Hi Gear vs. Eurohike – Which Is Better?

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Hi Gear and Eurohike are two of the most common outdoor brands with affordable price tags. So, if you’re buying outdoor gear for a camping trip soon, you’re likely to come across these brands in the retail racks. However, it can be difficult to tell which one is better since they have so much in common. 

If you want to stretch a very tight budget, go for Hi Gear. If you’re more concerned about the quality and don’t mind spending a bit more, go for Eurohike. Hi Gear and Eurohike are both mid-range brands, but of the two, Eurohike is more reliable and has better reviews.

You’ve come to the right place if you want to know more about Hi Gear and Eurohike. I’ll discuss these brands, what products they make, and the differences between the two to help you decide which brand is more suitable for your needs, preferences, and budget.

Who Are Hi Gear?

Hi Gear is an outdoor clothing and equipment brand that used to go by Gelert. Gelert was founded in a small town in Wales in 1975 when they started producing camping equipment to give lovers of the outdoors a one-stop-shop for all outdoor equipment needs.

However, after 28 years in business, Gelert decided that it was time to grow bigger and set up headquarters in Porthmadog. Unfortunately, this eventually became a downhill turn for the company, as the Porthmadog office closed in 2012, 9 years after they expanded to their new base.

Not long after, the sports and outdoor company Sports Direct International, now known as the Frasers Group, acquired Gelert. While Gelert brand products are still produced today, some of their products have been rebranded as Hi Gear and sold in select outlets.

Hi Gear is one of the brands exclusively sold in GO Outdoors stores under the Frasers Group. Today, they are known for products that offer value for money and long wear. Hi Gear has something for you, whether you are a backpacker, a mountain climber, hiker, or just someone who enjoys hanging out in nature. 

What Do Hi Gear Make?

True to the vision of a one-stop shop for all outdoor lifestyle needs, Hi Gear is among the most widely known outdoor gear brands in Europe. Hi Gear has everything you need from clothing to footwear to outdoor living equipment.

Hi Gear makes: 

  • Tents
  • Rucksacks
  • Outdoor lifestyle products
  • Outdoor clothing
  • Footwear
  • Furniture
  • Stoves and grills
  • Airbeds

Whether you’re looking for something cheap or aren’t concerned with the price tag, you can easily find a match with products that fit your budget and needs.

Here are some examples of Hi Gear products:

Tents

Hi Gear is well-known for its sturdy, good-quality family-size tents that don’t break the bank. If you’re looking for a tent that can fit a family of 8, Hi Gear is a great brand to start your search with.

All their tents are family-size and range in capacity from 4-person to 8-person. They are incredibly spacious and can withstand outdoor winds and even rain. However, these tents don’t withstand extreme weather conditions like heavy rains and powerful winds. So, they are better suited for leisure camping. 

The price range for their tents is pleasantly wide, starting from as low as €270 to as high as €699.

Outdoor Lifestyle Products

If you want to make your camping trip a cozy one, you’ll need to bring outdoor living equipment and accessories. Hi Gear has a wide range of outdoor lifestyle products, such as loungers, camping chairs, picnic tables, hammocks, cookware and utensils, cups, fire pits, and much more.

Don’t underestimate what a few outdoor accessories can do to make an outing fun. With Hi Gear, prices for some of these items are €2, so what else is there to think twice about?

Rucksacks

An outdoor trip can’t happen without a proper rucksack. Hi Gear has durable and stylish bags with capacities from 7L to 65L (1.84 to 17.17 gallons). So, you don’t have to go elsewhere whether you’re thinking of getting one for yourself or your kids.

Who Are Eurohike?

Eurohike is a British outdoor lifestyle and equipment brand that used to be owned by retail company Blacks, founded in 1861. Blacks were among the suppliers of outdoor gear to the Navy during World War I and World War II, and they traditionally have rugged outdoor products fit for a soldier. 

Unfortunately, it came across a few financial troubles, and the company was eventually bought and is currently owned by JD Sports. The brand Eurohike started in the 1980s, with only tents and bags in its portfolio, and grew into an outdoor lifestyle brand with a comprehensive product list.

They are now among the most well-known outdoor brands globally, and seasoned hikers and campers often recommend Eurohike. It boasts of being the choice for The Duke of Edinburgh Award because of its quality products, guaranteed safe for adult outdoor lovers and even nature-loving youth.

Also, unlike many outdoor brands that commission products from other manufacturers or have no designers, Eurohike’s products are designed by their team of experts and manufactured in the UK.

Their in-house experts allow them to design their products for the best performance while considering the cost. 

Note that Eurohike is a mid-range brand, meaning that they keep their prices low without compromising cost. However, that also means that their products, like Hi Gear’s, have certain limitations.

What Do Eurohike Make?

Eurohike makes a wide range of good quality outdoor products while maintaining reasonable prices. It belongs among budget outdoor brands but does not have the “cheap” quality that many of these brands are, unfortunately, known for.

Eurohike makes:

  • Tarps and tents
  • Rucksacks and bags
  • Walking and trekking poles
  • Garden gear
  • Mobile mains kit
  • Lighting equipment
  • First aid and survival essentials
  • Cycling tools
  • Sports water equipment

Eurohike has everything you need for outdoor activities like camping, hiking, trekking, or backpacking. Their products are made well and will withstand the ever-changing British climate with maximum performance, durability, and long wear.

