For the first time I went to a used clothing store where I live(there is two of them) and I couldn't believe the scores in there!! I scooped 5 tops and two pair of pants for 60$!! I was like a kid in a candy store the whole time!

Here's what I bought...

1 LAMBS wool sweater 7.00
2 FLEECE zip pullovers 7.00x2=14.00
1 long sleeve med weight button cotton shirt 8.00
1 long sleeve heavy weight cotton shirt/jacket 18.00
1 med nylon winter trekking pants(lots of pockets)to shed wind/snow/precip 6.00
1 polyester/cotton blend cargo spring/summer/fall trekking pants that zip off to shorts. 7.00

Total = 60.00!!

Wow, if you have never shopped in a used clothing store you have no idea what you're missing! My g/f goes to these stores all the time but I just never figured it out till today! I'm so excited about this, I feel like a total newb.

Yeah I realize that a couple of items are cotton or cotton blend, but that's ok for what I intend to use them for. In fact, they will be great! I can't wait to go back, what a deal!

Anyway, I just thought I would share my discovery with you folks.

Cheers
Shawn

I've taken a photo of my stuff to show you...the hiking boots are from MEC

[IMG][/IMG]

Wool, especially but not exclusive to its merino form, is one of life's simple pleasures.

People look at me funny when I tell them their feet would be warmer with wool socks on. I think they still envision the bulky, "grandpa-resembling" wool of previous days. But I swear by Smartwool and other thinner wool socks in the winter. Even when they get inevitably wet by streetwear, still warm when I come in the house!

I totally agree with you on the Smartwool. A little pricey but worth every penny. I recently purchased a pair of socks from Lefevre's Sport and Hobby in North Bay last week for the Fork Lake adventure. They worked like a charm! Feet were very warm and dry.

Marino wool is probably the best wool money can buy, but for now I will stick to the "regular" wool for 7.00$ a sweater! heh heh

Cheers
Shawn

Ya, I haven't bought a pair since returning from the US to Canada. While everything seems to be cheaper down there, I could get Smartwool socks on clearance at REI from time to time. $20/pair in Canada? Heck no!

I love my wool red lumber pants! I know they look funny but hey, who cares in Algonquin! I have worn longjohns under them and when moving about...way to hot.....

When I fall in the snow they do get tons of snow stuck on them. You just brush off as much as you can and they seem to dry up very fast. Snow pants may be better for this, but I love my wool pants...Should write a song about them!

Cheers
Mike

What this thread is lacking is pictures with you actually wearing the clothes. How are we expected to understand the true value of the clothing without a model to assess the fit and appearance. Let's have it, sir.

Check out my red wool pants in Markus's post "back" from our winter trip and I think Sean of North Bay is in there also...

He should be back tonight some time to report on his weekend trip with his G.F.

Cheers
Mike

Yeah here's the warm wool pants Mike B wore.
I'll not be reporting(publicly) on this past weekend's trip. It did not involve The Park, but a private wedding of a friend.





Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

Bryce - check Campmor (http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Home_) for wool socks/boxer sales, their prices are hard to beat, even with the exchange it is now and shipping. Picked up 3 x 3 packs of 99% merino wool light hiking socks last Spring and some wool/synth blends (including merino wool boxers - something I can't find here in Canada). Each pack of 3 socks were $7.00 US. They have great sales on wool t-shirts, long sleeve vnecks w/zippers, full length merino wool long undies, etc) all fairly cheap at the time ($20.00 US).

I prefer fleece pants because they are stretchier and lighter then their wool equivalent (at least the ones I've had), but prefer wool shirts/socks/undies, despite the fact they end up with more holes then the synthetics. I have a mild allergy to wool (itchy), but the merino and other tight weaves are not a problem.

Regarding Merino wool clothing - Bushtukah (in Ottawa) carries Icebreaker (along with a few other brands of wool products) as does Mt Coop, including Merino wool undies - http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302883190&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442620712. Icebreaker's line is also nicely fashionable if that's a consideration, but of course the price rises accordingly. Nice to look as comfy on the trail and equally at home in a decent restaurant wearing the same clothing (and without the musty smell of synthetics).

Hey SM,

Nice to hear you're familiar with the wool lines. i buy a lot of stuff over the border from www.steepandcheap.com, which basically just sells leftover merchandise from backcountryoutlet.com which is the outlet for backcountry.com. to the point, they typically sell icebreakers and the like for at least 50% off. i only have one of their shirts, but it is nice and like you said, fashionable. it pills a bit though, but not too bad. the smartwool shirts seem to have little to no durability. i've had holes develop just from brushing against branches and getting caught. oh well. just makes me avoid paying full price knowing the durability (or lack thereof).

i'll check out campmor for sale socks. they had some ibex merino boxers for sale on steepandcheap the other day, but i wasn't sold on the idea of wool down there. i use ex officio's synthetics and they're great. also pricey at $25US retail.

