Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop

[Aaron Coffee]

I got my safety bonus for the last two years at work last week, $70 dollars a year, so $140. It is a certificate to get gift cards at various vendors. I am thinking of either Cabela's or Bass Pro Shop. Have one of each within 3 hours drive. Don't have any specific purchase in mind, and can't decide between the two. Any thoughts or opinions?

[campinwi]

I'm thinking Cabela's. From what I have seen, they have more camping supplies.

[Kevin A]

You might want to look into Scheels, here's a locations map for the stores.
http://www.scheelssports.com/webapp/wcs ... ogId=10101
I've been to all three of the stores, BPS, Cabelas & Scheels, they are all great stores. Glad I don't have to make your decision.

[Jiminsav]

bass pro is geared towards fishing...and cabela's is more a camping place.

[emiller]

Which ever is closest. I have a Sportsman's near me and go there some times but usually I go to Cabelas.

[Jason and Amanda]

Can you get an REI gift card? I own many items from REI and I'd like to point out a few that my wife and I just love.

The camp couch is the best I've ever seen for a portable loveseat, it holds my wife, daughter, and I great.

But what I wanted to share is this:
The Eno Doublenest Hammock. This sucker is awesome. When it's packed up, it's a little bigger than a softball in size, but it's a full size hammock that holds 400 lbs. I also own the slap straps for it so I don't have to fiddle with any rope or webbing, in my opinion, they are a worthy companion to the hammock.

My wife and I nap in this quiet frequently while camping and hiking, this has to be one of my best "accessory" purchases for hiking and camping that I've ever made.

http://www.rei.com/product/754773

http://www.rei.com/product/754777

[asianflava]

Yeah, get one for whichever is closest. I know it's an seen as a coorporate evil, but I'd probably get it for Wal-Mart. Then I can use it for camping supplies, groceries, gas, whatever I need at the time.

In TX I had all of the above mentioned stores near me.
BPS and Cabela's were pretty much the same. Sportsman's Warehouse was a little cheaper and had more camp cooking supplies. REI=expensive

[Looneytoons]

There is a Cabela's about 60 miles from here. However, I often pass a Bass Pro while traveling on business. I like both stores and you can't go wrong with either one. Personally, I prefer the Bass Pro. Not by much, and I can't really tell you why.

All I know is that if they were both side by side, I know I would go to Bass Pro Shops first. You may feel the opposite and I couldn't argue with you.

If you need any more advice you may want to ask someone other than me because I'm pretty sure I wasn't much help. However, you now know how I got my screen name.

[razorback]

Cabelas or Bass Pro?? Depends on what you need. Heavy duty tents and camping stuff for Alaska conditions? Cabelas.. Fishing Supplies boats?? Bass Pro. Both are higher end places. Not as expensive as REI. My favorite for many items is Academy Sporting Goods. http://www.academy.com/index.php?page=c ... ocator/map
Just bought a Camp Chef three burner Tahoe stove at Academy. It is at least 40 dollars cheaper at Academy than any brick and mortar store or on line store.
The link is to their store locations.
Larry

[willik]

Go on-line to both and see which has more stuff you'd like.

[Larwyn]

Back before I retired, my job involved a lot of driving. I used to pass by Cabela's , Bass Pro Shop, and Gander Mountain regularly. Though it is a little smaller than the other two, for some reason (usually lower price) I ended up actually purchasing more from Gander Mountain than the other two. Of course Cabela's has them all beat as far as their wild game restaurant goes.

Now Bass Pro Shop is 50 miles away in San Antonio, and Cabela's is 90 miles away in Austin. I see more of BPS because I have to see the cardiologist at the VA in San Antonio ever now and then (they keep me healthy). But a couple of my brother in laws live in Austin so we do occasionally get to Cabela's too.

All else being equal, between the two, I would choose Cabela's and make sure I was there at lunch time......

[Aaron Coffee]

One problem is I don't have any specific items in mind. Had something picked out in 2008 when we were supposed to get them(economy put a hold on them)but now I can't remember what it was. Could get a battery charger for #2. Both about the same distance about 2-3 hours, nice road trip, spend couple hours shopping, eat supper then back home. REI is listed, I didn't know what it was. Scheels and WalMart are not on the list.

[bledsoe3]

If you can used the gift certificate online, find something you need and compare prices. The shipping is probably less than you would pay for gas driving 3 hours each way.

[Jason and Amanda]

Lots of REI haters... *shrug*

I like their stuff. Some things are expensive, but some things are worth the price. REI has high quality back packing gear that is the lightest and strongest item compared to other brands.

Depends on what your looking for, I admit...

The hammock I own is hands down better than any bulky setup available, and is about the same price, or cheaper even.

The camp couch is the best folding/portable loveseat on the market, period.

My favorite folding/camping table is a $17 walmart one though I don't like the REI table, it just depends on what you are after I guess.

[legojenn]

Lots of REI haters... *shrug*

If I were American, I would probably shop there. Looking at their catalogue, they seem to sell a lot of the same stuff that MEC sells here.

Backpacking equpment is great for a compact tear. It's rugged and compact.