Do you guys have an REI near by? They started in Seattle then branched out but they may still be mostly west coast. REI.com though is their online front and they make some pretty good gear that sits between Coleman and the high end stuff. For a beginner who wants to get something better than the bottom shelf shit but doesn't want to commit to the top shelf gear I'd say they are a good place to look. They also make a wide range of products that range from a bargain to a mint.

I'm stuck with EMS around here, although I do get stuff from Gander Mountain as well. Both are just a little pricey IMO.

No REIs close to us here. 3 opening in NYC this year, but the next closest is Pittsburgh. My boss grew up in SoCal, he's really complimentary of REI. Still orders some stuff off their website apparently.

I'm stuck with EMS around here, although I do get stuff from Gander Mountain as well. Both are just a little pricey IMO.

north face.

they used to be the best, then vogue bought them a while ago and they just turned into shit. i only have one piece of gear from them, and that's a backpack from pre-suck. they have recently started getting better, but they definitely milk their name. still more of a fashion statement than real gear.

the best bang for a buck in the gear world that i know of is Alps Mountaineering.

i went to oswego. i know wind. fleeces help cut that, for sure.