Name Brand versus Off Brand Gear

Do you have to have the top-of-the-line name brand gear?

Or will you settle with off brand gear that's usually 10 times cheaper?

I sometimes wonder if hikers and backpackers are spending more for the name than the functionality of popular brand outdoor gear items.

I have cheap insulated cup that will keep my ice frozen and water cold all day long. That cup cost me around $10. I also have a Yeti cup that does the same, but it cost me around $35. I feel like I paid extra for the brand name. Does this seem to be the case when we looking for outdoor gear?

How do you all feel about this topic?

Like most things you buy there are tradeoffs between price and quality on hiking and camping gear. I think the thing to seek out is gear that is the best value.

That may depend a lot on the level of usage that the gear will get. For someone who only goes out hiking on a well-maintained trail or camping in a campground a couple times a year, cheaper gear may perform fine and be the best overall value. On the other hand, someone who goes out every week will probably want to spend more to ensure dependability, especially for important items like footwear or tents.

Sometimes cheaper gear can be a good value if you look at it as expendable. If it's something that you aren't absolutely depending on, just buy another inexpensive replacement and you're money ahead. If your safety or the success of your trip depends on it, then better quality is worth the extra money for peace of mind. I find in buying things like gear or tools that how much and how hard you will be using it makes a big difference.

I agree that some well known brands are not necessarily worth the extra money. They are often the original leaders in the field like Yeti that enjoyed market dominance and have rested on their laurels as competitors have came into the market with cheaper products that equal or even excel in quality.