Earlier this month, and its 85 locations across the United States and Canada for $5.5 billion. The news had me鈥攁n avid Pacific Northwest runner and kayaker鈥攁sking: What鈥檚 the best way to shop at these giant big-box retailers that dominate the Midwest and South? What should I buy? What should I avoid? To find out, I called two 国产吃瓜黑料 editors who used to shop there all the time: Bryan Rogala, who grew up Arkansas, and Jonah Ogles, who grew up in Michigan. Then I spent hours perusing the shops鈥 websites looking for the best deals. Here鈥檚 what I learned.
Tips
Check Out the Aquarium
Both Bryan and Jonah suggested checking out Cabela鈥檚 in-store aquariums, which are stocked with local fish. If you鈥檙e new to the area, this is a great place to get a look at the kind of quarry you鈥檒l be chasing.聽
Take Your Time
Both stores are huge, so don鈥檛 expect to rush through, especially if you鈥檙e looking for deals. Bryan recommends digging through the discount bins to find screaming deals on crucial items like camp chairs, tents, stoves, and jackets.
Purchase Rods and Reels, Skip the Flies
Bryan and Jonah both say the stores carry great fly rods and reels, and the employees don鈥檛 try to upsell you. 鈥淣o one is going to talk you into a $900 rod when a $250 model is all most people need,鈥 Jonah says. But heads up: do not buy the flies. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 tell you how many times they鈥檝e fallen apart on me,鈥 says Jonah.
The Car-Camping Gear Is Gold
You鈥檒l need to hit up a store like REI for fast and light backpacking gear, but if you鈥檙e spending the night near your car, these two stores have great deals on everything you need.
The Best Gear Deals
Bass Pro Shops Eclipse 6-Person Tent ($100)
Car camping with kids and dogs? I suggest stringing a $12 tarp above the tent as extra insurance in a rainstorm鈥攖he fly looks a little iffy鈥攂ut otherwise this shelter should hold up just fine.
Bass Pro Shops 200 Lumen 3-Pack Flashlight Combo ($25)
Put one in your glove compartment, one in your camp box, and another in your tent. The 200-lumen beam isn鈥檛 crazy powerful, but it鈥檚 enough to cook or read by.
Coleman Lassen 20-Degree Sleeping Bag ($50)
I wouldn鈥檛 trust this bag down to 20 degrees on its namesake Lassen Peak, . The rectangular shape and cotton liner will make for a more comfortable night鈥檚 sleep than squeezing into a traditional mummy bag.
Reliance Aqua Tainer Jug ($20)
Whether you use it to fill up a Nalgene at the trailhead or boil pasta at camp, it鈥檚 handy for always having plenty of water at hand.
Brunton TruArc 3 Base Plate Compass ($13)
Heading into the backcountry? Bring . With a little know-how (get it free at ), this $13 investment might save your life, or at least the embarrassment of being pulled from the woods by the local search-and-rescue team.