The 14 Best 4th of July Deals on Outdoor Gear

Save some cash with these discounts on biking, camping, and climbing equipment. And if you're heading out, stay safe and wear your face mask.

July 4th is approaching, the weather is getting hot, and people are flocking outdoors. The pandemic is far from over, so it's important to wear a face mask and stay 6 feet apart.

A good way to enjoy the summer and stay safe is to bike, whether it's around the city or on rural trails. Camping is also another way to break out of your home if you have a social quarantine bubble to go with. And climbers can head to outdoor routes, as long as they're not crowded, or wait until the local climbing gym reopens. There are a few Independence Day deals happening right now on outdoor gear, and we've collected our favorites below so you can spend more time planning your next great (and safe) excursion.

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Bike Buys
Photograph: REI

For more bike accessories, we have a guide that includes everything from helmets to bike shorts. Also, check out our guide to the Best Ebikes if you're in the market for a new ride.

  • Timbuk2 Portola Pannier Bag for $70 ($29 off): Carrying everything on your back while biking will leave you a sweaty mess in hot weather. Make your bike do the work. The Portola holds 28 liters of stuff—on the large side for a pannier bag—but it can hold all your things for commutes to the office or groceries on your way back from the store. You'll need a pannier rack on your bike to mount the bag.

  • Bontrager Circuit Cycling Gloves for $32 ($8 off): People who bike a lot tend to develop blisters, and padded, ergonomically shaped handlebars can only go so far. That's why you'll see serious road cyclists wearing gloves. The Brontrager Circuits have memory foam and gel patches to reduce blisters, and the half-fingers let you use your phone without having to constantly take off the gloves.

  • Ergon SMC Sport Gel Women's Saddle for $72 ($18 off): Long days in the saddle can be exhausting, especially if you're riding a bike without seat suspension. Orthopedic gel cushioning gives your backside an upgrade from the stiff, thinly padded seats that most bikes come with from the factory. The men's version is also on sale for the same price.

Camping Deals
Photograph: BioLite

We've got plenty of other camping gear recommendations here if you're looking for more.

  • REI Co-Op Trail Chair for $24 ($11 off): This chair is affordable, versatile, and storable. Its water-repellent (DWR) finish repels moisture, and the fiberglass frame keeps it sturdy.

  • Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 for $80 ($20 off): If you want to play some tunes at camp (just respect the other folks in your area), this is a fantastic Bluetooth speaker to carry everywhere. It's IP67 water- and dust-resistant, delivers 13 hours of music playback, has a 100-foot Bluetooth range, and it floats!

  • BioLite Headlamp 330 for $42 ($18 off): This headlamp will light up the dark areas on the trail when the sun's going down. It's really lightweight, and the battery is rechargeable. It lasts up to 40 hours on a single charge.

  • Somewear Labs Global Hotspot for $300 ($50 off): If you're often in the backcountry, it's important to have a satellite messenger in case of an emergency. It tethers your smartphone to the Iridium network, allowing you to send emergency alerts, texts, or find maps when you're off the grid.

  • Coleman Oversize Camp Chair for $25 ($10 off): You can keep two to four cans cool in the insulated cooler pouch on the left armrest, and your in-progress drink in the other armrest's mesh cupholder. The seat and back are both padded, so you can relax and do absolutely nothing for as long as you want.

  • Solo Stove Fire Pit for $230 ($40 off): Fire in a can. It only weighs 15 pounds, so you can toss it in the car, and one person can carry it to the campsite. It burns wood so you don't have to mess around with fuel. Use fallen branches instead of breaking off live branches, and make sure to check daily fire conditions and park guidance on whether wood-burning fires are allowed at your campground. It could change day to day, based on how dry the surroundings are. And make sure you do it safely to avoid wildfires.

  • Hydro Flask 24 Fluid Ounce Bottle for $26 ($9 off): If you're lounging around the campsite and have access to cool river water (always treat it to be safe), you'll want to keep it from warming up under the glaring sun. The Hydro Flask is a durable choice with a tough powder-coated finish. It's so good, it made it into our Best Reusable Water Bottles guide.

Climbing Gear Deals
Photograph: Backcountry

You should only go climbing if you know routes aren't going to be too crowded, or if you can maintain safe distances with others at the local climbing gym that might be reopening soon.

  • Scarpa Origin Climbing Shoe for $71 ($24 off): These are my favorite entry-level climbing shoes. Velcro makes them quick to take on and off between climbs, and the flatter, less aggressive profile make them perfect for grabbing a lot of smear (sole-to-rock contact) on granite slab. I find Scarpas tend to bite less in the heel than the cheapest models in La Sportiva's line, but shoes are incredibly personal things. Try a few on, but start with the Scarpa Origins. And research how to fit climbing shoes. If they're comfortable, they're too big.

  • Black Diamond RockLock Locking Carabiner for $15 ($4 off): Whether you're climbing indoors or outdoors, you'll need a big locking carabiner for your belay device. Screw gates are time-tested, solid designs. You don't have to spend big bucks on one with a fancy magnetic locking system when the popular RockLock has been taking good care of climbers on every climbing wall around the world. It's what I use.

  • Camp USA Pro Belay Gloves for $22 ($7 off): Save your palms from rope burn by slapping on a pair of gloves before you get ready to belay your partner. Open fingers give you more dexterity, so you can tie in and release knots easier.

  • Metolius Access Fund Destinations Chalk Bag for $15 ($5 off): Hand sweat is a climber's enemy, so I use chalk to increase my grip, and I always keep it close in a bag attached to my waist. Some of the cash you spend buying this version of the chalk bag is sent to the Access Fund, a climber's advocacy group that works to keep climbing areas open and healthy.


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