8 Small Business Sales to Shop Instead of Amazon Prime Big Deal Days

If you’re boycotting Amazon’s sale, you can still find great travel deals at these alternative sales right now.

Three sage green Monos hard-shell suitcases in hotel room

On October 10 and 11, save up to 35 percent on hard-shell luggage from Canadian luggage brand Monos.

Courtesy of Monos

The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale kicks off at midnight PT on Tuesday, October 10, and runs through Wednesday, October 11. This is the follow-up to Amazon’s annual Black Friday–like sale that happens each July—but it’s not the only place to find amazing deals on travel gear this week. Whether you’re actively boycotting Amazon or would rather funnel your money to small businesses instead of Jeff Bezos, there are plenty of other sales happening right now from some of our favorite smaller travel gear brands.

For example, you can save 20 percent off one full-price item from the ecofriendly travel gear company Cotopaxi, including its AFAR-Approved Allpa 35L Travel Pack. If you’re in the market for new luggage, the Canadian brand Monos has its entire site marked down 15 percent off right now. Take a look at these picks and more below.

1. Cotopaxi: 20 percent off one full-price item

Now through October 19, you can save 20 percent on one full-price item of Cotopaxi’s sustainably made travel bags and apparel for men and women with the code “AMIGOS20".

AFAR’s pick: The Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack ($160, was $200) is an AFAR-Approved editor pick for good reason: It can fit up to a week’s worth of clothes, can be carried as a backpack or a duffel, and also comes with a hip belt to help distribute the weight for a more comfortable carry.

2. Monos: 15 percent off

Canadian luggage brand Monos is marking down its entire site of hard-shell luggage, personal items, and travel clothes 15 percent off with the code “15OFF” between October 10 and 12. The discount is automatically applied at checkout.

AFAR’s pick: The Monos Carry-On Pro comes in more than a dozen colors—including the beautiful sage green seen above—and has a built-in front compartment for your laptop and other travel essentials. During the sale, most colors are marked down to $251 from $295.

3. FreeFly: 20 percent off select styles

FreeFly, an outdoor apparel company that uses sustainable bamboo materials, is marking down select items 20 percent using code “FALL20" for men and women on October 10 and 11.

    AFAR’s pick: The Men’s Bamboo Flex Henley ($59, was $74) is made with a soft bamboo viscose fabric that comes in five colors and six sizes. It’s a great travel shirt because it doesn’t wrinkle or retain odors.

    4. Rumpl: Up to 35 percent off

    You can save up to 35 percent on Rumpl’s puffy camping blankets, ponchos, and more in its sale section right now. No promo code is required and the sale is ongoing.

    AFAR’s pick: Going camping this fall? The Rumpl Original Puffy Blanket is marked down to as low as $81 from $125 in select colors right now.

    5. Calpak: Up to 60 percent off

    Calpak is one of AFAR’s favorite luggage brands. Save up to 60 percent off suitcases and other travel accessories in this family-owned company’s sale section. No promo code is required, and the sale is ongoing.

    AFAR’s pick: The Astyll three-piece luggage set comes with a carry-on, medium, and large suitcase in a beautiful marble print. It’s marked down 40 percent from $715, so you get all three suitcases for only $429.

    6. Jack Wolfskin: Up to 60 percent off

    Sustainable outdoor apparel brand Jack Wolfskin has more than 700 items marked down up to 60 percent off in its sale section right now for men, women, and children. No promo code is required, and the sale is ongoing.

    AFAR’s pick: Need a new hard-shell rain jacket, but don’t want to spend more than $200? The Men’s Highest Peak Jacket is marked down 35 percent to $149 from $230 in Baltic Blue, a deep teal color with orange contrasting zippers.

    7. Backcountry: Up to 70 percent off

    Backcountry is having a 48-hour Flash Sale starting October 10. Outdoor gear and clothing will be marked down up to 70 percent off, no code necessary.

    AFAR’s pick: We love Patagonia’s Nano Puff insulated jackets for being durable, lightweight, and made with a recycled polyester ripstop shell and insulated with 60g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco, a 100 percent postconsumer recycled polyester. Select sizes in men’s and women’s) and colors are marked down up to 45 percent off to $126 from $239 right now.

    8. Bookshop.org: Free shipping

    Bookshop.org launched in 2020 as a way to help local booksellers compete in the age of ecommerce by giving over 80 percent of its profit margin directly to indie bookstores. On October 10 and 11, Bookshop.org is offering free shipping to all customers. No promo code is required.

    AFAR’s pick: Find travel inspiration in one of AFAR’s many reading lists from our Great Books About New York City to Best Travel Books for Kids.

    This article was originally published in 2022; it was updated on October 10, 2023, with new sale information.

    Lyndsey Matthews covers travel gear, packing advice, and points and loyalty.
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