Where can I buy a tent online?

Where can I buy a nice tent & sleeping bag online?

• I'm going camping and hiking with a bunch of people soon and I'm looking for a good website that sells camping and hiking gear. I need a tent, sleeping bag, and probably a few ...show more

• Answer:

  If there is any emphasis on the word 'nice' in that question I would suggest going where the people that really depend on their gear go. It will cost you a lot more, (think an extra 100 - 200 dollars per item) but the gear will never let you down and last you 10 years or more. Places that are selling to hunters and fishers (or ex military guys) tend to sell cheaper gear because the customers are looking for a better price and expect to suffer some when staying outdoors. If you want nice gear go to the stores that sell to climbers, backpackers, mountaineers and other outdoor sports where the emphasis is on back-country travel and don't do it just because the deer or fish happen to be out there. A good brand for both of the items you mentioned is Mountain Hardware. (http://www.mountainhardwear.com/Home.aspx ) Others I would check into are MSR, Sierra Designs, Black Diamond (Bibler), and Marmot (http://www.msrgear.com/ , http://www.sierradesigns.com/ , http://www.bdel.com/gear/ , http://marmot.com/ ) One you will see a lot but should steer clear of in most cases is North Face. (They used to make good gear, and still do occasionally, but have largely sold out and have been abandoned by large segments of back-country travelers.) I usually like the selection at MountainGear (http://www.mountaingear.com/ ) You can also check out RockCreek. (http://www.rockcreek.com/ ) REI is still fairly decent but there is some junk mixed in. (That happens everywhere when businesses need to sell North Face or some other brand that cheaper customers demand but that the people like guides or SAR people would never use.) I used to work for EMS and can tell you they do occasionally have good gear but not as often as they should, they are mostly concerned with style. You want gear that is 100% focused on function, the form of the item is a distant second hardly worth considering. The thing that will help you the most if you really want to buy good gear and know that it is really what you need is to understand how things are constructed. Many items all over the market have gimmicks that customers come to expect but don't really help. Some items are sold just by brand name. If you know more about what you are looking at you will be able to make a better decision. It is important to understand some basics about fabrics and insulation. You also need a good idea of what your specific needs are, based on season, location, and your own physiology. Also check into a Therm-a-Rest (http://www.thermarest.com/ ) sleeping pad. They have become a standard for lightweight comfort and will make a significant difference in your experience.