Where do you buy your camping gear?

MarkBren · 03-20-2012, 07:57 PM

Where do you buy your camping gear? I mostly get my gear from Cabela's. I can usually find everything I need there. The staff is well informed and can be very useful when you're not quite sure what you want.

Judy Ann · 03-20-2012, 08:34 PM

My Kodiak canvas tent came from Cabellas, my solo backpacking tent was designed and purchased from here in NC (LightHeart Gear), and most everything else gear and footwear related from REI. They offer a lifetime guarantee for returns of merchandise and you get a 10% dividend annually plus a 20% off coupon. Most everything was purchased on sale including my SPOT. My car camping airmattress came from Wally World. My family gives me gift certificates to REI and Dicks which covers incidentials.

Theosus · 03-21-2012, 05:49 AM

I used REI, moosejaw, amazon and sunny sports. Now that I have my big items mostly it's REI or amazon, whatever is cheapest. I buy some small things from a "local" store (it's an hour drive to Columbia, SC but we go there every few weeks).

bsmit212 · 03-21-2012, 06:08 AM

I get most of my big stuff and re-useable gear at REI. Like Judy said, if you become a member they offer a lifetime warrenty on any item bought on your membership, dividens on what you buy, and tons of cupons. Their lifetime warrenty is great too, I had the zipper break on an REI Travle sack and could not find a replacment, so I took it in to see if they had one and not only did they exchange for a new travle sack I got about $10 back because the sacks had been reduced in price from when I had bought it. For most of my other stuff like bug spare, food, etc. I will normally get whereever is convenient at the time.

danny28 · 03-21-2012, 06:38 AM

REI? Is this an online store? I've never seen one in my area. I buy some from Cabela's and a lot from Dick's Sporting Goods. They have a large camping section. They are a bit expensive though.

bsmit212 · 03-21-2012, 07:32 AM

REI sales online and also has stores nation wide. REI - Top-Brand Outdoor Clothing, Footwear & Gear for Spring Adventures. When on the website be sure the check out their outlet, REI-OUTLET.com: Deals, Discounts & Bargains on Outdoor Gear, Clothing and Equipment for Camping, Cycling, Fitness and More. There they sell a lot of overstock items for sometime up to 60% off.

pastywhite · 03-21-2012, 12:02 PM

I mainly use REI for "good" gear. For stuff I expect a short life from I'll just buy whatever is cheapest. The lifetime warranty from REI is great. Backcounty.com and some other websites have a similar warranty but there's an REI store about 2 hours from here and I like to try on gear like shoes and backpacks before I buy. I have also bought quite a bit from steepandcheap.com This is the same company as backcountry.com and they offer a good return policy so buying something from there isn't really a risk and the prices are hard to beat. Usually it is clearance/last years gear but is still nice.

Lamebeaver · 03-21-2012, 12:22 PM

The short answer is "wherever it's cheapest"

Gander Mountain
Cabellas
Walmart
Big 5
Sports Authority
Used to like Sportsman's Warehouse, but the closest one closed.

Pathfinder1 · 03-21-2012, 12:32 PM

Hi...

If I can find what I'm looking for in The Sportsman's Guide, that's usually where I'll buy it.

wvbreamfisherman · 03-21-2012, 12:52 PM

All of the above. I dearly love "shopping" at a Cabelas though.

I generally look for the best price on the item I'm ordering. I've ordered a good bit of stuff from Amazon lately.