What $40 bucks at Walmart gets you

[SpookyPistolero]

While I was wandering through Walmart last week against my will, I meandered through the camping section. Turns out they had some pretty neat things.

First up, some trekking poles. I had been thinking about getting some for a while, but the ones I saw were nearly $30 a piece (waayy to much for me). These were SwissGear poles for $15 per pair!! There is also a compass built into the handle of each, accurate too.

Also, I saw some packs that I thought were plain backpacks at first. I checked since my gal was looking for a new school pack. Upon further inspection, it had an internal frame, a hip pad and a water bladder pouch. Cool!

Quality is pretty high and it's very light overall. Around 3500 cu. in., more than enough for a night or two in the woods. It's not quite long enough to fully accommodate my height, but it's not uncomfortable fully loaded (so far). Here is a not-so-hot picture of it..

It's not fully loaded, so you can't see the height accurately nor a proper view of the top. Price? $25!!! It's not exactly North Face, but it believe it will last a good while through normal woods duties.

I have only had a chance to play around with both of these, but not to actually test them in the woods. Both will be taken on my next trip. I will post a better review of all new items whenever I get the chance to go (school started this week so it may be a while).

I do believe it's worth a look at your local Wally World just in case you're in the market for such items.

 

[Bob W]

I once found a bin full of North Face Wasatch daypacks at Sams Club. Otherwise, I usually just see junk at WalMart, especially in the sporting goods section. If I'm looking for a bargain, I scour Sierra Trading Post and Campmor. Glad your WalMart had something good.

-Bob

 

[Fonly]

Yeah, my local walmart has some good stuff some times. Not often, but it happens.

 

[IUKE12]

I read the title and just assumed it was another I bought a Spyderco Native at wallyworld thread. Looks like you got some useful gear, thanks for sharing.

 

[B Finnigan]

I have never been inside a Wally World and never will.

 

[Robert H]

But the chicks! It's worth it just for that!

You don't hit the Lacey Wal Mart?

 

[shecky]

I've never used a computer, and I never will. Oh, wait...

 

[JTC]

I've never used a computer, and I never will. Oh, wait...

LOL. That was funny.

 

[JimMLa]

Oh, you meant inside the store. I thought you meant in the parking lot.

 

[razcob]

I bought and still have a camelback styled backback for $15 at Walmart. It is every good as the expensive camelbacks. In fact, the water bladders are nearly identical.

 

[B Finnigan]

But the chicks! It's worth it just for that!

You don't hit the Lacey Wal Mart?

They just built one in Yelm even though the entire town did not want them here. The town just did not have enough money to fight an entity that is financially the size of several countries.

Now as I come into town instead of seeing the entire Olympic mountain range with the sun setting behind them I see Wally World.:barf:

 

[billym]

Just bough a Vic Classic for a gift; $6.95 at WW.
Not bad. Also those Chinese Bucks for $14.95 are pretty well made.

 

[johnny reb]

are those Swissgear poles made in China? Be carefull, the Chinese are trying to kill us, and our pets with thier inferior products. Our local china-mart is still selling pet treats that were supposed to be pulled from the shelves because they are killing pets. Did you know that Craftsman tools are made in China? What a bunch of crap!!! Boycott "Made in China". Sorry for venting here, but I work awfully hard for my money, and hate to spend it on crap that doesn`t last long, or,it doesn`t work right out of the pakage. I just bought a bike from China-mart, paid a hundred dollars for it. I rode it half a block and the pedal fell off. The threads were all messed up. Almost went down. So back to China-mart for another(60 miles round trip,two trips120 miles) one. I now have a 21 speed mountain bike, but only one speed works. Something wrong with the "plastic" derailer .Another trip to China-mart?

 

[storl]

Be careful with those poles. I had a pair of the ones they used to sell (not sure if they are still the same), and they were about as stable as a Hollywood starlet. Mine liked to just collapse when weight was put on them, and the locking mechanism eventually just died. They wobbled when I extended them to their useful length (I am 5'11"), even if I was careful to not extend each section too far.

Keep an eye on steepandcheap.com. They have trekking poles relatively often, and you can get a top of the line pair for a decent price. I got a pair of Leki anti-shock titanium alloy poles for around $50 shipped.

That pack looks nice for occasional use though. WalMarts house brands are usually pretty decent quality. Their Sam's choice cajun trail mix is heaven.

