Backcountry is one of the big dogs in outdoor specialty retail—maybe the biggest online retailer. The Utah-based company only carries good brands, better brands, and the best brands (unlike the big box store chains). That means Backcountry often has the best online selection of hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes in the U.S. That's a big reason why Hiking Feet includes extenstive links to backcountry.com, so you can find your size and favorite color in the hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes that this site reviews and recommends.
The trouble is, the best hiking footwear isn't cheap. But Backcountry sales, promotions, and discount codes can make the best hiking boots, best hiking shoes, and best trail runners more affordable.
Backcountry is one of the big dogs–maybe the biggest dog–in outdoor retail. This Utah-based company only carries good brands, better brands, and the best brands (unlike the big box store chains). They often have the best online selection of hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes. That’s a big reason why Hiking Feet gives you easy links to Backcountry to try to find your size and favorite color in the hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes that I recommend.
The trouble is, hiking footwear isn’t cheap. But Backcountry sales, promotions, and discount codes can make the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners more affordable.
That’s where I come in.
I’m a former Backcountry “Gearhead”–one of the company’s online gear experts–and current copywriter at Backcountry. Sorry, I can’t share any trade secrets here! But I can help you get the most bang for your buck on the Backcountry websites–that’s part of my job. So here are my insider tips on how to score a good price–and maybe a ludicrous price–on hiking footwear through a Backcountry sale, promotion, or discount code.
Pro tip: start with Steep & Cheap
For the best Backcountry sales and discounts, start at Steep & Cheap–Backcountry’s online outlet store. It’s got some ridiculous prices on clearance items, overstocks, and closeouts (past season’s colors or styles), including hiking boots and shoes. The Steep and Cheap site may be your best chance to score hiking footwear at 40-70% off. So start your shopping there.
Just be ready to pull the trigger! Sizes and quantities are limited, so the best deals don’t last long. If you find what you like, it literally may be gone the following day.
Backcountry sales & discounts
Backcountry runs several sales and promotions that make the best brands in hiking footwear more affordable. With a little patience, you’ll can crush end-of-season sales (30-40% off), find occasional discounts on specific brands (25-50% off), score a 20% off discount code (especially if you join Backcountry’s loyalty program–see below), or claim a new customer discount (15% off full priced items). (Click here to browse current Backcountry sales on hiking footwear.)
Call a Backcountry “Gearhead”
Many Backcountry customers have learned that it may be worth calling in (1-800-409-4502) or chatting with a “Gearhead” to see if they can offer you unpublished discounts on full-priced hiking boots or shoes. Gearheads are Backcountry’s outdoor gear experts and customer service representatives. You can call or chat with Gearheads 24/7 if you want gear recommendations or need help with returns, exchanges, or price matches (see below). On top of that, Gearheads may be able to offer in house discounts on full-price items or honor recent Backcountry sale prices that are no longer available on the website. Take it from an ex-Gearhead, we like to take of our customers whenever we can 🙂
Backcountry price match/guarantees
Gearheads can also price match hiking boots/shoes if you find them for a better price on another authorized site (exact match required on in stock items). Backcountry also offers a 30 day price guarantee if your items’ price drops on the company’s website. That can save you the frustration of buying a new pair of hiking boots only to see their price drop a few days or weeks after you bought them. All you need to do is call or chat with a Gearhead for any price matches or price adjustments on the Backcountry websites (including Steep & Cheap).
Expedition Perks Loyalty Program
Finally, Backcountry launched a new loyalty program in the fall of 2021: Expedition Perks. Expedition Perks is a FREE (no fee) loyalty program with member perks that get better the more you spend.
All members get access to extra discounts and special promotions, an annual birthday discount, and points back on full-priced purchases that turn into store credit in $5 increments. Your Expedition Perks vary by your membership tier, which is determined by your annual purchases: Trailhead ($1-200 a year), Switchback ($200-1000), and Summit ($1000+) tiers.
It won’t be hard to get hiking boots and hiking shoes at 15-20% off if you join Expedition Perks. Occasionally, you may do better than that with special member promotions. At worst, you’ll get 10% back in store credit on full priced purchases–plus other membership perks.
Overall, Backcountry’s loyalty program is structured differently from REI’s membership program, but it offers similar perks and privileges. The biggest differences are that Backcountry’s program is free (compared to REI’s one-time membership fee) and that you don’t wait a year for a dividend payment (like REI). Expedition Perks pay off quicker (but also expire a few months after your earn them).
It’s worth joining Backcountry’s loyalty program to save on your outdoor gear. There’s little to lose and plenty to gain by signing up.
how to save money on hiking footwear
These five pro tips will help you score the best prices on the best hiking boots and shoes at Backcountry and Steep and Cheap. You can also browse my price comparisons on Hiking Feet to find Backcountry sales prices. That’s why I’m here–to help you buy the best hiking boots and shoes for your hikes at the best prices.
You can also help me out by clicking on the links above to browse the Backcountry and Steep and Cheap websites for your next pair of hiking footwear. Hiking Feet may receive a small commission (at no cost to you) for qualifying purchases made through those affiliate links. These commissions fund this site (and compensate me for the hundreds of unpaid hours I spent creating free content to help you buy the best footwear for you.) If this site hooked you up, please consider hooking me up, too. Thanks, I appreciate it!
