There are certain stores that bargain hunters swear by. Costco, for instance, has an army of card-carrying loyalists, patrons who adore the bulk discounts, juicy rotisserie chickens, and inflation-proof, buck-fifty hot dogs. Steep and Cheap, we’d argue, has a similar allure for the penny-pinching ski bum or backpacker on a budget.
While Steep and Cheap is usually a go-to for bargain-hunting gearheads, that’s especially true now. The site is in the middle of its “12 Days of Cheapness” sale—a pre-holiday event full of half-off (and deeper) discounts. Whether you’re banging out last-minute holiday shopping or browsing for a bargain that might catch your eye, this sale is worth checking out. To help you navigate the holiday madness, we sifted through the deals to find 10 steals too sweet to pass up.
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from $165 ($300)
Engineering a lightweight backpack that can handle a heavy load is tricky, but Granite Gear does it well. The Blaze 60 is an award-winning pack that comes in at a cool three pounds (size regular) thanks to lightweight material choices like thin compression straps, small buckles, and a durable yet minimalistic 100-denier nylon fabric. The Blaze also has a removable lid—an added bonus for gram counters. But most impressively, the bag’s cush back panel, lightweight yet stout frame, and suspension system can handle maxed-out loads like a champ. At up to 45% off, this is a slam-dunk gift (or a sweet addition to your own backpacking kit).
from $90 ($225)
We did a double take when we saw the Foray II on sale for up to 60% off. A regular top pick from ϳԹ‘s gear team, this jacket has reliable weatherproofing from Gore-Tex Paclite fabric and best-in-class ventilation thanks to Outdoor Research’s proprietary hip-to-pit zips. We’ve tested this best-selling jacket on mountaineering trips, backpacking missions, rainy fly-fishing adventures, you name it. It’s notably versatile and, for the price, the best rain protection you can get—and that’s before Steep and Cheap slashed the price.
from $132 ($245)
If you’re holiday shopping for a skier or snowboarder, here’s a pro tip: get them goggles. Even if they have multiple pairs at home, goggles are easy to scratch or lose, so adding another to the stockpile is always welcome. A more likely scenario? Their goggles are already thrashed, and a solid pair of gogs like these Smith Squad Mags will be a major come-up for their winter kit.
Why the Squad Mags? The cylindrical style of the lens is classic, looks sharp, and fits well with a variety of helmets. It’s also cheaper than Smith’s more complex lens shapes, like the . Last but not least, we love both Smith’s lens interchangeability system and the ChromaPop lenses themselves. All told, these goggles are high-quality and perform well in the high alpine.
from $187 ($300)
NEMO’s Stargaze, a perpetual darling camp chair of ϳԹ staff, is an easy-to-erect mishmash of your favorite collapsible camp chair, granny’s rocker, and dad’s hammock. A low-slung seat hangs between two stable poles, allowing the camp chair to rock and recline. Paired with a cooler, stump, boulder, or another au natural footrest, the Stargaze is hard to beat when it comes to fireside comfort. It can be a pricey camp accouterment, but right now, it’s slashed for up to 25% off.
from $47 ($95)
Sometimes (most times), a funky fleece is the perfect gift. Instead of a potentially boring solid black, Kavu’s Teannaway Fleece Jacket is as loud as it gets. Available in psychedelic prints and retro squiggle patterns, the Teannaway looks debonair from trail to tavern and is always game for a good time. Kavu made sure the fleece isn’t lacking in the comfort department, either—the polar fleece is plush, thick, cozy, and warm. For cool afternoons at the crag, s’more binges, and more, this cozy gift is always a hit.
for $347 ($630)
We’ve been reporting on Rab’s insulation expertise for years now. The British outfitter’s puffies and sleeping bags are almost always, as our friends across the pond say, “mint.” The Mythic series is no exception, and the Ultra 180 sleeping bag is stuffed with premium 900-fill goose down. This impressively lofty down—along with a 7-denier ripstop fabric and a slender silhouette—keeps the weight of this 32-degree bag at just over a pound and a quarter. If you’re a sleeping bag nerd, you already know that’s as light as it gets. And even if you’re not a sleeping bag nerd, you know that 45% off is a smokin’ deal.
for $80 ($160)
If you’re looking for solid gear at a reasonable price, Backcountry’s in-house brand is always worth a gander. This massive, 105-liter All Around Duffel is fairly affordable from the jump and is currently half off. It’s also crafted from a rugged, 300-denier polyester PVC fabric that can handle everything from air travel to donkeys, yaks, and more esoteric (and hard-wearing) modes of transportation. There’s more to love, too: zippered organizer compartments, a waterproof pocket for stashing wet duds, and multiple carry options (grab handles, duffel straps, and padded backpack-style harness).
for $182 ($260)
MSR’s Honcho Poncho Down is a hybrid between your favorite puffy jacket and a classic poncho. It’s somewhat ironic, isn’t it? Pairing a technical 20-denier, DWR-treated nylon and 650-fill, hydrophobic down with a completely non-technical poncho cut. But it just works. The Honcho Poncho Down is ridiculously comfortable and super cozy to wear around camp. This is the kind of gift that gets unwrapped with a chuckle, but quickly turns into a piece they won’t adventure without.
for $33 ($55)
Affordable polarized shades are tough to come by, but Suncloud’s sunnies typically retail for a more-than-reasonable 55 bucks. These Milestone sunglasses, however, are currently on sale for 40% off. Clocking in at sub-$35, these are a radical stocking stuffer. If there’s anyone on your list who might dig the fast-looking matte white frames and polarized, reflective blue lenses, this is a score worth scooping up.
from $60 ($120)
When it comes to base layers, merino is the way to go. The natural fiber is soft, comfortable, has anti-stink properties, wicks moisture well, and offers an unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio. And when it comes to merino base layers, Smartwool puts out some of the best in the business. Case in point: this Classic Thermal Merino quarter-zip top. We love the weight of the 100% merino fabric, which comes in at 250 grams per square meter—the sweet spot for cold days in the mountains. The quarter-zip style, as well as the natural moisture-management properties of merino, helps dump heat during high-output activity. Speaking of high activity, we expect these layers to fly off Steep and Cheap’s shelves, as they’re now up to 50% off.