Outfitters Near Allentown

[smalls]

I live in extreme NW PA, and there are very few outfitters in my immediate area beyond Gander Mountain. I'll be in Allentown, PA for a couple days next week, and I was curious if anybody can point me toward any good places to hit up while I'm down there. I'll probably get in to the REI on the north side of Philly while I'm down there, so that's one.

-Smalls

[ki0eh]

Nestor's: http://www.nestors.com/public/locations.asp
Cabela's at Hamburg - head west on I-78 from Allentown, if you miss it you shouldn't be driving

[Crotalus]

Arent there a couple REI's in Pittsburgh?

I was actually surprised at the backpacking gear selection at the Harrisburg Gander Mountain. It is far far better than the Bass Pro.

[pyroman53]

It has been a few decades since I've been to Nestors, except for the closout of their Quakertown store a few years ago but I can't see making a special trip to either Nestors or Cabellas for any backpacking gear...they're not that type of outfitter...but if you wanta buy camo or ammo or tackle...then most definitely...and Cabellas is worth a visit just to see one if you've never been to one.

There's an Eastern Mtn Sports store near the mall in Allentown...Eastern Mountain Sports, 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall, PA 18052 (610) 266-8640 www.ems.com but that had mostly clothing when I was in there a couple years ago.
There's also an Eddie Bauer at 171 Lehigh Valley Mall, (610) 266-6665...again, mostly clothes as I remember.


As far as I've heard, there's not much in the way of a BPing gear store.


I found this on-line just now - never been there but but could be promissing:

East Ridge Outfitters8477 Allentown Pike
Blandon, PA 19510 Phone: 610-916-0777

[Namaste]

EMS and Eddie Bauer no longer exist in the Lehigh Valley Mall or anywhere close by. I agree about Nestor's, you'll find lots of Carhartt, etc . clothing and hunting stuff but very little backpacking stuff.....maybe check their website to see if it's worth your time. Cabela's pretty much same as Nestor's. No REI's and don't know about East Ridge Outfitters.

[Toolshed]

Nestor's is a joke. Overpriced crap. Bought a canister of BD skin glue a few years back. Got home and found out it was already opened and half empty. Took it back and while they finally refunded my money they gave me a lot of crap about how do they know I didn't buy it and use it before returning it - Had to go through 3 people to get my $$ back...

As if I didn't learn my lesson, a year later I bought a trail guide and mapset and at the time I asked if this was the latest version ("Why Of course it is, sir"). ot home and realized it was from 1999 and there was a newer revision out in 2003-2004. Took them back and again, got crap about returning the items even thought I only bought it 3-4 days before.

Nestor's Never!!!!!

[lustreking]

Though it's not extremely close to Allentown (maybe less than 2 hours), You should definitely check out Campmor in Paramus, NJ.

[Bags4266]

Campmor is a great place and there is a EMS right next door. You can even parlay a trip to the REI not to far from there. 3 shops one trip. Cabela's is more of a fishing and hunting store btw

[Namaste]

Though it's not extremely close to Allentown (maybe less than 2 hours), You should definitely check out Campmor in Paramus, NJ.

Campmor is definitely worth the trip but, yeah, about 2 hours away. Also, fyi, not open on Sundays ("blue law" still exists up in Paramus). There's an EMS right next door.....I park at Campmor and walk over to EMS when I go up there.

[Namaste]

Nestor's is a joke. Overpriced crap. Bought a canister of BD skin glue a few years back. Got home and found out it was already opened and half empty. Took it back and while they finally refunded my money they gave me a lot of crap about how do they know I didn't buy it and use it before returning it - Had to go through 3 people to get my $$ back...

As if I didn't learn my lesson, a year later I bought a trail guide and mapset and at the time I asked if this was the latest version ("Why Of course it is, sir"). ot home and realized it was from 1999 and there was a newer revision out in 2003-2004. Took them back and again, got crap about returning the items even thought I only bought it 3-4 days before.

Nestor's Never!!!!!

Yeah, I agree, customer service is not a top priority with these folks. I no longer shop there.