Outdoor Gear Guide for Kids from Sierra (formerly Sierra Trading Post) 

If your child belongs to a family that enjoys the great outdoors, you know you will need lots of gear, which can arrive as gifts that will keep on giving. After all, the best gifts are those that can be used over and over together, enriching life experiences for the entire family.

Here is a list of gifts and gear that can help you get outside together:

• Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike ($110)

This is the next generation training bike, where instead of training wheels you have this pedal-less and low to the ground device for scooting and learning the balancing tricks. Your little one will be ready to graduate to the regular bike soon after mastering this one. Freedom is just around the corner!

Once he or she learns to balance, you can move up to pedals, hand breaks, and multiple gears with confidence.

• Avid 4 Adventure Camp (from $220)

If you are ready to eliminate the screens in your child’s life and open the doors to nature, sign him up for one or more of these camps and let him have a good time. The camps range from learning how to ride a bike for a few hours to weeklong backpacking adventures.

This program is available in California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Oregon for kids of all ages. You never know – the camp might just make your child a life-long nature lover.

• Mount Inspiration T-Shirts ($23)

The North Carolina based company is known for high quality and fun design t-shirts with quirky sayings. Think something like “Future Tree Hugger” or “Future Dirtbag”. The shirts are available for the entire family and are really comfortable, not to mention, attention attracting.

Mount Inspiration also has an amazing “always growing” option, where you can send in the outgrown t-shirt to them and receive a size bigger. For free!

• Suunto A-10 Field Compass ($16)

Compass makes all things nature better. This great tool can encourage hiking and help your little one to learn navigation skills.

• Swiss Army Evolution Pocket Knife ($20-$33)

This knife is perfect for a bit older kids that love hiking and camping. It has 8 functions and slightly rounded blade tips.

• Osprey Moki Hydration Pack ($50)

Put this lightweight backpack on your child and you won’t have to stop and “water him” all the time. Kids love to be independent, get their own drink, and even have some space for carrying a few small items, like a compass.

Cheaper alternative can be found at Sierra. With 10% off and free shipping coupons your kid and your wallet will be happy.

• Goggle Soc ($15)

Nobody likes scratched up googles and this cool sock solves that problem. Kids love the design while parents love the preservation factor.

• Baby Bogs Classic Boots ($55)

You might find it difficult to take these cute and comfy winter shoes off after a day outside. Kids of all ages love these boots and their funky prints.

• Sunski Mini Headlands Kid Sunglasses ($30)

These polarized and UV protected glasses not only look cool, but are very sturdy and can handle some abuse. You can even get yourself a pair and open the boxes together with your tot for extra fun.

• Patagonia Retro Pile Fleece and Tribble Pants ($69 and $59)

Get this set and you will never have to worry about any adventurer getting cold outside. The pants and the jacket are very warm, comfortable, sturdy, and easy to put on. They also grow with your child for a few months.

• Pura Bottles ($15-$25)

There is a bottle for very stage in life. These stainless steel bottles have a huge variety of lids, so you can enjoy them from sippy cup all the way to sports bottle. They are plastic and toxic free.

• Nui Organics Merino Balaclava ($24)

Sometimes you just need something that’s more than a hat. This balaclava is perfect for covering kids’ ears, necks, and faces, without suffocating them.

• Merrell Little Kid’s Bare Steps Boot ($48)

Little hikers are bound to love this comfy boot with wide toe box and rounded edge soles. The boot is ergonomic, soft, and is very easy to take off and put on.

• Burley Design Solstice Stroller ($349)

This gift just keeps giving for both you and your child. You can have a perfect jog with smooth suspension, extendable handlebar, and front wheel that can swivel or be locked in one place. The stroller folds with just one hand, so you can take it anywhere problem-free.

• Petzl Bindi ($60)

It’s small, light, and very bright, making it the best kids’ headlamp on the market for all the nights spent camping or crab hunting on the beach.

• Chasing Windmills Wool Long Johns ($74)

When nothing but wool will cut it, get this. The garment is USA-made, 100% soft wool, and can serve as a pajama set or thermal underwear for when it’s really cold. The material is super soft and light, ensuring quick dry and no sweat comfort.

• Grand Trunk Ultralight Hammock ($20)

This endless swinging fun weights just 10 ounces and can be taken anywhere. After trying it once kids might not agree to go camping or hiking without it ever again.

• Helly Hansen K Isfjord Down Parka ($128-$170)

Coming from Norway, you know it is weather-tested and appropriate for the coldest of days. With this parka your little ones will be warm yet comfortable, won’t experience any down poking their backs, and remain stylish. The parka is very high quality and won’t fall apart after going through a brush. It even has reflective elements for winter days that become nights very early.

• The North face Infant ThermoBall Bunting ($120)

This body suit is perfect for babies and for toddlers. The warm fleece does not restrict movements and provides feet and hand coverage if needed. The bunting costume is not waterproof, but great for snow as it slides right off. All in all, your little bundle of adventure will stay warm and cozy through all sorts of weather outside as long as needed.

