Where to buy hiking backpack, day backpack, and waterproof Jacket

[jiltao]

These things tend to be expensive in sports-specialized stores. But if that is the only place you can find them, do you have recommended places? If you can find them at a cheaper price somewhere else, such as Target-like stores, please let me know! This is for a hiking field trip for my daughter, not sure how often we are going to use it, so I am not looking for spending too much money on it... Thanks!!!

[jgl]

http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/thread56215.html

http://www.geoexpat.com/forum/thread44547.html

There's a reason that things tend to be more expensive in specialised sports stores than in Wal Mart or Target (if you live in the US): Specialised stores sell better quality gear, and Wal Mart/Target sells... shit.

Still, if you want cheap gear, there are plenty of low-quality stores scattered around Mong Kok where you can probably find $50 backpacks. Maybe okay for a short daytrip for a kid, but certainly not the sort of store to pick up anything for multi-hour, loaded hiking.

[jiltao]

Thanks for the info! I guess I am looking for good quality stuff at a reasonable price. North Face will be too much, $50 a piece will be too cheap. Something in between.
Thanks for the links!

[jgl]

Then look around the small stores in Mong Kok (I believe they are nearish the computer centre?). If North Face is too expensive, the stores mentioned in those other threads are too pricey. North Face is actually quite mediocre in the spectrum of outdoor gear.

If you want brand suggestions, Tatonka and Nikko are budget brands with a passing nod towards design and manufacture.

Exactly what sort of trip is your daughter going on anyway?

[blueagles]

you may want to checkout wingon and sincere (they have a sale this weekend)

[thisdress]

Stanley market is a really good place for decent quality but lower price outdoors garments and gadgets.

Runners, breathable clothes, fleece jackets, rain coats, camelpak (not the same brand but good fountain/backpacks anyway), backpacks, walking sticks etc are all sold there at a fraction of the price in, say, Tung Chung (which is supposed to be outlets.) However, the cheapest stuff may not have all the sizes.

[PDLM]

Hmmm. My experience of pricing identical (Merrell) hiking shoes in Stanley Market and Gigasports Pacific Place was that Pacific Place was cheaper by about 15%, so I'm not so sure about that...

[thisdress]

Hmmm. My experience of pricing identical hiking shoes in Stanley Market and Gigasports Pacific Place was that Pacific Place was cheaper by about 15%, so I'm not so sure about that...

Well, I usually fit quite well into the XXS or XS clothes, so I've been picking up some really cheap stuff off Stanley. Also got a drysuit for HKD400, which is a steal.

But I've never checked Gigasports. Thanks for the tips, I need to get a few more things for my New Zealand trip (watersport, first aid, and camping stuff), do you think they might have it? If so, I'll give it a go.

[jgl]

Gigasports is one of those urban-outdoors stores that sells tracksuits, basketballs and leotards. Pretty much devoid of anything that you mentioned, unless 'watersport' means 'bathing suit'. They get as outdoorsy as trail running shoes. On the plus side, they are all over the place so you can't help but walk past one at some stage.

For camping stuff you can't really beat Chamonix or RC in terms of range.

[apple&dog]

Mong Kok is the best place. There are several hiking stores. I also got my swiss amry knife there.