Purchase Price ($): Rental Cost per Day ($): Days of Use per Year: Years of Use: Resale Value (% of purchase): Calculate Copy Result

Why Analyze Gear Costs?

Whether you enjoy backcountry backpacking or weekend kayak trips, high-quality equipment can be expensive. Renting eliminates storage hassles and up-front costs, but frequent adventurers may save money by owning gear and reselling it later. This calculator totals the projected rental expenses versus the net cost of purchasing and then selling used equipment. It helps you gauge which option makes financial sense for your level of outdoor activity.

Understanding the Math

The calculation considers how many days you expect to rent or use the gear each year and multiplies that by the rental rate. For purchases, the total cost equals the purchase price minus the amount you recoup when selling. For example, if a tent costs $300 and you sell it for 40% of its price after three years, the net cost is $300\times 0.6=180$ dollars.

Hidden Factors

Owning gear often involves maintenance—cleaning, repairs, or replacing parts. Some items, like climbing harnesses, have a limited safe lifespan. On the rental side, last-minute availability isn’t always guaranteed, and gear quality varies. Think about convenience, storage space, and reliability along with pure dollars. If you live in a small apartment, avoiding bulky kayaks or snowboards might outweigh potential savings.

Sample Cost Table

Gear	Purchase Price	Rental/Day	Break-Even Days*
Kayak	$600	$45	about 9
Camping Tent	$300	$25	roughly 7
Snowboard	$400	$35	around 8

*Assumes 40% resale value after three years. Once your days of use exceed this break-even point, buying typically wins out. However, gear technology and your hobbies may change, so take the numbers as a guideline rather than a strict rule.

Making the Decision

If you plan to explore a new activity only once or twice, renting is usually the clear choice. For annual trips or regular weekend outings, ownership can be more economical—especially if friends or family members also use the equipment. This calculator lets you plug in your own values, experiment with different resale assumptions, and see how the costs stack up.

Enjoying the Outdoors Wisely

Outdoor adventures refresh the mind and body. By considering both financial and practical factors, you can gear up in a way that supports your passion without draining your wallet. Whether you rent or buy, planning ahead helps you focus on the trails, rivers, or slopes instead of worrying about costs.