Outside gear has at all times been costly, however these days, it appears 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 worth observations correct, or simply an financial phantasm? Is gear truly getting dearer, or have excessive costs plagued each era of outside lovers?
I wished to seek out out. It’s been a subject of debate and dialogue amongst our workforce 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 match apples to apples. I wished to distinction costs as instantly as potential for merchandise bought throughout the a long time.
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 yr the catalogs got here out), after which derived the p.c worth 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 finest to match all of it up, and once I couldn’t discover an actual 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 professional’s perspective on what may very well be behind the modifications in worth 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 shoes have typically fallen since 1991 and 1974. In truth, a few of them, like Sorel boots and the Vasque Sundowner Boots, are notably cheaper now than they was. And Rockports? Even the most costly shoe on the model’s web site in the present day is a 3rd cheaper than its 1991 Cross-Tenting Moccasins.
“I believe that numerous the products that you just see a discount in worth need to need to do with the truth that these items might be produced on large scales,” Carballo mentioned. “The know-how has improved lots in producing these items. And I believe that that type of explains numerous the evolution that you’re seeing in a few 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 convey 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 Value (Sorel Premium Boot w/ Felt Liner): $35 (~$211.87 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 Value (*Sorel Caribou Winter Boot on REI): $200
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): -5.6%
Rockport Moccasins
1974 Value: $110 ($253 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 Value (Edge Hill 2 Double Gore on Rockport): $140
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): -44%
Vasque Sundowner Boots
1991: $149 (~$324.29 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (on Backcountry): $250
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): -22.9%
Some brand-specific attire and equipment went the opposite course, although. Ray-Ban sun shades have turn out to be considerably costlier since 1974 and 1991. When requested about this, Carballo mentioned it’s essential to think about producer versus provide elements. Manufacturers like these have a value to supply (on this case, aviator sun shades). They then gauge how a lot they’ll cost on high of that value to make a revenue.
“This markup is often a measure of how effectively perceived the corporate is within the eye of the customers and what number of alternate options these customers have for a high-quality good,” Carballo mentioned.
Nevertheless, Carballo identified one other potential issue within the rise within the worth of Ray-Bans. Luxottica, an Italian eyewear conglomerate, owns Ray-Ban and plenty of of its “competing” eyewear manufacturers.
“So that they’re not going to be competing lots,” Carballo mentioned. “All of them attempt to arrange costs and really extract extra worth from the customers.”
Ray-Ban Aviator Sun shades
1974 (Outdoorsman): $21 (~$127.12 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Aviator Traditional Polarized on REI): $230
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): +80.9%
I used to be sure that Patagonia merchandise would have gotten dearer over time, too. The model pays honest commerce wages in the present day and has put sustainability and conservation on the forefront of its enterprise mannequin over the past 50 years. Shopper notion of the model is optimistic, and demand for Patagonia merchandise is excessive. It could (and does) cost larger costs for its title.
However after we regarded on the traditional Patagonia Synchilla Fleece Jacket, the value 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 % Value Change (1991-2024): -33.4%
Packs
Backpacks had been fascinating. A lot of the packs in 1991 (and all the packs in 1974) had been exterior body packs. Manufacturers don’t actually make these anymore (OK, a few of them do).
By and enormous, backpacking packs in the present day have inner frames. That’s modified how packs are made and what goes into them solely.
Between 1974 and 1991, packs bought considerably dearer. However since 1991 and the shift to inner body packs, the value has come again down — a minimum of judging by these examples.
REI Cruiser Backpack
1974 worth: $28 (~$169.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 worth: $95 (~$218.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
(% Value Change 1974-1991: +28.9%)
The Cruiser sequence was one among REI’s hottest and cost-effective exterior body backpacking packs. Though it has been discontinued, I wished to understand how it might examine to the model’s most cost-effective inner body pack in the present day. The REI Trailmade 60 match the invoice.
2024 worth (*REI Trailmade 60 at REI): $180
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): +6.2%
(% Value 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)
(% Value 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 solely to daypacks, journey packs, and college baggage. There was no present mannequin with which to match these costs.
However Jansport was one of many premier mountaineering pack manufacturers in days of yore. To get a way of an analogous model in the present day, I in contrast the Jansport exterior frames with one among Osprey’s hottest, equally sized packs.
2024 (*Osprey Atmos AG 65 Pack on REI): $340
Cascade 2 Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): +14%
Bryce 67L Complete % Value 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 % Value Change (1991-2024): -26.4%
REI Inside Body Backpacking Pack
1991 (Traverse Sequence Valhalla Pack 66 L): $125 (~$287.50 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (Traverse 60 L at REI): $250
Complete % Value Change (1991-2024): -13%
Knives
Knives in the present day are available in quite a lot of shapes, types, and colours; they fold, snap open, and have multipurpose blades. Some even include ferro rods connected for firestarting.
I anticipated fashionable knives to be dearer than in 1991 and 1974, particularly contemplating that many out of doors knives made in 1991 had been designed with supplies which can be considerably out of date in the present day. Fashionable premium knives come at a a lot larger worth 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 % Value Change (1974-2024): -47.8%
(% Value Change 1991-2024): -30.1%
Buck Folding Hunter
1974: $22 (~$133.18 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (at Buck): $65
Complete % Value 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 traditional, however it doesn’t use the top-of-the-line metal and different supplies which can be utilized in Buck’s premium knives in the present day. So, we picked one among Buck’s high looking knives to match premium (apples) to premium (apples).
