HikerDeals' Best-of-the-Best Outdoor Gear Deals:
- Sierra Trading Post: Extra 15% Off Fishing, hunting & Work Gear
- Moosejaw: 10% off with coupon code MOOSE, extra 10% off sale items with code SUPERSALE
- Sierra Trading Post: Extra 10% Off Boots, Shoes, Gear, and Workout Apparel + January Coupon 10% Off $100+ Orders
HikerDeals Bargain, Deal, and Sale Archive for December, 2005
Big Shopping Comparison Sites Reviewed by Consumer Reports
All the biggest shopping comparison sites (Yahoo Shopping, Froogle, Shopping.com, PriceGrabber, etc.) are reviewed here by Consumer Reports. For the most part I agree with their ratings, although both Froogle (a Google site) and Yahoo Shopping have been upgraded since the review was completed.
One thing worth noting is that these big review sites are often just a waste of time when you’re trying to find a one-off product or looking for the BIGGEST deals. The smaller, human-edited sites do a better job of staying updated with the one-day sales and other limited coupons. My favorites include:
- Ben’s Bargains for electronics, stereo, and camera deals
- Deal Coupon for the latest coupons
- Anandtech Hot Deals forum for electronics and outright free stuff
SmartWool Adrenaline Cushioned Merino Wool Hiking Socks
These are awesome hiking socks. I just ordered a gift from Sierra Trading Post and snuck in two pairs of these for myself. At only $8.95/pair, 47% off, for top-quality Smartwool Hiking Socks it’s well worth it (plus, this is probably the only way I’m going to get the exact gift I wanted).
73% Off Lowe Alpine Mettle Tech Zip-Off Backpacking Pants
73% off at Sierra Trading Post: These tough hiking pants have zip-off legs, making them more comfrotable and versatile when you’re wearhing them and reducing the load in your pack because they’re both shorts and pants. Like all good backpacking pants, the waist area is lined with a soft, wicking fabric. The Mettle pants also add stretch panels in the knees and seat areas.
Regularly $99 the Lowe Alpine Mettle zip-off pants are only $26.95 and available with 34, 36, and 38-inch waist (they’re probably super-discounted because some people didn’t realize that’s what Euro sizes 50-54 mathch to).
43% Off SmartWool RBX Ultra Cushion Mini-Crew Socks, Men’s and Women’s
Good socks make a lot of difference when hiking, running, or even working out at the gym. The Smartwool RBX Ultra cushion socks are good socks. They have extra dense padding that won’t flatten out and protects better against blisters and it’s more durable too. They’re also a bargain at Sierra Trading Post, marked down to just $7.95 a pair and with Smartwool’s full-satisfaction warranty.
Thermic CF Insulation & the Mountain Hardware Lamina Sleeping Bag 20% Off
The most striking thing about the Lamina sleeping bag is how small it is once it’s stuffed into a stuff sack.
Thermic CF is a Mountain Hardware-exclusive insulation. Like all synthetic insulations it mimics down in trying to be light, warm, and still compressible. Unlike any other synthetic insulation I’ve tried the Thermic CF is actually very close to the compressibility, warmth, and weight of down. In the store the 32-degree Lamina stuffed as small as 40-degree synthetic bags and 20-degree 650-fill down bags. While really expensive down bags may have it beat a bit on size, Thermic CF definitely looks to be a big improvement on other synthetic insulations.
The Mountain Hardware Thermic CF 32-degree bag
is on sale now, just $95.96 and free shipping from BackcountryOutlet.com.
I’m still interested to see how durable the warmth of Thermic CF will be. All sleeping bags with Thermic CF have the insulation “welded” to the bag’s shell fabric. That should keep the insulation from bunching or shredding and make it more durable than most other synthetics – but will it last through 5-6 years of heavy camping that way that down does…?
In the outdoors the Lamina 32 made for a comfortable night’s sleep. Like other Mountain Hardware sleeping bags, the footbox was plenty roomy. It accommodated my feet, fleece pants, & heavy socks, to be kept warm for the next morning, and didn’t make me feel completely mummified. The bag also slept plenty warm – in slightly warmer temperatures than it’s rated for. Since I’m in Southern California and didn’t have the time to drive up to Mammoth to find cold weather, the best I could do was a 45-degree night without a tent. In 45-degree weather with light wind the bag’s draft flap and head gasket worked very well to seal out the wind and cold.
