The Walmart Camping Section

[TrailSlug]

I work across the street from Walmart and out of boredom I go about 3-4 days a week. I always go through the camping section to see what's new. They have the nylon storage bags I like as well as a ton of other camping/hiking wares. I'm amazed that our Walmart's in this area (11 of them in the Huntsville area) stock more camping gear than do Dicks and their competitors do.

[photomankc]

-Ozark Trail Yeti Type Coolers and Tumblers.
-Workable Car Camping Sleeping Bags.
-Cheap biners for quick clip-ons.
-The blue pad.
-Sometimes a decent selection of cord.
-Knorr (sp) brand sides - With a bit of meat and less than a pint of milk they make great boil and eat meals.

[Trail Runner]

From Walmart specifically, I used one of their blue CCF pads as a ground dweller for several years and then a few months as a hammock camper. I bought my 12cm Imusa pot there. I also used a set of their flick-lock trekking poles for 2 1/2 years and they were still going strong when I donated them. I think I bought my S-biners at either Lowes or Home Depot.

The local supermarket chain that employs me has a "Closeout" section that features a wide variety of items. I get a lot of my odds & ends stuff like hand-sanitizer, Gorilla tape, bug spray etc. My favorite thing that I use for camping that bought there is a pair of fleece-lined tights. They're actually women's tights. I had to buy size XXL to fit my 6', 160lb body but they make great sleeping bottoms in the hammock.

[rick417]

Until I get a proper top quilt, I never hang without my Ozark Trails 50*F sleeping bag. It's pretty compact and when combined with my US Army poncho liner, it's kept me comfy into the low 30*F (just above freezing).

[Flash Grundelore]

My best score was one of the old OT 250 32° down bags... $59 on a "red-tag" [the cardboard collar was off it]
I also love my 8L Outdoor Products daypack... hydro badder included- $24 on another red-tag.
And they are a good place to get Mountain House freeze-dried chow, but the selection varies constantly.

[Scarecrow]

Good old Walmart... It's where I got my:
- Stanley Adventure Camp Cook set (getting replaced soon though with something lighter)
- Set of 3 dry bags (small, medium, large)
- Outdoor Products 5' x 7' tarp (although it doesn't see much use)
- Outdoor Products GAMA 8.0 35L daypack
- Coleman toilet paper (sold in a 3 pack with dispenser case)
- Heet

[oldgringo]

Where I camp, there's more rock than dirt. My stakes are steel gutter spikes from the lumber yard (remember those?). I pound them in with a rubber mallet from WM, and pull them with the hook on the handle. $2.

[jellyfish]

That reminds me stopping at walmart in PA once. I was looking for the beer...I wandered all over the place. I finally asked the guy and he looked at me funny, then said something like "uh, the closest distributor is over in..." I thinking "a who?"

We have designated stores where I live too. I am always jealous of places that commingle the groceries.

[oldgringo]

Commingle ftw! (I couldn't help myself.)

[La Picker]

Only place I can find Mountain House in the single serve size.