What to buy with 50$ at LL Bean?

I like LL Bean, and they've won some awards for their gear (their Microlight FS series tents are nice) but they are not what I would classify as UL. None of their gear. Light, yes, some of it. And some is more in the "bomber" category.

As mentioned before, I like their Microlight FS series tents. I have the FS-1 – it's a nice side entry design, holds up very well to wind, sort of a copy of the MSR Hubba. But it's heavier than my Big Agnes Fly Creek UL2, which has become my go-to UL tent for now.

LL Bean does have the Hillsound Trail Crampons for sale roughly in your price range- they get better ratings by many vs. the Kahtoola Microspikes. So if you live in a snowy area, you might look at those.

They have some good water-resistant down gear. Not UL, but light.

They sell fun winter stuff- skates, snow shoes, sleds, skis.

They have some decently priced "gift" items – everything from thermoses to headlamps to crank flashlights. Not what I'd call camping gear, but good for tossing in your car's emergency kit.

As my Mom would say "buy some nice clothes".

Bean is not the place for lightweight hiking gear, but does have nice clothes that last a while. Classic pieces like wool sweaters, town flecces, and so on. By something you'd otherwise would like but can't justifying buying otherwise. I bought a heavy weight wool sweater for town use during the Colorado winters when I received a gift card.

Maybe not the advice you were looking for, but can't ALWAYS look like a trail bum 24/7. ;)

If you want to buy exclusively outdoor gear, then go with socks, underwear, hats, mittens, etc.

Not as cool a new tent perhaps, but probably the best type of gear you can buy while being lightweight.

YMMV.

Thanks. It does look like the only things that they may have that can be considered lightweight would be socks/underwear/etc. I do need a headlamp replacement and saw that they have the petzl tikka2, which is pretty well reviewed on here. Hmm…

I think I'd get a Polartec 200wt fleece vest:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/78993?feat=fleece%20vest-SR0&page=men-s-trail-model-fleece-vest

Just a simple long-lasting layering piece.

I have the Ascent polartec packaway fleece that is terrific – similar to the monkey man fleece. It's not showing on the site anymore so perhaps its been discontinued…

Any of the Ascent items look pretty nice – the packaway jacket and vest look like nice synthetic layer pieces.

I have the Microlight FS2 – and it is a terrific two person tent just a hair under 4lbs.

But you can't go wrong with a couple flannel shirts, some khakis, hats or gloves.

Or a waxed cotton upland game jacket!

i think BPLers do a disservice to LL bean

they make things that others here would use anyday if it was one of the more "popular" brands

as mentioned theres an primaloft ONE nanopuff copy …

and they sell 850 fill down jackets

they sell a "UL windshirt"

they sell the neo airs

and pocket rockets/snowpeak stoves

and titanium puts

and best of all its a riskless purchase as there is free returns from the US … and you can return for ANY reason at all after ANY length of time, just keep the receipt

;)

LL Bean sells lots of brand stuff too.

I would wait until they have a sale, 10-20% off with free shipping. They do this several time per year.

Then buy ~ half of an Xlite. (I did this actually myself)

LLBean still has the lifetime satisfaction guarantee. If it fails, or you decide you dont like it, just return it or get it replaced no hassle.

I just had a gift card too – used it to by a Sea to Summit brand dry sac. The head lamp is a good idea too!

I have an Ascent Packaway Jacket, and so far like it. I believe they also sell JetBoil or other decent canister stoves, if you're looking at that. The merino baselayers are around $50 too.

would the ascent packaway be considered a solid piece of UL equipment?

EDIT: Wasn't sure because weight isn't listed on their website.

If you call their 800 number they can tell you the weight.

I don't know if they still carry it but I bought my Steripen from LL Bean.

OH MAN!

I had the same problem once.

Check out these:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/60848?feat=60814-ppxs&dds=y

Best gloves I have ever used. Buy 3 pairs for swapping wet gloves for deep winter camping like I do, or just one pair for year-round hiking, running, and driving.

I don't think L.L. Bean makes a single other product of the same caliber.

Hey Max – what are those gloves called – cant get the link to work.

Thanks!

I got one and it's light, strong and very stylish ;)

I like the Cresta wool layers: http://www.llbean.com/llb/search/?freeText=cresta+wool&init=1

For around $50 you get layers that seem about as good as stuff people often pay twice as much for — and you get it risk-free.

Their knife edge softshell pants are good for winter hikes, and again less expensive than what people usually seem to spend:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/75095?feat=knife%20edge-SR0&page=knife-s-edge-pants&attrValue_0=Classic%20Black&productId=1245578