My one complaint doesn’t affect the warmth of the bag, but it is uncomfortable to have to breathe through the small hole in the head gasket all night. I would have liked a draft collar or insulated “yoke” at the shoulder level, instead of the head gasket to keep cold air from getting around my head and into the bag. I’m sure a tent would have stopped a lot of the wind and prevented this problem, but I did spend the night with a t-shirt stuffed around my neck to keep the breeze out of the bag.
Also, I’ve previously commented on the lack of a draft collar making a Western Mountaineering HighLite bag seem shorter – the same goes for the Lamina 32, stick with the longer size if you’re close to the height cutoff.
Black Diamond Moonlight LED Headlamp Just $15.72
Regularly $29.95 the Moonlight LED headlamp from Black Diamond is 47% off at SteepAndCheap today. This is a 3.2 ounce, 4 LED headlamp that even has a tilt feature (my one pet-peeve about most ultralight LED headlamps is that they don’t aim very well, if at all).
So, not only is this a good headlamp – it may be the lowest-priced LED headlamp available right now.
Arc’Teryx Javelin Comp Schoeller Softshell Jackets 33% Off
33% off both men’s and women’s Arc’Teryx Javelin Comp Shoeller softshell jackets at the Sierra Trading Post. These are tough Schoeller Dryskin softshells with a lean cut and just 21 ounces of weight that won’t get in the way:
- Men’s Arc’Teryx Javelin Comp softshell jacket, just $199.95 at 33% off
- Women’s Arc’Teryx Javelin Comp softshell jacket, also just $199.95 at 33% off
Eastbay Shoes & Sporting Goods Coupon: $20 Off Any $99+ Order
Running shoes, trail hiking shoes, and general workout wear are all on sale at Eastbay.coma>. Enter coupon code LKS1TEWS at checkout to score $20 off any order of $99 and up.
$10 Off and $1 Shipping from Overstock.com
Of all things, I just bought a pair of shoes and a pair of sheets from Overstock.com. Both were a lot less expensive (and a lot faster & easier to order) than wherever I would have gotten them at the mall – of course, I haven’t been to the mall to go shopping in a long time because I’d rather spend my time, and money, somewhere that doesn’t require a parking lot hike. Just click the image or link to visit Overstock.com and the coupon will be applied at checkout.
30% Off The North Face Nuptse Down Vest
Closeout pricing on a discontinued color of the Nuptse vest from The North Face drops the price 30% to $87.47. That’s a great price on this 700-fill power, brand name, lifetime warranty vest, and even sweeter with free ground shipping at Backcountry Outlet.
Ski and Snowboard Goggles on Clearance at BackcountryOutlet
Extra credit to the peoples at Backcountry Outlet for putting a ton of goggles on sale – while everyone else will be charging full-bill until this spring, plus all orders of $50 and up have free ground shipping.
- 36% off the Smith Rhythm Regulator goggles, just $34.95 – with adjustable airflow vents
- 41% off the Spy Soldier Team goggles like their sponsored riders wear for just $79.95
- 30% off the popular Electric EG1 goggles, $59.97-$64.47 depending on frame and lens colors.
- 30% off the Von Zipper Sizzle goggles, just $59.47 with high-contrast lenses
- Even more styles at the complete clearance goggle section
Women’s The North Face Hiatus Pants 33% Off
The North Face Hiatus pants are sweet laid-back or get-up-and-do-everything stretch terry pants with North Face’s awesome quality. Just $29.95, plus free shipping (on $75+ orders) and no sales tax outside of NV or WY at Sierra Trading Post.
Just $18.95 for Royal Robbins Oakwood Crewneck Sweater
Royal Robbins (one of the original climbing partners of Yvon Chouinard – founder of Black Diamond and Patagonia) makes durable clothes with outdoor styling, but they’re nice enough that even your Grandmother won’t criticise them. Normally $40, this Royal Robbins Oakwood crewneck sweater is a bargain, especially when combined with no sales tax and free shipping (on $75+ orders) at Sierra Trading Post.
Awesome Trail Running Shoes, Nike Air Steens II Just $55
Nike’s Air Zoom Steens II trail running shoes are rated very highly for cushion, traction, and foot protection. Even better, Nike desgned the fit on the Steens II for the slower paces and thicker socks of both trail running and light hiking. At $54.97 they’re one of the best-priced, high-end, trail running shoes I’ve seen for a few months (and I’m probably even going to get a pair for myself).
Also, free shipping on the Steens II shoe. Altrec has free shipping on all orders of $45 and up.