I am traveling in Germany for two weeks and just today stumbled upon a really excellent outfitter called Globetrotter in Munich. I had almost zero time to look around but it was bigger than an REI and seemed to carry a lot more serious gear, and many European brands. So that begs a question, is there anything you wouldn't want to miss out on, given a shot? I am always buying jackets, but I have open ears for any unique and useful gear you may know about. Thanks!

I live about 2 hours North of Munich.

Where are you going to be travelling to? I would have recommended Globetrotter had you not already found it. If you are going to be in the Nuremberg area, I would recommend Sport Sheck in the downtown area.

From the Bahnhof, walk into the downtown area (<5 mins), take a left at the huge church, stay straight past Starbucks and it's on your right. It's about 5 or 6 stories worth of outdoor gear.

*Edited to add- the Deuter factory is close to Munich, just west in the town of Augsburg I believe. Maybe something of interest. Also, south of Munich you can find the mountain outdoor store (www.bergzeit.de). I don't have the actual address, but here are the GPS coordinates if you are driving: N 47° 46.217', E 011° 43.424'

Edited by air2mud82 on 12/29/2011 18:35:10 MST.

Sweet, I'm actually very close to Nuremburg and we have plans to visit there anyways. Good to know! I plan on checking out some down jackets by Mountain Equipment, and hopefully PHD if they have those brands. I think it will just be a candy store kind of experience...

Stuff that would be fun to check out, since you (for the most part) can't check it out in the U.S.:

Berghaus, Haglofs, Fjällräven, Norröna.

Only thing that comes to mind is lederhosen. Is Sympatex still around?

A pair of Klättermusen Gere trousers, a Mithril Kevlar jacket, and their Mjölner pack.

Here's the first thing I'd pick up:



LAUFBURSCHE LAVVU

Hi,

Most outdoor shops in Germany will be expensive compared to the Us and if you do buy anything make sure to ask about claiming back the tax.

I used to travel a lot for my work. I found that most German, Swiss and other European made product were actually cheaper in the states.

I learned the hard way. Eventually I found that I would shop in Germany and make notes of the items I like. I could usually find the items in the states for much less.

Of course exchange rates and taxes come into play.

It may not be UL, but there's gear you could grey market upon return, using Le' eBay or Das BPL. For example, the Primus canister stove windscreen that's been pulled from the US market is still sold in Europe. eBay gold, I'd imagine.

What else is out there that we just can't get? That's the stuff!

Yeah, the biggest drawback to shoppin in Germany (and most of Europe) is that the prices generally start out higher, even before factoring in the exchange rate and 19% sales tax.

I was looking at a Deuter pack, made just down the Autobahn from me, and I could get it for ~$60 less online via a website ran by a BPL'er than I could from the horses mouth. I would prefer to support the small shops and local guys, but that can get really expensive when you're not just talking a few dollars.

To the OP-- not sure what type of travel schedule you are on, but if you are close to Nuremberg with some free time, I HIGHLY recommend you take a jaunt out into the Frankenjura. It is known as "Little Switzerland" and is just East of the city. I spend most of my free time in the summer rock climbing/mountain biking there. "Wild Camping" is heavily regulated here, so not much for overnight backpacking around here.