Most useful/indispensable gear

If they sell the shoes you like, then you could always pick up an extra pair for when your current pair wear out.

BeFree was my last lust together with a 3 L compatible bottle.

Now, my growing kid’s clothes…

Not much of a stovie here. My feeling is that unless you are looking for specific performance (windproofness of the Windboiler, cooking for large groups, other fuel sources, etc), I don’t think there’s much of a reason to move away from the Pocket Rocket…

I’d buy underwear.  Seriously.  Who doesn’t need underwear :)

5-6 years ago I splurged on a pair of ExOfficio Give-N-Go boxer briefs because someone I trusted recommended them. Damn they are nice…so nice that I threw away all my old drawers and (slowly as I found them on sale) bought about 14 more pair.  They are all that I wear 24/7/365.  Now I just buy a couple pair preemptively when I see them on sale…never going back.

I guess what I am saying is you don’t have to wait to “replace” something until it is no longer functional…do so preemptively…just in case they do something stupid like stop making it :)

Decent stuff I have gotten at REI:

MSR Groundhogs

Mary Jane’s Farm meals

Black Diamond trekking poles

Trails Illustrated/NatGeo maps

REI Flexlite chair (for work, not hiking)

DeLorme InReach

Adventure Medical Kit .5 first aid kit (mostly just ’cause I like the bag)

Suunto compass

Sawyer water filter

Thermarest pads

also: maps, permits, socks

I really like the Toad Co. clothing for dressing up.

are you buying online or walking into the store? If I step in, I usually leave with at least $60 worth of stuff.

+1 on the BeFree water filter….only bit of gear that has gotten me excited because of the vast improvement it offers over the Sawyer.

Like you, I have all the gear that I need and I am happy with it.

I find that I tend to buy consumables at REI such as fuel, socks, replacement Platypus bottles as they do eventually wear out and get a leak.

In your situation, you could consider a Jetboil Mini Mo….not all that attractive in weight as I find my old Pocket Rocket and MSR Titan Kettle is likely lighter, but the Jetboil is really convenient and fast when it comes to getting water to a boil. (Speed vs. light weight)

Now…you just need someone to give you a gift certificate for something like MLD or Zpacks, right? :)

Tony

+1 on some combination of fancy underwear, socks and a befree filter,

Titanium windscreen for that pocket rocket. But you won’t find one at REI…(and yes if you’re just boiling water for one they’re safe.)

I used my last coupon that came at rebate time on the new Biolite stove, grill and pot kit.  I have lots of stoves, and woodburning stoves probably don’t make a lot of sense out here in SoCal, but it’s cool and will go with me on any car camp going forward.

REI also sells Ursack now.

+1 on socks.

Sunscreen, fuel canisters, meals, gloves..

This sounds like an unnecessary ounce or two but check out a Soto torch. Might be 20 or so dollars. I received one as a gift a few years ago and I am glad I have it. It takes a regular OTC plastic lighter but it truly ramps up the flame. It puts out a strong, steady flame even in extremely windy conditions. I use an alcohol stove and it really simplifies igniting that.

A new knife!!

If you already have gear that gets you by then I would suggest maps.  Gear doesn’t get you out but maps allow you to discover new places to explore.  This is my single biggest purchase after shoes.

Another vote for the BeFree filter – doubt you’d regret spending some of your gift card on one. You mentioned sun hats – check out the OR Sun Runner – saves me from having to put sunscreen on my face, except for the nose. As for something indispensable, a great fitting pair of shoes is hard to beat.

Thanks for the ideas, everyone!

Katherine- Probably buying online but many times I go into REI in person and still can’t find anything I just can’t live without. I think it’s largely to do with I gravitate towards stuff REI doesn’t carry now, like ZPacks.

Tony Wong- Yes, a GC to Zpacks would be awesome! Ha!

Vincent V.- I’ll check out the Soto torch. I’m a sucker for a decent lighter.

Katharina- now you’re talking my language. I am a total knife nut, oddly (for a woman). 

I’ll check out the BeFree filter since it comes so highly recommended.

Thanks for all the suggestions! And for no one making fun of my admittedly first-world problem.

Not sure if REI would have it, but BPLer Erin McKittrick walked for their place in Seldovia, past my house, past Anchorage, and then back down the remote west side of Cook Inlet.  800 miles, with the hubby, 4 year-old and 2-year-old*, all by walking and pack rafting and just released a book about it, “Mud Flats and Fish Camps”.  She writes well and even those of us that live here would learn a few things.

*the ultimate heavy-weight gear because a 2-year-old weighs a lot, doesn’t provide shelter, calories, or serve any other useful purpose AND consumes a fair bit of food and diapers.

Darn tough socks.

They do have nice car camping gear too…I got a folding rocking chair for car camping trips and I can sit in it without getting a sore back…I really like it.

I agree with the shoes suggestion.  You’ll need them eventually.

Another vote for shoes.   It is something you’ll always need

Gift for a friend.

A gift for a friend whose initials are pronounced Katie?

Thanks everyone for the suggestions- I picked up a neon yellow cycling jacket (convertible to a vest) so I’d be more visible on my cycling adventures, and 3 pairs of Darn Tough socks. I couldn’t get shoes because REI doesn’t carry 2E or 4E widths in my size and I’ve got bunions so a wide shoe is a must if I don’t want to have blisters.