Gear Outfitters in Virginia

[FritztheCat]

Once I have accumulated my remaining pieces of gear (stove, tent), I'm going to start looking at a decent pack. I figure the best way to go about that is to take my stuff to an outfitter and get a pack that holds it all and feels right. The local outfitters here (Virginia Beach) are...well....lacking I guess is the best way to put it. We've got a wild river outfitters, which is great but they are focused on kayaks and canoes. There's a Blue Ridge Mountain Sports but to me they seemed to cater to the very wealthy day hikers so I didn't find them to be what I need. The only other options here are a Sports Authority (full of teenage workers) and a Dicks Sporting Goods (also full of teenage workers). Nothing wrong with teenage workers but they don't really know what they are selling.

Does anyone know of another place in SE Virginia? If not, I'm not above driving the 7 hours to Damascus to get a properly fitting and sized pack. I figure I'll have to drive 64 to 81 to get there so I'll be close to Waynesboro and Staunton so there may be other stores there.

Any advice would be most appreciated!

[Hikerhead]

Outdoor Trails in Daleville is a nice store with most everything a hiker needs. They stock Granite Gear packs. I may be buying one of those this week.

[Frau]

Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro, but I like MRO in Damascus better.

We use Outdoor Trails in Daleville (near Roanoke) and are happy there, but I got my ULA Catalyst in Damascus.

Frau

[f8lranger4x4]

here in roanoke we have sportsman wharhouse and gander mountain also walabout trails

[bigcranky]

Damascus makes such a nice road trip. If you can spend a weekend, you could camp nearby and do some hiking in the Mt Rogers area.

Mt Rogers Outfitters is one of the best places out there to be fitted for a pack.

[Blissful]

You'll have to head west to find better outfitters for sure. Maybe combine it with some hiking in the area.

I really like the guys at Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro who cater to thru hikers. But MRO in Damascus probably has the best selection of packs to try.

[Berserker]

I don't know what specific brands of packs you are looking for, but another place you might want to check out that has several locations in NC (much closer to you than Damascus) is the Great Outdoor Provision Company. I used to live in Charlotte and have been to the store there several times. It's a good place with a decent selection. Maybe someone else can comment on the ones closer to you (there are several in the RTP - Research Triangle Park...Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill). I think there may be multiple REIs in that area also to give you another option.

[Mandingo]

I work for Blue Ridge in Virginia Beach and yes many of our customers are wealthy day hikes. We are not on any type of comission and most of us work here because we love the outdoors. I am a trail bum who thruhiked the AT in 06 and am planning a PCT thru hike this spring. Another staff member was a south bounder in 07 and is leaving for a NOLS course shortly. Two ACA certified instructors. Two climbers from Colorado. Everyone here just wants to talk about gear and help out our fellow hikers. We enjoy helping everyone from those just getting into the lifestyle to those people who have been doing it longer than any of us have been alive. We are here to help and if we can not suit your needs we will be the first to recommend another Outfitter.

[buff_jeff]

I really liked Rockfish Gap and Mt. Rogers Outfitters. Outdoor Trails in Daleville seemed a little lackluster, though. My Dad couldn't find a pair of shorts that fit him and all I picked up was a t-shirt.

[sweetpeastu]

Personally if I were you and was going to have to drive long distances, I'd find an REI closest to you. If you buy a pack from them and it turns out you don't like it or it hurts, you can send it back at any time!

They're normally somewhat helpful too, and seem to have a better understanding of what they're selling.

[FritztheCat]

I work for Blue Ridge in Virginia Beach and yes many of our customers are wealthy day hikes. We are not on any type of comission and most of us work here because we love the outdoors. I am a trail bum who thruhiked the AT in 06 and am planning a PCT thru hike this spring. Another staff member was a south bounder in 07 and is leaving for a NOLS course shortly. Two ACA certified instructors. Two climbers from Colorado. Everyone here just wants to talk about gear and help out our fellow hikers. We enjoy helping everyone from those just getting into the lifestyle to those people who have been doing it longer than any of us have been alive. We are here to help and if we can not suit your needs we will be the first to recommend another Outfitter.

Mandingo, thanks for the reply! I saw yesterday an ad for your store that offered appointments to be outfitted. I'll have to keep that in mind! I have to admit that I'm a bit jealous of your store's location. The Fresh Market is one of my favorite places to go and I'd love to work so close to it (of course I'd be broke all the time :D).

Thanks to everyone for your replies. I think what I'm going to do is hit a gear shop or two close to the trail and make a mini-vacation out of it. Hit the store for the pack then head directly to the trail to give it a trial run over a couple of days. Any excuse to get hiking works for me. :sun

[Richard Snider]

I'm a big fan of Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro VA. I've lived in Waynesboro for a little over three years and do most all of my shopping there. The staff is well experienced in the outdoors and WILL NOT push products on you you DO NOT need or fit your purpose. They will take time to get to know you, what you're looking for, and what you need. Their store is well stocked in useful products that real hikers/campers use and the prices are very reasonable.

From your location, take I-64 west to exit 96, Turn right onto 34 and go to the first stop light, Turn right onto 250 South and travel about .5 - 1 mile on the left. Its a long wooden building with a well displayed sign.

[lastminute1257]

go to Mt. Rogers Outfitters in damascus, and get jeff to fit you, they are good people.

[the goat]

in the vabeach area, blue ridge mt sports is prob your best best bet,

[chriscook02]

in the vabeach area, blue ridge mt sports is prob your best best bet,

got some shoes last weekend .definitely recommend them

[mtnkngxt]

As funny as it sounds the bass pro shops in hampton has a good selection of Kelty Gregory and North Face packs. Also has a Golite from time to time. If you go in on saturday theres a really cute girl who knows her stuff, that can help you. Good selection of sleeping bags, tents, and packs. Also water filtration from Katahdin,MSR, and some other companies. Also carry all MSR stoves and a few other pocket rocket types. On the things they didn't have like trekking poles, boots, and winter gloves and hats, I took a trip up to Blue Ridge in Williamsburg. They carry the best, and it shows in their product lines and the people they have working there. If your looking for the basics and don't want the lightest or newest try getting the basics from one of the Big Stores like tent, sleeping bag, stove, and filter, then go over to Blue Ridge and get yourself a good pair of boots and a good pack. I've found that by piecing together stuff from all places I end up with the best setup for my poor college student way of life. Happy Trails.

[Bilbo]

I'm a big fan of Rockfish Gap Outfitters in Waynesboro VA. I've lived in Waynesboro for a little over three years and do most all of my shopping there. The staff is well experienced in the outdoors and WILL NOT push products on you you DO NOT need or fit your purpose. They will take time to get to know you, what you're looking for, and what you need. Their store is well stocked in useful products that real hikers/campers use and the prices are very reasonable.

From your location, take I-64 west to exit 96, Turn right onto 34 and go to the first stop light, Turn right onto 250 South and travel about .5 - 1 mile on the left. Its a long wooden building with a well displayed sign.


I agree with Richard. I usually work with Rich Gibson there. Very knowledgeable and willing to spend a lot of time explaining the gear etc.