Welcome, guest [login | register]

Posted by Tom D on September 15, 2006 at 10:31:36 pm EDT
In reply to Re: Anyone else have wishy-washy decision making habits? posted by Blackbeard on September 15, 2006 at 9:23:43 pm EDT

Steve, Most stuff you see these days from a recognized specialty brand will be comparable in manufacturing quality to a similar item of the same type and price.

For example, a $200 bag by one will be close to a $200 bag by another in terms of keeping you warm. It may not be comparable in design and that's where "what you like" comes into play. The hood might be different, the material might feel different, the zipper is different or the colors are different. Once you have read all the reviews, heard all the pros and cons about, for example, our theoretical $200 bag, then get the one you like and stop worrying about it.

I don't care how wonderful a purple sleeping bag is, I'm not buying it no matter what because I don't want to go to sleep or wake up looking at it. Most of my stuff is blue, black, red or gray and that's because those are colors I like and I found clothes and a bag I liked in those colors. I have all kinds of other reasons why I bought a particular stove or compass or something like that, mostly because I liked the way it worked, size, etc.

Don't expect the first of everything you buy to be the last, although some stuff may be a winner that you hope never wears out.

Finally,camping gear isn't like computers where everything is old news two weeks after you buy it. People like Bill and to some extent me, have gear we bought ages ago that still works. Bill, because he takes care of his stuff, me because it's been in my closet most of the time. You don't need the latest and greatest color, fabric, design or whatever of anything to go out and enjoy yourself. When I was in NZ in the 80's, I saw people hiking with gear and clothes that looked like leftovers from Mallory and Irvine and that didn't stop them from enjoying where they were one bit.

Replies

View: flat | threaded

• Re: Anyone else have wishy-washy decision making habits? - sabino 22:45:36 09/15/2006

Post a Reply

Before replying, please read the complete thread.