Snow of tomorrow | Rent versus buy

Both buying and renting have their advantages and disadvantages, and the decision depends on individual needs. Here we give you an insight into how rental works at the Alpine Club.

Borrowing - flexibility and cost savings

Hiring equipment is becoming increasingly popular as it offers numerous advantages. Firstly, you save considerable costs, as high-quality equipment is often expensive. For beginners, occasional users or people who want to try out a new sport, it is therefore a sensible alternative. Another advantage is the quality, as rental companies, such as the Alpine Club, generally offer modern and well-maintained equipment. If you rent from them, you can be sure that you are perfectly equipped without having to worry about maintenance, care or replacement.

Rental also offers flexibility. Depending on the type of sport or conditions - such as weather or terrain - the equipment can be easily adapted. For example, different shoes or poles can be hired for a winter hike than for a summer hike. If you buy your own equipment for every circumstance, you will quickly run into space problems. Bulky items such as tents, skis or climbing equipment also require a lot of storage space. Renting is an ideal solution to save space and still always have the right equipment to hand.

However, hiring outdoor equipment also has some disadvantages. One of these is the recurring costs: if you are out and about regularly, you will quickly realise that the rental fees can add up. In the long run, it can therefore be more economical to buy certain items of equipment, especially if you need them more frequently. Another problem is availability. Especially in high season, it can be difficult to get the equipment you want. In addition, there is always the risk that you won't get exactly the equipment that you feel comfortable with or that meets your requirements.

The Innsbruck section

We from PowderGuide visited the Innsbruck section to get our own impression of the equipment and the range on offer. We were also interested in how the equipment is maintained and stored at the Alpine Club.

The section rents out all kinds of climbing and mountaineering equipment, snowshoes, guides and even Alpine Club hut keys. You can find a detailed list here: Ausrüstungsverleih Alpenverein.

If you want to take your little ones on a trip to the mountains but are still unsure whether it's really worth buying, the Alpine Club is the right place for you. Because many parents know the problem: the equipment is expensive and quickly becomes too small again. In this section, for example, you can hire a children's harness, helmets, climbing harnesses and much more. But if you want to try something new, this is also the right place for you. For example, who has ever heard of "Fiegeln"? Most people don't have their own equipment for this, but there are plenty of firn gliders (short ski-like boards for spring snow conditions) for rent there. Or you would like to start ski mountaineering, perhaps you have already booked a course but don't yet have the right equipment. In this case too, the Alpine Club can help: Everything from safety equipment - such as shovels, probes and avalanche transceivers - to ice axes, crampons, (half) ropes, bussoles, modern navigation devices and even touring adapters for alpine bindings can be hired here.

Whether you are planning an adventure in Tyrol, Switzerland, the Andes or Pakistan - you will find what you are looking for in the impressive library of the Innsbruck Alpine Club. For members, the loan fee is only €0.20 per day and the loan period is limited to three weeks. However, a longer loan period can be arranged for long-distance holidays. For one-off holidays in particular, it is therefore worth renting a guidebook for the region in question rather than buying one at a high price.

The Innsbruck Alpine Club also offers something very special: not only does it lend the aforementioned equipment to its members, it also offers the climate ticket for rent three days a month. So if you are planning a multi-day tour by public transport, for example, you can secure one of the five tickets conveniently and inexpensively.

Membership in Innsbruck in 2025 costs € 70.50 for adults (28 to 64 years) plus a one-off admission fee of € 3. Juniors (€ 54.00), seniors (€ 54.00), children (€ 26.50), people with disabilities (€ 26.50) and spouses or partners of members (€ 54.00), as well as guest members of other sections (AVS, SAC, DAV (€ 26.50)) pay less. The price of membership and rental fees can vary from section to section (Membership fee Alpine Club). We have attached a price list from Innsbruck here.

Maintenance of the equipment

The Alpine Club attaches great importance to the safety and quality of the equipment it lends out, which is why it is regularly checked and replaced if necessary. The equipment is stored under optimal conditions to protect it from external influences such as moisture, extreme temperatures or UV radiation. Particularly sensitive items such as climbing ropes, harnesses or tents are stored in ventilated, dry rooms to prevent material damage. Proper storage on shelves and in special containers also ensures that the equipment is stored safely and for a long time so that it remains ready for use at all times.

Maintenance is carried out regularly and depends on the frequency of use and the specific requirements of the equipment. The general rule is that safety-relevant equipment is replaced after approx. 5 to 10 years, but at the latest in the event of visible defects, expiry of the manufacturer's specifications or after extreme loads. Equipment that shows visible damage, such as cracks, deformation or material fatigue, is immediately removed from hire and replaced. On each return, the equipment will be checked by specialists to ensure that it is in perfect working order.

Wear, replacement and damage

Climbing ropes and harnesses

Ropes are checked for wear, core damage and elasticity. Harnesses are checked for wear at the seams, buckles and material weakening. There are often set life cycles for these products, after which they are removed from hire, even if there is no visible damage.

Helmets and carabiners

These are checked for cracks or deformations. Helmets that have been used in a fall are usually replaced immediately for safety reasons, even if no external damage is visible.

Electronic devices

Avalanche beepers and GPS devices are regularly tested for functionality and fitted with new batteries if necessary.

Technological developments

When new technologies or materials come onto the market that are safer or more efficient, the Alpine Club updates its hire equipment accordingly. This ensures that members have access to the latest and safest equipment.

And what happens if rental equipment is damaged?

In general, there are clear rules on when tenants must pay for damage. Normal wear and tear of equipment caused by proper use is generally not charged. Small scratches or signs of wear and tear that cannot be avoided during normal use are considered part of the use and do not result in the loss of the deposit. In the event of loss of the equipment or parts thereof, the hirer is obliged to reimburse the value of the lost equipment. In the event of major damage that cannot be repaired (e.g. badly damaged crampons), the hirer must generally pay the full replacement value or a fixed proportion thereof.

Conclusion

Whether you rent or buy outdoor equipment depends on individual use and personal needs. Hiring offers occasional users flexibility and cost savings, while buying is a worthwhile long-term investment for frequent users. However, if you own your own equipment, you also have to store and maintain it. If you rent equipment from the Alpine Club, on the other hand, you can be sure that it is in top condition and regularly serviced. If you are travelling to the mountains for a longer period of time, you can also save on luggage by hiring locally. In any case, it's important to weigh up the pros and cons and find the right balance to get the most out of your outdoor experience.