More Gear!
REI is having a big sale this week. We got a flier about it, and as I was looking at what they had on sale, I decided to check out some of the products online to see if any of them had customer reviews. The sleeping bags caught my interest.
They had one on sale that had a male and female version that sounded really good and was much cheaper than the one I was thinking about getting (Women’s North Face Cat’s Meow for $169). I also read some reviews on the Cat’s Meow bag while I was at it. It turns out that the Cat’s Meow bag got really lousy reviews and the Mountain Hardware Switch Women’s Long bag got good reviews and was the one on sale at REI for $89.99 (originally $130). So, Steve and I headed to the usually packed, crazy store that was sure to be more packed and crazy since it was a Sunday during a big sale. We tried out the bags, loved them, had my backpack fitted (mentioned in previous post), and I also found some awesome, attractive, lightweight Goretex boots (just what I wanted!) for only $99.99 (originally $125.00) that fit like a glove and also received good reviews (I checked once we got home–Vasque Ion XCR Mid Hiking boots). I also bought 2 pairs of Exofficio quick drying undies for $11 each (instead of $16) that are really comfy, but so thin that I’m not sure how long they’ll last on the trip. But whatever. I’ll sew them up as needed and then toss them. Maybe I’ll buy a couple more pairs as replacements… depends on $$ and my pack weight. Steve also bought the male version of my sleeping bag and was very pleasant for the 2 hours we were in the store. So, it was a good shopping trip.
I think it’s funny how into buying stuff for the trip I’m getting. I hate clothes shopping, but I really enjoy buying this sort of stuff because it just makes me that much more excited about the trip and it feels more real–like it’s really going to happen. I’m still debating on whether or not to bite the bullet and buy the Exofficio BugOff hat and shirt I’ve been eyeing that’s on sale on their website. I might have to break down and do it. I’m really concerned about bug diseases and I think having gear that’s bug-proof is a good way to go. But, we’ll see. I’m waiting on a refund check from work. I went to a conference in D.C. and I had to front the bill for everything except the plane ticket, so I need to wait on that check and/or pay day before I spend any more money… which is in four days. I’m becoming a monster!
Tags: boots, exofficio, Gear, rei
montarsig
The only shopping I like is trip-shopping too!
If we weren’t a month into our own travels when you make it to NZ, I’d have offered you a bed! Sorry about that – we’ll be in China!