Guide to end-of-summer sales

Labor Day is marked by mixed feelings. Come the end of summer, vacations may be coming to an end as children ready themselves for a new school year. But shoppers know the end of summer is an ideal time to find great deals on an array of items. 
Although back-to-school sales flood the marketplace this time of year, plenty of other sales take place in the final weeks of summer — and consumers can save substantial amounts of money if they know where to look. Especially this Labor Day weekend! 

Outdoor furniture
As stores clear out their seasonal items, shoppers can score big deals on patio sets and other outdoor furniture. Retailers need to make room for snowblowers, rakes, shovels, and holiday merchandise, so shoppers are bound to find discounted tables, chairs, fire pits, umbrellas, and chaise lounges. Individuals can use this opportunity to update worn-out patio furniture and other seasonal items they can store over the winter.

Camping/hiking equipment
Only the most devoted campers camp out when the temperatures begin to dip, so consumers can use this opportunity to grab camping equipment before it’s gone for another season. Tents, flashlights, cooking gear, backpacks, outdoor recreational items, such as kayaks or fishing tackle, water bladders, and heaters may be available at steep discounts.

Grills
Backyard barbecues are a staple of summer. If your barbecue or outdoor cooking equipment experienced heavy use throughout the summer, now is a great time to shop sales on grills and outdoor cooking gear. 

Travel
Consumer Reports says that prices tend to drop on airfare, hotels and theme parks after Labor Day. Deals on luggage also can be had once summer travel season ends. Tuesdays are a great day to book airline tickets because they tend to be cheaper on Tuesday than other days of the week. Travelers can use this information to their advantage, booking trips to destinations that have super weather throughout the fall, such as Hawaii or the Mediterranean. Caribbean destinations also are good choices, though travelers should consider travel insurance to protect against hurricane-related cancellations. 

Vehicles
Many dealerships tend to begin discounting cars when new models begin to debut in August and September. The longer a dealership holds on to a vehicle, the more money it tends to lose. Prospective car buyers may be able to negotiate a good deal this time of year, ultimately walking away with a brand new vehicle with a solid warranty. It’s not unheard of to receive a discount of 15 percent or more on previous year models.

Spa treatments
Many spas have begun discounting massages and facials at the end of summer, according to the International Spa Association. Shoppers can use this opportunity to try out new spas and save some money in the process.
In addition to these discounts, bathing suits, summer clothing, lawn and garden equipment, and pool/spa items may be discounted come the fall.

How to choose the right backpack

Upon hearing the word “backpack,” people naturally think of back-to-school season, when throngs of children board buses and head to classrooms across the country. However, the backpack need not be pigeonholed into such a narrow stereotype; there are many different uses for backpacks.

Outdoor enthusiasts, particularly hikers and day-trippers, rely extensively on backpacks. Backpacks facilitate the transporting of supplies and other necessities, but not every backpack is the same, and some are more applicable to certain tasks than others. Choosing a backpack requires careful consideration, and the following tips can help consumers make the best choice. 

• Identify its potential usage. What will the backpack need to do? Will you be hiking the mountains and looking for a lightweight pack to carry small supplies, or are you planning to camp out and need something capable of carrying larger items? Discuss your needs with a store employee when shopping for packs.
• Choose the right volume. Backpacks are sold by volume, or how much stuff they can carry. This is measured in liters or square inches. The liter size may be included right in the product name. According to Eastern Mountain Sports, between 15 and 30 liters is good for day hikes or school usage. An overnight or weekend trip likely will have to be between 30 and 55 liters in volume.
• Determine torso size. Whichever backpack you choose, it needs to fit you comfortably. That means measuring your torso length to find one that will sit on the right area of your back. The torso length on the pack will equate to the distance between the shoulder straps and where the pack hits your hips. For packs with hip straps, the right length will ensure the hip straps can fit comfortably in this area. Some packs are sold with an adjustable torso size. Some manufacturers also size packs specifically for women’s frames.
• Decide if framing is necessary. After you have decided on size, you need to assess other features, including internal and external frames. External frames are original style, classic packs. Internal frame packs tend to be lighter and have a lower profile. If you need to maneuver through some tight areas, an internal frame pack might be best. Frames in packs help you carry more, and you can even strap things to the outside of the pack, says Backcountry, a gear and outdoors resource.
• Consider additional features. Packs come with various features, including load-lifter straps and sternum straps, that can help balance the load and put less strain on your back. Also, choose shoulder straps that curve anatomically to fit the body closer. A ventilated back panel can help reduce sweating and protect your back from pointy gear.

In addition to these tips, consider if you want your pack to be waterproof and to have internal and external storage pockets or other pouches for carrying smaller items. For more help, speak with an outdoor gear retailer.