What SHOULD I get at Cabelas

silenthunterstudios

silenthunterstudios

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I am visiting Cabela's on my birthday next month, and want to pick up some camping based/survival gear. I'm more concerned with improving my basic skills, but I would like to splurge. Except for some discontinued knives in the Bargain Cave, maybe a Marlin lever action .30-.30 or an airgun, it will be ALL gear. I already have paracord, more than enough green and black (picked up a spool there last year). Got enough flashlights. Got a topographical compass, but I want to learn how to properly use it. I can get all of those knives cheaper elsewhere, and frankly except for the Buck chipflint 110, I'm not interested in many of them. I have a couple of firesteels. Should probably look for classes there instead, but they're all for fishing.

Looking for neat toys of course, but would like some ideas. I already have a pup tent, looking for a new sleeping bag, sleeping pad etc. I might buy custom knives, but I look for surplus gear and cheap shooters most of the time. Looking for stuff for simple car camping :p, and backpacking, but I have been practicing some things I've seen here. Also, practicing shelter building on my fathers property.

Primarily interested in camping and hiking supplies, but I am also interested in hunting and fishing supplies, also, boating supplies (anything, but I have a 26FT Trojan cabin cruiser). Hell, what do I look for first?

Any ideas would be appreciated.
 
:thumbup: on the Marlin 30-30. Get one before they move the plant out of New Haven.

Other than shooting supplies, I don't buy much gear at Cabela's. Their camping/hiking gear is pretty run of the mill. However, I do think they have some pretty nice clothing. Their outdoor sythetics and wool are generally of good quality, and sometimes reasonably priced. Other than the Marlin, I'd focus on clothing; and I'd buy my gear and knives from some of the stocking dealers that support WSS on BF.
 
Cookware? Maybe a nice big cast iron skillet or dutch oven for car camping. They had some nice looking ones last time I was there.
 
A good backbacking stove would be good to have. I strongly recommend the MSR Pocket Rocket for about $40.

Sharpening supplies for your blades?
 
I have a Cabelas within 45 minutes of me, and I don't go that often. Most of the stuff is what you can get at an ordinary sporting goods store, with the exception being their guns, amount of fishing equip. and bigger (and more expensive) knife display.

They do have some decent deals though. I'd say it really depends on what you really need, vs. want. If you need to splurge, get things that are more important to have. As a lot of it can be had elsewhere for a better price. Of course, it may just be when I go that everything is more expensive... that happens sometimes ;)
 
They have a decent price on the Kelty Coromell sleeping bags right now, though like many of their items, a strong google-foo will locate them cheaper elsewhere. Their store brand bags are generally cheaper and just as good as the manufacturer named brands, sometimes even better. They carry Lowa, Columbia and New Balance hiker boots and shoes, but have Cabela branded boots and shoes too.

I suggest that you order their 2010 camping catalog now so that you have an idea of what is available and ballpark prices. www.cabelas.com
 
Last thing I got there was a nice big cast iron pan, I love the thing, such a pleasure to cook on
 
since we're talking car camping, after you pick up the Marlin 336 in 30-30:
10x10 dome tent if they have one in the $80-100 range (6' center height is a big plus)
sleeping bag
camelback hydration pack
lodge cast iron skillet combo - deep skillet with handled lid that doubles as a griddle.
new 3-7 day cooler.
 
Their line of outdoor clothing is excellent for the price, especially when compared with other brands like North Face...which they also sell, BTW.
 
Sounds like you should see if they have any books, or even videos, related to their online field guides...like navigation with your topographical compass:D
 
Silent,

I'm close to there. Try a pair of their Buffalo Hide work gloves for cool/cold weather camping/hiking. I have the uninsulated ones, and they have proven durable and the chicks dig `em :)

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...en/common/search/search-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0

Not sure if you fly fish, but the best bargain in the world for a small stream rod is their 3 weight, 7`6` Three Forks rod - very cheap but legendary value on paflyfish.com forum. I have one and it casts better than my Sage :eek:

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...parentType=index&indexId=cat604915&hasJS=true

Check the cave for good boots. Got my Meindls there for $80 bucks.
 
Do your research on sleeping bags, get the most bang for your buck with the features you're looking for. Do your research on EVERYTHING-don't just buy it because you're burning a hole in your pocket and it's right in front of you-you'll save yourself a lot of money. I have a Marlin 336 I got used in great shape for 180 bucks at a pawn shop. After growing up on heavy barreled precision rifles it's taken a LOT of getting used to, with such a light business end, but it is a fine multipurpose rifle. Stuff I'd look at at Cabelas is packable camp cookware, primative archery stuff (awesome survival skill), optics (they have a decent selection of binos) boots, outdoor clothing, a pack rod and small packable fishing kit with a few jigs, plastics, spoons, spinners, bobbers etc.
 
How about a nice pair of Merrel Hiking boots (Moab Ventilators) I love mine :thumbup: Good outdoors hat (Tilley) :D Gortex Rain Suit ! Gerber/Fiskars Sportaxe (AWSOME) ! Ruger 10/22 :rolleyes: I could keep going but you get the idea ;)
 
silenthunterstudios said:
I am visiting Cabela's on my birthday next month, and want to pick up some camping based/survival gear. I'm more concerned with improving my basic skills, but I would like to splurge. Except for some discontinued knives in the Bargain Cave, maybe a Marlin lever action .30-.30 or an airgun, it will be ALL gear. .

Hell, what do I look for first?

Any ideas would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Look at the Mossberg new 30-30 lever. VERY nicely done, feels a lot like a Winchester but tighter to me.

New Water Bladder?

Some ultra-light for experiments?


Happy Birthday
 
Cabelas peddles some pretty decent footwear and I really like their socks. Sometimes you'll pull up an good find in the bargain cave, but that's about it.

Personally I support my local mom and pop gun store for my firearms, as they will give me the same or competitve deal on optics or arms. For my camping gear its the internet, and for things like odd's n' ends' or heavy cookware, I know of an excellent army surplus store in Billings Montana and they get my business.

Point is I support the small, little, mom and pop stores that shoot me the same price as Cabela's or even give me a better price. They take care of me. They know my name and who I am when I walk in the door. I choose to support them because they are local and they are not an large corperation like Cabela's happens to be.

Cabela's IMO isn't all that great and I find much deeper satisfaction supporting smaller online businesses and especially my local storefront businesses. When you purchase at Cabela's your paying the salaries of executives and shareholders. When you shop mom and pop/mainstreet your supporting an family in your local community.

Something to think about.
 
GPS are cool to learn on combined with your compass you would have lots of fun
Dan'l
 
OwenM said:
Sounds like you should see if they have any books, or even videos, related to their online field guides...like navigation with your topographical compass:D
Click to expand...

Yeah, maybe I should know exactly what the hell it is before I mention it :o.
 
I much prefer bass pro shop to cabelas, better prices IMO. I get to visit the one in VA once a year, and try to buy atleast 1 knife there.
 
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