Well… in a sense.  A new site is launched called the Outdoor Exchange. It’s a gear sharing venture kind of the original NetFlix, but with outdoor gear.  They have different yearly membership options starting at $200/year and topping out at $500/year. That’s $17/month and $42/month for the math challenged.  The differences are only in the amount of free weekly rentals starting at 1 and maxing at 4.  Additional rentals are 20% MSRP, which seems a bit pricey to me.  Renting a down jacket to go along with your ice tools (climbing “axes” for the uninitiated), and you could be looking at $100 just to rent it for the week. Hell, is one tool your one item or do they come in pairs?  Now this could get really pricey!

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It does seem like a great way to get your hands on gear in a fix when it may be a one time thing you need in order to hit a certain objective. I’m not sure if I’m willing to give up my gear closet no matter how much it costs and how big of a pretender I am.  Still, it could come in handy for only $17/month. That’s only two post-outing drinks in your local bar.