However, it’s important to note that, like all mid-range products, their outdoor gear, particularly some of their tents, will not be able to withstand extreme weather conditions for extended periods. For example, if you’re looking for heavy-duty mountaineering or hiking gear, you may need to look elsewhere.

Here are some examples of Eurohike products:

Tarps and Tents

If you want more options concerning tent capacity, design, style, and even color, you won’t be disappointed if you look around for Eurohike tents. 

They have 2-person, 3-person, 4-person, 6-person, and 8-person tents in varying styles. Some can have more elaborate chambers, while others are more straightforward.

Their cheapest 2-person tent is incredibly affordable at only €70, while their most expensive tent, the Air 600, is €710. Although these tents are budget-friendly, they have scores of positive reviews, so it’s safe to say that they don’t feel cheap at all while they’re inexpensive.

They also have tarps in two different styles if you want added cover for your tent or hammock.

Rucksacks and Bags

An outdoor trip won’t be complete (or possible) without bags. Eurohike makes rucksacks and bags in various styles, capacities, and colors, with prices ranging from €14 to €135 with capacities of 10L to 65+15L (2.64 to 17.17+3.96 gallons).

They have duffel bags, backpacks, and wheeled bags, so you can choose what suits your and your family’s needs. 

Walking and Trekking Poles

Eurohike also has walking sticks, trekking baskets, rubber tips, and carry bags, so they offer everything you’ll need to get a little extra support on your next outdoor adventure. The walking sticks have different features, such as anti-shock and collapsible, and cost anywhere from €18 to €24. 

Garden Gear

Are you planning an outdoor lunch? You’ll need some garden gear for that. Eurohike has a gazebo, outdoor shelter, and folding chairs perfect for a laidback outdoor gathering with friends and family.

This outdoor equipment can range from €19 to €350.

What Is the Difference Between Hi Gear and Eurohike?

Hi Gear and Eurohike products have competed for a while now. Both brands cater to the same market and nearly match each other in pricing. Because they are both mid-range products, people often end up having to choose between the two. 

Eurohike has better reviews than Hi Gear and offers more variety for a better value. On the other hand, Hi Gear is more affordable and provides more outdoor clothing options than Eurohike. 

And while it’s easy to think that both offer the same benefits, they have a few qualities that set them apart. Let’s explore some of these differences here.

Camper Choice

Both Eurohike and Hi Gear enjoy positive reviews, but Eurohike has more consistent positive feedback. While this is very subjective, it does say a lot about the consumer experience.

Having more positive feedback also tells us that Eurohike listens to their customers and takes advantage of the knowledge and experience of the experts on their team because they can design products that satisfy user expectations.

More Variety

When it comes to variety, Eurohike gets my vote. Hi Gear products tend to have fewer styles and variations, while Eurohike provides more style, function, appearance, and design options. 

Having more variety also means that Eurohike takes different user age groups, genders, user experience, and expertise into account when releasing a product. 

Availability of Outdoor Clothing

Hi Gear has a considerable collection of outdoor clothing. They have gloves, jackets, hats, pants, shirts, and shorts (among others), while Eurohike focuses primarily on tents and other outdoor and sports equipment. 

So, if you want to go to one store where you can buy equipment and clothing for your family (because Hi Gear does have outdoor clothing for both adults and children), go with Hi Gear.

Value for Money

Some people say that Eurohike has suffered because it is marketed as a budget outdoor brand, leading people to believe that its products are cheap. However, the opposite is true. Eurohike is a budget brand, but they make high-quality and well-thought-out products worth every penny.

Hi Gear, on the other hand, can sometimes be of lower quality than Eurohike, even though they still have well-made products. Unfortunately, though, people complain that Hi Gear products don’t last very long.

Still, it’s essential to take these complaints with a grain of salt and remember that neither Eurohike nor Hi Gear equipment is for extreme sports, extreme weather conditions, or heavy-duty outdoor activities like long hikes in harsh climates.

Durability

Eurohike, again, gets our vote for durability. While both brands put a premium on the quality of their products, Eurohike products last longer. Of course, you should not expect mid-range brands to compare with heavy-duty outdoor gear ones in terms of longevity and durability.

Still, we appreciate products that last because every dollar counts. The longer the equipment lasts, the cheaper it is in the long run. 

Availability of Outdoor Equipment

Clothes, bags, and tents aren’t the only things people go to outdoor brands for, so variety can be a drawing factor when resourcing your outdoor equipment. 

In this area, Hi Gear seems to be a bit lacking, which is apparent even with a quick browse of the available products at their store. Eurohike, on the other hand, has a complete catalog of products that covers more bases. Eurohike offers everything from pumps for sleeping bags to power mains, making it easy to find everything you’re looking for.

Which Is Better?

Eurohike is better. Both Eurohike and Hi Gear are good-quality yet affordable outdoor brands that meet user expectations and provide a positive customer experience. However, Eurohike meets these expectations more consistently and has earned a reputation for the quality of its products.

Hi Gear, on the other hand, is the more affordable option, as they have more budget options than Eurohike. 

Pro tip: Read the product descriptions carefully to know what to expect and how a particular product is supposed to perform in specific conditions (such as if you want to buy a tent to be used in a very humid location).