My folks are going to Europe and I want to coerce them into buying a piece of gear from there that may be hard to get here. Any suggestions?

Paramo? (I live in the wet)
Rab?

Unfortunately the Nallo 2 GT ain't happening :(

I'm not really NEEDING anything but I want it all! HAAA HAAAA HA heh... uh, 'scuse

Is there an SULUK store? (I know there's not... just wishing...)


EDIT--- Grammar and Grampar

Edited by WoodenWizard on 04/10/2011 12:34:54 MDT.

Paramo Velez Lite Adventure Smock (or something like that). You'll love it for cold weather hiking (and cold and wet weather hiking).

Extremities Tuff Bags or Velo Gloves.

Maybe a nice Swedish hiking partner?

"Maybe a nice Swedish hiking partner?"

Good idea, but my wife would put me back in a box...

Hmmm good call Mr. Ide. I definitely need some overmitts.

I'm stuck thinking about some Paramo top because they seem to shine in the wet, like you suggested, but I wanna hear of the things I'm forgetting. (or don't know about)

Keep em coming!

Depending on where you live and where you plan to hike, maybe:

A Terra Nova bothy?
(Though, they seem to be cheaper at Moontrail right now)

A Crux AK-47 backpack?

An Alpkit Hunka Bivy?

A rucksack liner?
(Just a bright, tough, plastic bag. This example is kind of small but they also sell longer ones that in a pinch, you can sleep inside. Downside is that it is kinda heavy.)

Debenhams (a department store) carried a sturdy walking stick/umbrella.

Also, this might be asking a lot of your parents but stores called "TK Maxx" (exactly like a TJ Max or a Ross) have dedicated rack space to outdoor clothes (!!) so they might find something interesting there.

Boots do an inexpensive Spenco second skin knockoff.

Don't forget to remind them to ask the shop for a VAT refund form and to drop the forms off at the airport before they leave!



Best of luck!

---
edited: to fix links.

Edited by nixie on 04/10/2011 14:29:13 MDT.

Needle Sports in the UK has great prices on international shipping and excellent selection...
I really like the Bufflo Mitts

Edited by nanookofthenorth on 04/10/2011 14:36:27 MDT.

OMM cypher smock!

http://www.theomm.com/products?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=14&category_id=2


but to be honest, with all this new wpb tech coming out...i'm not even sure if it will be worth it.

Paramo would be cool too

I'd certainly get a pair of Klattermusen Gere trousers, and I'd do my best to find a pair of Mithrils as well...

I think the Montane Minimus is the first ultralight next-generation WPB shell.

In terms of UL gear pieces, I can't think of any gear pieces where European equivalents are better/lighter/cheaper... European chocolates are wonderful though -- not like our sugary one heres. :)

Nice! Good ideas everybody!

Many things I've never heard of and/ or not thought about.

gotta do some homework on these pieces of gear now.

Thanks

Montane Lite Speed H2O Jacket

Montane Bionic T-Shirt, long sleeve (merino/polyester mix)

Montane Bionic T-shirt, short sleeve (merino/polyester mix)

Paramo Vista Jacket

Partamo Velez Adventure Trousers

Buffalo Pertex/ Pile Mitts

Rab Vapor Rise Smock

Terra Nova Laser Ultra 1 Tent

Inov8 shoes

Salomon shoes

Montura clothing

PHD gear (sleeping bags, clothing)

What about a Montane Spektr, the 7.4 oz eVent jacket?

IMO considering that our buck ain't worth a Damn in most of western Europe, I would rule out the brands that you can get stateside (rab, montane, terra nova) Maybe pick up a real kuksa if your folks are in Scandinavia, or stick with real European exclusive stuff (phd, paramo, OMM)

If you can find one of these, I think it'd be a worthwhile investment
http://www.multimat.uk.com/product.asp?Ref=3&Label=Adventure&Nav=1&ProductRef=21

R value of 1.31, weighs 6.7oz...would be a great supplemental pad

Along the same lines, the POE elite AC mat is huge in europe already, but for some reason is seeing production delays here in the states...looks like a great pad, grab one there if you can't wait for it to arrive in the US

Edited by Konrad1013 on 04/10/2011 19:58:56 MDT.

@ Konrad - Nice use of the capital D

@ Jeff -

I've have always drooled... I mean D-R-O-O-L-E-D over the Laufbursche backpacks and bivies found HERE and reviewed HERE. I mean, these are pretty sexy packs... which would go well with the Swedish hiking partner ;)

what about a pack from LAUFBURSCHE or a tarp.
very interesting gear.

Europe is a rather large definition. Where exactly are they going?

Paramo is a good idea, as is Buffalo. Klättermusen makes high quality gear which is worth every € - and expect to may many of them! Millet, Mammut, CAMP, Berghaus are some established companies which make good lightweight (climbing/ alpine) gear.

While I fully support Laufbursche, it is not like your parents can walk in his workshop and pick up a pack - there's quite a waiting line. On the other hand, if the go there to his 1. May event, they possibly could pick something up - but what are the odds of your parents going to Cologne and feeling comfortable in the midst of UL nerds?!

@ Hendrik - "there's quite a waiting line"
yeah, see, that's what I was assuming someone would come out and say =/ but I don't suppose that will stop the drool =D and I guess MYOG could produce something similar, maybe not as professional, but similar. And grad school is only another 3 years... and... well... I suppose my sewing mach... I mean THREAD INJECTOR will still work by then... won't it :) ?


oh well, back to cleaning up the slobber!

I have found that a lot of items are cheaper if purchased in the US.

Although you pay an import duty, the taxes are less.

I have Swiss friends who buy Swiss watches and knives in the US when they visit, because they are cheaper than where they live in Switzerland.