Has Anyone Else Lost the REI Mojo?

[Rockskipper]

Big sale just started, took a look and didn't see anything I wanted except Jelly Bellies, which of course aren't on sale.

I could use the 20% off one full-price-item coupon, but it ends up being only 60 cents for a bag at 3 bucks. Kind of a waste of the coupon. I did see some backpacker's creme brulee..

 

[Bob]

Nope, never had it.......l always find a better price somewhere else..... but Jelly Bellys ?? at REI. Try all a dollar store

 

[regehr]

yeah, it wasn't all that long ago that the SLC REI had a big bucket of long spoons for 0.99 each. now they're individually wrapped and they're at least ten bucks. that's not inflation, it's just catering to a different kind of customer

 

[Bob]

Or gouging.

 

[Rockskipper]

I don't actually buy jelly bellies at REI - actually, I don't buy anything there anymore. I used to love that store, but it's changed, and I haven't.

 

[balzaccom]

I still shop occasionally at REI, but the mojo I have lost is the lust for new gear. I have good gear, and I am happy with it. If anything, I'd like to use it more often. But window shopping--either live or online--doesn't appeal to me.

 

[Jackson]

It's still my go-to for a lot of stuff when I need it faster than I can get it delivered. Consumables like gel chews for cycling, backpacking meals, and backpacking fuel mostly, and other stuff when I need it in a pinch. I'll buy an article of clothing or a pair of shoes there maybe once every other year. It's pretty much never a great deal, but it's convenient at least for where I live.

 

[wsp_scott]

I only buy stuff from REI when there is a sale, just ordered a new sleep pad yesterday. It was marked down and then 20% off.

 

[Kmatjhwy]

Now occasionally will shop at REI, but they are soooo expensive it seems anymore. Often can find good gear cheaper elsewhere. Plus there is Amazon. But again do go into and shop there occasionally.

 

[TractorDoc]

I've never had a physical REI that was local/close enough to visit often. When I do have the opportunity to visit one I usually browse two places.

1. The camp food section -- to see if there is something new I have not yet tried.
2. The clearance section -- if I've ever bought anything in store it has been from there.

I will give the website a look when the REI brand apparel is on sale for 30% off. I find the Sahara shirts comfortable and wear one to work nearly every day.
I try not to pay full price for gear if I can help it, I used to check out Sierra Trading Post from time to time but the selection there has been less tempting lately. I am also fortunate in that I have most everything I need for my backpacking/outdoor trips these days. I probably have enough jackets, packs, sleeping bags, etc. to last me well into the future.

 

[TheMountainRabbit]

I've never had a physical REI that was local/close enough to visit often. When I do have the opportunity to visit one I usually browse two places.

1. The camp food section -- to see if there is something new I have not yet tried.
2. The clearance section -- if I've ever bought anything in store it has been from there.

I will give the website a look when the REI brand apparel is on sale for 30% off. I find the Sahara shirts comfortable and wear one to work nearly every day.
I try not to pay full price for gear if I can help it, I used to check out Sierra Trading Post from time to time but the selection there has been less tempting lately. I am also fortunate in that I have most everything I need for my backpacking/outdoor trips these days. I probably have enough jackets, packs, sleeping bags, etc. to last me well into the future.

I get cooking gas and bear spray when I visit Alaska - and occasionally I'll grab some of the REI brand clothing on sale. Otherwise not much to get there. And I'm fortunate to have local options like Neptune Mountaineering that I'd rather give my money if I need specialty gear.

I am a huge fan of the Sahara shirts, too - the problem (for REI) is that their old ones were too high quality. I've been wearing the same two shirts on the majority of my trips since 2014.

The one piece of gear I might finally replace this year is my backpack - and I won't be looking for that at REI.

 

[Janice]

It's strange - the only backpacks that work for me are REI brand. I've tried numerous others and none of them are as comfortable on me. Don't know why!

 

[Tarp Boy]

I think gear has gotten expensive everywhere. but keep in mind when comparison shopping that there is the member rebate (for future REI purchases), usually about 10%. I suspect that some things still might be over priced with that though. Keep in mind that they do have a generous return policy.
I find I shop a lot at a nearby Sierra store. They usually have better pricing on dehydrated meals. And while there, I'll usually pick up more isobutane fuel canisters as they are cheaper there too.

The other annoying thing about REI is the gear reviews. Seems a lot are just from influencer(dot)com. That's really useless.

 

[RyanP]

Two things are both true about me and REI: 1. I hardly spend any money there at all any more, and 2. I love to have one close by for when I need one (for fuel canisters or other small miscellaneous odds and ends for backpacking or skiing)

 

[Bob]

I have found that hardware stores and outdoors stores usually have fuel canisters...................

 

[scatman]

I guess I am the only one keeping REI in business anymore then.

