I have no qualms about buying stuff online. However, for me going into the stores and seeing what they have is more fun. So far I have found stores that carry a quality selection and have staff that know their business. Anytime I visit a large city I like to go out and kick some tires. In Vancouver BC, Canada there must be about a half a dozen hiking stores located on Broadway Street within a couple of blocks of each other. When I was looking for my first backpack I went to a store in Vancouver where they were having a sale. The young salesman there actually told me not to waste my money buying from him but to go to MEC. It has been my experience that there is a comradery among hikers that transcends the money making aspect of things. Hikers I meet have been happy to share what they know and make good recommendations. Many of these fellow hikers work in hiking retail.

Howie