Equipment: Off-season gear
bargains
Date first posted on eCommunity - 8
July 2007
It is the off-season and some gear suppliers are
getting rid of old
stock in readiness for the new season. That means there are some
good bargains around. The following are examples of what I've found
from a recent trawl of some of the main suppliers. (In all cases you
will need to add postage costs to the prices quoted if buying by
mail-order.)
It pays to keep an eye on the suppliers' websites throughout the
summer – things can change quickly and a switch of favoured brand by
a supplier can suddenly bring a batch of old stock on to the market
at a big discount.
BOURNE SPORTS
http://www.bournesports.com/Public/Adidas_Nordic_Glide_78158/5732.htm
Bourne Sports, a general sports supplier, does not usually carry XC
skiing kit. But it looks like the company tried to get into the
market a couple of years ago, without success, and as a result they
have been left with a batch of Adidas boots. They have been selling
them off for well over a year. I bought a pair – for £10 – in Winter
2005/6. They are very good, though they are made a little on the
small side, and next time I would buy a half-size bigger than normal.
The model is Adidas Nordic Glide 78158. It is a classic-technique
boot, for track skiing, and has an SNS Profil sole. The lacing
system is enclosed in a zippable neoprene cover, giving good
stability. They are made in Germany. At £10 per pair they are a real
bargain. The normal price would be over £100.
Unfortunately Bourne Sports only have size 8 left.
BRAEMAR MOUNTAIN SPORTS
http://www.braemarmountainsports.com/categories.php?cat=108
The people at Braemar (and at their sister shop in Aviemore,
Cairngorm Mountain Sports) are having problems in selling leather
telemark/touring boots. The market – in Scotland at least – is now
favouring plastic instead of leather. As a result the shops are
offering a half-price deal on two models.
The Garmont Cruiser is for men, and the Garmont Lady Master is for
women. Both normally retail at £160 per pair but are now reduced
down to £80. The shop describes them as "taller leather telemark
boots offering more lateral support and precision than the [Garmont]
Tour model". Sizes from 6 to 9 are available in the Cruiser, and 3.5
to 9 in the Lady Master.
Each boot has two clips, which you would tighten for use on a
downhill piste, but leave unfastened for touring.
Some people may find them a little heavy for valley touring, but
they should be useful on steeper ground.
MOUNTAIN SPIRIT
http://www.mountainspirit.co.uk
Mountain Spirit, based in Aviemore, is discounting Fischer Europa
109 Tour skis.
Normally they are £190 per pair but are presently reduced to
£145.00. Their profile of 78-60-70 should give them good turning
capability. Lengths 179 and 198 are available.
Fischer Europa 99 Tours are also on offer, for £140.00 (normally
£180.00).
The Europa 99s' dimensions are 68-55-62, which makes them better for
valley touring than the 109s. Lengths from 180 to 200 are available.
RMA SPORTS
http://www.biathlonsport.com/Sale.htm
RMA Sports are based in Chippenham, Wiltshire. They specialise in XC
racing, including biathlon. They are having a clearance sale of new
and old stock prior to delivery of 2007/08 models. A broad range of
gear is being discounted:
SKI BOOTS - 40% discount for all stock boots (skate, classical and
combi).
CLOTHING – slalom suits are down to £85 + VAT. Some Nordic jackets
are down to £20 + VAT. All in-stock Nordic clothing is reduced,
mostly by 15%. Exel ski poles are also reduced by 15%.
EUROSKI
http://www.crosscountryskis.co.uk/
Based in Seaford, near Brighton, Tom Jones' company usually has some
clearance bargains in summer, but as yet no XC offers are
advertised. However, Tom has got hold of some inexpensive Nordic
walking poles. Made by the Italian company, Gabel, they come in
fixed lengths from 100cm to 130cm (5cm increments). They are selling
for £25 per pair. I haven't tried them personally, but some friends
have and they like them.
(When choosing Nordic walking poles you should take your height in
metres and multiply by 0.67.)
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