How would you like to save 40%-60% off hiking, backpacking, climbing, skiing, mountaineering, running, cycling, fishing and kayaking gear and apparel? There’s a good chance that you already qualify for these kinds of discounts from dozens or hundreds of manufacturers, but don’t know it.

What is a Pro Deal?

Outdoor gear and clothing manufacturers sell gear to employees and volunteers involved in outdoor recreation, emergency responders, law enforcement, outdoor related government agencies, the military, and media at wholesale prices ranging from 40-60% off MSRP. They do this because people in these professions or roles are likely to use the gear and recommend it to people who have to buy it from retailers at full price.

There are usually some strings attached:

Pro deals are intended for you alone, and not for friends and family.

You can’t buy heavily discounted products and then flip them on Craigslist or eBay.

There may be limit on the number of products you can buy in one year.

Pro pricing is usually offered to full-time or part-time, non-temporary employees who work within the outdoor industry. There are some major exceptions to this, so keep reading.

Who Qualifies for Pro Deals?

While it depends on the manufacturer, if you work for an outdoor gear or apparel manufacturer or an outdoor retailer, chances are pretty good that you qualify for manufacturer pro deals. The same holds for accredited outdoor media professionals including reporters, producers, editors and writers and full-time employees that work for outdoor guide companies, outfitters, or are certified members of the following organizations, among others:

American Mountain Guides Association

Adventure Travel Trade Association Member

Professional Ski Instructors Association of America

National Ski Patrol

Association for Experiential Education

American Canoe Association Instructors

In addition, there are a lot of other groups that typically qualify for pro deals, including many that aren’t directly involved in the outdoor industry, including:

Active Members of US or Canadian Military Services, including: US Army US Air Force US Coast Guard US Navy and Navy Seals US Marine Corps Canadian Army Canadian Navy Canadian Air Force

Fire and Rescue Professionals and Volunteers Paid and Volunteer Firefighters Search and Rescue Team Members

Law Enforcement Professionals Federal State Local

Department of Interior Employees

Forest Service Employees and Volunteers

Physical Education Instructor and Team Coaches, High School Level and Beyond

Yoga and Fitness Instructors

Tactical Hand to Hand and Weapons Instructors

NOLS Alumni, Instructors, and Employees

Outward Bound Alumni

How to Apply for Pro Deals

If you think you might qualify for a pro deal from a manufacturer, go to their web site and find the page that describes their Pro Deal application process. Applying for each of these programs can save you a lot of money if you get accepted. Here are a few examples:

ExpertVoice and Outdoor Prolink

Many outdoor companies also outsource their pro deal portals such as ExpertVoice.com or Outdoor Prolink. These companies have standardized the sign-up and approval process making it a lot easier for qualified individuals to apply to hundreds of pro deals with just one application!

For example, say you’re an active duty serviceman in the US Army. You’d add that group as an affiliation in your user profile and you’ll see that many brands offer pro deal discounts to eligible applicants. These range from tactical manufacturers like Leupold, Fenix, and Bushnell to mainstream outdoor brands including Big Agnes, Scarpa, Garmont, Suunto, Delorme, Gregory, Old Town, Raleigh and Diamondback Bicycles, Sawyer, Leki, Icelantic and Nemo Equipment, just to name a few.

So, check it out. You might be able to save a lot of money on outdoor gear if you qualify.

Updated 2018.

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