So this outfit isn't wool?





bwahahahaha





Barbara

Hi Bryce,

I've been watching steepandcheap for a little while now, but was wondering what they are like to order from since they are US and some items they say can't be sent to Canada. How's your experience with them been? There have been a couple of deals I was interested in but hadn't heard any feedback about them. I think I picked up the site from this forum.

Thanks,
S.

Sneaky Barbara.....I thought I took that pic? Lol....

I think Markus is away this weekend,,,,,

Cheers
Mike

well, uh, yeah, you did, Mike.

i swiped it from your trip report.



what better time to make fun of someone than when they're aren't around to defend themselves?





Barbara

I'm around...Barbara
That's real Canadian Algonquin fleece on my legs there, good upto -27°C!



Mark Rubino
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler - Blog
Mark's Algonquin Park Sampler

http://www.ABRweb.ca .. Algonquin Backcountry Recreationalists - Caring for Algonquin's Backcountry

I'm fortunate enough to have a few friends south of the border, particularly in New York. So some brands -- north face, arcteryx, and so on -- which can't be shipped north will go to these ppl and then up to me. Otherwise, shipping to canada is... well, reasonable. i think i paid $10 for a sweater to be shipped here, but it came quickly.

i don't know that my cut-and-paste link will work, but to find out exactly what brands can't be shipped you can go to backcountry.com, Help, and then right there in the main section is a link to "What Brands Cannot Be Shipped Out Of The US?". Some big names are NOT in the list: Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Ex Officio, icebreaker, ibex, smartwool, etc.

After that it's all your own budgeting. I've bought several Arcteryx jackets from there (can't be shipped to Canada, had to go thru a US friend). Each one was over 50% off which for those jackets is something stupid like $250US off. I walk into stores around here and see my hardshell tagged at $600 and laugh. To me, it's worth the hassle knowing I got one of the best jackets on the market for what a lot of consumers will pay for sub-par quality. But it all depends what you're after. I ended up getting a US$ credit card from BMO (no annual fees!) for my online south-of-the-border purchases. Might be helpful if you don't want to deal with exchange rates right away. I know some CDN credit cards charge a fee for doing the conversion for you.

Oh ya, best part -- you can always return the merchandise. Sure, it'll cost you in shipping but it's nice to know that you won't be stuck with a product that doesn't fit or meet your expectations. I have an Arcteryx softshell, pair of pants, and possibly a Marmot goretex hardshell i'll be shipping back probably.

For what it's worth, I'm on at least 10 purchases through the website. I do recommend them but imagine it could be a hassle if you don't have an American destination. The difference in shipping can be big.

Tks for the link Bryce, never seen that site before. Quite unique way of selling product, lol. The cost of shipping is normally balanced out (and then some) by no GST (and oftentimes no Sales tax) when ordering through the states, (Sales tax applied varies state to state). I too often use a Bank of Mtrl US M/C when purchasing goods from US and pay the bills through US Cash account so there's no loss in the exchange, but that depends on the Cdn-US dollar value. US M/C is also handy for those southern trips to the US and the sunny Caribbean Island destinations, where US is still a very popular currency.

To help spread out the cost of any shipping charges I add a few more items or a few quantities more of the same item I'm interested in (e.g. socks, lures, etc). Also, when given the choice, request USPS shipping when ordering from the states, NOT UPS. I get slapped with Duty on a very high percentage of goods shipped UPS (except Cabelas, which adds the Duty charges to your order before you Check-out). You can request it USPS either by emailing or calling a company's customer sales/service agent (1-800 ...) directly or adding a note to your order if an 'Additional Comments' section is available on the Checkout form. Just ensure you do your due diligence before your Final 'Submit' to the order.
Not sure how all this works, but when you request USPS and once the package enters enters Canada, I believe Fed-Ex picks it up, that or Canada Post. If it's UPS, then it's UPS to your door - and you'll likely pay duty. That's my experience.
I only order goods from the US if I can't find the product in Canada or it's just too good of a sale to pass up. Generally the product is cheaper here in Canada (e.g. NFace products, many electronics, clothing, camping accessories etc) but there are some items not available here so u have no choice but to order from US.