2024 (*663 Alpha Information Professional Knife on Buck): $225
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): +68.9%
Filters & Stoves
This one made my jaw drop. Trying again, in 1991, water ” purification programs” had been wildly costly in comparison with inexpensive filters just like the Sawyer Squeeze and LifeStraw, which are well-liked in the present day. It’s no surprise 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 had been nonetheless a comparatively new phenomenon amongst hikers within the Nineteen Seventies. They didn’t turn out to be inexpensive and customary till effectively into the Nineties.
Carballo had a really fascinating take. As a result of water filtration is critical world wide, and since so many organizations spend a lot time and assets making an attempt to offer cost-effective filters for growing international locations, it’s potential that know-how was researched and developed with out out of doors 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 % Value 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 % Value 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 totally different from what’s utilized in most of the tenting stoves accessible in the present day. Nevertheless, within the case of the MSR Whisperlite, the value has practically doubled. This may very well be one other case of brand name names and repute affecting client costs.
MSR Whisperlite Range
1991: $47 (~$108.10 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (on REI): $200
Complete % Value 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 dearer throughout the board. Even generic issues like Military Surplus Canteens have shot up in worth since 1974 and 1991.
And don’t even get me began on coolers …
But once more, model names and recognition may very well be guilty. A lot of the kitchen cookware, coolers, and water bottles on REI’s web site in the present day 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 % Value Change (1974-2024): +109%
Huge 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 % Value Change (1974-2024): +155%
(% Value Change 1991-2024: +78.6%)
Comfortable Cooler
1991 (20 qt): $33 (~$75.90 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (22L at REI): $120
Complete % Value 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 Outside Glacier Sequence 2.1 qt., 3.1 qt., skillet, 2x strainer lids): $90
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): +85.8%
(% Value 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 analogous set. And the distinction in worth lends weight to the concept that model names could be driving the costs of camp cookware up.
2024 (BeGrit 8-in-1 Cookware Set at Amazon): $23
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): -52.5%
(% Value Change 1991-2024: -66%)
Lights & Lanterns
Flashlight know-how has modified lots within the final 50 years. LEDs changed incandescent bulbs, the power density of ordinary 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 in the present day.
However customary 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 customers.
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 % Value Change (1974-2024): +55.5%
(% Value 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 % Value Change (1974-2024): -38.7%
(% Value Change 1991-2024: -16%)
Lantern
1974 (Gaz L200 Butane Lantern): $11.75 (~$73.13 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
1991 (*Coleman Peak 1 White Fuel Lantern): $37 (~$85.10 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Coleman NorthStar Propane Lantern at Coleman): $70
Complete % Value Change 1974-2024: -4.3%
(% Value Change 1991-2024: -17.7%)
Sleep Methods
Inflatable air mattresses have gotten dearer. Most of the fashionable air mattresses you’ll discover at REI in the present day 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 turn out to be extra well-liked. It has additionally largely stored its manufacturing home to the U.S., which is often dearer than abroad manufacturing.
Nevertheless, goose-down sleeping baggage appear to be getting cheaper. That’s shocking as a result of down fill remains to be very expensive to reap from geese, and in the present day, corporations like Patagonia and The North Face are investing in traceable, responsibly sourced down. Many corporations additionally use ultralight supplies of their baggage and provide handled down, which is waterproof.
So, once I checked my math on the value of sleeping baggage, it caught me off guard. I had anticipated them to extend in worth as know-how has improved a lot. Nevertheless, my assumptions had 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 customary): $44 (~$101.20 in 2024 adjusted for inflation)
2024 (*Therm-a-Relaxation Basecamp Sleeping Pad at REI): $115
Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): +26.7%
(% Value 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 % Value Change (1974-2024): -55%
(% Value 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 Cross): $285
REI Magma Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): -18.4%
(% Value Change 1991-2024): -1.6%
Mountain Hardwear Bishop Cross Complete % Value Change (1974-2024): -45.9%
(% Value Change 1991-2024): -34.8%
The Value Is Proper — Or Isn’t It?
Whereas I used to be genuinely shocked at how most of the merchandise that I in contrast had turn out to be cheaper once I’d adjusted for inflation, I in all probability shouldn’t have been. My random pool of samples was break up virtually precisely down the center, with some merchandise having gone up in worth whereas others got here down. But when I had expanded my search to look at all out of doors tools and provides, I might need seen a extra distinct development.
In line with BLS information, the buyer worth of outside tools and provides has been steadily lowering since a minimum of 2000. It spiked considerably in the course of the pandemic, and Carballo mentioned numerous that would need to do with world provide chain points. The drastic rise in out of doors participation brought on by the pandemic is one other issue affecting that worth. Nonetheless, the general development is a lower in worth.
Carballo additionally identified that it’s essential to think about family incomes over time.
“In the event you’re attempting to match the affordability of the products, it’s not simply concerning the costs,” Carballo mentioned. “How expensive was shopping for these items in 1974 or 1991 for the common American in comparison with in the present day?”
The newest yr tracked by the Federal Reserve Financial institution’s actual median family earnings information is 2022. It stories a median earnings of $74,580 for that yr ($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 earnings was $56,780 ($130,591.92 adjusted for inflation).
There are numerous takeaways from all this. To me, the most important one is that the query of “Has gear gotten dearer over time?” is a really sophisticated one. I did my finest to reply it, however I’m positive I’ve missed, neglected, or in any other case fudged one thing right here.
My second greatest takeaway? The idea I made, that we had been paying unfair costs in the present day and that earlier generations of outside lovers had it simple with their $55 backpacks and $8 camp cookware, was flawed. I mentioned it initially of this text, and it rings even more true now: Outside gear has at all times been costly. I simply didn’t notice that a lot of it’s comparatively extra inexpensive in the present day than it was.
