Can’t tell a bivy sack from a hydration pack? No worries.
If you live around the city and make only one foray into the wild each summer, camping gear might not be at the top of your shopping list.
Lucky for us, the basics–tents, backpacks and sleeping bags–can be rented, making a weekend camping trip more affordable and reducing the clutter in your closets.
College students and anyone affiliated with one of the larger local universities (alumni too!) have the most options, as several campus organizations rent or loan gear.
For the rest of us, REI rents equipment from its Niles and Oakbrook Terrace stores. The Arizona-based LowerGear.com delivers rented gear to your home or camping destination.
It’s all used equipment, so don’t expect to be outfitted with the newest, freshest gear. For instance, most places wash their sleeping bags after each rental, but check first if a slightly smelly sleeping bag would gross you out. When we recently looked at DePaul University’s gear, the staff told us potential campers often drop by for a pre-rental inspection of the goods. The selection we saw–kept in an airy storage locker–looked clean and well taken care of.
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Where to rent
Northwestern University: If you can show you are affiliated with Northwestern, the Norris Outdoors service at the Evanston campus rents gear a la carte or in weekend camping packages (“Weekend Warrior,” $35; “The Fishing Trip,” $40; and “The Backpacker,” $45). Browse the selection at www.norris.northwestern.edu/nbsm(underscore)norrisoutdoors.php and call 847-491-2345 to reserve what you need.
DePaul University: Students, faculty, staff and alumni (with an alumni membership) plus members of DePaul’s Campus Recreation (Ray Meyer Fitness & Recreation Center, 2235 N. Sheffield Ave.) can rent equipment. Look at the list of gear and prices (tents range from $6 for a two-person for one night up to $45 for a five-person tent for a week) at condor.depaul.edu/(tilde)rec/equipmer/outdoor.htm, and then drop by or call 773-325-4555 to reserve what you want.
University of Chicago: Students, staff and alumni who are members of the university’s Outdoor Adventure Club ($10 annual fee) can borrow or rent camping gear. Go to oac.cliffgear.com/gear for more information and a detailed list of available equipment. No phone.
REI: You may be tempted to peruse the sale racks while you’re there, but this outdoor superstore also offers a little-known equipment rental service. The Niles (8225 W. Golf Rd., 847-470-9090) and Oakbrook Terrace (17W160 22nd St., 630-574-7700) locations rent tents, backpacks and sleeping bags–most of them the REI brand. REI members get a break on rental prices (a two-person tent is $19 for the first night and $7 for each subsequent night for members; non-member rates are $24 and $8). Sleeping bag renters take note: Bags are not washed after each use. Instead, a clean sleeping sheet (to slip inside the bag) is issued to renters.
LowerGear: Poke around this online rental service, www.lowergear.com, and then let friendly owner Dallas Shewmaker guide your selections with a quick phone call (480-767-1874). The basics–tents ($29 for a two-person for a week), sleeping bags and backpacks–come in many sizes and brands. And the extras are plentiful–everything from bear-proof food containers ($14 a week) to handheld GPS systems ($32 a week). Best part: If you don’t want to schlep this stuff out to a faraway destination, they’ll ship it straight to a prearranged pickup spot.
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