When I was out running with all my brand new clothes and stuff that I bought I couldn’t stop thinking about what everything that I was wearing cost… I mean, I might have bought the so called premium stuff but still, is there a sport or hobby that you can do that’s cheep?!
Running is fairly simple, anyone can do it, just go and put on your shoes and get out and run. Simple, is it? The first times just to get a feel for it maybe but it will be way more fun and much better for your body if you have proper foot ware. Add tight fitting clothes will reduce wind resistance and you won’t get to warm or cold will make you happier along the way. I listened to a seasoned runner on the radio a few months back and she said that if you’re thinking about to start running (I think she was into trail running) you might go out the first time with whatever you have but as soon as you come back, go to the store and buy proper shoes! Your body will thank you forever!
All the stuff in my latest post cost just shy of 5 000 SEK, that’s about 800 USD. Other than that I have my running shoes and my Suunto Ambit HR and that’s another 4 000 SEK (about 600 USD) making the total cost 9 000 SEK or 1 400 USD which might be alot for just running…
I was thinking of other sports along my run and I couldn’t come up with even one that’s cheap. If the equipment is fairly cheap it’s often combined with a costly fee of some sort or that you have to sell something to bring money to the club on a yearly basis.
Then I know a few guys at work that once said to me when I was about to buy some new hiking gear, I think it was my Fjällräven tent, and they said:
– Why don’t you just go to the nearest sports store and buy a standard “camping tent” and be happy? It’ll cost you less then a third of what you’re paying for that other tent!
Well… I could have done that… And they’d probably or most certainly would have and combined that with a cheep ass backpack and a pair of sneakers. Then a few hours out on the trail (if they’re not the Hulk) they would come down crying and complaining about how uncomfortable everything is and that they just want to go home – and they would have missed everything that was special about that moment in the outdoors… Because in the end, what ever you do, it’s all about that moment when you’re out doing your thing and with proper equipment everything will be easier, more comfortable and you’ll enjoy it more and just want to go back out there and do it again…
Lighter Packs 
I think its a case of, you get what you pay for. I bought some cheap socks when I first started but they are only OK for three miles, any more and I get blisters. I never skimp on shoes, I just buy the ones that are most comfortable.
Yes, I completely agree with you!
Before I started to buying the good stuff I was always compromising on basic items just so I could save a buck or two. But, I can’t remember how many times I’ve been disappointed that way…
Buy quality and cry once.
I’ve found that it’s worth paying for the your key items, but compromise on other, less important things. Take running for example. I buy quality running shoes, as well as quality socks and a nice running jacket. However, I still use $5 USD sunglasses (you can find pretty good cheap ones for fishermen), and off-brand, on-sale athletic shirts and shorts. I also found an off-brand Camelbak to use for long trail runs – $20 USD and it works great!
Yeah, that sounds like a good compromise.
A small warning though on the off-brand Camelbaks not to buy a completely unknown reservoir. I’ve had friends on backpacking trips with their cheep Camelbak-knock-off reservoirs have them break and soak all their stuff.