One of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors is by heading off down a trail. Whether you’re just hiking a trail for a day, taking a 3-day backcountry trip in the Rocky Mountains, or making lifelong memories on the Appalachian Trail, we are here to help you. We carry gear and clothing to make your trip comfortable and safe, and our staff has experience using the products so we can give you advice on what you need and how to use it. Don’t forget to pick up one of our Backpacking Checklists, so you can be prepared for anything. We also have access to many items which we may not have in stock; be sure to ask one of us if you can’t find what you want – we may be able to order it for you!
Packs | Tents | Sleeping Bags | Camp Kitchen | Tools, Lights & Gadgets
Health & Safety | Gear Repair | Hydration
Packs
We carry a broad variety of packs to carry your gear, including multi-day trip packs (in a variety of sizes and designs), hydration packs (with a water reservoir and hose included), daypacks (for computer/book use or for trail use), and lumbar packs (aka fanny packs). If you’re looking for a multi-day backpack, we can help you get the right size pack and adjust it to fit you, and we have weighted inserts so you can test what it will feel like when it’s full of gear.
Tents
Have you been to our tent room? The top floor of The Pathfinder is where you’ll find the tents we have in stock – we are happy to have enough space to have them set up for you to take a look. This will allow you to decide whether that “2-person” tent actually has enough floor space for the two people who will be sleeping there, as well as to compare headroom, ventilation, and design of the tents you’re considering. And our staff can show you how to take down and set up your tent before you have to do it on your own out on the trail.
Sleeping Bags
Your sleeping bag needs will vary significantly based on what you’re doing – from summer camping here in Kansas to multi-season camping at high altitudes. We carry sleeping bags to cover this range as well, including lightweight, versatile bags for warm weather use and top-quality down bags for extreme weather conditions. All of our sleeping bags are very compressible and light, and come with their own stuff sack. Sleeping bags perform better when paired with a quality sleeping pad, and we also carry a variety of sleeping pads, including self-inflating pads.
Camp Kitchen
Our selection of backpacking stoves covers both liquid fuel stoves and canister fuel stoves, and our staff would be happy to talk you through the advantages and disadvantages of both stove styles. We can also help you find the best cooking gear for you, including cooking pots, fry pans, dutch ovens, tea kettles, coffee presses and a variety of plates/mugs/utensils and mess kits. And we have freeze-dried meals and snacks, many of which we have tested ourselves.
Tools, Lights & Gadgets
A successful trip on the trail means equipping yourself with key tools for your needs. Pocketknives, headlamps, paracord, compasses, lanterns… we work hard to keep a variety of these critical items available for you. Of course, we know that several of these trail tools are also handy off the trail too – how many uses can you think of for a good Leatherman’s tool or headlamp?
Health & Safety
When you’re out on the trail, having the right gear with you can make the difference between a safe, comfortable excursion and real trouble. We can help you prepare for basic daily needs with biodegradable soap, a sun shower and a trowel, and also give you options for protecting yourself from insects and sun. We have several first aid kit options and blister protection as well.
Gear Repair
Broken tent poles? Rip in your jacket? Leaking boots? Check out our gear repair & maintenance section, with supplies to keep your gear functioning at its best. From down sleeping bags to Gore-Tex jackets, proper maintenance & cleaning can extend the life of your best gear. We also carry webbing, cord and buckles to replace worn-out parts, and we have repair kits for on-the-trail use. In today’s “throw-it-away” world, we believe that high quality products can last for many years if cared for correctly.
Hydration
Safe, plentiful drinking water may be the most important part of your outdoor adventure. We have a variety of water purification options, whether you’re using murky water out of a lake or uncertain about the tap water during international travel. Once the water is clean, how will you store it? Carry it on your back with a hydration pack or in a water bottle – we have over ?? different styles of water bottles to choose from, including insulated stainless steel, bike bottles, and kids’ bottles.
