swmtnbackpacker
Trail Wise!
Back but probably posting soon under my real name ... Rico Sauve
Posts: 4,886
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Post by swmtnbackpacker on Nov 13, 2019 9:34:27 GMT -8
I’m “geared out” too as sarbar mentioned, but will at least buy replacement shoes, sandals as they wear. I find the hiking shops are pretty understanding if a pair aren’t quite right (esp REI), though now I put aftermarket insoles, .. so it isn’t likely I’ll return a pair. Nice to have the option though. Add I wear polyester or wool hiking clothes and those breathable materials wear out faster than less- breathable nylon, so “soft goods” are another category... May learn to sew to patch my button front hiking clothes, but I like the Capilene “daily” tee’s, so those will last a year of steady hiking with a pack..
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sarbar
Trail Wise!
After being here since 2001...I couldn't say goodbye yet!
Posts: 980
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Post by sarbar on Nov 13, 2019 9:40:11 GMT -8
That last line just made me feel old, since I still think of Sar as one of the youngsters around here! (Yes, I know you were here ahead of me, but I recall begin startled by the age difference between the mothers of our same-year sons :D) If it helps, I am the old mom now. HAHAHAHA! I volunteer a lot at the boys' school and I'd say I am one of the oldest moms there - not the oldest, but pretty damn close. The stepmom of a girl at the bus stop is the same age as my oldest son (which is 22). I also understand why the teachers love having me around...because I am within 10 years of them Snort.
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 13, 2019 10:55:52 GMT -8
REI is opening a store here on Friday. Only one in the state. No local mom-and-pop shops to bury. We have a couple of small chain stores that sell similar goods at similar prices, so REI should win based on having greater selection.
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Post by bradmacmt on Nov 13, 2019 11:45:20 GMT -8
That last line just made me feel old, since I still think of Sar as one of the youngsters around here! (Yes, I know you were here ahead of me, but I recall begin startled by the age difference between the mothers of our same-year sons :D) Ha! We're getting old... I got my REI membership in May of 1975, and the no. is under 482,000... I've had the number committed to memory since then, and always get a blank look when I use my actual REI Member Number rather than my phone number Yeah, my membership is older than almost any of the staff...
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Post by bradmacmt on Nov 13, 2019 11:53:02 GMT -8
REI is opening a store here on Friday. Only one in the state. No local mom-and-pop shops to bury. We have a couple of small chain stores that sell similar goods at similar prices, so REI should win based on having greater selection. Where?
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 13, 2019 15:36:46 GMT -8
Hmm. Looking at Brad’s # I’m surprised that they didn’t grow more (only 300k) during those early 70’s when backpacking was “peaking”? Though it’s true while I joined in the late sixties there were so many terrific local backpacking shops in San Diego that it took something truly extraordinary to pull me away from them or my mail order Goto, Berkeley Ski Hut so local options might have kept it down. What’s it at now anybody?
I suppose staff quality can vary: the three within range of me here in SE PA are all decent enough and definitely have an enthusiasm for the out of doors.
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Post by bradmacmt on Nov 13, 2019 15:56:04 GMT -8
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rebeccad
Trail Wise!
Writing like a maniac
Posts: 12,674
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Post by rebeccad on Nov 13, 2019 21:47:44 GMT -8
I got my REI number in 1986 when I returned to Seattle for grad school. Before that I used my Dad's membership, which was, IIRC, a 5-digit number.
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Nov 14, 2019 0:18:55 GMT -8
At one point that got you free shipping! (A low membership #}
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 14, 2019 9:48:30 GMT -8
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Post by paula53 on Nov 14, 2019 15:51:44 GMT -8
I ordered new shoulder straps for my older Granite Gear Blaze Ki Backpack. I took out the older straps, but I just could not get the new ones to pop in. I took the pack to Reno's REI. I ordered the straps directly from Granite Gear. The sales staff went above and beyond to install the straps for me. I strolled around the store, while they worked on the pack. It took them about 30-40 min. to properly fit the straps to the pack. Then they gave me a fitting with the new straps in place. I did buy the pack from the store about 9 years earlier. That to me is fantastic service. That being said, I have no outdoor stores that handle backpacking in my area of Carson City. The closest one is in Mammoth. REI did put 2 smaller stores out of business when they arrived in the area.
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schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 452
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Post by schlanky on Nov 15, 2019 7:33:41 GMT -8
We got one in Birmingham a few weeks ago. From just a quick look around, it looks kinda heavy on clothing and lighter on gear, but no worse than any other similar store around town. Mountain High bought out the one really great outdoors store here years ago. I won't lose any sleep if REI takes out Mountain High.
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Post by hikingtiger on Nov 15, 2019 10:12:06 GMT -8
We got one in Birmingham a few weeks ago Good to know. Alabama Outdoors (at least the one here) was pretty balanced between clothes and gear, but now it's about 75% clothing.
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schlanky
Trail Wise!
Lead singer, driver of the Winnebago
Posts: 452
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Post by schlanky on Nov 15, 2019 18:56:58 GMT -8
We probably still have one of those too. I haven't been that way in a while. My last few trips to AL Outdoors were frustrating in that the employees kept trying to upsell bad ideas. And it irked me that they had maps for trails in Colorado, but never had a full set of Pinhoti maps.
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Post by johntpenca on Nov 16, 2019 8:31:42 GMT -8
I got my REI membership in May of 1975, and the no. is under 482,000... I've had the number committed to memory since then My original member number was 123,061, think I got it in 72 or 73. Somewhere along the way it was changed to 1,230,061. Lost my REI street cred when that happened. And yeah, weirdly it is in my memory bank. Can't remember what I had for lunch yesterday, but remember that number. Sad thing is I'm sitting on $200 in gift cards and they have nothing I want. I've searched their website for anything to spend it on; nothing.
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