Your 2025 Prime Day Guide: Outdoor Gear, Deals & Field-Tested Picks

Prime Day 2025 is right around the corner, and it’s shaping up to be a massive event for outdoor enthusiasts. Amazon has officially announced that this year’s Prime Day will run for an unprecedented four days: July 8 through July 11, 2025. 

That’s double the usual length, meaning even more time to snag deals. In fact, Amazon is expected to offer “hundreds of thousands” of discounts across all categories during this 96-hour frenzy (thegreatoutdoorsmag.com). New for 2025, they’re even introducing “Today’s Big Deals” – daily themed deal drops that refresh every midnight.

What does all this mean for you, the outdoor gear shopper? In short: huge opportunities to gear up for your next adventure without breaking the bank. Prime Day has become the peak season for outdoor gear bargains, with price cuts on everything from high-end GPS watches to camping tents and hiking boots (gearjunkie.com). 

To help you make the most of it, we’ve prepared this guide focused on outdoor gear deals, savvy shopping tips, and some field-tested product picks to watch for. Whether you’re a camper, hiker, angler, or just love a good gadget, here’s how to navigate Prime Day 2025 for maximum benefit.

Prime Day 2025: Why Outdoor Lovers Should Pay Attention

Prime Day isn’t just about electronics anymore – it’s become a major event for outdoor gear, too. The timing is ideal: mid-July lands right in peak outdoor season, when many are prepping for camping trips, hikes, and summer adventures. Retailers know this, so outdoor categories see deep discounts.

Last year’s Prime Day featured up to 50% off hiking boots (like the Merrell Moab 3), backpacks (like Osprey), and big savings on camping gear. It’s a great time to upgrade your kit or grab essentials.

And with Prime Day 2024 breaking records – $14.2 billion in U.S. sales in just two days (qz.com) – Amazon is going even bigger in 2025. Expect major outdoor brands like YETI, Coleman, Garmin, Merrell, and Osprey to be front and center.

It’s not just Amazon, either. Competing retailers like REI, Backcountry, and Eddie Bauer run their own Prime Day-adjacent sales. In 2024, some offered up to 70% off to draw shoppers away from Amazon (self.com).

In short: if you’re into outdoor gear, this week is full of opportunity.

Bottom line: Prime Day 2025 deserves a spot on your calendar. Next up: how to prep and shop smart to maximize your savings.

Game Plan: How to Prep for Prime Day Outdoor Deals

1. Make a Wishlist (and Check Prices Early)

Start by listing the outdoor items you need or have been eyeing – whether it’s a new tent, trail running shoes, a high-capacity power bank, or camping cookware. Research current prices now, before Prime Day. That way, when the sale hits, you’ll recognize what’s a true deal.

Pro tip: Many Prime Day deals are advertised as a percentage off; knowing the baseline price helps you verify the discount’s real value.

2. Take Note of “Early Prime Day” Offers

Amazon often teases early deals in the days leading up to Prime Day. In 2025, with a longer event, we’re already seeing early-bird discounts on outdoor gear. For example, as of late June, there were nearly 50% off select Yeti coolers, camp chairs, and portable grills (popularmechanics.com).

These pre-Prime Day deals can be as good as (or sometimes better than) those during the main event. If you see a solid markdown on something you need, don’t hesitate to grab it early – it might not get cheaper later.

3. Set Up Deal Alerts

Use Amazon’s tools to your advantage. On the Amazon app or site, you can “Watch” upcoming Lightning Deals or set keyword alerts (for example, get notified when a deal on “camping tent” goes live).

Also, since Prime Day will have rotating “Today’s Big Deals” themes (thegreatoutdoorsmag.com), check each day’s theme – e.g., one day might focus on outdoor tech (think GPS watches, fitness trackers), another on apparel, etc.

4. Prime Membership and Perks

This might sound basic, but remember you need an Amazon Prime membership to access Prime Day deals on Amazon. If you’re not a member, consider using the 30-day free trial just for the sale (gearjunkie.com).

Additionally, Prime members sometimes get extra incentives like cashback on an Amazon credit card or credits for streaming or groceries – keep an eye out for those promotions in your account.

5. Don’t Forget Competitor Sales

As noted, other retailers will try to siphon off Prime Day shoppers by offering their own deals. Outdoor specialty retailers (REI Co-op, Bass Pro Shops, Cabela’s, etc.) and general retailers (Walmart’s “Deals for Days,” Target’s “Circle Week”) often coincide with Prime Day.

