REI dividends are out, 20% member sale starts tomorrow

[quentinc]

Mike,

Well, I am about to visit my local REI to exchange my Big Bad Agnes airless-core mattress for, literally, the 5th time. The most recent time that I got a new one, it leaked on the very first trip I took it on, which is pretty impressive even for that windbag. The problem is I'll never take it on another trip after all the times it has deflated my hopes, so I guess I'll just keep the brand new one in its wrapper.

I hope REI gets the manufacturer to replace them for free.

[oldranger]

Q

Try out one of the expeds. My new one (exped replaced my old first generation one for free when the valve or something had an undectable but slow leak) worked flawlessly for 10 nights last fall. Note I also use an 1/8" thick closed cell pad (that weighs about 1/2 as same size tyvek ground cloth) to buffer the pad from little sharp objects.

Mike

[freestone]

Exped just released the Downmat UL7, 20.5 oz. R is 5+. Available everywhere but REI.

[oldranger]

Freestone!

You didn't have to tell me that bit of news! Looks like I could save a net of 10 or more oz over my current 7LW model.

Mike

[whrdafamI?]

Put my $24.56 against the cost of a Big Agnes Fly Creek2. Trying to down size some this year and go lighter. Bought a new pack from Mountain Gear, a Osprey Atmos 65 and a new bag from Back Country Gear, a Marmot Helium. Just helped me to cut 5 lbs off my pack weight. Good start!

[oldranger]

Bill,

Did you use the 20% off coupon too?

Mike

[quentinc]

In praise of REI: When they looked up my illustrious history and saw I had returned the Big Agnes aircore mattress 4 times already, I figured they were going to tell me to get lost. Instead, they recommended I get something else and gave me a full refund of the original purchase price.

Now if only I could find a garment that's truly waterproof (having had my rain pants and rain jacket soaked through on Saturday), I'd spend the refund on it.

[SSSdave]

Bought a pair of Vasque Bitterroot boots yesterday that I'd been watching on the web for a couple months. Price didn't drop more than $10 anywhere from the $200 MSRP so might as well get $40 off using the 20% deal. And my rebate took care of the tax.

[whrdafamI?]

Bill,

Did you use the 20% off coupon too?

Mike

Mike, yes I did. I thought really hard about a Tarp Tent Double Rainbow but I just couldn't get past the condensation issue. Been there and done that and it ain't no fun. I'd rather have a extra pound and not have to deal with that.

[oldranger]

Bill,

I doubt the Fly Creek will eliminate condensation completely but at least you can shake off the Fly and fold up the moisture on the inside when you want to get an early start.

Another advantage over the single rainbow is that the Fly Creek can provide skeeter protection during the middle of a sunny day.

Mike