For kids, Bean has good quality ski stuff and snow boots.

LL Bean boots, Eddie Bauer clothes.

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Anonymous wrote:If you shop, are a regular customer or have shopped before at any of these stores/on their company's website, which one do you prefer and why? Tips?

REI - more brands to choose from and solid return policy. Their house brand is pretty good but sizing, for me, is off. I downsize one whole size.

TNF - used to be excellent but they opened up catalog to the masses so some items aren’t that good. Their summit series is pretty good and their future fleece is excellent. Their sizing is more ‘boxy’ on me so I don’t tend to buy their stuff.

LLBean - I had their Duck boots many years ago and they lasted a very very long time. I just don’t prefer their brand but that is me being superficial.

I try and get Patagonia. Great company, great quality and great warranty. Only quibble is some items are boxier on me and sizing can be off.

If you're single, North Face.

I've found the guys who were dorks in high school/college but grew up to be successful and hot LOVE women in North Face. It reminds them of all the girls that rejected them in school, back when we all wore North Face jackets, Lululemon leggings, and UGGs.

Anonymous wrote:I like Patagonia.

+1

Anonymous wrote:Who has the better snow apparel? Boots, bibs, gloves. Etc.?

for skiing or for kids for winter? If skiing I'd start at a ski shop.

I have a pair of LL Bean snow pants and they are the world's least flattering piece of clothing. I don't care enough to replace them but they could not be uglier.

I like Patagonia.

REI is for specialty gear with a side of athleisure/streetwear. LLBean is every day street clothes with a side of outdoor gear. I don’t own any North Face items.

Who has the better snow apparel? Boots, bibs, gloves. Etc.?

L.L. Bean's biggest competitors are major outdoor and lifestyle brands like

The North Face
Patagonia
Columbia Sportswear
and Eddie Bauer

And Lands' End as direct rivals in heritage and quality

And REI, Cabela's, and Bass Pro Shops all outdoor apparel markets

We are skiers and we shop at REI or the specialty ski shops. The REI brand is generally pretty high quality. My ski jacket is REI and I've been pretty happy with it. Like someone else said North Face's (and Columbia for that matter) quality is no longer what it used to be. LL Bean to me is in a different category. Some items cross over but they aren't the same. I wouldn't think of LL Bean for outdoor gear.

There are some places online for outdoor gear that are pretty good like Backcountry.com.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:REI. LLBean supports Trump. North face has lost all quality.

Source?

The founder's daughter Linda Bean was a big Trump supporter but she died.

Anonymous wrote:REI. LLBean supports Trump. North face has lost all quality.

Source?

REI. LLBean supports Trump. North face has lost all quality.

If you shop, are a regular customer or have shopped before at any of these stores/on their company's website, which one do you prefer and why? Tips?