Touring - Taking advantage of the off season

Now that we are into the new year, with spring and summer approaching for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, dreams of touring turn toward plans of touring. In specific I figure this must be the best time to buy gear -post Christmas, mid winter, inventory clearance as the new seasons stuff starts to be released and the like. So I ask the group, what have you found out there? I'm pretty set on the bike end, but I'm looking for camping gear -a sleeping bag, maybe a tent, stoves, etc. I have read through the archives here, at crazyguyonabike (http://www.crazyguyonabike.com) and the Phred Touring List (http://www.phred.org/mailman/listinfo/touring) as well as backpacking sites to know what has worked for people. The question is has anybody found some great deals, clearances, sales on the gear typical used by tourers. Last years items seem like an ideal candidate, since there really is no improvement on say a sleeping bag from year to year and I got a big REI refund coming to me, that I might be able to use. Of course no reason not to point out good bike releated finds as well.

I picked up a couple yakima big tow trailers for $50/ea, we'll see if it was a good deal when they get here. :)

What off season? :D

Jay

I'm with Jay, What off season?

You guys touring right now? Lucky you.

But regardless the outdoor shops sell skis/snowshoes/snowboards/etc. in the fall/winter and hiking/cycling/etc. gear in the spring/summer. For each set of activities the opposite time of year is called the "off season". During this time they try to sell off last years inventory so that they can stock and sell this years latest and greatest. Often they do so at a reduced price during this so called off season. So I was merely asking that for those of us that this is the off season (notice I excluded those in the southern hemisphere where it is the on season in the initial post) and are shopping what have we found. So far I have found nothing :(

Relax, just pulling your leg. I wouldn't hesitate to go on a tour now, but I'm still biking to work. I do some ski touring though in the winter, by X-Country skiing to leantos and shelters.

If you're looking for old gear, I would simply try the usual haunts, "off-season" or not. Also check out the "Hot deals" forums here for good Nashbar/STP/Performance coupons:


www.sierratradingpost.com
www.rei-outlet.com
www.overstock.com

AND DON'T FORGET to call your LBS, they have closeouts too.

I'm in the process of looking for a touring kayak myself for some paddling trips...

Jay

Relax, just pulling your leg. I wouldn't hesitate to go on a tour now, but I'm still biking to work.

Jay

Hey me too, on all points. Maybe I was too dry in that reply ;) I was just saying even if we don't think there is an off season doesn't mean the stores don't.

My advice to you is to keep you eyes and ears open for bargains all year round. One thing I've learned from buying virtually all types of products is that shops of all kinds can get overstocked at virtually anytime of the year.