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Good deal on fleece?


RobBob

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actually, a mid weight fleece made of stitched snafflefur might be a better performer for RobBob.

RB- iguess the question is, what are you going to use it for? If it's stepping out of the 4x4 to run into the local latte lay, get a nice, nappy, thick fleece. With large, colorblocked label the chicas can read from twenty feet away.

Or, are you're going to be wallowing out in snowsville,a living iceworn out in frozen wasteland?

plus how cheap ARE you? can you spend 100 bucks?

stretch fleece, tight to body, preferably with a smooth face. or for a bit more $$$ Think ...Powertec Powershield or Patagonia coreskin... those are fleeces you can really get some value out of

cheapest sources of good gear... your local independants closeout racks or a secondhander

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How's the durability and construction on Old Navy fleece gear, though? If they're using cheap-ass fleece that's going to get all matted down, pilled out, and worn thin and you have to buy a new one every year, then something more pricey might by worth it. How about stitching and zippers? Are they using cotton thread and low stitch counts so your seams blow out? Are the zippers cheap knockoffs that come apart if you tug on 'em? Can you get at the pockets with a pack on? Do they move with you and do the cuffs and waist stay put, or do they bind up and leave 6" of wrist and back exposed when you lift your arms?

 

There are reasons that that big-name shit costs more dough. Sure, it's similar in some ways to a 20-dollar item, but it's not the same.

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quote:

Originally posted by Dr Flash Amazing:

There are reasons that that big-name shit costs more dough. Sure, it's similar in some ways to a 20-dollar item, but it's not the same.

The reasons are more along the lines of advertising costs and retail margin than any differences in functionality (materials, workmanship, and pattern. They're knockoffs. Do you know what that means?) Pay the higher rate, sucker, especially if it makes you feel like a climber. It's kind of like choosing a cigarette brand; It's not what they're made of, but who smokes them.

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quote:

Originally posted by Greg W:

Trask, I have come into some endangered baby seal pelts (sorry, can't reveal source) and wish to make some earwarmers for myself and my honey. Could you help with some sewing materials and possibly a pattern? Thanks much.

-

 

Greg, this fine coat was assembled for a friend of mine. These pelts were secured from poached animals found off the Sauk Prairie Road, Darrington. I have also worked with baby seal pelts, and find them delightful to the touch. I do request that you remove all traces of blood and brain matter before shipping. Thanks, trask

 

[ 11-04-2002, 01:20 PM: Message edited by: trask ]

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"The reasons are more along the lines of advertising costs and retail margin than any differences in functionality (materials, workmanship, and pattern. They're knockoffs. Do you know what that means?) Pay the higher rate, sucker, especially if it makes you feel like a climber. It's kind of like choosing a cigarette brand; It's not what they're made of, but who smokes them."

 

Yeah, wiseguy, DFA knows what "knockoff" means; thanks. Sorry if you took the Doctor's first reply to be somehow sniping, but that was the laundry list of possible shortcomings of cheap vs. spendo gear.

 

There are more differences than just advertising costs, etc. however. Fit is a big one. While recently trying on soft shells, DFA was comparing the REI One jacket with the Arc'x Gamma. Lift your arms in the REI jacket, and there's your beer gut. Lift 'em in the Gamma, and the dang thing stays put. Of course, it's hard to say if that's really worth an extra hundred bucks, but it's a fairly concrete example of what you're getting for your $$$. Materials being another biggie. There is no way that Old Navy is going to be making their jackets with the same quality of thread, zippers, etc. The extra seams for articulated sleeves, the extra stitching at critical seams; it all costs more to produce. They are going to keep it cheap all the way down the line, and in the long run are not going to perform like their more pricy counterparts.

 

[ 11-04-2002, 01:45 PM: Message edited by: Dr Flash Amazing ]

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If you want to try out an up and coming company with excellent prices making custom fit fleece and schoeller jackets for about 1/3 of the cost of major name brands, check out Beyond Fleece out of Eugene. The guy who owns it is in his mid-twenties and started making his own fleece jackets b/c of the cost for name brands. Then his friends wanted them, then Outdoor groups like ski teams etc.. wanted them and now he has his own company. He does not advertise, but got a free ad from Backpacker Magazine as the editor's choice award for best clothing gear. He went from one staff to eight in a year and makes everything in Eugene, custom tailored for you. Check out http://www.beyondfleece.com/ for more info. Pretty sweet gear. Oh yeah, the founder and owner doesn't even make a salary. He puts everything he makes back into his business and only takes enough to pay rent and food. Doesn't even own a car! Pretty dedicated to his product!

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quote:

Originally posted by Dr Flash Amazing:

Dr. Flash Amazing has nothing not to be proud of! It's like Gay Pride around here, but without all the gayness!

Here's a little ditty for ya, flash-

 

"You roll outta bed, Mr. Coffee's dead,

The mornin's burnin' bright.

And your shrink ran off to Europe,

And didn't even write.

And your wife wants to be ... a boy.

Be glad there's one place in the world,

 

Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came.

You want to go where people know

People are all the same.

You want to go where everybody knows your name."

 

[laf] trask

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