• Hydro Flask 12 oz Kids Wide Mouth ($30)

If you are looking for durability, look no further. This bottle can handle any altitude and any attitude. The bottle is metal, has thick spouted top that is easy to open, and is complete with rubber bottom for stabilization.

 

 

Sierra Trading Post is now Sierra. New Ways of Savings at Sierra

Sierra Trading Post has been popular among sporty and outdoorsy people for many years. The store is owned by The TJX Cos. and has a big online and increasing physical store presence. To keep up with times and to stay relevant Sierra Trading Post has recently undergone a full rebranding and will now be known as simply Sierra.

Sierra has not given many details of what kind of changes should customers expect besides the name change, but they did promise to open 10 new stores this year. The company is clearly hoping to expand its brick-and-mortar presence.

The TJX plans to open 230 new stores for its total portfolio, increasing the number of physical stores by 5% this year. The new stores will be open in the US, Europe, and Australia. Such rapid growth is needed to fuel the expansion in all four company’s divisions. The TJX is not going to shrink its physical presence in the world because they believe in maintaining the relationships with suppliers, vendors, and customers that have been built form the ground up during the last 25 years. Such infrastructure and human factor are the two most valuable assets any company can have.

It is clearly the right direction as sales have been higher than expected for the last quarter of 2018 and the beginning of 2019. In fact, The TJX experienced 6% increase this year versus 4% increase last year from the beginning of the fiscal year to February 3rd.

The future for the company and its divisions is looking quite bright with estimated 5-7 percent increase of diluted EPS when compared with the last year. The first quarter ESP growth is expected to be negative 7% due to increased cost of freight, wages, and foreign currency changes, but these setbacks are going to be temporary.

2019 is going to be a start of bullish growth and expansion with economic benefits in mind. The company is known as one of the most stable operators in off-price business and has experienced constant growth with little setbacks year after year. CEO Ernie Herrman is excited about the future and opportunities to serve new communities delivering consistent and time-tested model of service.

The TJX and its renewed Sierra division are very confident that customers will enjoy shopping there and will find new model even more pleasant. The company is socially responsible and focuses on customer service across the board, which helps set them apart from the competition and differentiate. Brand awareness is the key and Sierra definitely delivers here.

As long as the company is in existence, they have changed with times and trends always looking one step ahead. As many other department stores are shrinking their physical store inventory, The TJX divisions are growing to take advantage of these new market opportunities.

Sierra has a large brick-and-mortar presence with future grow, making shopping convenient for all that like that, but at the same time, its online model is also moving forward and improving to serve the category of shoppers who like to shop on their computer. Keeping up with ecommerce giants like Amazon is not taken lightly at The TJX.

Sierra Social Media News

One of the changes that Sierra is implementing is becoming more active on social media. The most recent such project is called “Cliff, Diving”. This is a joke gone viral, where the retailer mocks this extreme sport with videos of ordinary people jumping in the pool. This campaign is a perfect light message the company is sending to its customers – come in without fear and we will set you up with what you need. Sierra is catering to amateur outdoorsmen and taking away the fear of looking foolish when shopping for that first or that twentieth mountain trip. Everybody is welcome.

The video is trending on Twitter and has been watched a few hundred thousand times on YouTube. You can find this video on their website and understand why this retailer is ready to not take itself too seriously. After all, not everybody that comes into the store needs gear to complete a base jump from Mt. Everest. The store is for people who want to go skiing in New Jersey and camping in North Carolina. They have the right brands and the right selection for that. To top that, the prices will make customers happy too.

The social media campaign is giving more electronic exposure to the store, while the shift to more brick-and-mortar stores is taking place, but all that is part of the plan. Future consumers can find out about Sierra online, but they will have extra opportunities to experience the difference in store, which is hard to replicate online.

The merchandise sold at Sierra often requires trying the gear and costumes on, which is why physical store expansion is so welcome after online exposure thanks to social media campaigns like “Cliff, Dive”. Millennials are probably the largest percentage of TJ Maxx and Sierra consumers, learning about stores online and checking them out in person. Young millennials are ready to give something new a try if they hear someone talking about it, 2.5 times more likely than previous generations.

Gen Z is also socially adept and eager to interact with their favorite brands, from contacts on social media, to attending events and participating in design creations. More engagement translates into more sales.

The real effect of this and future social campaigns remains to be seen, but the start looks promising.

 

 

Sierra Money Saving Tips. How to Buy Best Outdoor Gear for Less with Coupons

Beginning outdoorsmen often face a big problem – how to get the needed gear for hiking, backpacking, and mountaineering without spending all their savings. We checked Sierra and many similar stores to gather some useful tips for you and your entire family that needs a constant supply of boots and jackets that will be outgrown by the next season.

