Gear Purchasing Strategies

imported
#1

Hello!

I am busy planning an AT 2010 thru hike. After a shake down hike I made the decision to go “ultra light”—or at least to keep my pack weight with food and water down to under 20 pounds.

I have done my research (with the help of all of you on trail journals!) and now have a carefully edited gear list. I am happy to say that 20 pounds is very do-a-ble.

The catch? I am going to be spending some serious money on gear…and most likely, I will be buying everything at the same time. Most items are easy to source: ie a Big Angus tent, Western Mountaineering ultra light bag, Neo Air mattress, and Golite pack etc, etc.

I am wondering if there are any deals to be had from outfitters or big box stores that will enable me to save some money if I am making one large purchase? I am from Canada, and I see REI offers some good membership discounts…but most of that discount would be nil after I pay for customs and add on Canadian tax…

Do you think it would be risky If I ordered everything through REI and then just picked it up from a store in Atlanta a few days before my hike? (in spite of Murphy’s law?)

Or is there another way/better option?

Thank you for your help!

flicka

flickamuse

#2

when are you starting your hike? going north or south?

BionicBrett

#3

Strating in Mid March–heading NOBO.

flicka

#4

sorry! I am planning a hike for Next year in 2011…not quite used to it being 2010!

flicka

#5

I’ve never heard of quantity discounts. But it sure can’t hurt to ask somewhere. I imagine that would work better at a local independent store like military surplus.

Your REI idea isn’t a bad one. They’ll probably let you deploy everything in the store and work with you if you don’t like it. Will you save enough to justify the extra day or so in Atlanta (motel, transportation around town, etc)? Also consider the unlikely event that you really don’t like the gear. Sounds like you’ve done your research, though.

Quite a few thru hikers end up refitting at the outfitter at Neels Gap in GA (30 miles up the trail). They do a pretty brisk business in lightweight gear. They stock some stuff that nobody else in the country does, stuff you normally have to buy online (cottage industry stuff). You may want to look them up at http://www.mountaincrossings.com. It sounds like they know AT hikers’ needs better than most salespeople at REI. It also sounds like people travel there prior to the hike to shop. It may be worth a trip up there from Atlanta if you have the time and transportation.

Garlic

#6

Thanks!

there are several items I want from smaller manufactures in the states, and if I can arrange to have them ready for pick up at an outfitter near the start of the trail it would save me a lot of headaches and shipping costs. I’ll check out the Neels Gap outfitter–i’ve heard great things about them.

flicka

#7

don’t forget the asics shoes… sports authority usually has a $25 discount on a $100 purchase in Houston… thus you could get 2 ($60) pairs for less than $100; although you would probably need 3 pairs + for whole AT… coupon is in sale circular, probably avail also online… Asics trail runners are so lite & springy you hardly feel em on ur feet & probably get you miles more per day! My “Gel Kahana 3’s” help out my knees quite superbly; New Balance & Nike & others are a joke compared… try one on 1 foot & other brand on other foot in store!

gingerbreadman