In 2024, 35% of Prime Day shoppers also shopped Walmart’s event, and 34% checked out Target’s deals (emarketer.com). You might find, say, an REI Outlet clearance price that beats Amazon’s price.

We’ve seen examples like Backcountry.com’s flash sale offering 50–70% off quality gear during Prime Day week (self.com).

Outdoor Gear Categories to Watch (and Our Field-Tested Picks)

Not sure where to begin? Here are some key outdoor gear categories that typically see great Prime Day deals, along with a few field-tested picks to keep an eye out for:

Hiking Footwear

Boots and trail runners are commonly discounted.

Pick: Merrell Moab 3 Hiking Boots – a perennial favorite for comfort and durability. During Prime Day 2024, these were up to 50% off on Amazon, a rare discount for such a popular boot. If you need hiking boots, keep an eye on brands like Merrell, Salomon, KEEN, and Columbia.

Backpacks & Daypacks

Look for deals on hiking and travel packs.

Pick: Osprey Packs (Farpoint and Atmos/Aura series) – Osprey is known for ergonomic designs and was about 35% off last Prime Day. Also, check Gregory and Deuter packs in case they pop up on sale.

Camping Gear

Tents, sleeping bags, camp furniture, and cooking gear often get big markdowns.

Pick: Coleman Tents and Gear – Coleman’s 8-Person tent saw ~35% off last year. Also, watch for brands like Big Agnes or Kelty if listed. For stoves and cookware, Solo Stove fire pits and Jetboil camp stoves have been Prime Day highlights before.

Outdoor Tech & Gadgets

GPS watches, headlamps, portable power stations, etc.

Pick: Garmin Vívoactive 5 – a great all-around GPS smartwatch that was $100 off (35% discount) in 2024. If you’ve been eyeing a Garmin Fenix or an InReach satellite communicator, Prime Day could be the time. Also, portable power stations (like Jackery or Anker power packs) have seen ~30–40% off deals (popularmechanics.com), useful for overlanding or camping.

Outdoor Apparel

Great time for off-season apparel deals – jackets, rain shells, hiking pants.

Pick: Patagonia & The North Face Jackets – these brands might not sell directly on Amazon, but look for third-party sellers or competitive sales off Amazon. 

Also, mid-layers from Columbia or Arc’teryx occasionally show up with modest discounts on Prime Day. If you need active clothing, check Amazon’s own brands too (like Columbia, or lesser-known quality brands), which often get steep discounts.

Outdoor Recreation Gear

Bike racks, climbing, paddling, and niche accessories sometimes show up with markdowns (e.g., bike racks like the Saris trunk rack were 20% off). If you have specific hobbies, search those categories on Prime Day – you might get lucky with a big markdown on a kayak or a set of climbing quickdraws, for example.

Tip: Always check reviews and cross-reference with outdoor editors (GearJunkie, Outdoor Magazine) for reliability. On Prime Day, you might see badges like “Amazon’s Choice” or “#1 Best Seller” on gear; those can be clues, but also cross-reference with independent reviews when possible.

Maximizing Your Savings (Stacking Deals and More)

Here are a few extra hacks to squeeze the most value out of Prime Day:

• Use Coupons & Credits: Many deals have clickable coupons (e.g., “$20 off”), and Amazon often offers gift card bonuses during Prime Day.
• Shop Older Models: New product launches often push prior models to deeper discounts, especially on tech and gear.
• Compare Brand Sites: Some outdoor brands will match Amazon’s price on their own site, with perks like free shipping or better warranty service.
• Lightning Deals – Act Fast: These limited-time deals move fast. Add to cart quickly and refresh frequently.
• Look for Small Essentials: Don’t skip smaller gear like LifeStraw bottles, multitools, dry bags — they often drop to impulse-buy pricing.

Embrace the Prime Day Adventure

Prime Day is supposed to be fun — a treasure hunt for outdoor gear lovers. Go in with a plan, but stay open to surprises. Prioritize what you truly need (safety and essentials first), then shop around for those wishlist extras.

If you’re a conscious shopper, you can still use Prime Day to research and invest in one high-quality item you’ll use for years. Many brands use this time to promote sustainability or match purchases with donations (Patagonia, for example, doesn’t participate in Prime Day and instead focuses on responsible shopping).

Here’s to gearing up for your next outdoor escapade — and saving big while doing it.

With the right strategy, Prime Day 2025 could be your best gear haul of the year.