REI commercialization

“WOOOO-HOOOO!”

“The next page”

“i dont care i have to drive 4 hours to atlanta for the nearest rei, walmart is the next best thing here, REI is the $hit!!”

“Sass, Happy Valentines Day but you just can't stand for a southern guy to be right ;)

I know what I see when I go in the store. Rows and rows of cotton shirts that you would wear to work not on the trail.
There technical gear selection is dwindling. Yeah they still sell it, never said they didn't. I just don't think it is a big concern to them. They are making more money off the other items.”

“I wonder if the is a yuppie site some where that is having a tread about those stuck up backpackers. That think they are the only ones good enugh to shop in outdoor stores like rei. Are we the only people that buy stuff to be used outside?”

“Some people who like to spend time in the outdoors like to wear organic cotton clothing in their everyday life. Some like gussetted crotch pants for everyday work, even if they're cotton. For some people hiking is a lifestyle and they want to look the part at all times. The cotton shirts that REI sells fits that need and it keeps the stores open!

Now Ewker, it's not that think southern men can't be right about stuff; it's that I'm trying to get your goat. I bet you are right 13.7% of the time at least! But you really do hate those outspoken northern chicks don't cha? ADMIT IT! ;) BTW, xxoo Happy valentine's day to you!”

“How many professionals here are talkin' trash about Young Urban/Suburban Professionals?

Sasafrass, careful with a southern man's goat, they can be rather attached to those critters.
last edited: 2/14/05 3:00:22 PM”

“But you really do hate those outspoken northern chicks don't cha?

I dunno, I'm particulary fond of mine.”

“...and she has access to a machine shop! ;-)”

“I think the stores started going yuppie after the opening of the home store in Seattle. I visited there not long after it opened and it had lots o yuppie stuff. I really enjoyed the giant compass on the second floor.

Ewker Atlanta is an 8 hour drive for me. Long way for a new pair of shorts :0”

“sticks, I was thinking you lived closer to GA than that. You must be up near Boone”

“I think you are right sticks.”

“I like REI and I'm glad that they're getting bigger. In the grand scheme of things, they're still a tiny business. Their prices are pretty standard, so if you're in a big backpacking state and don't mind limited selection, then a local shop might be cheaper.

But they have great selection, and their staff is knowledgeable about half the time. About what you'd expect for paying $7-8/hr.

As for all the cotton vs. technical stuff. I really can't afford clothes at REI anyway. Most of the time I wear cotton shirts and shorts, though I just got some synthetic zipper off bottoms. Perhaps I'd like something else better, but I've always liked the feel of cotton, so I didn't see the point of spending $40 for a t-shirt.”

“Wow, this is the first thread I have read through from beginning to end in a long time. Maybe I should get out and start hiking again. Makes me think I need to justify wearing my Patagonia fleece with a cotton t-shirt while I go bar hopping in my local town. Oooooops!! I wear jeans with that, too. Best thing is I have NEVER spilled my beer on the Patagonia. WHEW!”

“Well, y'all gotta remember that the yuppy weekend warrior crowd are the folks with the majority of the money.

Rule #1 of any capitalistic enterprise is that you must cater to the audience with the $$$. Period.

Personally, I'm just as happy with the fact that they still carry useful stuff as well, instead of actually totally selling out (a la Eddie Bauer, etc)”

“That's true PhantomSoul, they haven't totally sold out. They aren't an LL Bean.

Yet.

But I'm worried that's the direction they are going.”

“When was REI NOT a commercial enterprise?? They're a retail organization for cripes sakes.

My local store carries an excellent selection of technical clothing and gear. If I want to go higher tech or see more brands I have to go to a specialty climbing store, or bike store etc.

Let them sell whatever makes them a profit and keeps them in business. I'd hate to lose the resource. Shop where you want, let others do the same.

And send me my dividend!”

“A while ago I posted that LLBean - a store that made it's name on hunting and fishing - moved what was once the heart of it's business out of the flagship store and into the little building that once housed LLKids. The outdoor recreation section is still in the big store, but it has a very small section.”

“Nooooooooooooo!!!

The last time I was at Bean was '96.
Has it changed much since then?

It seems they had a lot of nice outdoor stuff.”

“Hey! I'm a yuppie weekend warrior... I feel insulted!”

“Heck, I thought 90%+ of this board were yuppie weekend warrior types.”

“THat's what I was thinking, Dayhiker.”

“It probably describes me to a tee. Maybe not the yuppie part, but dang close.”

“Uh, sorry folks, but the Y in Yuppie stands for young!”

“I'm 33”

“That's a third of a Century!”

“Guys guys. All you have to do is notice how marketably paired REI is to Backpacker Mag. The two have the same marketing philosophy. It's not about hiking, it's about the clothes. It's about making cute little weekend excursions to exotic places, and going into the office on Monday and telling all your comrades about it.

Stop supporting REI. They are the enemy. Choose a good regional outfitter. Someone who cares about the sport, and is not so caught up in marketing to the masses.”

“hell, I never was a yuppie. That came around after I got old.”

“"It's about making cute little weekend excursions to exotic places, and going into the office on Monday and telling all your comrades about it."

Towndawg, you just described most of us here.

I am neither young nor professional, but I am urban(suburban).

I buy stuff on sale or close-out, moslty.”

“"It's about making cute little weekend excursions to exotic places, and going into the office on Monday and telling all your comrades about it."
---TownDawg

TD - Isn't that what we do here? It's what I do. I take a cool trip, write a TR, and post pics. However, I'm not sure that the area around the Sipsey Wilderness, AL could be termed "exotic"”

“So if Backpacker Mag has sold out, what do you call what Outside has done? They are becoming more and more like a cross between Conde Nast Traveler and Men's Health every day.

