Outdoor gear

Kayaks, Tents and Bikes: Turning Your Outdoor Gear into Weekend Income

Ontario summers are short, and everyone wants to get out at the same time. That's exactly why outdoor gear rents so well — and why yours shouldn't sit in the basement all season.

By the ThingShare team · October 1, 2026 · 5 min read

Gear that's in demand

• Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards, ideally with paddles, PFDs and a roof rack or straps.
• Tents, sleeping bags and camp stoves for first-time campers heading to provincial parks.
• Bikes and bike racks, including e-bikes and kids' trailers.
• Coolers, camp chairs and canopies for cottage weekends and festivals.
• Winter gear such as snowshoes, cross-country skis and ice-fishing equipment, to keep earning after summer.

Bundle it into a kit

A beginner heading out for a first camping trip doesn't want to rent ten things from ten people. A "weekend camping kit" — tent, two sleeping pads, a stove and a lantern — is easier to book and usually earns more than separate listings. The same goes for a "paddle kit" with the boat, paddle, life jacket and straps.

Plan around the season

• Long weekends sell out first. Victoria Day, Canada Day, the Civic Holiday and Labour Day are the busiest. Make sure your calendar is open well ahead.
• Charge a weekend rate. Most outdoor rentals run Friday to Sunday, so price for that instead of single days.
• Add winter items in the fall so your listings keep working after the paddling season ends.

Safety and condition

• Always include a properly sized PFD with boats and boards — Transport Canada requires one for each person on board.
• Set up tents before the season to check for missing poles, pegs or tears, and dry everything fully between rentals to prevent mildew.
• Note the condition at handover with a few photos, especially the hull of boats and the frame of bikes.

Deposits and fees

Set a refundable deposit when you list — we recommend 30–50% of replacement value, up to $500 per rental. Listing is free; ThingShare's fee is 15% of completed rentals, or a permanent 8% for Founding Listers.