[at-l] Wow:-)

[Bob Cummings <ellen@clinic.net> (Bob Cummings)]

"...I plan to check Play It Again Sports and ebay, and all the local yard sales
and classifieds.  Any other good places to look?"

In Maine, at least, at least some Good Will stores receive periodic donations of
outdoors clothing from LL Bean. Some is brand new. Some has been returned by
customers under Bean's unlimited return policy. Occasionally, I've even seen
backpacking and family-type tents available at massive discounts. Recently LL
Bean pants were being sold at my local Goodwill for 25 cents each.

  Reny Department Stores in Maine often have "seconds" from Beans, LandsEnd and
  other outdoor specialists at half price or less. In most of the country,
  wearing the LandsEnd label means the ability to buy slightly upscale, costly
  clothing. In my town, it means you are wearing the cheapest (in price) stuff
  around.

BTW, the biggest savings comes from just using stuff you have around the house.
Despite the advertising hype, this year's latest gear is rarely significantly
better than that sold last year or a decade ago. I did the trail with a quarter
century old down sleeping bag, an equally old down jacket, 10-year-old resoled
boots, and a 15-year-old backpack. My only "major" new purchase was a coated
nylon rain jacket from Campmor ($19).

Weary '93