks have been attention-grabbing. A lot of the packs in 1991 (and all the packs in 1974) have been exterior body packs. Manufacturers don’t actually make these anymore (OK, a few of them do).
By and huge, backpacking packs right this moment have inner frames. That’s modified how packs are made and what goes into them completely.
Between 1974 and 1991, packs bought considerably costlier. However since 1991 and the shift to inner body packs, the worth has come again down — at the very least judging by these examples.
REI Cruiser Backpack
1974 value: $28 (~$169.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 value: $95 (~$218.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
(% Worth Change 1974-1991: +28.9%)
The Cruiser sequence was considered one of REI’s hottest and cost-effective exterior body backpacking packs. Though it has been discontinued, I wished to understand how it will examine to the model’s most cost-effective inner body pack right this moment. The REI Trailmade 60 match the invoice.
2024 value (*REI Trailmade 60 at REI): $180
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +6.2%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: -17%)
Jansport Exterior Body Pack
1974 (Cascade 2): $45 (~$297.83 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (Bryce 67L): $185 (~$423.90 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
(% Worth Change 1974-1991): +42.3%
Jansport doesn’t make any backpacking packs anymore, not to mention exterior body packs just like the Cascade or the Bryce. It has shifted completely to daypacks, journey packs, and college luggage. There was no present mannequin with which to check these costs.
However Jansport was one of many premier climbing pack manufacturers in days of yore. To get a way of an identical model right this moment, I in contrast the Jansport exterior frames with considered one of Osprey’s hottest, equally sized packs.
2024 (*Osprey Atmos AG 65 Pack on REI): $340
Cascade 2 Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +14%
Bryce 67L Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): -19.8%
MountainSmith Backpacks
1991 (Bugaboo 36 L Pack): $130 ($299 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Zerk 40 L Pack): $220
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): -26.4%
REI Inner Body Backpacking Pack
1991 (Traverse Collection Valhalla Pack 66 L): $125 (~$287.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (Traverse 60 L at REI): $250
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): -13%
Knives
Knives right this moment are available quite a lot of shapes, kinds, and colours; they fold, snap open, and have multipurpose blades. Some even include ferro rods hooked up for firestarting.
I anticipated trendy knives to be costlier than in 1991 and 1974, particularly contemplating that many outside knives made in 1991 have been designed with supplies which can be considerably out of date right this moment. Fashionable premium knives come at a a lot increased value level than these we’re evaluating beneath.
The distinction was compelling, nonetheless.
Swiss Military Knife
1974 (*Handyman): $14.25 (~$86.26 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (Tremendous Tinker): $28 (~$64.40 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (Tremendous Tinker on REI): $45
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -47.8%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024): -30.1%
Buck Folding Hunter
1974: $22 (~$133.18 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (at Buck): $65
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -51.2%
*Buck Alpha Information Professional
In 1974, the Buck Folding Hunter was one of many model’s most premium knives. It’s nonetheless a basic, however it doesn’t use the top-of-the-line metal and different supplies which can be utilized in Buck’s premium knives right this moment. So, we picked considered one of Buck’s prime looking knives to check premium (apples) to premium (apples).
2024 (*663 Alpha Information Professional Knife on Buck): $225
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +68.9%
Filters & Stoves
This one made my jaw drop. Wanting again, in 1991, water ” purification methods” have been wildly costly in comparison with reasonably priced filters just like the Sawyer Squeeze and LifeStraw, which are well-liked right this moment. It’s no marvel folks tended to make use of bleach, iodine, or boiling water for purification as an alternative.
What’s the cope with that?
Right here’s some wild context: In 1974, REI didn’t have a single water filter in its catalog. Water filters have been nonetheless a comparatively new phenomenon amongst hikers within the Seventies. They didn’t develop into reasonably priced and customary till effectively into the Nineties.
Carballo had a really attention-grabbing take. As a result of water filtration is important around the globe, and since so many organizations spend a lot time and sources making an attempt to supply cost-effective filters for creating nations, it’s doable that know-how was researched and developed with out outside recreation essentially in thoughts.
