HikeArizona.COM

So I have been an avid day hiker for the last 5 years, but am now looking to invest in gear so I can hike AND camp. I am wanting to get quality gear without it costing me an arm and a leg.

Does anyone know of any quality places other than REI or Cabella's? Both places seem so pricey to me. Are there any good websites you could refer me to? Are there any brands that you prefer? If so, why do you prefer them?

Until now I have also always just used tennis shoes for my hikes even though I could have probably used a pair of boots. Any tips or suggestions for footwear would also be appreciated

I have to agree wholeheartedly with azbackpackr about REI & AHS. If you want to know everything there is to know about the gear you want to purchase, go to the Hiking Shack. Their knowledge is unmatched. They're definitely the best place to get properly fitted for a backpack or boots. REI, on the other hand is a crapshoot--a lot of the staff has no clue what they're talking about, though a few do. If you want to avoid the gamble and leave the store confident in your purchase, go to the Shack and look for the older guy with gray hair and glasses (can't remember his name...). You won't find a more knowledgeable advice at any other store in the valley. This is not to say REI does not have benefits--they frequently issue 20% coupons, have good sales and I'm never saddened by the 10% dividend I receive every year. You also can't beat REI's lifetime guarantee on every thing they sell. Same goes for Backcountry.com's guarantee. A free lifetime guarantee can just about negate any concerns about cost. All 3 retailers have unmatched customer service. Good luck.

It could also be the beginning of the mirror ball that was mentioned in a previous thread...

FreespiritAZ wrote:

Jeff MacE wrote:Additionally, when fashioned into a hat it will prevent mind control and other unwanted intrusions into your personal liberty...

Hmm interesting or maybe it is nice cheap entertainment for your fellow HAZ hiking buddies, hehe

Unfortunately, I doubt it would shock most of the HAZ'ers I hike with if I showed up wearing a tinfoil hat, or worse...

gringoantonio wrote:I have to agree wholeheartedly with azbackpackr about REI & AHS. If you want to know everything there is to know about the gear you want to purchase, go to the Hiking Shack. Their knowledge is unmatched. They're definitely the best place to get properly fitted for a backpack or boots. REI, on the other hand is a crapshoot--a lot of the staff has no clue what they're talking about, though a few do. If you want to avoid the gamble and leave the store confident in your purchase, go to the Shack and look for the older guy with gray hair and glasses (can't remember his name...). You won't find a more knowledgeable advice at any other store in the valley. This is not to say REI does not have benefits--they frequently issue 20% coupons, have good sales and I'm never saddened by the 10% dividend I receive every year. You also can't beat REI's lifetime guarantee on every thing they sell. Same goes for Backcountry.com's guarantee. A free lifetime guarantee can just about negate any concerns about cost. All 3 retailers have unmatched customer service. Good luck.

You hit the nail on the head. At REI you need to find someone who actually knows the gear. When you're new it's hard to smoke-out a person feeding you a line of baloney, so that makes it tougher. The biggest draw for me is the fact that REI has SOOO much stuff sitting around. You check out stuff, try it on, and then go home and order it from a cheaper retailer... ;)

Jeff MacE wrote:Unfortunately, I doubt it would shock most of the HAZ'ers I hike with if I showed up wearing a tinfoil hat, or worse...

so, show up wearing only the hat and a shoulder holster, with an unleashed dog quoting Napoleon Dynamite. That'll learn 'em.

..I hate that movie...

te-wa wrote:with an unleashed dog quoting Napoleon Dynamite. That'll learn 'em.

Your dog quotes Napoleon Dynamite??? I gotta get me a smarter dog.

I am far from a pro, but by jumping on HAZ and asking was the right thing to do. I have found alot of good stuff on CraigsList also. Thermarest 3/4 pad for $15 and a Magellan Triton 400 for $40.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com

i just scored a pair of $100 Vasque trail runners for $34, and they fit perfectly.
I just scored a women's GoLite Jam2 backpack, for $64 shipped. She's gonna love it.

Squirrelbait wrote:She's gonna love it.

Ahhhh Pookie Bear!! :budrose:

Has anyone seen any good deals on Women's backpacks? I am getting my tax refund on May 4th and have already started looking.....

I have been seeing ads all over for a clearance osprey 70 aether and im pretty sure its a womens small. thats the same pack i use but in mens of course.. very well built and super comfortable.

berkforbes wrote:sprey 70 aether and im pretty sure its a womens small

My main pack is an Aether 70. The women's version is called the Ariel.

I am definitely not a small in womens, lol. I recently borrowed a men's small pack for a backpack trip down to Fossil Springs and it worked very well. I would probably be a medium in women's. Thanks for the tips will keep the Osprey brand in mind

You are correct big load... I just picked up the same pack for my Royal Arch trip, awesome gear for sure! Here is a link for an 09 closeout on the Osprey Aether 70 its small size only, but its a mens pack so it may work for you. http://www.rei.com/product/803566?prefe ... erralID=NA

Golite Quest is about a pound lighter but more cubic inches. Cheaper, too.

I bought the Quest on sale, haven't used it yet. I wanted to go more toward ultralight. However, it has been pointed out, there is some question if it would take abrasion as well as a heavier pack.

I'll review it after the Blue Range backpack in June.

dont bother with either of those packs. take a look at this one: http://www.granitegear.com/products/bac ... porki.html
i have a few female friends like Liz and Bonnie that use it. if they love it as veterans, you may wanna take thier advice not from the "i love this pack but ive never used it, or used it once" crowd.
the men's version, the vapor trail, also has a following. Kurt can attest to its durability and functionality.
REI also sells the Vapor Ki, but get fitted there and then buy it on sale elsewhere. mike

azbackpackr wrote:Golite Quest is about a pound lighter but more cubic inches. Cheaper, too.

Yeah, but it can't lug as much water. My main criterion was being able to hold 3 gallons of water, a week of food, and gear for temps down to 15F.

Good points, all. Several women told me they liked the Golite quite a bit. I have used external frame for years, and have yet to put a lot of weight in an internal that didn't then make the belt uneven--higher in front, sagging down my butt in back, while at the same time feeling like a total strait jacket, unlike my old external frame.

However, external frame packs have the distinct disadvantage of being too top heavy and too wide, and very bad for off-trail scrambling.

I do really like the fact that they are not fashionable, though. I like stuff that isn't fashionable. ;)

I had a really nice Mountainsmith internal frame pack, kind of a weekend size. I put 30 pounds in it quite a few times to train. I just absolutely hated it with a passion. I gave it to my daughter and kept using the external frame pack.

in the Bass pro shop online store clearance section,i just saw a few differant womens packs.