REI Equipment - Page 6

**opg4759** · 05-17-2008, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Boss73 previously said:

Wow I am going to have to check this place out.. With all the good feed back I have to see where there is one in the Bay area.... Maybe I can get myself off my Cabelas addiction...

Since your in Santa Cruz. Saratoga will be your closest location.

**Wulfgang** · 05-17-2008, 03:08 PM

I am another card carrying REI member...since the 1970's.

If you have not checked out the REI website yet, you really should know that they have a fantastic advice section. Here is the link: REI: Expert Advice

There are sections with info pertaining to:
- "How To Choose" or "what to look for when choosing" your gear
- "Skills and Knowledge"
- "Gear Checklist"
- "Gear Care and Repair"
- "Quick Tips"

Careful..their website can almost be as addictive as this one. You can spend hours and hours at REI: Outdoor Gear, Equipment & Clothing for Camping, Hiking, Cycling, Fitness, Kayaking, Canoeing and More before you ever step foot in one of their stores. While they do offer a mail order service, if it is all possible I highly recommend you go visit one of their stores in person.

At the stores they usually have a rock climbing wall that you can climb for fun. All of the employees live the outdoor lifestyle. In other words, the staff worikng in the camping department are actual backpackers/climbers/outdoorpersons. The staff in the canoe & kayak section are paddlers in real life. The staff in the bicycle department actually ride bicycles.

They also run clinics throughout the month on how to pack for a camping trip, how to paddle a canoe, how to use a GPS, how to repair a bicycle, how to cook outdoors, etc.

tukes mountain man · 05-17-2008, 05:58 PM

Card carrying member also. Great store. I have purchased alot of stuff and everything is still alive and well.

**skersfan** · 05-21-2008, 10:17 AM

I was there yesterday. Their 3.5 inch foam/air mattress which normally goes for 89.95 is on sale for 61.00. That is a great deal.

***Bostonian1976*** · 05-21-2008, 10:20 AM

yup I'm an REI member as well - great stuff

*MissFJ* · 05-21-2008, 10:58 AM

Sorry, but DO NOT BUY FROM REI.

Unless you would rather walk the trails than drive on them

Quote:

Jeepndel previously said:

The List of known businesses that don't like us, in fact openly oppose OHV access, is not that long. But the list will never make public forum, for the most part, because there MIGHT be that one chance that they MAY change their minds and help us some day.

Now to reality: REI and Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream are two that oppose us, don't like us, advocate openly to curtail motorized access. So they are easily in the DO NOT BUY list.

MORE IMPORTANTLY, for you, for anyone, is simply to ASK (in writing or by doing a bit of homework) the business. Ask if they SUPPORT motorized rectreation access. Yea or nea. If they wishy-washy that question, then ask if they OPPOSE access by motorheads.

Now let me please be very clear on one KEY POINT: having go green stuff in their propaganda or website or literature is NOT the same thing as OPPOSING us. Green is in. Going Green is fine. In fact, I wrote about it in one of my recent monthly columns. Opposing us is a whole different story.

Look for the advertisers in YOUR favorite OHV/4x4 magazine/newsletter. BUY from them first, for sure, when ever you can. Here's a lesson we learned, the hard way. We lost some supporters over the years. They were advertising with our mags and newsletters; they were contributing to raffles; etc. But their online website prices were not great -- in fact, a newbie to the game under cut them. And the newbie did NOTHING for access. But folks were buying from him.

The supporter dropped out and went away. We lost a good one. The newbie eventually folded as well. But who cares about him? Not me.

I hope this helps.
Del

Del Albright Home Page

**skersfan** · 05-21-2008, 11:10 AM

Thanks for the info MissFJ.

Bass pro Shop is normally a better place to go anyway.

**Swingshiftworker** · 05-21-2008, 11:49 AM

Quote:

MissFJ previously said:

Sorry, but DO NOT BUY FROM REI.

Unless you would rather walk the trails than drive on them

FWIW, you're free to do as you choose, but I don't believe in using economic boycotts to achieve political ends. Frankly, REI will not go broke if you don't buy anything there, but if you feel the need to exercise your opinion by not shopping there, so be it.

I'm a member of REI and I enjoy 4wheeling, but I'm also a hiker and backpacker too. When I'm hiking and backpacking, I really HATE to hear the sound of a motorized engine (motorcycle, ATV or 4x4) while I'm on the trail. I dislike seeing and having to deal with off-road bicycles on the trail, as well. On the other hand, I sometimes combine my interest in 4wheeling with hiking/backpacking, when I use my 4x4 to drive deeper into an area that I care to hike/backpack into. These are conflicting interests, but each group has a right to enjoy the use of these areas as they see fit. The problem is trying to find a balance so that each group can enjoy these areas in the way they choose without unduly limiting the right of others to do so similarly.

I suggest, that if you're a member of REI (or any other organization) that opposes your interest in using the wilderness for 4wheeling, that you speak out by writing a letter to the organization in order to make your opinion heard. If REI gets enough letters from members showing that the entire membership isn't made up of tree huggers (but 4wheelers too) they may modify their position. You can also continue to support 4wheeler groups that oppose any legislation or policy that attempts to limit motorized use of designated wildnerness areas.

Just my 2 cents . . .

Jerry · 05-21-2008, 12:20 PM

I don't know what stance these entities have toward off roading, but if it is NO vehicles ANYWHERE on the trails, then it's a position I cannot support. Hopefully, these groups are advocating reponsible mixed use of public lands.

*MissFJ* · 05-21-2008, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Swingshiftworker previously said:

FWIW, you're free to do as you choose, but I don't believe in using economic boycotts to achieve political ends. Frankly, REI will not go broke if you don't buy anything there, but if you feel the need to exercise your opinion by not shopping there, so be it.

Cool. I still have other places that I would rather support that also support the 4x4 community. REI isn't the only place to buy hikin' stuff

EDITED TO ADD: It's not for the political means that I boycott, its for the principle. Some people don't buy from Trail Gear because they steal most of their ideas from other vendors. Principle.

Quote:

I'm a member of REI and I enjoy 4wheeling, but I'm also a hiker and backpacker too. When I'm hiking and backpacking, I really HATE to hear the sound of a motorized engine (motorcycle, ATV or 4x4) while I'm on the trail. I dislike seeing and having to deal with off-road bicycles on the trail, as well. On the other hand, I sometimes combine my interest in 4wheeling with hiking/backpacking, when I use my 4x4 to drive deeper into an area that I care to hike/backpack into. These are conflicting interests, but each group has a right to enjoy the use of these areas as they see fit. The problem is trying to find a balance so that each group can enjoy these areas in the way they choose without unduly limiting the right of others to do so similarly.

Not that this is a question to you, but more of a question in general based on your statement. Vehicles are confined to certain roads (per the new land mgmt rules) in public lands. Why is it that hikers go to those areas and then complain about vehicles? Isn't the point of hiking to escape, all things including other people? There are millions of square miles to hike where there are no vehicles, herds, people, etc. They can't go there because???