I have been to the local Gander Mtn. twice in two months and have had some interesting luck. Tonight, I strolled in just to get an idea of what brands of sleeping pads they carry. I'm looking around at the Thermarest pads rolled on the rack. Then I see one on the display rack that doesn't quite match. A thermarest Trail with a tag on it for $19.97. Upon asking, it was the last one of either a discontinued or one Gander Mtn doesn't carry anymore. No leaks, perfect shape, just no bag. I think it originally sold for $49, but hey, $19 bucks is $19 bucks.

Last month, I ended up with a pair of Teva shoes for $24.

I need to make it a habit to "drop" by.

Oh well, just had to share my little good news; the wife doesn't care and the dog just looks at me.

Good job - we understand, and we're all proud of you! (I get pretty much the same reaction as you at home, except I don't have a dog.)

This means your dog is supper excited for you. Awesome deals.

Ah man, what a sad looking face; but no you can't have my sleeping pad. . . serious. . . you can't.

You can always let the dog sleep on the Thermarest! (Make sure his claws are trimmed short first!)

Thermarest has never sold stuff sacks with their pads; the sack has to be bought separately if you want one. So the low price was because they wanted to get it off the shelves, not because it was missing a stuff sack.

Yep, no included stuff sack. Which never bothers me because it's easy to get a cheaper and lighter sack for the pad.

Low prices are always a good thing, especially when for quality gear.

My Thermorest came in a stuff sack-same color as the pad. But, once you got it out of the sack, it is almost impossible to get back in because it is so small. I've had it a while, so they must have quit including stuff sacks in the last few years.

yup, mine came with bags too. Bought them in the late 90's. There was a coating on the inside of the bag that turned to goo and the bag stuck to itself.

TomD
Theres this vacume packer thingy for food. First you roll the thermarest up as tightly as you can, then make a bag the correct size and just suck it out and seal it. It should then fit into the original bag again.

Yesterday I was at a thrift store and found a like new pair of really nice synthetic insulated frostline snow pants with full side zips and cuffs etc. Oh yes for $5. I was gonna sell em but my wife saw them and that was that, only now she has to wear them to get to keep them.

I bought 12 strands of Christmas lights, 2 LED, and one 100 feet long for $16. I'm putting some around my deck out back for some gentle light at night. I'd like to make a string that would go all the way (250 feet) back to my deck in the lava flow, but I question just how bright the ones at the end would be.

Jim

Nah, too much trouble. I just wrap a strap around it and stuff it in my duffle bag (the one that goes on the sled).