Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

Anyone have opinions on lightweight shells? I have a Mountain Hardwear Artero Gore-Tex Pro shell but at 20 oz its kind of heavy. Was looking at the OR Helium II jacket at 6.4 oz.

 

I went in to REI the other day while killing time. I could drop $10k there easily.

Oh and anyone here have experience with Triple Aught Designs clothing? I'm thinking about getting one of their fleece sweaters or hoodies. Maybe the Ranger hoodie.

 

I'm hesitant to spend $200+ on a hoodie, but I hear they are outstanding. They use either Australian or New Zealand wool and are sewn here in the U.S. So that's pretty cool.

 

Does look good. Never heard of it before this. I would love to see some of their stuff up close.

 

There's a few good reviews of their stuff on YouTube. I wish there was a store local who stocked their clothing though. I only heard about them from one of the gun forums I'm on.

 

$200 for a hoodie? Damn

 

That's why I haven't bought one yet. But I really want one.

 

No US dealers. I guess for the money they cost, you could afford to have one brought over to the US.

 

More than agree.

We have a few others but they are more expensive than REI so it kind of limits me to where I can buy locally. 90% of the stuff I buy from REI is on sale. Otherwise, I use them to look at products and see how they stack up and go online or craigslist.

Our local REI was getting robbed blind of their North Face gear because people were re-selling them online and what not. I told the manager, "Quit stocking that crap and that will resolve the issue." I'm assuming the other brands aren't as well known among the thievery types.

 

Check out GearTrade.com.
It is run by , but is open to anyone looking to sell used gear. They do take their cut when you sell something, of course.
I have bought/sold stuff there.
Just another resource.

 

It's the junk that people (kids) know. That is the trendy shit @PeeRunner

 

I have one NF jacket. I bought it out of town when I didn't have proper clothing for the weather which was cold and windy and it did the trick. I still have it, 5 years later it still looks good. Black is faded some but it's great.

Only thing is it isn't a tall. So.. not the best buy ever. Too short from day 1.

 

I haven't been in an REI in a long time (since there are none in Upstate NY, VT, NH, or ME), but I think a lot gear shops have to find a balance. EMS is the local gear chain here, and they sell a lot of NF fleece to college and high school kids. I've accepted that they need to do that to stay open and stock some of the things that I might be interested in.

That said, Outdoor Gear Exchange in Burlington VT is awesome - it's definitely worth checking out if you are in the area. They have a huge selection of new gear, as well as a large area of used clothing that they sell on consignment. The only fault that I've found is that they don't carry Patagonia.

 

I have some NF stuff. One jacket I got at their outlet. The stitching gave out in places. I use it as a cold weather cycling jacket.
Got my son a down jacket for our ski trips, from GearTrade actually. It has been good. Seems cozy and warm.
Also have a great duffle from them. I do like that a lot. It's huge.

 

I had a NF Apex soft shell and it was pretty decent. But same problem, didn't get a tall. So I gave it to my dad and he wears it sometimes. I got a Carhart soft shell instead in large tall and it's great.

 

Heard of this place. Never been though.

 

My buddy in Columbia used to go to the REI in Charlotte. Lol

2 hour drive or so. If no accidents.