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 'Snow & Slopes Gear' Category
$59 - Mountain Hardware Huckster Backpack
When I managed at a gear store my friend and I spent days looking for a good ski-carrying pack to put next to the rows of snowboarding packs. We didn’t have great luck, but it turned out OK because we were in Chicago and the whole snowboarding thing was overhyped for a place where 400 feet is a lot of vertical.
Too bad the Huckster ski-carrying pack from Mountain Hardware wasn’t around then. This pack is a low-profile daypack most of the year, and a backcountry skiing monster during the winter. Skis can be carried a-frame or diagonally and the aluminum stay and rigid strapdown panel guarantee the skis will stay put comfortably and the pack (& your back) won’t end up wrapped around them. Also has a hydration bladder sleeve, insulated hydration hose, and a big loading panel.
The pack also ships for free and has no sales tax if you ship it outside of Washington state, at Altrec.com.
$48 - Mountain Hardware Transition Windstopper Soft Shell Shirt
The Transition shirt from Mountain Hardware is the lightest softshell possible with modern fabrics. At only 10 ounces it provides full body protection from wind and light rain and even has a feathered lining that’s soft enough to wear without another shirt underneath - perfect for hiking in hot, humid, and rainy conditions. Cut is slightly baggy due to the material, though the fabric’s stretch and quarter-zip allow a snugger fit than previous versions.
Currently just $47.96 at Sierra Trading Post, only available in size Small and Medium.
$110 - The North Face Men’s Prophecy Waterproof Shell Jacket
Waterproof, lightweight, and on sale. It doesn’t get much better than that in waterproof, breathable shells - but the Prophecy shell from The North Face is also well-designed and durable. At just 10.4 ounces it’s surprising that this shell still sports a fully adjustable hood, pit-zips (!!! - and I like pit-zips so much better than the chest pocket vents that are common on ultralight gear lately), and both chest pockets and a sleeve pocket that’s perfect for lip balm or an iPod. At just $109.99 I’m even more surprised that The North Face kept the price on this shell so low.
The full warranty and quality from The North Face and both free shipping & no sales tax outside of WA from Altrec make this shell a deal compared to generic shop-brands at similar prices. Also, still available in Blue, Black, and Orange in all sizes S - XL.
$179.97 - The North Face Men’s Apex Free Climb Softshell Jacket
Made from Polartec Power Shield and with “welded” seams the Apex softshell jacket from The North Face is a great piece of gear. I don’t own one yet, but the 40% off at Backcountry Outlet is making me think about getting one - even though the price is still about $180.
Like all softshells it’s wind and water resistant, but it’s also lightweight and slightly insulated. Normally I’m a fan of softshells with nothing thicker than the windproof membrane, but those don’t quite cut it when you’re not really moving around in the cold and typically using some type of membrane they also don’t seem to fit much better than the hardshell jackets they’re supposed to replace. The North Face got it right with the Apex, it’s cut trim (I wouldn’t recommend it if your waistline is bigger than your chest measurement) and is REALLY flexible. Not only is the Power Shield fabric great, but the sonic welding on the seams actually fely like they worked - more flexible and lighter than stitching.
$120 - Patagonia Women’s Down Vest
I never used to like it when gear manufacturers called their lightweight down jackets and vests “sweaters”. After all, they were really just less-warm versions of their normal down jackets, but were still too bulky to wear comfortably under a waterproof shell … but that was until Patagonia introduced their down sweaters and vests which are all super trim, extra light, and with enough 800-fill power down to still be really warm. They’re stylish and comfortable enough that after trying one on my wife almost demanded it as a Christmas gift.
The Patagonia women’s down vest that’s on sale now is one of those great pieces, the same one my wife wanted. It’s filled with 800-fill down, and the close-spaced baffles keep the loft down to just an inch or two. Always sweating the details, Patagonia also added extra stitching under the arms to keep the down to about a half-inch thick and make the vest really trim and comfortable - not to mention the rip-stop shell fabric that keeps the weight down to just 6 ounces. Per the reviews on Altrec.com this sweater vest is a bit shorter and trimmer-fitting than the average down jacket, so women in between sizes or with larger busts should size-up one size.
Currently it’s available in XS, S, M, & L sizes for just $119.99 at Altrec and it includes free shipping, like all backcountry gear orders of $45 and up.
$29.70 - Gregory Nano Backpack (70% Off!)
Sierra Trading Post is having a BarnBurner sale this weekend. All items on sale are discounted at least 50% for just 1-2 days at a time, with new items getting added each day.
My top pick in the clearance today is the Gregory Nano backpack. This pack is part of Gregory’s “All Terrain” series, so despite it’s daypack appearance it has a sturdy harness and light frame for better comfort and load support. With the trim, 1,000 cubic-inch profile it will make a great climber’s or skier’s pack (though you’re going to have to be creative in carrying skis with this thing, not many straps on the outside to attach them to). Even better though is that it will make a great daypack for kids who want to carry some of their own gear, or even a weekend pack for smaller children not yet ready to lug their own sleeping bag and part of the tent.
Making the pack even better is the $29.70 price, it’s normally $99. Also if you’re in a gear shopping mood and want to add a few more items to your order this link is the: Sierra Trading Post free shipping on $100+ coupon, coupon applied to cart when total is over $100 (NOTE: only this link in the message is a coupon and it doesn’t link straight to the Nano pack, so you’ll have to use this link & then search for “nano” if you want the coupon and the pack).