Katadyn Pump Water Filter
1991 (PF Pocket Water Filter): $240 (~$551.99 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Hiker Microfilter at REI): $90
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): -83.7%
MSR Water Filter
1991 (Waterworks Filter): $140 (~$321.99 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*MiniWorks Filter on REI): $120
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): -62.7%
Stoves are one other story altogether. The tech behind gasoline stoves in 1991 (and even in 1974) isn’t that completely different from what’s utilized in most of the tenting stoves accessible right this moment. Nevertheless, within the case of the MSR Whisperlite, the worth has almost doubled. This may very well be one other case of name names and repute affecting shopper costs.
MSR Whisperlite Range
1991: $47 (~$108.10 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (on REI): $200
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): +85%
Water Bottles & Kitchenware
Regardless of the extent of product suffusion and model competitors for camp cookware and kitchen provides, these merchandise turned notably costlier throughout the board. Even generic issues like Military Surplus Canteens have shot up in value since 1974 and 1991.
And don’t even get me began on coolers …
But once more, model names and recognition may very well be accountable. A lot of the kitchen cookware, coolers, and water bottles on REI’s web site right this moment are from YETI, HydroFlask, Nalgene, Sea to Summit, GSI, MSR, or different well-known manufacturers.
Military Canteen
1974: $0.79 (~$4.78 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991: $5 (~$11.50)
2024 (on Amazon): $10
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +109%
Vast Mouth 1L Water Bottle
1974: $1.10 (~$6.66 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991: $4.14 (~$9.52 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 Nalgene: $17
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +155%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: +78.6%)
Comfortable Cooler
1991 (20 qt): $33 (~$75.90 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (22L at REI): $120
Complete % Worth Change (1991-2024): +58.1%
Nesting Cookware
1974 (1, 2, 3 qt.): $8 (~$48.43 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (1, 1.5, 2.5 qt.): $30 (~$69 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*GSI Open air Glacier Collection 2.1 qt., 3.1 qt., skillet, 2x strainer lids): $90
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +85.8%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: +30.4%)
I wished to understand how the price of REI’s 1974 nesting kitchen cookware set in comparison with the most affordable, most generic nesting cookware I might discover. I browsed Amazon till I discovered an identical set. And the distinction in value lends weight to the concept model names may be driving the costs of camp cookware up.
2024 (BeGrit 8-in-1 Cookware Set at Amazon): $23
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -52.5%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: -66%)
Lights & Lanterns
Flashlight know-how has modified quite a bit within the final 50 years. LEDs changed incandescent bulbs, the power density of normal disposable batteries has elevated whereas their value has come down, and now many flashlights and headlamps use rechargeable batteries. There are some very costly and highly effective flashlights on the market right this moment.
However commonplace flashlights have been getting cheaper over time, judging by our samples. Once more, this appears to point that economies of scale have made the price of manufacturing cheaper, which has trickled right down to shoppers.
Primary Headlamp
1974 (REI On a regular basis Headlamp): $3.40 (~$22.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (*Petzl Micro Headlamp): $27.50 (~$63.25 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Petzl Tikka Headlamp at REI): $35
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +55.5%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: -44.6%)
2-Cell Aluminum Flashlight
1974 (Kel-Lite 2-Cell C Flashlight): $11.45 (~$69.31 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (*Magazine-Lite 2-Cell D Flashlite): $22 (~$50.60 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*ML50L MagLite 2-Cell C Flashlight at MagLite): $42.50
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -38.7%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: -16%)
Lantern
1974 (Gaz L200 Butane Lantern): $11.75 (~$73.13 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (*Coleman Peak 1 White Gasoline Lantern): $37 (~$85.10 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Coleman NorthStar Propane Lantern at Coleman): $70
Complete % Worth Change 1974-2024: -4.3%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: -17.7%)
Sleep Techniques
Inflatable air mattresses have gotten costlier. Lots of the trendy air mattresses you’ll discover at REI right this moment are designed with ultralight supplies and are self-inflating; some are well-insulated, and others use supplies like reminiscence foam to enhance consolation.
