I recently discovered a new source on the Web for outdoor equipment: OutdoorPros.com. They have a staggering range and variety of equipment, including what I would consider to be far more than the world will ever really need in the realm of martial arts and security/law enforcement equipment. Their selection of genuine hiking and camping gear tends toward the high end of quality, and they appear to offer some good prices for the quality. Many of the manufacturers whose products they sell seem to be geared toward military-inspired equipment. So, for instance, you will find some excellent quality and good prices on combat-boot style footwear (which can be perfect for heavy-duty hiking boots), but virtually nothing in the way of light- or medium-duty hiking boots.

They also have, in stark contrast, some superb prices on what appears to be basic, down-to-earth camping equipment from manufacturers that are just beginning to make an appearance on the U.S. markets. Worth a look.

One criticism I had of their Web site was the lack of customer reviews. Maybe they heard me! Submit a review on OutdoorPros.com for a chance to win $1000. If you own any product sold by OutdoorPros.com, whether you bought it there or not, submit a review and you'll be automatically entered to win $1,000.00. (As an affiliate, I'm not eligible. Dang!) I will submit a review of those 32 North Corporation 150227 STABILicers crampons this coming winter, when I've used them a bit more. I like them so far, but I only got to use them once, and never really pushed them very hard. I'll write a review when I can write a fair one.

On this page, I've listed a few of their products that I can recommend just on the specs and the reputation of the manufacturers.

Texsport 1250 The Lodge SUV Square Dome Tent

The Texsport 1250 The Lodge SUV Square Dome Tent is a family-size dome tent that can either stand alone or connect to the back of your SUV. Go straight from the tent to the car in the pouring rain without getting wet! This might not be such a good thing in bear country. Where I usually camp, your car is the safest place to store food, and you don't allow food anywhere near your tent. If there are no bears, or if the bears in your area know how to break into cars (and therefore you don't store your food in your car), this might be a great family tent. Now available at a 40% discount, $137.98.

Texsport 1165 Saguaro Bivy Shelter Tent

A bivy may be just the thing for backpackers. The Texsport 1165 Saguaro Bivy Shelter Tent is available for $31.18, 40% off the usual list price.

Texsport 1109 Brookwood Internal Frame Tent

The Texsport 1109 Brookwood Internal Frame Tent is a nice two-person tent (rated for three, but you know how that goes) for only $17.98, 40% off the list price.

Texsport 15222 High Plains Sleeping Bag

The Texsport 15222 High Plains Sleeping Bag is a deal that's hard to match: A decent two-season sleeping bag for only $26.98.

Texsport 15220 Tenderfoot Sleeping Bag

The Texsport 15220 Tenderfoot Sleeping Bag is a similar deal for children's two-season sleeping bag, only $14.38.

Outdoor Products 4153OP-001 Op El Sol External Frame Pack Navy

Here is an example of OutdoorPros.com's high-end military-inspired equipment: The Outdoor Products 4153OP-001 Op El Sol External Frame Pack Navy. At 5,150 cubic inches, this is a large weekender or a small expedition pack, and it has all the flexibility and features you would need for through-hiking the Appalachian Trail. At $106.31, you get what you pay for.

Outdoor Products 4151U-GRA-005 Op Saturn External Frame Pack Graphite

The Outdoor Products 4151U-GRA-005 Op Saturn External Frame Pack Graphite is more my speed for a weekend pack. 4,860 cubic inches is plenty, and its quality and flexibility leave little to be desired. At $80.80, it's a little more within reach.

Outdoor Products 592 OP CHO Op Meteor Day Pack Chocolate

The Outdoor Products 592 OP CHO Op Meteor Day Pack Chocolate is a decent day-pack at an excellent price. 2,600 cubic inches is even a little on the large side, but $31.90 is very attractive.

Outdoor Products 6529OP-HRN Op Hall Pass Day Pack Heron

Geared toward use as a school backpack, the Outdoor Products 6529OP-HRN Op Hall Pass Day Pack Heron would also serve well as a slightly small daypack. (Well, I never fill my daypack anyway, so slightly small is not bad.) 1,830 cubic inches should be plenty for most day-hikes, and $17.73 is not a bad price at all.

Whenever I consider the trade-off between paying for quality and saving money, I'm reminded of something I heard in a motorcycle safety course a long time ago: "If you've got a twenty-dollar head, get a twenty-dollar helmet."

So get the quality you need, and know that you're getting what you pay for.

On the other hand, there's no point (in my mind, at least) in paying for fashion in the name of quality. If you ask around, and everybody says Brand A is the best, try to dig a little deeper and find out why Brand A is the best. You may find that Brand A is perceived as the best because everybody hears that Brand A is the best. Under these conditions, Brand A commands the premium prices because demand is high, not necessarily because the quality is good.

Maybe it's just me, so you should take what I say with a grain of salt as well, but I try to avoid what is trendy and fashionable and to look instead for what is of genuine lasting worth. If you want to be perceived as in touch with the latest trends, I most definitely can't help you out. But if you want the quality you need, no more and no less, maybe I can advise you a little.