I have an REI Quarterdome 1 person tent that is perfect for me and my style of backpacking. The price/weight ratio seems good to me, it's very sturdy, easy to set up, and I've never had anything get wet in it. I've used it on 80F nights and zero F nights, rain, light snow, and some pretty decent wind. It's the regular version, I don't think they have it any more, just the SL version in 1 person capacity.   I also have an REI Magma 850 hoodie https://www.rei.com/product/157179/rei-co-op-magma-850-down-hoodie-20-mens that is awesome for light weight and warmth. I see it's on sale right now (in size small), and I'd say it's well worth the money at full price, so on sale it's even better! ... View more

My Ozark Trail hike was postponed because my wife got covid. I'm planning on trying again this fall, probably in November.   ... View more

I use the Toaks light 650 for solo backpacking. I make my own meals and rehydrate in the bag.  By making my own meals I can control the ingredients and the size of the meal. If you want to split meals, you could always put it into freezer bags and use a cozy. I put my meals in freezer bags until I started using mylar vacuum bags. I like the mylar much better, because I can make meals well in advance, throw in an O2 absorber, vacuum seal, and they will keep a lot longer. I have no desire to clean a pot LOL. ... View more

Ansel Adams, because I love landscape photography, and he can show things "in a different light".  ... View more

So I took a huge leap in suggesting that maybe some of the newcomers are going to profit from this, but nobody said a word when it was mentioned that Superusers have a note on every post saying that they may have received gifts, and this is why they're "taking REI's side?"  I have repeatedly said that it is up to the employees, regardless of what my opinion is on unions. I've also repeatedly said that there are good and bad unions. But I guess you only see what you're looking for. I have no idea whether REI is using union busting tactics or not. I have no idea whether the employees want a union or not. I have no idea whether YOU know any of this or not. Your opinion is worth EXACTLY the same as mine.  I'll continue to buy from REI regardless, as long as their products and service are worth the price. I'll continue to not want a union where I work, as long as I'm satisfied with the company. I'll continue to support those people who like the union where they work. And I'll continue to share my opinion if I feel it's relevant, whether it's pro, anti, or neutral. Have a good day. ... View more

No, it was just an observation. I'm not sure you have to be a member to post here either. And, like I said, it doesn't matter to me which way they go. I've seen good unions and bad unions, people who like them, people who don't. I just know that I wouldn't want people who don't work for my company trying to persuade the company that a union is right for it's employees. I think that should be up to the employees.  Members may be technically the owners, but the actual management really isn't up to us. And I don't want that job, from all the whining and complaining I see about minor problems. I can't imagine what their real problems are like.  I hadn't noticed that those posting in opposition seem to have the note about receiving gifts. I do know that REI attaches that note to all posts from superusers. It doesn't affect my opinion either way. ... View more

Happy to help. ... View more

What is your description of "put on the back burner"? Your original post shows as a week ago, and your post saying you got refunded also shows as a week ago. So are we talking a few hours or even a few days? As long as companies have employees, mistakes will be made. Even computers are programmed by humans. It sounds like you're trying to make it sound like you waited for months for an answer, but maybe you just didn't realize there were humans involved, or you thought that an hour was plenty of time for a reply. Seems to me like you're making this into a huge issue because you were "inconvenienced". Maybe sit back and look at the situation realistically and you'll see it in a different light. I find it almost comical that you're so bent out of shape over this.  ... View more

Seems to me, as someone else pointed out, that most of the supporters here are either "newcomer" or "casual visitor" which makes me wonder how many of them joined the community just to voice their opinion on this one subject. Maybe these "newcomers" and "casual visitors" are the same people who will profit if the union gets in.... just saying. It makes no difference to me whether REI is union or not, but I'd rather not have outsiders getting involved in whether my place of employment should be union or not. If the employees want it, they'll get it. If they don't, then that's their business. I'm neither pro nor anti-union, I am for the employees deciding for themselves. I can name several places where the employees wish they hadn't voted the union in. I also know a lot of people who are glad they have a union. It's only up to me to decide what's right for my place of employment, not anyone else's. ... View more

So does southern Illinois. My choices are a 5 hour drive to Chicago or about an hour and a half to get to the one in St Louis. A lot of people here simply refuse to drive in St Louis, and I have a very low desire to go there. I've been to two different REI stores in my life, once to St Louis, and once to Huntsville AL while visiting relatives. I don't mind shopping online, but some things you just need to see, feel, and try on.  I'd love to see one closer, but it's probably mostly based on population from a business perspective, so unless there's a large local population it's probably not happening.  Your closest one is probably Memphis, so I feel for ya. ... View more