What to buy at REI?

[slowhike]

i find a lot less useful stuff at REI than i used to since i've began to "lighten my load", but they still have some useful items like the stuff the others have mentioned.
it's still fun to look around... i just have to remind myself not to waste money on stuff i'm going to wish i hadn't of later<G>.

the long handled spoon has been a favorite piece of gear for me. it lets you eat out of a bag w/o getting food on your hand (or glove).

i also noticed that REI is carrying the "Fire-lite" & "Fire-Tabs" stuff which could be extremely helpful for starting a fire, especially if every thing is wet.

and they have a variety of stuff/dry sacks to choose from.

[stoikurt]

[QUOTE=slowhike;44952]i find a lot less useful stuff at REI than i used to since i've began to "lighten my load", but they still have some useful items like the stuff the others have mentioned.
it's still fun to look around... i just have to remind myself not to waste money on stuff i'm going to wish i hadn't of later<G>.
QUOTE]

Ditto on that.

[nartoff]

I don't think anyone has yet mentioned socks (you know, to put on your feet while you're carrying your hammock to the trees). REI usually has an impressive array of SmartWool socks, sometimes on sale 2 for the price of 3. Three pairs of these can constitute an entire hiking AND day-to-day sock wardrobe (one pair of black liner socks to wear with dress clothes and two different colored hiker socks for everything else, for instance). They're great for hiking and you'd be amazed at how many days you can wear these things when you're just going about your business before they start to smell.

[skar578]

i dont have an REI near me, but sounds like you will be set. congrats man.

[Hooch]

......
i also noticed that REI is carrying the "Fire-lite" & "Fire-Tabs" stuff which could be extremely helpful for starting a fire, especially if every thing is wet.

I'm a fan of the old petroleum jelly and cotton balls method myself.

[pure_mahem]

I'm a fan of the old petroleum jelly and cotton balls method myself.

Me too! I always keep a pill bottle full of them in my pack. Saves a lot of time getting the fire blazing!

[slowhike]

I'm a fan of the old petroleum jelly and cotton balls method myself.

actually, i am too. that's one of the best (& cheapest) fire starters i've used.
i've carried them for years. a film canister holds about 4.
i also carry a bunch of dry cotton balls in a zip lock. great combo.
but get real "cotton" balls, not the synthetic ones.

[Cannibal]

a film canister holds about 4.

???????
I think I cram about 10 or so into my film cannister. Gotta kind of pick em apart later, but not that hard.

[rhjanes]

Thanks rhjanes and txulrich! I just google-mapped it, and I think I might go to the store on LBJ and skip the one on Preston.

don't freak out when you get there. They have been remodeling the front of the place for about 6 months now! Inside is nice, clean, great. And next door is a Guitar Center Music store, if you are into music stuff.

[txulrich]

I really think it's the better store. 2 floors, climbing wall and a lot more floor space. You'll be happier there.

BTW, when are you going to be in town? Maybe we can get together and hoist one, or two?