My First Trip to REI

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PaulTX

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Aug 9, 2006
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Today I had the opportunity to visit the nearest REI store to me in Plano, TX. All I can say is: WOW! There is just no comparison to REI vs. Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop in many ways. Now I'm a co-op member too.

I was looking for a sleeping bag and a few odds and ends. I've been looking at sleeping bags online, at Cabelas, and reading a lot of information in forums. Looking at sleeping bags in Cabelas is just plain confusing. At REI they are organized by gender, down/synthetic, etc. I got some good help from a salesman. I bought a Big Agnes Encampment 15 degree bag and am very pleased with it. Soon I think I'm going to get Trekker mat.

I also found a nice pair of Merrell shoes on sale.

The gear is so different from when I last did much camping - in boy scouts! Back then we used cheap sleeping bags, WWII surplus, and a few scout products.

Paul
 
REI is a good store. I like their return policy, which is very Bean-like. They do a lot of backcountry restoration and preservation work, too.
 
REI is pretty good, but it still helps to know what you want before hand and to have an idea of prices/value. Sometimes REI can be a pricey way to go, but then again, you are paying for a brick and mortar shop with the ability to test out items. There is a lot to be said for that. I don't buy all my stuff from REI, but they get my business. One thing that sets them apart from places like Cabellas is that they are a bit more discriminating against complete crap than the other chains. Most of their tents and sleeping bags do what they are supposed to do. Perhaps not the cheapest, but you can't go wrong with almost any product sold there.
 
I agree with you guys - Cabbage and kgd. I like the warranty on the Big Agnes bag plus the fact you put the pad in the special slot in the back. I tried it out when I got home and didn't want to get out!

A tent and mat are next on my list.

Paul
 
Oh...I overlooked another advantage of REI. They will rent out a lot of what they sell, so you can try out equipment before deciding if you want to buy it.
 
I used to love them 20+ years ago. Still like them, but they are far more commercial now than then and I tend to shop them less now. Still a member from the old days but for me that have really gone down hill from what they once were.

Seems to be a trend with outdoor stores if you watch or research them.
 
My Big Agnes bag didn't come with a compression bag. Do you have a good one to recommend?

Paul
 
What I like is their people tend to really know their stuff or will tell you right out that they don't know something. I just applied to work at the REI store near my home. Wish me luck.:D
 
Good Luck!
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Hopefully you signed up for the membership card too :thumbup:

Not the least expensive place to buy from, but they had my Vasque boots in a size 15 in stock
 
Good luck Shotgun!

I am now an REI Member! I wish the store was closer to me so I could rent/try equipment.

Paul
 
REI is a good store and the annual dividend is a GREAT bonus! I bought an Arcteryx Theta AR Jacket for about $100 with mine last year (a $450 dollar jacket). The new ARRAKIS pack is incredible and doesn't come with 50 feet of MOLLE webbing I don't need!

The opportunity to examine the gear before you buy is a huge plus. Few stores carry the high end gear they have in their stores.
 
PaulTX said:
Today I had the opportunity to visit the nearest REI store to me in Plano, TX. All I can say is: WOW! There is just no comparison to REI vs. Cabelas or Bass Pro Shop in many ways. Now I'm a co-op member too.

I was looking for a sleeping bag and a few odds and ends. I've been looking at sleeping bags online, at Cabelas, and reading a lot of information in forums. Looking at sleeping bags in Cabelas is just plain confusing. At REI they are organized by gender, down/synthetic, etc. I got some good help from a salesman. I bought a Big Agnes Encampment 15 degree bag and am very pleased with it. Soon I think I'm going to get Trekker mat.

I also found a nice pair of Merrell shoes on sale.

The gear is so different from when I last did much camping - in boy scouts! Back then we used cheap sleeping bags, WWII surplus, and a few scout products.

Paul
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REI has been my favorite gear store since I became a member about 1995. My parents joined in the early '70's, so I've been enjoying their products pretty much my whole life! :thumbup:

As was mentioned before, REI has an exceptional return policy. A couple of examples: I bought a pair of mid-height hikers and wore them for a week. They really bothered my ankles, and there was no way I was going on a back pack with them. I took them back to the store and asked if I could get a partial credit, since there was nothing wrong with them -- I just didn't like them. Without hesitation they just gave me a full refund -- without me even asking them!

I have a pair of Smith sunglasses that are 5 years old. The lenses have gotten scratched, so I took them in to the Seattle mother-ship store to see if there were any replacement lenses available. The customer service girl asked if I wanted my money back (full refund), or a store credit! I didn't feel right about getting my money back after enjoying 5 years of use, so I declined her offer. Nice policy, though.

They don't always have a tremendous selection, but the stuff they have seems to be well thought out and reasonably priced (at least compared to other stores...)
 
Expensive...I like REI though, they have alot of great stuff. For Sleeping bags and tents, they are pretty good, all the top brands and they are all orgaized very well. I like fleet farm for clothes and boots. Gandermoutain for gear and clothes, and odds and ends. The internet is the only place I get my knives from.

It's one of those places that always has tons of subaru with obama, peace stickers on the back.
 
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I like REI, been a member for about a year now :)

It does have a little more "yuppie" feel than other outdoors stores, but I've never had a bad experience there.

They have a solid selection and it doesn't hurt that the store is about 5min from my house!
 
Instead of the Trekker mat, get a matching Big Agnes insulated air core mat. It fits in the pad sleeve of the bag so you can't roll-off, just like it was designed. In cooler weather, add a closed cell pad underneath that for even more warmth and comfort.
 
I like REI.... They are more expensive than some other outlet stores, but there no questions asked, return policy is outstanding and makes the extra cost worth while.
 
ohen cepel said:
I used to love them 20+ years ago. Still like them, but they are far more commercial now than then and I tend to shop them less now. Still a member from the old days but for me that have really gone down hill from what they once were.
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I sadly agree. The one out by me was great for all sorts of climbing and camping gear. Now it is strongly oriented to clothing, clothing, clothing. There is a definite commercial feel to the place, and as a result, I can usually get what I need for a few bucks less at Bass or, secondarily, Cabela's. Plus, REI tends to be anti-gun with regard to too many of the employees.

Your local REI may well differ. Around 15 years ago, through, I really stocked up there: everything from my EDC multitool to sunglasses to biners to...
 
REI is what it is. I've been a member for more than 20 years (and I'm under 40 so that is considerable).

It's gotten way more yuppy than when I joined but they have a great return policy and their heart is in the right place. Blame their yuppiness on their clientelle. it's not their fault!

I live near Seattle. The flagship has way more stuff than regular stores. I actually live north of Seattle and the non-flagship stores are a bit of a yuppy letdown. The Flagship is much much better.
 
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