UKC

Gear cheaper in Europe or US?

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todd 24 Sep 2002
I live in the US, and am in Spain for a few months. I looked into pricing for climbing Mt. Ranier in the USA, and all of the equipment will total about 3000 dollars to buy.

My question: is it cheaper to buy equipment outside of the US, such as in Spain or the UK, and then ship it back to the US? Any suggestions on countries where the price would be less expensive (but not sacrificing quality)?
RC 24 Sep 2002
In reply to todd:

I would imagine the stuff is cheaper in the US. However, when I was in Canada in July I realised that some things are cheaper out there, but other things like boots were cheaper in the UK. I also noticed that there is more variety in UK. I think it all balances out in the end and surely by the time you have paid for shipping costs you may as well have bought it over there.
 Simon Caldwell 24 Sep 2002
In reply to todd:
3000 dollars? Blimey. You might like to consider whether everything on your list is really necessary.
 TobyA 24 Sep 2002
In reply to todd: Check www.barrabes.com (they are established and reliable) and figure that basically 1EUR = 1USD. The US mags aren't taking adverts from places like Barrabes anymore because they say they are so cheap its unfair competition to US shops. Can't you just take the stuff back with you on the plane? Trans-atlantic luggage allowances are usually huge.
 Doug 24 Sep 2002
In reply to TobyA:
Depends what you're buying so worthwhile to check prices in both countries before shopping. Depending on where in the USA you are it might be worth checking MEC in Canada, they are good value for clothing & sacs although US retailer pressure has stopped them sending some lines in to the US (they've tried the same tactics on european shops as well with less success).
OP todd 24 Sep 2002
In reply to Doug:

The list was basically compiled from the "recommended" brands of equipment on:

http://www.rmiguides.com/htmldocs/cm_conf_letter.asp
 Doug 24 Sep 2002
In reply to todd:
If you already climb or walk you probably have some/much of this kit list already. If you're new to climbing do you really want to buy a whole mass of gear & then discover you hate the sport - you should be able to hire items such as ax, crampons, boots, etc.

E Thorne 24 Sep 2002
In reply to todd:

You can rent plastic boots, crampons and ice axes at REI in Seattle. It should cost less than $200. Probably more like $100.
When I was on Rainier a few years ago there were quite few posers w/ $700 goretex outfits. None of them summitted. I had a cheap $25 rain outfit from KMart. I summitted.
My point is you can comfortably outfit yourself for less than $500, and the high tech gear isn't going to make that much difference.
OP todd 30 Sep 2002
In reply to E Thorne:

Any suggestions on the absolutely required gear? I don´t want to buy the 250 dollar shell-pants if they´re not needed, etc. Thanks for all your help everyone!
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