cheap hiking boots: how to afford the best brands

Would you rather buy cheap hiking boots—or buy the best hiking boots and hiking shoes for cheap?

Most hikers on limited budgets think they need settle for cheap hiking boots. They'll stop by the sporting goods box store on the edge of town and shell out $100 or more for hiking boots that are . . . just okay.

For years, though, I've been paying around $100—or less— for the best hiking boots and  best hiking shoes. Award-winning hiking and backing boots like the LOWA Renegade ($250) and Salomon Quest ($230). And best selling trail shoes like the Salomon XA Pro ($150). 

It's all about timing closeouts and the biggest sales—and knowing where to buy hiking footwear, too. This post explains how hikers often can upgrade from entry-level hiking footwear to the best hiking boots and shoes without paying more.  

the art of buying cheap hiking boots

Hikers on a budget don't need to settle for cheap hiking boots and shoes. With some patience and know-how, everyone can score some of the best hiking footwear at cheap prices—instead of buying cheap hiking boots at cheap prices. Here are my Ten Commandments for buying the best hiking boots and hiking shoes for cheap:  

Thou shalt not shop during peak season.

Try not to buy your hiking boots in late spring and summer as the weather starts heating up. That's a hike supply, high demand time of year—which means prices will be at their highest and sales at their sparcest. If you absolutely must buy hiking footwear mid-season, you should be able to score 10-20% off by observing the 5th, 7th, and 8th Commandents. However, the biggest deals (40-70% off) come to those who wait for out-of-season closeouts and end-of-season clearance events.

Thou shalt hunt for closeout deals

The best way to buy hiking boots and shoes at 40-70% off is to buy closeouts. Closeouts are past season's style and discontinued styles or colors that retailers need to move to make room for their new season's inventory. If you don't mind buying an outgoing model or last year's color, you can nab the best hiking boots, shoes, and trail runners for less than you'd pay for cheap hiking boots.

You can find closeout deals year-round at Steep & Cheap and Sierra. However, you'll find the most closeouts and cheapest hiking boots in late winter and early spring. February is the peak time of year for closeout deals as retailers rush to make room for the new year's styles and colors. Past season closeouts are the best way to get GOOD cheap hiking boots. 

Thou shalt start with online outlet stores.

If you're looking for cheap hiking boots or hiking shoes, you can find closeout deals and deep discounts at popular online outlet sites, such as Steep & Cheap (Backcountry Outlet), Sierra), and REI Outlet. This is where you can find leftover sizes, colors, and past season styles at ludicrous prices. These sites are the first places I go if I'm looking for closeouts on the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners.

Thou shalt shop end-of-season clearance events

If you can't wait for out-of-season closeouts, the second-best way to buy cheaping hiking boots is to target end-of-season clearance events (August-September). Outdoor retailers offer more aggressive sales late in each season because (1) demand is lower and (2) they need to make room for the next season's inventory. This rule works better for clothing than hiking footwear. Even so, end of season sales still give you good odds at buying hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail runners on sale for 25-40% off. That's when the best brands cost the same as the budget brands at the big box stores and discount stores.

Thou shalt wait for major promotions.

If you can't wait to buy your hiking footwear at the end of the season or out of season, at least wait for in season sales and promotions. Most years, that will mean 20% off many hiking boots and shoes. Here are some of the best sales of the year to buy the current season of hiking shoes and boots at significant discounts:

• Memorial Day The big exception to the second commandment is late-May. That's when REI's "anniversary sale" triggers most outdoor retailers to run 20% off promotions around Memorial Day. This may be the best time of year to buy the year's newest styles and colors on sale.
• Labor Day. Around August, outdoor retailers run Summer Clearance sales to clear out their spring and summer inventory to make room for their fall inventory. This affects clothing more than footwear (which is less seasonal). But you still may be able to land 30-40% discounts on hiking boots and shoes with these Summer Clearance sales, which peak around Labor Day (the unofficial end of summer).
• Black Friday/Cyber Week. You may be able to score solid sales on hiking footwear during the commercial Christmas season in late November and December.

Thou shalt stack discounts whenever possible

The only thing better than buying your shoes and boots on sale is stacking multiple discounts on top of a sale price. Some retailers (not all) allow you to stack discounts—like take an extra 25% off a sale item or add free shipping or get a $20 gift card if you spend $100. Stacking 2-3 discounts is a great way to turn a good buy into a great buy. That's why it pays to stalk your favorite hiking boots or shoes online and wait for special offers that allow you to stack multiple discounts at the same time.

Thou shalt buy used hiking footwear

There's some risk buying used hiking footwear—you don't want to get suck with hiking boots and shoes with packed out cushioning or well-worn tread. But you can score substantial discounts on lightly used hiking boots and hiking shoes that other customers have returned. Many local gear shops support used gear exchanges, and REI stores will sell plenty of used hiking footwear (returns) at periodical REI Garage Sale events. That's one of the ways that I could afford trying out different brands and experimenting with different types of hiking boots and shoes.

You can find cheap hiking boots and shoes used at sites like Geartrade, Outdoor Gear Exchange, and REI's used gear site. 

Thou shalt take advantage of loyalty programs.

Hikers can also score cheap hiking boots by signing up for the loyalty programs at leading outdoor retailers, such as Backcountry and REI. Most loyalty programs will give you credit back on full-price purchases and provide extra coupons, sales, and members-only promotions if you sign up. With Backcountry's Expedition Perks, for example, loyalty customers get quarterly credit back on full-price purchases, an annual birthday discount, enhanced customer service, and sale pricing that's not available to non-loyalty customers. In their loyalty program, the more you spend each year, the better the perks—and deeper the discounts. 

Joining a loyalty program is good way to quality for better discounts and get alerts when the retailer has a sale, promotion, or special event that might help you buy cheap hiking boots or shoes. 

Thou shalt rock thy REI membership

Probably the most popular loyalty program is an REI membership.

Yes, an REI membership is worth $25 (one time fee). REI's regular prices are expensive. (They don't jack up their prices: they just carry better products than the big box stores and generic sporting goods chains.) However, experienced REI members learn how to time seasonal sales, stack discounts, hit special events, cash in member coupons, and utilize their annual dividends to buy great footwear at good prices. I've even ended up with some free hiking shoes and hiking boots from REI?!

Thou shalt price match

Don't forget about your local gear shops and hiking specialty stores! In many cases, your local hiking and backpacking shops will price match the sale prices you find online. If you find a good price from a reputable online merchant, go to your local shop see if they'll match that price for you. That lets you try shoes on in person, keeps your money local, and avoids any shipping delays or shipping charges.

cheap hiking boots —or good hiking boots cheap?

It's up to you. You can spend less than $100 for cheap hiking boots or buy budget hiking boots for $100-150. Or you can pay the same prices— or less—for some of the best hiking boots, hiking shoes, and trail running shoes on the market.

If your idea of cheap hiking boots is buying good boots for $50-$150 below their regular retail price, make sure to follow these Ten Commandments. The shoe Gods may reward your patience and discipline with some of the best trail runners, hiking shoes, and hiking boots on the market—for cheap prices.