My second and third tents were REI tents: The Half Dome (2 person) and the SoloLite (1 person)


Half Dome - Lava Creek, Teton Wilderness


Half Dome - Pacific Creek, Teton Wilderness


SoloLite - Black Canyon of the Yellowstone


SoloLite - Sierras


After having kids, I purchased the REI Camp Hut 4


Camp Hut 4 - Grizzly Lake, Yellowstone


Camp Hut 4 - Ribbon Lake, Yellowstone


Once my kids got older and bigger, the Camp Hut didn't cut it anymore, so I picked up a Base Camp 6, which did the trick.


Base Camp 6 - Howard Eaton Trail, Yellowstone


Ice Lake, Yellowstone


Base Camp Six - Grebe Lake, Yellowstone


Base Camp 6 - Sevenmile Hole, Yellowstone


Also, as my kids grew, the Half Dome became to cramped to fit two comfortably, so I picked up the REI TAJ 3.


TAJ 3 - Pitchstone Plateau, Yellowstone


TAJ 3 - Bechler Canyon, Yellowstone


TAJ 3 - Lowe Geyser Basin, Yellowstone


TAJ 3 - Fairy Falls, Yellowstone


I wasn't really satisfied with the RAJ 3, so I picked up a Half Dome Three Plus


Half Dome Three Plus - Yellowstone Lake, Yellowstone


Half Dome Three Plus - Grebe Lake, Yellowstone


So when three of us went on a backpacking trip, I picked up the Half Dome 4 Plus that fits three comfortably.


Half Dome 4 Plus - Pebble Creek, Yellowstone


Half Dome 4 Plus - Snake River, Yellowstone


I've picked up a few other REI tents along the way when they were on sale and I had dividend money to burn.



A Base Camp Four - Grant Village Campground, Yellowstone


Camp Dome Six - Grant Village Campground, Yellowstone


Camp Dome 6 - Uintas


And as I've grown older, I switched back to some one man tents from REI: The Passage 1, Quarter Dome 1, and the Quarter Dome 1 SL.


Passage 1 - Beartooths


Passage 1 - Gila River, NM


Quarter Dome 1 SL - Gregg's Fork, Yellowstone


Quarter Dome 1 SL - Joseph's Coat, Yellowstone


Quarter Dome 1 SL - Thorofare/Yellowstone River, Yellowstone


Quarter Dome 1 - Buffalo Lake, Yellowstone


Quarter Dome 1 - Boundary Creek, Yellowstone.


So much for the tents, now lets move on to packs.


REI Traverse New Star - Grizzly Lake, Yellowstone


REI Flash 18's - Shoshone Lake, Yellowstone


REI Traverse New Star - Pacific Creek Trailhead, Teton Wilderness


New Star - Nine Mile Trailhead, Yellowstone


REI Traverse Rising Star - Between Ice and Wolf Lakes, Yellowstone



The REI Traverse 30 - Mount Olympus North Summit


The REI Trail 40 - Mount Olympus South Summit


The REI Trail 25 - Mount Van Cott


REI Flash 30 - Wildcat Ridge


And I picked up the Osprey Kester 32 Park Service Centennial Pack from REI - Bald Mountain and Reid's Peak, the Uintas


Lookout Mountain hike

I also have an assortment of REI brand shirts and Nalgene bottles that I've collected over the years.

All that being said, I now mostly get socks, freeze dried meals and fuel bottles for myself and @TractorDoc these days. And I still enjoy walking through the store when I'm in the neighborhood.

 

[Bob]

If you still own all that.....Where do keep it all? You could open your own store....

 

[Rockskipper]

@scatman could outfit a Tibetan army.

Scatty, in the photo of you wearing the green hat and kilt your pack looks like a bagpipe. I never thought about this much, but you could really amp up the effect if you started carrying one. Think of the possibilities!

Would like to see the same breakdown with your camera collection.

 

[fossana]

Being from the PacNW, I grew up on REI. Now, once in a rare while I buy something from them on super clearance or from their garage. If I need a last minute or less expensive item, I try to support one of the independent local retailers.

 

[wick e. pedia]

Full disclosure, I've got a small site/blog that got approved as an REI affiliate and I run their ads and get commissions on anything bought through those, including stuff I buy for myself (quite the perk).

Still, I only ever really buy stuff there when it's one of their big seasonal sales since that plus the ~8% commission makes it way cheaper for me than anywhere else. My latest rain shell's an REI Flash Stretch jacket, and I picked up our big car camping tent through them once we had our second daughter.

Basically I go through REI for most all 'big' purchases, but if I need something like dehydrated meals or fuel I'll typically hit a smaller spot that's more on location for an upcoming trip. I always hit up places like The Trailhead in Buena Vista when down that way for trips, High Country in Jackson, Escalante Outfitters, Ouray Mountain Sports, or J & H when back in Kentucky for a Red River Gorge trek.