Blog
Kitting yourself out with camping gear without blowing your budget comes down to a simple method: target the areas that really matter, compare new and second-hand, then watch out for good deals. Camping remains the leading form of summer accommodation in France, with over 140 million overnight stays a year.
Discover our cheap campsites for a great family camping trip without breaking the bank.
The best cheap camping gear is found in three complementary places: budget sports retailers, clearance stores and second-hand items between individuals. Each covers a different need depending on your budget and how much time you have before setting off. Here are the channels to compare before buying:
Not all camping gear deserves the same budget. Some equipment shapes your nights and your everyday comfort, while other items are easy to find at rock-bottom prices with no downside. Splitting your spending wisely avoids unpleasant surprises on site.
The tent and sleeping gear protect your nights, and therefore your energy during the day. For these two items, it’s better to choose a reliable model in an end-of-season sale rather than a flimsy budget option. A tent suited to the number of campers and a mat that insulates from the ground change everything, especially with children sleeping in cooler conditions.
Conversely, kitchen gear and furniture lend themselves perfectly to small budgets. A gas stove, stainless steel cookware and unbreakable crockery can be found from €8 new, and often half that second-hand. A folding table, chairs and a cooler box are easy additions to your second-hand shopping list, with no loss of comfort.
Equipping a whole family quickly gets expensive if you buy everything new, all at once. The solution is to spread out spending, share certain equipment and take advantage of the right moments to buy. As our team points out, haste remains the number one cause of unnecessary spending.
A few simple habits lighten the bill without sacrificing comfort:
Our tips: keep an eye on end-of-season shelves at sports retailers, often available from the end of summer onwards. That’s when last year’s tents, sleeping bags and stoves go on sale at low prices, with no difference in quality compared to new models.
You now know where to find cheap camping gear and how to split your spending. All that’s left is to choose your destination. Compare campsites with the best value for money on our site right now and book your family stay with no unpleasant surprises!
Cheap camping gear can be found at budget sports retailers, clearance stores and on second-hand platforms between individuals. Car boot sales nicely round out these channels for small equipment. Always compare several sources before buying, as the same item can vary greatly from one retailer to another.
To equip a family for camping, budget the bulk of your spending on the tent and sleeping gear, then a few tens of euros for the kitchen and furniture. By focusing on second-hand items and end-of-season sales, a complete kit for 4 people works out much cheaper than buying everything new at once.
Buying your camping gear second-hand costs less and is perfectly suited to furniture, tents and lightly used accessories. New items keep the edge for small equipment from €8 and for technical, safety-related items. The right compromise combines both depending on the item.
The best time to buy camping gear is at the end of the season, from the end of summer onwards, when retailers clear their stock. Prices then drop on tents, sleeping bags and stoves, with no difference in quality. A few weeks of watching the market is enough to grab these good deals.
