Camping and Backpacking GEAR thread

@2Toyotas

I've been done with REI for over 15 years. It will never be like it used to be

 

REI is a big chain targeting the elite customer. With the evolution in retail in the last decade+, they are a dinosaur anyways. Who cares if they try to be political. I just ignore it. I'll go pay sub-retail prices elsewhere

 

I have been a member 30 years.
I agree.

 

27 years here. That said, I've never really purchased much from them. I'd much rather support local gear stores.

I climb a lot and have for a long time. Go to any REI and ask the dude behind the climbing counter what gear you need for a climb. He'll have no clue. Go to a local climbing shop and ask that same question and you'll be sprayed down with more beta then you'd ever need. That little difference is worth the extra 5 bucks I pay for a cam at a local gear shop.

 

Used to be REI people did know. Some still do. I know some good people locally.
Management is the problem.

 

I love local shops, they are just few and far between these days. I’ll always spend my money locally before going to the big chains.

 

I really really like my backcountry bed(s) from sierra designs. I've got a single and a double and they are both awesome bags. especially if you don't want a mummy they are worth checking out.

 

I still shop at REI when i need it now vs if i can wait. I don't climb, and i don't bike. I'm a hard person to shop for, but REI gift cards are always a solid choice for my friends and family. There are very few if any dedicated camping stores that carry the high quality brands they do.

I like their environmental standpoints for the most part. I DO NOT agree with their 2nd amendment related views though. However, their return policies are fantastic, and their store brand gear is extremely high quality. The garage sales they have are killer opportunities to pick up nearly new gear for pennies. I'll probably continue to shop there.

However, fuck Dicks.

 

Those brands are going away as times goes on.

Used to be, that has changed.

True, very true.

 

Yep, used to love the garage sales when I still lived in Asheville. Many a cold morning standing in line waiting for them to open. Actually snagged a brand new Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 (returned cause it wasnt big enough for whoever bought it) for 80 bucks. Thing still had the tag attached to the stuffsack.

 

this genuinely makes me so happy

 

Yea that gear room is epic. I am jealous. We just bought a house and I havent had time to get my shit in order... currently its all in plastic bins in the garage which makes me a sad panda

 

I keep moving stuff from the house to the garage but now I need to rearrange the garage so I can find stuff easier! Seems like its an endless game. Just waiting for cooler weather so I can get the garage done.
Really like your guys organization!

 

I SO wish my wife would give me one of the spare bedrooms for a gear room...

 

Greatest part of being a single due that owns a 3br house. I got mountain bikes in the laundry room, climbing gear in the dining room, its madness right now!

 

My mountain bike is in the living room along with the camelback and gear. Just no place in the garage right now!

 

My old roommates step dad has a race Ducati in the dining room lol

 

But, you are still single. Having tried both, I choose married.

 

I'm glad you feel that way! Lotta folks don't.

I just haven't found the right trail partner yet.

 

My wife is awesome the other part of my living room you can’t see in that photo is some workout equipment and a sauna.