An occasional article on keeping fit so you're not huffing and puffing the first few miles of a hike or paddle would be fine, but it seems every issue has at least one article on gonzo training techniques no average person who just needs to be decently fit for outdoor activities would ever need to do or have time to do- what, do they think their average reader is shooting for the olympics?”

“Wow! Sass is getting’ all riled up! Wouldn’t want to be on the sharp end o’ that stick! LOL!

Having skimmed over the last page I have to ask the question? Has anyone who complains about their REI going yuppy actually NOT been able to find something there? Did you ask someone for help?”

“REI, like any other business, has to change with the market. They probably wouldn't be in business today if they continued to define themselves as a gear Co-op. Now they're an "Outdoor Retailer"--so what? I still get gear there cheaper than our local shop; who, by the way, sells "outdoor casual" clothes. Plus. I like to go to their stores and drool all over the new gear. They can afford to clean it up!”

“What do you do TD? Are you out in the woods for 7 months at a time? If it's not a "cute little weekend excursion" will it be a cute little 9 day excursion, because there's always gonna be someone who does more than you, or me, and thinks that what you or I am able to do is not enough to truely be a bonefide backpacker.

My attitude is go where you want to go, wear what you want to wear and enjoy it as much as you can! Life is too short to fret about whether you're doing right in someone else's eyes.”

“...and wear cotton once in awhile!”

“I'm not trying to start a fight. I just think most of us are different.”

“In the April Issue of Outside: "Go Harder, Go Longer - Advanced Lovemaking Techniques for AT Through-hikers,"”

“TD - just messin' with ya.”

“I've hiked with a lot of different crowds. Hike your own hike means a whole lot more than setting your own pace. People get out in the woods for a lot of reasons. I'm not saying I don't support REI. In some cases I have to. I'm just saying that REI taken to its extreme is Bass Pro Shop.

People are that way too. Some folks hike cos they love it. I'd like to think that it speaks for all of us here, and certainly all who just got offended by my earlier remark. However, some folks don't hike cos they love it. They do it out of a sense of duty, or being trendy, or some other plane of reality that I don't fully understand.”

“And I know you are John. I'm just saying.. a lot of the crowd who frequents REI could not tell you the name of a single path or ridge inside of the Smokies, much less any OTHER park. I bet they know about the restaurant that they stopped at after cycling Yellowstone tho.”

““ My attitude is go where you want to go, wear what you want to wear and enjoy it as much as you can! Life is too short to fret about whether you're doing right in someone else's eyes.”

I really think it’s all about turf. Backpackers for some reason or another like to view hiking as this tight little cultish activity that puts them on the outer fringes of society. They get nervous when the mainstream encroaches on their special little world. It happens all the time with other activities like climbing. It’s kind of like having that favorite underground band and then they get a #1 hit and the whole world joins the club and the “real fans” stop liking the band because they aren’t kool and underground anymore.

It’s a bunch of bullocks.”

“I luv the analogy Craig. You are soo on track. I've heard that same spill so many times.

You have to admit tho.. a lot of bands 'sell out'....once they get known -- it's like they forget how to write.”

“I'm not either TD, just discussing that's all. Not getting riled up (Nigal); I still have a grin on. =)

Regarding most of us being different, some are and some are deep down but still don't get to get out. I haven't been able to backpack since September. I had injuries and surgery and am just now getting back into doing any physical activity. Of course I'd love for it to have been different, to be out every chance I get but there are other things that would've taken priority over backpacking even if I had been fit to hike. Doesn't mean I don't love the activity, just that I love my daughter more. If I only get out for a weekend a month, or every two months does that mean I'm not as good as someone who gets out more often? Maybe I'm not as qualified to discuss technique or trips or trails?”

“I bet they know about the restaurant that they stopped at after cycling Yellowstone tho.”
TownDawg

Hey! I resemble that remark!




Uh, it was the Miner Saloon....”

“no.. see I dont think it has anything to do with the frequency, or the length of the trip.

I see nothing wrong with even (shudder) dayhiking.. I'm just saying.. the reasons you go are different then some of the REI crowd.

Shoot, how many times have you seen someone with a North Face backpack or down jacket, and asked them about where they have been hiking lately -- only to get a very puzzled and confused look?

lmbo at Aero!.. hehe.. you dog.
last edited: 2/15/05 9:02:28 AM”

“I never have asked them because I think it's okay for someone who doesn't hike to wear technical stuff. TNF makes some high quality parkas. Why shouldn't someone who goes outside in the winter buy one? It'll keep them just as warm in town as it would on the trail.”

“oh.. i agree.. now that I have started buying technical gear, i wear it all the time!..

but still.. if you ever wonder why REI is being successful.. they are capitalizing on several aspects of life.

The new commercial will feature the tag line --> "REI -- it's not just for granola crunching earth-day freaks."”

“I should hope not. I don't think I'd classify myself as an earthday freak, although I do enjoy a nice bowl of granola. =)

I'm glad they're successful. If they weren't and they closed their doors I would have nothing to choose from in hiking shoes and boots except the crappy Merrels every other outfitter and Kohls sell!”

“You're all yuppies!!

Especially YOU aero!!

I knew it!”

“Oh no doubt sassy.. like I said.. their selection is incredible.

I make all my major purchases from my regional favorite, but I like going there to window-shop.”