Gear Shopping

"Be Prepared"

If you are going to be outside in the elements, you want to Be Prepared with the proper gear to keep you WARM and DRY.  You will be happier and safer when you have the proper equipment. 

"A Scout is Thrifty".

You can shop around and get some great deals on outdoor gear.   The resources listed below have been mentioned as having outdoor gear, sometimes including good deals.  Some are online, some only have bricks and mortar stores, some have a combination.  We are not endorsing any particular merchant(s), we are simply providing a list as a resource for those who are interested.  If you have recommendations or information for this page, please let us know.  [LINK].

A Scout Needs a Map. 

  When you click on this icon you should be directed to Google Maps and directly to the address for that location.  . 

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Shopping Resources

Listed Alphabetically

Beyond Fleece.com  They make customized outdoor clothing to fit your measurements.  Started with fleece but now offer a range of clothing.  Based in Seattle, WA.  They say that customization does not really cost more than buying gear at retail prices.  Allow 5 weeks lead time. 

Big 5 Sporting Goods Retail sporting goods chain with several Bay Area stores (Alameda, El Cerrito, San Lorenzo, Walnut Creek, San Francisco, etc.) 

BigLots  Has an online site where you can look at their advertisements, but not purchase.  Some local stores are listed below.
San Leandro (699 Lewelling Blvd) 16 miles south of Piedmont.
San Pablo (13222 San Pablo Avenue) 13 miles north of Piedmont. 

Cabellas Online  - They have an on-line store.  Cabella's call themselves the "World's Foremost Outfitter". They have an orientation towards hunting and fishing and also have online discounts on selected merchandise. 
Reno, NV, their closest store is just off Highway 80, west of Reno.

Campmor - an outdoor gear retailer, using mailed catalogs and an online store.  If you are in Paramus, NJ you can visit their retail store. 

Doms in Livermore  they have an online store and also a retail store in Livermore, near the 580 freeway.
Livermore (1870 1st Street)

Gear Guru - - not a store, but a site with evaluations of gear. 

JoAnnes Fabric Store they have an online store and also locations around the area.  They were suggested as a place to buy fleece inexpensively, to make a fleece liner for a sleeping bag for snow camping.
  Emeryville (5791 Christie Ave.)

L.L. Bean    Freeport, Maine is their home base and original store (open 24 hours).    Originally a catalog retail operation, but they now have online shopping and several stores in the New England and middle Atlantic states. 

Marmot Mountain Works, Berkeley, 510-849-0735
3049 Adeline Street, Berkeley, near Ashby BART station
Atlas and MSR snowshoes with poles: $26/3 days.  May also rent sleeping bags, tents, skis.  Reservations by phone or in person up to 1 month in advance. 24 hour cancellation policy.  Hours:  Mon, Thur, Fri: 10-8; Tue, Wed, Sat: 10-6 and Sun: 11-5. 

North Face Outlet - has discounts on some North Face branded gear including some overstocks, seasonal gear or seconds. 
Berkeley (1238 5th Street), near REI. 
 
Northern Mountain Supply - on line retailer of outdoor gear.  Has a section called "Killer Deals" with special discounts. 

Overstock.com an online retailer of a broad range of discounted merchandise including apparel.   Not specifically focused on outdoors. 

Play It Again Sports - used and new sporting goods, individually owned stores. 
Pleasant Hill (1601 Contra Costa Blvd), 18 miles NE of Piedmont. 
Pleasanton  (5548 Springdale Ave).  25 miles SE of Piedmont.

REI.com - Online store for REI gear, save a trip to the store. 

REI-Outlet.com  - REI has an "outlet" section to its online store.  They also have bricks and mortar stores all over the Bay Area.  A famous co-op membership structure with an annual rebate. 

REI Berkeley (1338 San Pablo Ave).  As of Jan, 2008 Berkeley store rents snoeshoes ($16 first day and $8 thereafter, for members) but is temporarily not renting winter sleeping bags due to remodelling project. Hours: M-F 10-9pm; Sat 10-8pm, Sun 10-7pm.
(Note: within blocks of REI Berkely you can find both Wilderness Exchange (see below) and North Face outlet store see above). 

REI San Francisco store: 415-934-1938, 840 Brannan (between 7th and 8th).  Rents snowshoes and poles.   Hours: M-F 10-9pm; Sat 10-7pm, Sun 11-7pm. 

Scout Direct : online vendor of outdoors gear, with selection and pricing specifically geared to needs of troops and invididual scouts.  (added 4/29/09)

Sierra Trading Post online shopping.  They offer discounted prices on closeouts, overstocks and seconds. 
  Reno outlet store  (6865 Sierra Center Pkwy). 

Wilderness Exchange -  based in Berkeley, sells gear at discounts; you can sell or trade in gear that you no longer need. 
Berkeley (1407  San Pablo Ave), about a block S of REI's Berkeley store.