When you are ready to head out, don’t forget that you don’t have to buy absolutely everything you need in one place and brand new. Always take your time shopping. Take that first trip with minimal supplies before going to Sierra store and taking a second mortgage to be best prepared for a mountain.

Now when you are ready to start accumulating your personal outdoorsy goods, take a look at some tips how to do it best:

Sierra Trading Post Clearance

Sierra is never waiting for all the snow to melt before putting many winter supplies and gear on sale. Comes January and countless items go on clearance to make room for all the new warm weather arrivals. You will find deep discounts on warm coats, fleece jackets, gloves, and other items. The discounts can be as big as 75%.

The brands worthy of your attention are Marmot, Smartwool, and Columbia besides other popular names.

Hurry to the stores or shop online using code SHIP89 for free shipping.

Share your gear with others

At the beginning borrow everything you can, except personal items, some clothes, and boots. You can definitely share a tent with the person you are going with, share a bear canister, and try to share a sleeping bag if you are very tight with that person.

Water filters and portable stoves are also good examples of things to share. Pay them back with carrying those things part of the way.

Borrow

Check out your personal and social networks, work your charm around your neighborhood and you are sure to find somebody you can borrow some gear from. Facebook and NextDoor are great places for borrowing. Sometimes you can get lucky and get something you need gifted to you.

Rent

Renting is one good option if you are not quite ready to buy yet. Sierra and REI often have rental programs with good prices. Renting like that you can try many different brands and models before investing in your own.

Buy old rentals

Most rental places want to sell their gear at the end of the season or every two seasons and offer great prices. Next time you are at Sierra, ask when their rental gear sale is and get shopping then.

Buy used gear from friends

You can visit used gear places all you want and get good deals, but before that try asking friends and neighbors if they happen to have something for sale. You will be surprised how often you will have somebody selling you a brand new gear that they bought and never used.

Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Local Trade Groups, and Amazon Warehouse

All of these are great resources to get stuff from wealthy people who bough all the supplies, went on one trip, and decided they were too cold or too hot to go back ever again. Such sales work for both sides involved!

Resale stores

Many areas have specific resale stores that can be dedicated to outdoor gear resale. If not, you should at least be able to find something right after a season is over at more generic stores, especially if you are cool with whatever color and brand. Get ready for the next season for cheap.

Thrift stores

Think Goodwill type of stores, especially if you live near mountains and lakes, beaches and rivers. If nothing else, every Goodwill store will have fleece jackets and tech jackets. They may have skis and canoes sometimes, if you are lucky.

Buy REI and Sierra garage sale

Those stores allow the gear to be returned for a year after the purchase and then turn around and resell it for much lower prices. All that gear is usually very gently used and can be had for half the price. It’s definitely worth checking out, with patience.

Gear flash sales at The Clymb

You should join The Clymb website and get notifications about frequent 72-hour flash sales, when names like Mountain Hardware, Keen, Black Diamond, and Outdoor Research can go for 70% below retail.

This works perfect if you are not very particular about the brand or exact type of gear. If you are, you might have to wait patiently for a long time.

Closeouts and seconds retailers

Sierra or as it used to be known Sierra Trading Post has stores and website where they sell a lot of closeout lines and ‘seconds’, which are products with a slight imperfections, cosmetic mainly.

Sierra has lots of full retail prices and also lots and lots of great deals.

Also check out campSaver.com and Steep & Cheap.

Defected gear

Don’t be picky and get gear with small cosmetic imperfections. If the color of your backpack is slightly off, nobody will notice, but you. You will also be the only one knowing about the amazing savings you just had.

Take or teach a class

When you take a class at some outdoors clubs and outfitters, you are often eligible for a discount at a partnering store. Instructors get even better discounts. Every 10-15% discount helps.

Sierra and Moosejaw rewards programs

Both of those retailers offer rewards programs, which are free to join and give percentage off on all items and free shipping.

Get Sierra or REI credit card

If you are responsible with your finances, get a credit card form Sierra or REI. They offer bonus points that you can apply towards your future purchases and also refund percentage, so use the credit card often and for large purchases to get significant chunks of cash back.

Join an outdoor club

This might apply for people who live near specific areas only, but it is worth checking out for sure. The organizations like that come with a membership fee, but it’s nothing to compare with 40-60% discounts members can get from some retailers.

Such pro deals are usually final, you have to know what you are getting and not hope return it, and you can’t shop for family and friends. Other than that you will enjoy free shipping and have a wide range of the best brands on ExpertVoice.com or similar places.

Discount codes and coupons

Sierra, REI, Moosejaw, and Backcountry often have coupon codes for discounts of 20-30% off. You can find them in store emails, flyers, Sunday paper, and various coupon aggregation sites.

Buy bigger and neutral color for kids

If you have different age kids on your family, buy gear that is more expensive for the first in line. Pay that extra for the quality to last a few seasons and then pass it down to younger siblings. Buy bigger and don’t buy pink and blue.