Comments on: Lightweight Backpacking: BassPro and Cabela’s

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Thu, 31 Oct 2019 00:03:46 +0000

In reply to SMB (Rocketman). Again, it is what a *typical* person might buy vs a consumer into lightweight backpacking. EDIT: It also occurred to me, how, funny how far we've come. 2lb 3# is roughly what my old Feathered Friends Hummingbird circa 1997 weighed. Lightweight for the time and very $$$. About $500 in today's money. Ha!

By: SMB (Rocketman)

SMB (Rocketman) — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 21:49:55 +0000

Another great article.

Since I’ve been needing to go get a down jacket, I’ll definitely go check out the local BassPro. (Some things I hate to buy online.)

I was surprised a bit by the sleeping bag choice. For $170 it seems like there should be some light options than 39 oz. (And I wondered about how well it might pack.)

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 19:15:07 +0000

In reply to Skyline. Very true.

By: Paul Mags

Paul Mags — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 19:14:47 +0000

In reply to Stephan.

Notice I put Keen shoes.
Read this:
https://pmags.com/what-not-to-dirtbag
And in my experience the commodity gear (fleece, hats, shorts, etc) you are often paying for the name.

REI is popular because of marketing.

By: Stephan

Stephan — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:20:04 +0000

Before a trip to Europe I had some time to kill on business trip so I went to the nearby Cabela’s.
I bought some Redhead light hiking shoes to take on vacation. I was averaging about 13 miles per day, most of that was city walking but also some light hiking (well maintained trails). On day 10 I noticed my feet were soaked after a light rain. The sole had cracked. Never again for that brand.
As a foot note, since I needed new shoes in Europe I bought some Mammut light hikers. Sure I paid 3 times as much but after 3 years and many miles they are still on my feet.

Some of what you pay for at REI is their no questions asked return policy, and it’s not limited to 90 days.

By: Skyline

Skyline — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 16:14:30 +0000

I like the way you think. If I came in on the middle of this conversation, you could be talking politics. (The way two “opposing” demographics are suspicious if not downright repulsed by each other.) This doesn’t serve anyone particularly well, at election time or in choice of outfitter retailers.

By: Aubrey

Aubrey — Mon, 14 Oct 2019 15:21:53 +0000

An interesting exercise. I had felt you could put together a backpacking kit from Cabela’s but never thought about BassPro. Thanks for doing this Paul.

By: Bill

Bill — Sun, 13 Oct 2019 11:22:25 +0000

Before the merger, Cabelas had some of their own branded items that were nicer than what they carry now. In any event, there were numerous clearance deals that were worth picking up. It doesn’t make any sense to me to pay full price, when you can get a better deal and the names on the items don’t matter when they are the same thing.