'Good Europeans don't die; they go shopping in the US'

I'm expecting to fit a trip in this year, or at least unleash her ladship with my credit cards (share my pain) on an unsuspecting New York.
When is the best time to shop for outdoor gear there? I think hunting is a winter sport there so are the January sales actually a bad time?
Simon

New York is probably too miserable for hunting in winter. Most likely lots of their hunting is November or April.
http://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/hunting.html

Personally, I hate winters in that region. Sept. is late enough to avoid most of the tourist crowds. Probably catch some end-of-summer sales, maybe some "new" winter gear.

I don't hunt, but thought it was a mass sport there (hardly anyone does in england). so wondered if that affected sales of outdoor gear generally. just don't want her ladyship coming back with tents, waterproofs,sleeping bags etc in january and telling me it would be half the price a few months later.
simon

Really depends on the area as to when sales happen. Most of the major retailers (BassPro Shops, Cabelas, REI, Campmor) have continous sales on various items. In Oklahoma for example, BassPro always has a huge sale around the start of Summer on coolers, family tents..that kind of stuff. I have generally adapted the principle that if it's quality and the product I want...I just get it. Yeah, there can be buyers remorse if three days later you see it goes on sale, but if she's back from the trip...you wouldn't be able to take advantage of it anyway.

Good luck.

Thanks.
Sounds like it's different to here, no one would have a sale on summer camping stuff at the start of summer. I'll take my luck then; Like you; I'm used to the signs in the windows 'reduced following simons's purchase'.
simon

ROTFL!

Is she just stuck in New York City. There's got to be an EMS (Eastern Mountain Sports) store somewhere for her to hit. Of course, if there is your wallet will really be the one hit...

-Blast

Oh man... As a New Yorker I can point you into right directions but very few "natives" shops for stuff in the stores. We go and look but when it comes to gear we order it on line to save 8.75% tax and prices are also cheaper. The best time for sale on gear is february/march as in when a lot of companies start introducing their spring gear.

What kind of stuff you are looking for? I may be able to comply a list of stores or point you into right direction.

Let's see, if you're coming later this year, there are the fall/back to school sales, the Thanksgiving sales and the pre and post Christmas sales among others.

As mentioned in other posts, prices are steep and selection is not that great. However, since the following are also close to or in city sights/attractions, they are worth a visit.

City Hall/World Trade Site area, Tent and Trails a small cramped multilevel store crammed with outdoor stuff on Park Place. (if shopping is the game also hit J&R for electronics and Century 21 for clothes) Hungry? Go to nearby Chinatown or Little Italy instead of the typical fast food joints.

Traveling uptown to SOHO you'll find an EMS outpost on Broadway just South Of Houston (where else?!) Also boutiques, galleries and the like.

Keep going uptown through Greenwich Village and just north of Union Square you will come across Paragon Sports probably the biggest and most well known of the in city stores.

Got a car? A half hour out of the city is Campmor.

They all have websites for more info.

Have Fun!

Thanks that's very helpful of you.
New York is one of the places we'll visit. We'll probably stay with friends in New Jersey. So the time of year to go and names of chains of stores would be the most useful. Or is it best to simply shop on the net?
I need just about everything for backpacking and camping. Been putting off upgrading my gear for too long. Tents, sleeping bags, mats, boots, clothing, stoves....In fact I've barely bought anything in a decade so need a winter coat, summer coat, suits, shirts......Just think of me as being born full grown today! And (guess what) I'm pessimistic enough to want some survival gear in there in case I get lost.
So the best times of year and chains are?
simple simon

I'd concur with Urbanite, you're not going to find much in NYC for outdoors gear like what we have out west in the Mountain states. Upstate New York gets better, and Pennsylvania has a lot more to offer. Forget about New Jersey. They don't even have a Gander Mountain in that state, anywhere. I've given up on trying to find a decent sporting goods outfit within 100 miles of my home. The best I can do is a "Dicks Sporting Goods", which is pretty poor from my point of view. Basically it is a glorified clothing store for runner, bicyclists, and water sportsmen. They have token fishing and hunting supplies, but their prices and policies pretty much discourage you from making such purchases.

More and more, I am compelled to order stuff from the internet. It is usually cheaper, more convenient, and I can find what I want. The sooner I can get out of northeast area, the better. There's no room for a Burt Gummer type like myself. Imagine, Burt Gummer meets the Sopranos. You should hear us talk up at the barber shop. A big Irish Texan talking politics and business with a bunch of wiseguys. They are right, I don't belong in their world anymore than they in mine. Unfortunately, work is work. I do like the pizza.