i have a 200 dollar gift card at REI that my mom bought for me. i dont really need much now considering they dont sell the rainbow 2, but i need to figure out a way to spend this so i am asking you for help. i am a new ultralighter, so help me thing of the small things a beginner might forget.
thanks for the help. im in hot weather with lots of flying and ground bugs. (photon light, spork, etc.)

I'm with you on the photon light. The Photon Freedom is great. As far as sporks, I prefer the BPL long handled spoon.

BUT, here's some other ideas:
Titanium pot(s), lightweight canister stove (brunton crux, etc), Sea to Summit dry bags (these are relly nice and really light), and theres also stuff that doesnt need to be light like guide books (and maps/software)

Happy shopping.

If it were me I would buy a Patagonia Houdini wind shirt, a Smartwool Zip-T or an MSR WindPro.

Things I have and could recommend would be:
Photon Freedom light (red and white)
Light My Fire spork
Orikaso bowl
Brunton Crux for 3 season use
Snow Peak Titanium Mini Solo Cookset
Hennessy hammock
Vargo Titanium Nail stakes
Platypus 1 Liter Bottle
Platypus Big Zip 3
Brunton Sherpa (now the ADC)
AMK Ultralight .5 First Aid Kit
Smartwool Zip-T Lightweight
Smartwool Bottom Lightweight
Smartwool Utralight Cycling Socks
REI Silk Top
REI Silk Bottom
Leatherman Juice S2

Edit: I think I have some reviews to write.

Edited by ericnoble on 04/22/2006 10:50:28 MDT.

Oh, they also sell integral designs siltarps.

Smartwool microweight crew.
Mtn. Hardware Convertible Pack Pants.
Both are excellent.
Don't forget that they can special order some items they don't usually stock.
Tom

This is something REI sells that I like very much.

Craig

Hennessy hammock!

The Photon is a nice little light, but I carry a Petzl Zipka headlamp which I find very convenient (I don't always wear a brimmed hat) and which is just bright enough for night hiking if necessary. When there is a strong possibility of hiking at night I bring instead a Princeton Tech Eon, which also works great in camp.

REI carries Montrail shoes and boots. They're my favorite.

REI liner gloves hold up better than Seirus liners, and they also carry Manzella brand. I like the Manzella Windstoppers, but don't expect them to do more than stop wind. If you want something more, try the REI One mittens or gloves.

As previously mentioned, REI carries National Geographic Topo! (state) mapping software, which I highly recommend (make sure you get version 4, not 3, otherwise you'll have to buy an upgrade). They also have Garmin GPSs (which will eat that gift card up in one gulp).

REI carries some Hennessy Hammocks, which IMHO make a great sleep system. HH are heavier than ultralight (36 oz complete with tarp), but I'm stuck on mine 4-season. No bug problems, either.

You can get SmartWool, Thorlo, Bridgedale and other socks. Buy three get 10% off (most of the time), and they wear well. I'd stay away from REI-brand socks; they don't wear as well (this from an REI employee). I'm fond of the SmartWool Adrenaline Crew paired with Montrail Vitesse shoes.

Nalgene Cantenes are lightweight and have a convenient wide-mouth. REI also carries Platypus.

REI carries Sunday Afternoons hats. They're lightweight and cool with a wide brim, if a bit ugly.

Sea-to-Summit dry bags are good, but you can save weight with the Sea-to-Summit Ultra-sil Dry Sacks, which are waterproof unless immersed.

I like REI-brand CoolMax t-shirts.

I've spent thousands of dollars at REI in the last few years, but I don't recommend buying any of the main items there: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, or trekking poles. What they have is just too heavy for most situations, and you can get lighter gear from many other small companies mentioned here on BPL.

Edited by Otter on 04/22/2006 14:22:42 MDT.

I am in the same boat as Douglas >>>”I've spent thousands of dollars at REI in the last few years, but I don't recommend buying any of the main items there: backpack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, ground cloth, or trekking poles. What they have is just too heavy for most situations, and you can get lighter gear from many other small companies mentioned here on BPL.”<<<

You might wait until a sale is on and many stores have a special every month ot two where they put up all “returned” items that have been returned for any reason. You can find some real treasures. Also check if the card is good for the REI Outlet web site.

Some things I would look at would be:

REI Elements Rain Jacket
Stuff Sacks
Orikaso dish (not bowl or cup)
MSR Whisperlite Stove
ExOfficio Clothes
And can’t go wrong looking at lightweight shoes/boots

Instead of The Whisperlite why not the Simmerlite. Same design but much lighter

also you can get denatured fuel at their stores, Vargo titanium stakes, Platypus water containers, Smartwool clothing, trail running shoes, Tilley hats, and at some stores Soft shell pants

I asked myself the same question two years ago and walked out with a Hennessy Hammock Explorer ASym Ultralite. Best piece of gear I have. Hold off until you get your dividend 20% off coupon because they have gone up since then! Best thing going for hot weather, poison ivy, hillsides, and mosquitoes.

Edited by sclemmons on 04/25/2006 18:29:02 MDT.

anyone that posted here thanks for helping out a new guy. because of your help i got each of you a light my fire spoon,fork,knife. email me at jtgish@hotmail.com if you would like me to send it to you.

oh yeah, just in case you wanted to know, i ended up getting a pair of native ripp sunglasses, patagonia capeline shirt, smartwool socks, lightmyfire spoons, platypus, photon light and sea to summit silsack.

again thanks for the help everyone.

Edited by jtgish on 05/04/2006 18:15:03 MDT.