Winter Cycling - Get ye to REI

Scored some very good deals today at REI's 50% off clearance sale today.

Sugoi Wired base 1/2 zip insulating layer - $27.42

PI amfib gloves - $22.42

There was a bunch of other stuff there like some really warm Sport Hill tops, some other PI winter coats, padded liners and layers, Swix jackets for $35, etc.

:)

Might be good to check out...My gloves tend to wear out every year...just from road vibration...anyone else have this problem?

Was this on the website, or was it at the store?

And what is the exact name of the gloves? I can't find them. Link?

Koffee

This is a good time to buy gear for next year, at REI and most other outfitters.

not since I switched to all leather work gloves, VR!

the nicest are elk, goat, or deerskin. Cowhide's not bad. Last a heckuva long time.

The problems with REI sales are their schizophrenic nature.
Very few things are on 'sale' on the REI floor anymore, they pull discounted items and offer them at sale prices only at their website. As an example, this fall, I went to get a front blinkie. NO white blinkies at a discount price on the floor. On REI.com, there were 15 or so white blinkies at deep discounts.

However, once they actually have a sale, they pull out buttloads of overstocks you can't get at clearance prices on their website, only at their store. It's probably two different inventory systems, so as to not get floor and web sales merchandise comingled.

The end effect is REI consumers pay more money on an everyday basis while visiting their retail outlets. It's not a totally honest move as a co-op, in my opinion.

This is a good time to buy gear for next year, at REI and most other outfitters.

Today...The REI store at Alderwood Mall, Lynwood WA had Summer jerseys, scarves, caps, and jackets on sale...not much for gloves. Disappointing.

Bek,

The gloves will get wet most every day and need to dry in under 4hrs. Which of the materials
mentioned work best under those conditions?

Hi, VR.

Goatskin is closed cell and doesn't absorb as much water. I waterproof all my gloves with snoseal or obenauf's, and they stay pretty dry most days. Big soaking rains, they get wet. Leather gloves are like a 'softshell' for hands, no waterproof layer, but wind and water resistant.

I've never seen gloves dry in 4 hrs, except in front of an airvent or heater.

I don't have a problem putting on damp leather, but have a few pairs I rotate during the wet season.

Remember, though, VR, I'm a Seattlite that tries to wear my waterproofs as little as possible. My endorsement of 'kitsap county racers' (leather work gloves) is an indication i'm just a caveman biker.


REI 'sales' events are pretty lame in my opinion. Ex Officio just sent me a spring sales card in the mail, EVERYTHING IN THE STORE is %50 off. That's a sale!

In comparison to REI sales, which are just bins stuffed with lame overstocks of gear no one wanted to buy in the first place. They always seem pretty paltry. In addition, usually NO regular floor stock goes on sale.

REI= Lame sales events.

Ehh, I dunno man. REI has some prety darn kickin sales events at my local store (hell, I kind of live there :D ) Ever been to a garage sale? If not, become a member and wait till one comes around. Most of the time you wouldnt believe some of the stuff they sell for the price they sell it for.

They put an end to the garage sales at the flagship store in Seattle.

I think a 'sale' should be more than just overstocks in bins. REI usually DOESN'T have across the floor sales events, it's select items only. Like right now, I doubt any bike lighting systems are on sale on the floor, maybe one or two lame C cell halogen/blinkie combo packs.

REI sales items are the undersold, overstocked, dogs of retail the REI buyers went crazy on.

I monitor REI pretty closely, and have a friend high up at corporate that's shared some of REI's dirty little secrets with me. And I've been a member for almost 30 years.

REI is a joke.

I've never seen gloves dry in 4 hrs, except in front of an airvent or heater.
... Remember... i'm just a caveman biker.


Ha ha ! Caveman biker in Filson :lol: The Seirus cross country ski gloves usuallly dry in about 2hrs (no fan or heater). Superior to other gloves (that I"ve worn out so far). Water resistant and wind proof down to about 25F.

Year before last they were $19. Now they're $30?? Too much! I've worn a hole just outside the palm guard (so palm guard area is too small for biking). At that price, I'll take off the old guard and add a bigger (leather) guard.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?storeId=8000&catalogId=40000008000&productId=47925781&parent_category_rn=4501422

EDITED: Found an old pair of leather/fleece-lined gloves in the closet...Although waterproof, they seem bulky and maybe he hard to hold the handlebar. Maybe I'll try those out first.

We did stroll by the REI store here and found a couple nice things.

PI Bib Tights for $35
Giro Eclipse helmet for $25

kangaroo hide gloves are pretty good as well. I picked up a pair at value village for $3 and love them. They absorb water but your hands actually don't get wet. The wind doesn't cut into them either. I wear some Descente liner gloves underneath.

Just got my dividend in the mail today.... so indeed its off to REI I go! :D

T

For the record, as a manufacturer who deals with retailers all over the world, REI has some of the savviest buyers anywhere. They are psycho when it comes to understanding the gear that they sell. You may not like the large store feel but manufacturers WANT to sell their stuff there, in part, because being there gives you credibility. When REI started carrying my company's products, many other retailers followed suit because they appreciate how REI scrutinizes products and vendors.

I think I saw one of your Cyclite jackets tonight on my commute home from Green Lake, Yanosan !

I couldn't help but whistle "It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas" :) when I saw it! A little much for me to wear, but very visible.

Ooh nice that Cyclite jacket but spendy! With all that electricity does it keep you warm like an electric blanket as well? Be nice if it did so you don't have to wear full blown expedition gear at 0F! :) :D