USA vs European GEAR

“Im wondering if anyone here has bought euro gear?How s the quality and price?With the strong dollar this stuff must be cheap now.
It s weird how all we have here is usa stuff.Euros are more into outdoors than us and must have #&%!$in equipment.”

“to heck with Europe - buy Canadian - now there is a good cheap source of gear”

“I go with what ever I can get that has the highest quality and the LOWEST price. Don't care if they pull it out of an elephant's ass.”

“I think we should all try to buy American as much as possible except for the things that are unavailable here such as Mail Order Brides, Cuban Cigars, and Good Electronics. HA!”

“Ever wonder what folks in other countries pay for gear? How about less than half in some cases?!?! Case in point, Grivel Air Tech Racing Ice Axe. $118.50 at REI, $60 at Barrabes in Spain. Leki Super Makalu Cor-Tec Positive-Angle Trekking Poles $129.95 at REI, $34.36 at Barrabes. Grivel 2F Crampomatic Crampons $148.50 at REI, $70.50 at Barrabes.

Their US-made products can be found as cheap almost anywhere here in the states, but their prices on the European gear is dirt cheap!

You do the math on the shipping and hit or miss customs charges (assuming you get charged anything). These Spaniards get it to you in about a week (via DHL) per the many satisfied folks at cascadeclimbers.com”

“note the $34.36 price on the Leki's is one pole only”

“Yep. But the pair is still cheaper than REI and they come with the cork handles instead of the plastic. Still a good deal.”

“Barrabes and Telemark-Pyrenees rules!”

“I've been looking at these boots -- La Sportiva Makalus: REI wants $245, at Barrabes they're $104.63”

“I have made good use of my Romanian made Technica boots.”

“How much gear is there that's still made in the U.S.? All I could think of is McHale packs and it's probably the best pack. Hilleberg tents are European, made in Estonia and the quality is superb.”

“Hilleberg is made in Estonia? I have a friend who is from Estonia and still visits there occasionally. I wonder if she could get me a tent for less, when she visits there. I'm going to look into it.”

“Eoropeans tend to not get so hung up on brand-names such as North face and buy more for funcionality and service. It is for this reason that gear is often cheaper over there.”

“I like my Scarpa boots, and those Deuter packs seem pretty nice and cheap. Tried one out and it felt great.”

“Splash, I bet your friend might be able to get you Hilleberg tent for less over there.”

“I've got a Karrimor pack made in England. 2 sets of Leki poles from Germany (I think). Sleeping pad from Jack Wolfskin (German I think). Atomic alpine and back country skis from Austria (maybe). Trezeta BPking boots from Italy. All the gear works find.”

“Rich, I'm going to ask her. As luck would have it, she is one of the few female friends of mine who likes to camp.”

“Then you'll have to get her out on a backpacking trip sometime.”

“all i get on the link is a blank screen...”

“I'd love to get an Artiach sleeping pad for decent $$. A friend has one that is awesome (though a tad heavy).”

“I know a couple of the items I carry are made here...

Western Mountaineering Bags
PackLite Packs”

“My VauDe pack is German and very well made (and expensive, though I got it wholesale and saved a lot).”