Within the case of Therm-a-Relaxation, the model has been a pacesetter in inflatable mattress tech because it began within the ’70s. Its costs have risen because it has develop into extra well-liked. It has additionally largely stored its manufacturing home to the U.S., which is normally costlier than abroad manufacturing.
Nevertheless, goose-down sleeping luggage appear to be getting cheaper. That’s stunning as a result of down fill remains to be very pricey to reap from geese, and right this moment, corporations like Patagonia and The North Face are investing in traceable, responsibly sourced down. Many corporations additionally use ultralight supplies of their luggage and supply handled down, which is waterproof.
So, after I checked my math on the worth of sleeping luggage, it caught me off guard. I had anticipated them to extend in value as know-how has improved a lot. Nevertheless, my assumptions have been misguided … once more.
Inflatable Air Mattress
1974 (REI Backpacker 5 panel nylon tube): $15 (~$90.80 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (*Therm-a-Relaxation commonplace): $44 (~$101.20 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Therm-a-Relaxation Basecamp Sleeping Pad at REI): $115
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): +26.7%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: +13.6%)
Sleeping Pad
1974: $11.50 ($71.43 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (Ridge Relaxation Sleeping Pad): $13 ($29.90 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (Therm-a-Relaxation Ridge Relaxation at Amazon): $32
Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -55%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024: +0.07%)
Goosedown Sleeping Bag
1974 (The Gerry Camper): $87 (~$526.65 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (*REI Renaissance Baggage 15 diploma 550 fill): $190 (~$436.99 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*REI Magma 15 w/ 850 fill Waterproof down at REI): $430
2024 (*Mountain Hardwear 550 fill 15 diploma Bishop Move): $285
REI Magma Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -18.4%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024): -1.6%
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Move Complete % Worth Change (1974-2024): -45.9%
(% Worth Change 1991-2024): -34.8%
The Worth Is Proper — Or Isn’t It?
Whereas I used to be genuinely shocked at how most of the merchandise that I in contrast had develop into cheaper after I’d adjusted for inflation, I in all probability shouldn’t have been. My random pool of samples was cut up virtually precisely down the center, with some merchandise having gone up in value whereas others got here down. But when I had expanded my search to look at all outside tools and provides, I may need observed a extra distinct development.
In keeping with BLS information, the patron value of out of doors tools and provides has been steadily lowering since at the very least 2000. It spiked considerably in the course of the pandemic, and Carballo mentioned numerous that would need to do with international provide chain points. The drastic rise in outside participation brought on by the pandemic is one other issue affecting that worth. Nonetheless, the general development is a lower in value.
Carballo additionally identified that it’s vital to think about family incomes over time.
“If you happen to’re making an attempt to check the affordability of the products, it’s not simply in regards to the costs,” Carballo mentioned. “How pricey was shopping for these items in 1974 or 1991 for the common American in comparison with right this moment?”
The newest 12 months tracked by the Federal Reserve Financial institution’s actual median family revenue information is 2022. It reviews a median revenue of $74,580 for that 12 months ($83,341.06 in 2024 adjusted for inflation). In 1991, it was $59,710 ($137,330.81 adjusted for inflation). The info solely goes again to 1984, when the median revenue was $56,780 ($130,591.92 adjusted for inflation).
There are numerous takeaways from all this. To me, the largest one is that the query of “Has gear gotten costlier over time?” is a really difficult one. I did my greatest to reply it, however I’m positive I’ve missed, ignored, or in any other case fudged one thing right here.
My second greatest takeaway? The idea I made, that we have been paying unfair costs right this moment and that earlier generations of out of doors fanatics had it straightforward with their $55 backpacks and $8 camp cookware, was incorrect. I mentioned it in the beginning of this text, and it rings even more true now: Outside gear has all the time been costly. I simply didn’t notice that a lot of it’s comparatively extra reasonably priced right this moment than it was.