Lightweight Backpacking: BassPro and Cabela’s

In the niche of long-distance hiking and backpacking, you can get some cachet by mentioning budget items from Walmart, AliExpress, surplus, Costco, or other non-traditional channels.  A mention of REI gets some grudging acceptance as that is where most people of a particular demographic, income, and education get their gear.

But mention BassPro and Cabela’s (now one company)?  Let the sparks fly!  That’s where Bubba gets their camo!

But, here’s the thing: BassPro/Cabela’s revenue of over 8 billion dollars exceeds REI’s 2.7 billion.

In other words, if only “Bubba” shopped at BassPro and Cabela’s, I doubt the total revenue would be almost four times as much as REI.

BassPro and Cabela’s tend to be found in many areas throughout the country and are often the closest “real” outdoor store for many. And the store has a sizeable online presence.

In short, more people get their camping, hiking, backpacking (and, yes, hunting) gear from that store than other retailers. Though Dick’s Sporting Goods rivals the overall revenue of BassPro and Cabela’s,  Dick’s is more of an athletic store that happens to stock outdoor goods.

The other day, I had to bring our Honda to Grand Junction for a warranty recall. While waiting, I killed time at the nearby Cabela’s.  I noticed their RedHead brand of shirts, fleeces, shorts, pants, etc. and a wide selection of shoes from Merrel, Keen, and so on.   Hard goods? The Kelty Sleeping bags, NeoAirs, backpacking stoves, and so on would not look out of place at REI.

For my part, I own a Cabela’s two-hundred weight fleece I wear around town where the logo is subtle and, again, would not look out of place at REI. And I paid $30 for it.

So, much as with my Lightweight Backpacking: REI Style article, I want to experiment:  Can an average person put together a minimalist kit at BassPro/Cabela’s for backpacking using “off-the-shelf” gear?

I imposed the following guidelines for myself:

• All the gear and clothing must come from BassPro and Cabela’s with a few noted exceptions. Most people do have a toothbrush, after all.
• Nothing could be on clearance. A bargain shopper can do better than the list I put together, but that is not going to be consistent for this article
• The gear would not be the least expensive nor the most costly equipment
• The gear would also be mid-range concerning weight

Why these stipulations? Esp the last two parts?

As before, the typical BassPro and Cabela’s consumer is similar to the REI consumer in terms of time bank funds. Meaning:

[The customer] is not going to go out of their way to purchase the very expensive and light Big Agnes Copper Spur tent.   The same consumer will have enough knowledge to realize that a  Base Camp 4 tentused for family camping trips is overkill for backpacking.    The typical REI customer is also not going to purchase from cottage gear companies or use budget alternatives that are effective. I base these assertions on the admittedly non-scientific way of having many friends, colleagues, and acquaintances who fall into these parameters. Time is a precious resource for many. And REI, besides being well known, is a one-stop shopping place for many.

Except, BassPro and Cabela’s are even more ubiquitous than REI stores!

Finally, again, based on my previous article:

For the people who prefer to read just gear lists, here’s a summary:

“This article is not about getting the lightest gear at BassPro or Cabela’s you would on BPL or Reddit /ul, or whatever gear site you may frequent. The article is about how, with *typical* gear, people end up being light anyway despite what people saying about light gear being dangerous, not sturdy, etc. Forget semi-frameless packs, pads perceived to be fragile, short pads, unknown brands for most consumers, trail runners, Smart Water bottles vs Camelbaks,  or one-person tents.  Again, this is gear the typical BassPro or Cabela’s consumer purchases and not what an experienced person looking to go lighten someone’s load would suggest.”

So here’s my experiment of a minimalist and light gear list using “the off-the-shelf” gear and clothing found at the 8 billion a year gorilla known as BassPro and Cabela’s.  BassPro and Cabela’s has (almost) identical inventory at this point, but I linked to Cabela’s more as that site tends to list the weights. Plus, I find Cabela’s site an easier one to search.

It is not lightest, heaviest, least expensive, or the most costly list that can be purchased,  but I feel it is a reasonably typical list of gear of what many consumers will buy for an off-the-shelf kit for their backpacking pursuits (if with a minimalist bent).

Happy Trails!

–Paul Mags 

TOTAL COST OF ALL GEAR:  $1473

So, I think my theory is correct: The gear available at BassPro and Cabela’s is almost, and in some cases – exactly, identical to what a person might purchase at REI. As with REI, BassPro and Cabela’s also offers different higher-end options available on this list.

There is a well-known writer at Outside Magazine who disparages BassPro gear, and the consumers thereof, as rednecks and hicks.  Don’t be like this writer or similar people online. As my mother might more succinctly put it: “They are so full of shit, their mouths are full.”

BassPro and Cabela’s are often the only brick and mortar options for many. And, as this list shows, the stores can provide a good choice.

Note the differences between the REI list and the Basspro and Cabela’s list are not that much.  The REI list comes in at about $1800 and 16.5 lbs for the base pack weight. This list? Just under $1500 and just shy of 17 pounds.  If the theoretical Cabela’s and BasPro buyers spend a little more money, they could purchase a better tent at BassPro and be competitive with the REI weights, too.

In other words, the gear and clothing sold at this 8-billion dollar a year outdoor retailer are not any different from the kit sold at everyone’s favorite cool outfitter. 😉

The difference? The typical BassPro and Cabela’s shopper would not think of going to “that yuppie store,” and the REI consumer would never, ever purchase from the store they best know as providers of hunting clothes.

It goes to show a consumer should look at all options available and not write off a store because it does not appeal to their particular demographic.

Otherwise? Long live the power of marketing! 😀

Notes:

• The prices are rounded up.
• All the weights are mainly from the Cabela’s site. If the website did not list the weight, I used an equivalent weight from other items I found online.
• I used Men’s medium or equivalent as the baseline for clothing.
• Items that vary on trips such as food, fuel, guidebooks, and maps (which are trip dependent) not included
• I did not list hiking poles. Call it a coin-toss if people use them or not for casual backpacking.
• Cameras will add weight. Most people just take a smartphone at this point. Price and weight depend on the phone.