New camping jacket from Cabela’s
I’d been in the market for a new go-to fleece camping jacket for some time. After all, my current one (while very durable) is starting to show its age. Here’s a post where I talk about getting it as a gift in the early 90’s. At one point, I stupidly thought I’d iron it to help the Velcro pockets lay flat (here’s a little life lesson…DON’T EVER TRY TO IRON FLEECE). Needless to say, I’ve gotten a lot of miles out of my olive drab green camping fleece, and it was time to start looking for a replacement.
The issue I was most concerned with when looking for a replacement was cost. After all, it’s not like I’m trying to survive in the wilderness with it. And it’s not like fleece is some sort of high-tech moisture-wicking fabric with a cool name like Gore-Tex or Kevlar. It’s fluffy cotton, nothing more. So I absolutely could not justify spending more than $20 on one…and you’d be surprised how high some retailers are willing to go for fancy fleece jackets.
While I found lots of fleece jackets in solid colors, I was keenly interested in a camouflage patterned fleece jacket and those almost always come with a slight increase in price. I looked at Big 5, Ross, Marshalls, TJ Maxx, Cabela’s, Wholesale Sports, Wal-Mart, Costco, and probably half a dozen other places for just the right jacket. Most of the quality stuff from North Face and Columbia was in the $60-$100 range…ridiculous for fluffy cotton. Even at Ross and Marshalls the brand name jackets ran around $30-$40.
Thanks to their free shipping to any store option, I had the jacket sent to the Cabela’s in Lacey…a mere 10 minute drive from my house. Not only did it arrive three days ahead of schedule, but upon opening the box I found that it was not just adequate, but exactly what I’d been looking for. The price was perfect, the jacket fit great, it was warm but not hot, the fleece felt durable, and most importantly it was the camo pattern I had been looking for. You can read my full review of the jacket here.
Needless to say, I’m very excited to have a new go-to camping fleece and while I’ll probably hang on to my old one as a backup, this purchase definitely goes on my short list of great lifetime buys. I can’t wait for warmer weather to take it into the woods, and maybe even hunting next season. If you’re in the market for a new fleece jacket, I recommend this one highly!
Good advice! Each year, we start somewhere new but close to home. That’s especially important when camping with kids. As the summer progresses we get farther and farther away, and more and more comfortable with camping.
These are basic simple things to think about. Your camping equipment needs will vary depending on where you will be camping. Camping on the beach has different needs then camping in the mountains. You should always start your foray into camping small. Take a day trip somewhere close to your home. Check out the surroundings and the camp sites. Get an understanding of what the equipment needs will be.
An excellent suggestion. I’ll have to wait until the kids are a bit older (or convince my wife to let me trek out on my own for a weekend) but it’s something I look forward to.
If you want to combine your love of camping with your need for relaxation, try base camping. Base or car camping is a great way to enjoy some of the joys of camping without having to carry all your equipment with you. All you have to do is pack up your camping gear, find a scenic campsite, and enjoy the comforts of a home-away-from-home.
Melty-melty. Time to buy a new jacket. And probably a new iron too.
I’d keep the old one for yard and outside work. You never can tell when a well ironed old fleece can come in handy. BTW, what happens to velcro when it is touched by a hot iron?