Gear Store Question (Anchorage, Hope: buy, military, airport)

[spleenificus]

Oops, forgot to ask in the last post, but can anyone recommend a good store or two near the airport in Anchorage where we can find good Arctic clothing and accessories.
Hopefully one with a knowledgeable staff that won't try to get tourist kind'a money for tourist kind'a gear from a couple that is moving to the tundra and will actually need good stuff to survive the winter.

Thanks again!

[warptman]

REI is at mid-town in Anchorage, they have a lot of winter gear. They are on Spenard and Northern Lights. There is also a Army/Navy store near by on Spenard.

[starlite9]

There is/was (was there a few months ago) a "G.I. Joes" on Arctic and International Airport Road (straight down from the Airport, you might call them first). He sells Army Surplus equipment and has a lot of that type of stuff that is winter equipment/arctic clothes. Not to mention there is a lot of neat "General" stuff there too.

But if you are looking for new trendy stuff, like Warptman pointed out, REI is the better place to go and closer than the Army/Navy store. But the Army/Navy Store on 4th Ave. is good too, just farther into town..

[Barkingowl]

If you don't find anything that you like there I'd suggest mail order through L.L. Bean or Cabelas.

[spleenificus]

Thanks for the suggestions, all!
We really appreciate them.


The only real things we feel we must buy in person are gloves and boots.
I am not willing to move to the tundra with boots I haven't at least tried on before I bought.
As for gloves, well, we really have no idea, so why not buy in person?

[warptman]

The warmest boots ever made are by a company called Bata "Bunny boots." You can't go wrong there. They were made for the military and even if your feet get wet, that water won't freeze inside your boots.

Great Land of Alaska - Alaskan FAQ

[Nephler]

Speaking of gear, how is Sportsman's Warehouse for stuff? I've driven by a few times, but just haven't stopped in.

[warptman]

They have The North Face and Columbia gear there. A bit spendy if you ask me.

[Nephler]

I've never found much in these two brands, and your right, they seem to be more expensive than other brands. I'll have to go in anyway, just to check them out

[starlite9]

Originally Posted by spleenificus

Thanks for the suggestions, all!
We really appreciate them.


The only real things we feel we must buy in person are gloves and boots.
I am not willing to move to the tundra with boots I haven't at least tried on before I bought.
As for gloves, well, we really have no idea, so why not buy in person?

The Army surplus stuff is by far the best for cold weather, the Bunny boots, Mickey Mouse boots and Mittens are very good to have. The boots are rubber and if your feet get wet, they stay warm. You can carry extra socks and change them out if needed. The mittens have a fake fur on the back, which is used to wipe the "Snot" off your face at times in the cold. As bad as that sounds, you will find out what I mean in due time...


Bunny Boots, designed for Para Troops, note valve in ankle. At high altitude, the air needs to be let out or the boot expands and cuts off the blood circulation in the foot.

http://www.silvertechsurplus.com/zcart/images/U.S.%20Mickey%20Mouse%20Boots.jpg (broken link)
Mickey Mouse boot, used for Army in extreme cold but the black version.


Arctic mittens with wool liner.