Do you have a favorite store to purchase gear from or do you have a brand you live by?
|
 |
 Magenta, as you are in the USA I can suggest a few good ones for you there from Backcountry.com to REI, as well as Campmor.com, Altrec.com and not forgetting the great ones like Sierra trading Post and Great Outdoors.com! I like all of them and have shopped there over the years a good few times with each of these great companies. I also like Cabelas, and Sportsmans Guide.com, as well as Backcountryoutlet.com and Backcountrygear.com too though! But then I was an expeditions gear buyer back then! Here in the good old UK my favourite companies selling outdoors kit are really Cotswold and Feld and Trek of the big boys companies, with the smaller outlets like Cave and Crag amongst a good few others too numerous to mention-but many are listed at left here on the OM sites advertising partners list under the title of shopping-bringing up the honoured rear-guard of my most loved outdoors kit dealers. I do not have a special brand that I could claim to actually "live by" though! I like a whole plethora of outdoors brands in fact myself, all in all! Edit-And how could I have missed out mentioning the excellent Tahoemountainsports.com too! For Canada though I have a few times bought only from the great forestcitysurplus.com alone!
|
| Edited: 14/03/08 17:43 |
In the US Prolitegear.com, cos they're helpful and have some interesting stuff, and in the UK Needlesports, in Keswick, which is stuffed full of great stuff, and they have a good website.
|
|
.jpg) www.fellandmountain.co.uk great people to deal with and always do me a good deal without having to ask. Oh and Haglofs seems to be my fav at moment,and for the forseeable future  ...
|
|
 I like the sound of Aldi's deals coming up next week. And if its cack ka then there's always the Argentinean beef burgers and strange sirupy beer instead.
|
|
Me too,going to try to get my hands on a few baselayers .
|
|
 Aldi's stuff is great, have lots of base layer and fleeces from them
|
|
 I saw Jackson Sports based in Belfast mentioned on a US blog as they send to US if you want to get some of the European brands. I live in Belgium and have just ordered from them. They were very helpful.
|
|
Yes, Jackson Sports is indeed a top shop!
|
|
 .
|
| Edited: 15/03/08 19:32 |
Did you forget to type anything with your keyboard there then Frum? Or is that the silent majority you are implying you represent, in a silent vote for that particular retailer too then?  
|
|
Jackson-Sports.com sure always do have a fantastically and seemingly regularly full packed clearance section too, do they not!
|
|
 If I need some good advice when buying I trundle over to Peglers in Arundel. Good spread of kit and discount for BMC.
|
|
I keep on meaning to go check them out soon one day Twig, as I believe that Tweet said they were a very good and helpful outdoors shop as well, but it wasn't that exact branch I believe she was speaking of though!
|
| Edited: 16/03/08 06:38 |
 I've found a lot of cheap offers for top quality stuff at Go Outdoors in the last year or so. For full priced stuff I tend to go to Cotswold, as being an MLTA member I get 20% off there. Mostly, I wait for sales/special offers as I basically have everything I need and tend to buy stuff when I see it for good prices to replace kit I want to upgrade or have worn out. Sadly, I often also buy kit to try out and see what it's like... TK Maxx is great for a browse and buying gear you didn't know you wanted, but hopeless if you want something specific (unless you are really lucky). I picked up a great, stylish pair of winter waterproofs (salopettes) there this weekend. Fit is superb, as is the basic design and materials. Reduced from £210 to £40. Made by a little company called Tommy Hilfiger. Not natural mountaineering wear I grant, but they're sailing kit weighing in at just 800g, fully waterproof, breathable and heard wearing. Oh, and in black. Just the ticket for winter skills work. I'll be the most stylish man on the hill! Decathlon is also a great place to get good value, good quality kit. I don't like the quality of their base layers, but for other layers they are great. I can't comment on the really cheap end of the market (Aldi/Lidl etc) as I've never used it. For brands, I love Mountain Equipment clothing as it fits me well and is great quality. Raichle boots/shoes for the same reason. I've quite a lot of Nike gear for walking too as it is often very good value and very good quality. Again the default fit seems to fit my body shape too, which is really the key.
|
|
 These days, as I am living in France, it tends to be www.auvieuxcampeur.fr as they have very helpful staff (for a French establishment) a good range (Haglofs, Rab, Millet, Valandre, Arc'teryx, Patagucci etc.) and are close to where I work
|
|
 over here im suprised noone has mentioned the mighty alpkit alwys worth a look. still cant argue with tk maxx for bargains though. wildtrak.com (or the store in newcastle) can do a good deal at times and have great customer service n all. also i have just put in an order at backpackinglight.c.uk and i hope they live up to their proud reputation round here. all the best
|
|
Thanks for all the advice...I really needed it. I will definetly check out all the suggestions. When I get paid....I will start shopping
|
|
Yes Magenta, it is always well worth shopping about a good bit to catch the sale bargains, the clear out clearance stocks and the plain bargain lost leaders offers at the various outlets! Happy and profitable shopping wished in advance for you from all here on the OM Forum, for sure! Do let us all in on what you treat yourself to won't you though!
|
|