Ski Season is Over, Not In These Desktop Wallpapers
The snow is gone and the slopes are closed for the season but you can still remember the blue-sky days until nest season starts. Grab one or all of these backcountry ski & board wallpapers for your work or home computer.
The wallpapers are all free from Backcountry.com. They’ve got summer camping gear for upcoming trips or check out their Outlet section for big discounts on last years snowboard and ski gear.
19% Off Yakima Racks at Moosejaw.com
Yakima car racks are on sale at Moosejaw.com right now. Not a big sale, just 10% off, but you can also use coupon code SUPERSALE at checkout to get another 10% off the sale price. Total discount after coupon code is 19% off regular prices.
And, while Yakima parts are kinda’ bulky and heavy ground shipping is free from Moosejaw on all orders of $49 or more. Even better, there’s no sales tax on anything unless you’re shipping it to Michigan or Illinois. Since I used to live in Chicago and still have friends there who read this site, that stinks for you, but you can ship your new gear to me and come visit. I won’t use your gear before you get here. Really I just want an excuse to go camping and use your new gear once you get here.
48% Off Nissan All-Stainless Steel Insulated Thermos
Not only is stainless steel cool to look at and almost unbreakable, but this Nissan insulated bottle is better insulated than all those old glass thermos bottles that did brea so easily. This one holds 26 ounces of food or beverage and is great at keeping coffee, soup, & more hot and lemonade, margaritas, & more cold for a full 24 hours. As a lefty, really like the dual right-and-left pour spouts to keep things easy and all the parts from getting lost in stadium stands or on a ski chairlift.
Right now the bottle is just $17.74, a big bargain at 48% off, and eligible for free shipping on all orders of $25+ from Amazon.com.
$200 - The North Face Men’s Mountain Light Jacket on Sale
The Mountain Light GoreTex shell from The North Face is 33% off n discontinued colors at Altrec.com during their spring clearance sale. Normally $298.95, it’s just $199.97 now in limited sizes (currently Smalland Medium only).
The Mountain Light parka is one of the most popular waterproof/breathable shells on the market for good reason. It’s made from genuine GoreTex XCR fabric and weighs only 1 pound, 10 ounces (men’s jacket) but keeps plenty of features and comfort like a full hood, handwarmer pockets & vented chest pockets, and a brushed collar lining.
It’s an even better deal with free shipping from Altrec, like all orders from them over $45, plus no sales tax outside of WA and free return shipping if you’re unhappy with it.
$18.98 - Patagonia Capilene 2 Men’s Long-Sleeve Crew, 50% Off
Patagonia is discontinuing their gray (aka “stainless-whale bone”) color of the Capilene 2 long-sleeve crew. Except in 85+° F heat this shirt is great for keeping the sun off or as a lightweight, non-stinky underlayer. Yes, I’ve complained about Capilene’s tendency to get smelly before, but the new “Galdiodor” treatment works a lot better - even though I still think Marmot’s DriClime & Terramar’s EC2 are a bit better and any brand of merino wool long underwear has all the synthetics beat.
Anyway, the Stainless-color of Capilene 2 top is 50% off at Backcountry.com right now. That’s $18.98, available in sizes M, XL, & XXL for now, and still eligible for their free shipping on $50+ orders deal too.
$120 - The North Face Nuptse Men’s Down Jacket
The Nuptse down jacket from TNF is like that guy from highschool who everyone liked - not the quarterback or valedictorian, but always pulling his weight in lab groups and saying “hi” in the halls.
The Nuptse down parka may not be the lightest, toughest, or warmest down jacket on the market, but it is a 1 pound, 10 ounce piece of comfort when it’s cold out. Filled with 700-fill power down to keep the price down and with water-resistant & reinforced shoulders to keep it going for years (and the lifetime The North Face warranty doesn’t hurt either).
And, it’s 40% off at Altrec.com and covered by free shipping right now. That makes it just $119.97 shipped - and it’s still available in at least one color in sizes M - XXL.
$99 - Patagonia Women’s Wind Tracker Jacket
The Patagonia Wind Tracker jacket is a new kind of hybrid - half soft shell and half wind breaker - for active, aerobic outdoor use. With typical Patagonia attention to detail, a stretchy, windproof fabric covers the front torso and upper arms and stretch fleece covers the shoulders, back, lower sleeves and underarms all while shaping and torso darts provide a feminine fit. One unusual extra, a favorite among those who’ve used them, are thumb loops in the wrist-cuffs. They keep sleeves from riding up to expose wrists to cold and can help keep hands partially covered when you’re cooking or doing camp tasks where gloves can’t be worn. The whole package is just 11 ounces and this softshell is also protected by Patagonia’s Deluge DWR water-repellant treatment.
Plus, the Wind Tracker jacket ships for free from Altrec, like all orders of $45 and up.
$77 - Ground Sirius Men’s PrimaLoft Synthetic-down Jacket
Living in southern California now I often forget about how many cold, wet spring trips cabin fever drove my friends and I to take. If you’re in the same boat either constantly worry about keeping your down parka dry or find a squeeze-dry synthetic fill parka.
A good example is this new, on-clearance PrimaLoft jacket for $77. No direct-links into REI, so search for item # 747636 to see the Ground Sirius at REI-Outlet.com. Same cut and features at most down jackets, a few ounces more weight at 1 pound, 12 ounces, and the lack or worry knowing it will still insulate in a downpour and can get almost dry just by squeezing it out.
One tip on synthetic fill jackets like this: don’t wring or shake them out. Wringing tears the fibers apart and reduces their insulation ability and shaking can redistribute the insulation and leave cold spots.