Where do you shop for your camping attire?

Where do you normally shop for your camping apparel? We normally shop at Cabelas when we get out of town, otherwise we shop online.

 

Oh yea! I forgot about Bass Pro and LL Bean! I normally shop online as the nearest store is 6 hours away but those are great options! Thanks!

 

I shop at all of them [but not all at once]. Cabela's, LL Bean, Bass Pro, MEC [Mountain Equipment Co-op], Adventure Guide, Sail, Canadian Tire and Tilley's; and yes I am a card carrying member of Value Village. I've been astounded with the bargains I can find there. The trick [if there is one] is to know what you are looking for and start searching early.

"I love this stuff..."

 

If the truth is to be known - I spend more time looking than buying. But then again there are some kinds of things that a man just has to have. But its true - do I really need an $80.00 quick dry shirt to cook a weenie? On the other hand - if you want good equipment you visit the place that sells good equipment. [But it has to be on sale!]

 

Since I live in a tropical country there is nothing for me to worry about the weather. I don't need a big difference between the clothes I wear at night and day time. I just wear whatever I have that are light and comfortable.

 

It must be nice...but in this part of the forest....temperatures can get mighty cold on occasion. Best be prepared for anything. From 33C to - 25C, I've camped in both.

 

No one has mentioned REI. However, lately my wife has gotten me things from Duluth Trading. The pants, for example, seem pretty expensive, but they out last jeans and the kicker is that when they wear out, send them back and they'll send you a new pair (it's true, I've done it - I'm not sure how many times they will trade them in though). The price suddenly become reasonable. I have a "cool Plus Action Shirt" and an "Armachello shirt" from Duluth. After a couple years, they show no wear. They have long sleeves that roll up and stay in place with a built-in strap. Amazingly, the cool plus is cool when its hot and warm when it's cold. The Armachello is just for hot weather.

 

I really don't have any loyalty to any outdoor store, - it depends on your knowledge of prices,stores , brand names and your own particular fancy. You need to know what's in your own immediate area. We just had a SAIL open in our area [a Canadian Cabela's]. But whatever - I let experience be my guide.

I don't always support brand names either - some manufacturers spend more time on advertising than they do improving the product line. I can list a lot of those.

 

Further, if the product was great a year ago, that doesn't mean the brand has maintained their quality. Best to shop locally so you can see what you are getting or be willing to send things back if they don't work for you.

 

Ya, that's how I feel too - but I'm still attracted to MEC, SAIL and very much CABALA'S and then there is Venture Guide, Attic, and on and on I go.

 

And then there is SAIL in my own backyard so to speak. I liked what I saw. I haven't seen any REI outlets in Canada.

 

As much as I shop for top quality gear, clothing is the one thing I refuse to drop big bucks on. Other than my hiking boots, I break all the "rules" when it comes to clothing in the outdoors. I shop for gear at REI a lot because I live near one and work near another. When I asked about cold weather gear, I'm told anything but cotton. So I go look at what they say to wear and I can't see spending $300 for a down jacket or $80 for a pair of pants that both look like they'll wind up full of holes from flying embers when I'm near the fire. For me it's old jeans, old sweatshirts and old coats and jackets to suit the weather. I shop the Salvation Army, various thrift stores and whatever store is having a sale on stuff I'm looking for.

 

Are you sure that you are not my long lost brother? Ha ha - it sounds like my MO. I drop big bucks on excellent equipment but I'm not into buying brand name clothing (for the most part). I'm a card carrying member of Value Village.