 

[LittleHairyApe]

are those Swissgear poles made in China? Be carefull, the Chinese are trying to kill us, and our pets with thier inferior products. Our local china-mart is still selling pet treats that were supposed to be pulled from the shelves because they are killing pets. Did you know that Craftsman tools are made in China? What a bunch of crap!!! Boycott "Made in China". Sorry for venting here, but I work awfully hard for my money, and hate to spend it on crap that doesn`t last long, or,it doesn`t work right out of the pakage. I just bought a bike from China-mart, paid a hundred dollars for it. I rode it half a block and the pedal fell off. The threads were all messed up. Almost went down. So back to China-mart for another(60 miles round trip,two trips120 miles) one. I now have a 21 speed mountain bike, but only one speed works. Something wrong with the "plastic" derailer .Another trip to China-mart?

I had a similar situation when buying a bike at Target. I tested it out in the parking lot before taking it home. The first one had its front brake cable routed badly so that when you turned left the front brakes locked up tight. I took it back immediately, and got a second one. I tested that in the parking lot too, and it failed too. The third one was okay after I adjusted the seat, inflated the tires, and tightened the rear deraileur stop so that the chain wouldn't pop off randomly.

The basic problem, in my case at least, is that an American teenager is putting together bikes made iin China. i.e. double trouble. My schwinn rides fine, and it cost me $100, but I had to work at it. By getting almost everything we use made in China, we have lost the privilege of taking for granted that the items will meet any arbitrary minimum standard of performance. Crap is King. The rule "caveat emptor" more true now than ever. My two cents.

 

[Robert H]

They just built one in Yelm even though the entire town did not want them here. The town just did not have enough money to fight an entity that is financially the size of several countries.

Now as I come into town instead of seeing the entire Olympic mountain range with the sun setting behind them I see Wally World.:barf:

Yup. Even Yelm is growing. I go out there to my Doctor. It will be interesting to see if the Wal Mart survives if no one wanted it there. Is it doing business?

 

[SpookyPistolero]

Thanks for the heads up on the poles. I'll put them through the ringer on the next outing and post a review.

 

[JackBauer24]

I had a similar situation when buying a bike at Target. I tested it out in the parking lot before taking it home. The first one had its front brake cable routed badly so that when you turned left the front brakes locked up tight. I took it back immediately, and got a second one. I tested that in the parking lot too, and it failed too. The third one was okay after I adjusted the seat, inflated the tires, and tightened the rear deraileur stop so that the chain wouldn't pop off randomly.

The basic problem, in my case at least, is that an American teenager is putting together bikes made iin China. i.e. double trouble. My schwinn rides fine, and it cost me $100, but I had to work at it. By getting almost everything we use made in China, we have lost the privilege of taking for granted that the items will meet any arbitrary minimum standard of performance. Crap is King. The rule "caveat emptor" more true now than ever. My two cents.

cheap bikes are all like that. Doesn't matter where they are made. Plus, like you said, so goober is putting it together who's prolly never even used a wrench.

 

[B Finnigan]

Yup. Even Yelm is growing. I go out there to my Doctor. It will be interesting to see if the Wal Mart survives if no one wanted it there. Is it doing business?

There are cars in the lot but it's not full. If you appeal to the lowest common denominator they will come.

 

[thesupersurvivalpost]

While I was wandering through Walmart last week against my will, I meandered through the camping section. Turns out they had some pretty neat things.

First up, some trekking poles. I had been thinking about getting some for a while, but the ones I saw were nearly $30 a piece (waayy to much for me). These were SwissGear poles for $15 per pair!! There is also a compass built into the handle of each, accurate too.

Also, I saw some packs that I thought were plain backpacks at first. I checked since my gal was looking for a new school pack. Upon further inspection, it had an internal frame, a hip pad and a water bladder pouch. Cool!

Quality is pretty high and it's very light overall. Around 3500 cu. in., more than enough for a night or two in the woods. It's not quite long enough to fully accommodate my height, but it's not uncomfortable fully loaded (so far). Here is a not-so-hot picture of it..

It's not fully loaded, so you can't see the height accurately nor a proper view of the top. Price? $25!!! It's not exactly North Face, but it believe it will last a good while through normal woods duties.

I have only had a chance to play around with both of these, but not to actually test them in the woods. Both will be taken on my next trip. I will post a better review of all new items whenever I get the chance to go (school started this week so it may be a while).

I do believe it's worth a look at your local Wally World just in case you're in the market for such items.

Spooky, hi. I know most of my friends on the forum will like this, about walmart. One time at the end of each winter, walmart has a sale on fatwood fire starters and fire logs all sizes, and fire starters. I like the fatwood, it's the real good stuff, not the cheep junk, i see at some places in my town. The fatwood reg. price is $1.09 US. But i get it for .25 US, now that is a deal from any on. By the way, i do not work for walmart stores, no way!. Your friend at the post Donald S.