Can you really save money making your own gear?

Does making your own gear really save you money? This is a question we hear all the time—and like most good questions, the answer is: it depends.

The truth is, DIY gear-making exists on a spectrum. Whether you’re assembling a simple kit or designing custom gear from scratch, the potential for saving money—and spending it—changes with each level of complexity. To break it down, we’re looking at three common types of makers: the Kit Maker, the Pattern Maker, and the Custom Maker.

We will outline the basics of each step in this blog, but if you really want to dive into the specifics, then listen to Ep. 119. Carter and Jameson tackle this subject in detail while including personal stories and anecdotes. 

Listen to Ep. 119 here.

If your number one goal is to save money, DIY kits are likely the best avenue. Due to the nature of a kit, you are purchasing only the essentials which keeps costs down. Kits can also be fairly simple which means the instructions should be easy to follow.

Here are some comparisons of what our kits cost versus popular pre-made items.

Bear Bag Kit = $48

Cottage Bear Bag Kit = $60

Zipper Pouch Kit = $10

Cottage Zip Pouch = $20

HEX12 Tarp = $80

Cottage Tarp = $200 

Patterns are a great way to accumulate more materials and learn new skills while keeping costs lower than a custom project. Good patterns, like the ones you’ll find on our site will tell you exactly what you need to complete the project. This helps eliminate needless spending.

Another benefit of a pattern is that you can reuse that pattern as much as you’d like. Over time, many makers will use a pattern 5 or more times. This amortizes the costs over each use which brings the cost of the investment down as well.

Here are some comparisons of what you might spend on a pattern versus how much this item would cost to purchase new:

Alpha Direct Hoodie: 

• DIY = $75

  • Pattern = $20

  • Materials = $55

• Cottage Hoodie = $100

Active Shorts 

• DIY = $50

  • Pattern = $20

  • Materials = $30

• Patagonia Baggies = $65

Duffle Bag 

• DIY = $100

  • Pattern = $30

  • Materials = $70

• Black Hole Duffle = $160

As you start to accumulate materials, you will likely be able to use scraps or have left over components from past projects. You had to pay for the materials at one point, but this can seriously lower the cost of a project if you’re able to scavenge enough left overs together to make something.

It’s also worth noting that many makers like to customize kits and patterns to make them their own. This can be a fun way to try new techniques but will also cost a bit more. It’s a nice step in between a full custom maker and a pattern maker. 

The custom maker is someone who is looking to make one-of-a-kind items. This is the most expensive kind of project because the options are endless. You might need all new materials, try new hardware, and come up with a design you’ve never seen before. This type of project and this type of maker are doing this for the love of the experience.

Saving money can be a wonderful result of making your own gear but it is important for you to identify what your goals are. Once you know what your project is and what you are willing to spend you can play between the lines. Keep in mind that even though making fully custom designs and products is usually expensive, it is still almost always a cost-savings over contracting a bespoke custom maker. The trade-off is your time.

Making gear is supposed to be life- giving – not life- draining. So enjoy your projects and know that you don’t need to fit into any of these tiers. We all play between the tiers depending on what we’re making. 

Please note: All of these calculations are estimates based on our current pricing. Real costs will vary depending on where you live, price variability, and your custom project.