Buying Geocaching Gear

If you've started playing the global treasure-hunting game known as geocaching, you already know how addictive your new hobby can be. And of course, when we all discover a new hobby, we want to buy stuff to go along with it. Even though geocaching is a pretty simple sport that doesn't require much gear, there are a few fun things you can shop for to compliment your outings.

There are many stores online that sell geocaching stuff, and most carry these items. A few good shops are Shop Groundspeak and 3 Geeks Outdoor Store.

There are always T-shirts, hats and more available for any sport or hobby. You can choose from a selection of items with the geocaching logo or catchy slogan. A big patch, button or pin will add some colour to your geocaching bag. You can find some particularly fun stickers here.

If you like placing caches as well as finding them, you can buy official cache containers and supplies. Nothing wrong with the old Tupperware tub or coffee can, but why not splurge and get a container imprinted with a logo and explanation. Some geocaching stores even sell real ammo cans for the more industrial caches. You can also find logbooks and logo pencils too.

Most trade items are just small trinkets, that you might find at the local dollar store. But you can also buy custom-designed minted "coins" to use instead. These coins are highly sought after, and it is usually indicated on the main geocaching website when one has been spotted at a cache. You will need to shop at a place that makes them, rather than at your usual swag shop. Some good sites are the Geocoin Store and Geocoin Design. These coins have tracking numbers, so you can use the website to watch how it travels from cache to cache as people register their finds. You can buy coins in existing designs, or even pay to have a custom one made just for you.

Like Geocoins, travel bugs are another item that gets tracked from cache to cache. These are less expensive than Geocoins because they are simple metal dog-tags with their tracking number imprinted on them. The intention is that you attach a travel bug to some other fun item, and then let it get passed from location to location. You just need to register them before you start dropping them in caches, so that they can be watched.

CITO stands for cache in / trash out, and is just a variation on the above merchandise. As we are all crashing around in the bush looking for the next cache, we are encouraged to pick up litter and trash on our way back out. There are CITO patches and T-shirts, as well as large garbage bags with the geocaching logo. You can even buy small canisters of CITO bags to leave in caches so the next finder will have a bag of their own to collect garbage.