Isle Royale Forums

It looks like 2025 REI dividends are going out! Anyone got any plans to purchase something new and exciting with theirs?

Owing to circumstances beyond my control, I was seconded in August to a wildlife photography expedition. The objective: Fish-eating grizzlies in Alaska. Mr torpified was understandably concerned that I’d perish. So I brought my Garmin InReach along to send him reassuring messages at the end of each day the grizzlies failed to kill me. By the close of the trip—-and I should make it clear that, in addition to being terrified of grizzly bears, I hate flying, and our major activity, other than trying to sneak up on grizzly bears, was bouncing around in teeny bush planes—I was so addled by it all that I left my InReach in the Ted Stevens International Airport. So I’m going to use my $36 dividend as a teeny off-set to a replacement. (Either that or try to persuade Mr torpified to stop worrying!)

Check offerup & Mercari for new/used on the cheap. My first InReach mini came from offer up for $125 LNiB, sold it for $175 after using it for 2y and bought an 86sci on sale for $265.

No regrets on either purchase

After looking my REI dividend was a big Zero this year! Looks like I spent more on tea cakes then on gear last year!

I just checked and mine is $7.86! I can buy half a backpacking meal!

I’m annoyed they removed that cash out option. They used to cut you a check if you didn’t want to spend it. I’ll likely put mine towards new trail runners. My shoe size changed after pregnancy so even though my old ones are still good they are now a bit snug. Better size up. What’s everyone wearing these days? My brooks cascadias have changed so much with the newer versions. A lot about what I loved in them is gone.

thesneakymonkey wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:12 pm I’m annoyed they removed that cash out option. They used to cut you a check if you didn’t want to spend it. I’ll likely put mine towards new trail runners. My shoe size changed after pregnancy so even though my old ones are still good they are now a bit snug. Better size up. What’s everyone wearing these days? My brooks cascadias have changed so much with the newer versions. A lot about what I loved in them is gone.

I've been using Salomon Quest boots on every trip, but have decided to give Trail Runners a chance on my next trip. I actually got some Cascadias because I love my Brooks running shoes.

Tortuga wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:16 pm

thesneakymonkey wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:12 pm I’m annoyed they removed that cash out option. They used to cut you a check if you didn’t want to spend it. I’ll likely put mine towards new trail runners. My shoe size changed after pregnancy so even though my old ones are still good they are now a bit snug. Better size up. What’s everyone wearing these days? My brooks cascadias have changed so much with the newer versions. A lot about what I loved in them is gone.

I've been using Salomon Quest boots on every trip, but have decided to give Trail Runners a chance on my next trip. I actually got some Cascadias because I love my Brooks running shoes.

Which ones did you get? How’s the toebox sizing?

thesneakymonkey wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:28 pm

Tortuga wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:16 pm

thesneakymonkey wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:12 pm I’m annoyed they removed that cash out option. They used to cut you a check if you didn’t want to spend it. I’ll likely put mine towards new trail runners. My shoe size changed after pregnancy so even though my old ones are still good they are now a bit snug. Better size up. What’s everyone wearing these days? My brooks cascadias have changed so much with the newer versions. A lot about what I loved in them is gone.

I've been using Salomon Quest boots on every trip, but have decided to give Trail Runners a chance on my next trip. I actually got some Cascadias because I love my Brooks running shoes.

Which ones did you get? How’s the toebox sizing?

I just realized what I actually bought was the Catamount 2, not the Cascadia! To be honest I bought them on sale in the late Fall and haven't used them yet, but now that I'm looking at them I don't think I'd use these on a difficult or more technical trail. They have a pretty snug fit through the heel and middle but I prefer that in a hiking shoe. The toe box seems OK, but maybe that's different after a 14-mile day.

Yea I like a wider toebox but narrower heel / mid shoe which the cascadia fit the bill. I bought a newer version and used it at work but it just wasn’t the same fit for me. It could be that my feet are just changed too. Either way I’m on the hunt. After you’ve used the catamounts you should post a review. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them on the island. Tread looks nice, mesh upper will dry nice and be great for hot feet (I struggle with this). Definitely use them!

thesneakymonkey wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:50 pm Yea I like a wider toebox but narrower heel / mid shoe which the cascadia fit the bill. I bought a newer version and used it at work but it just wasn’t the same fit for me. It could be that my feet are just changed too. Either way I’m on the hunt. After you’ve used the catamounts you should post a review. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them on the island. Tread looks nice, mesh upper will dry nice and be great for hot feet (I struggle with this). Definitely use them!

I'm trying to find a decent long weekend loop or out-and-back to do in April so I might get a chance to really test them and leave some feedback.

I know a lot of people are in love with the zero-drop shoes like Altra Lone Peak but I know how my legs and feet feel after walking around in Converse (which are low-drop but I don't think zero-drop). I've had plantar fasciitis before and really appreciate a supportive shoe.

Tortuga wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:56 pm

thesneakymonkey wrote: Mon Mar 03, 2025 1:50 pm Yea I like a wider toebox but narrower heel / mid shoe which the cascadia fit the bill. I bought a newer version and used it at work but it just wasn’t the same fit for me. It could be that my feet are just changed too. Either way I’m on the hunt. After you’ve used the catamounts you should post a review. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them on the island. Tread looks nice, mesh upper will dry nice and be great for hot feet (I struggle with this). Definitely use them!

I'm trying to find a decent long weekend loop or out-and-back to do in April so I might get a chance to really test them and leave some feedback.

I know a lot of people are in love with the zero-drop shoes like Altra Lone Peak but I know how my legs and feet feel after walking around in Converse (which are low-drop but I don't think zero-drop). I've had plantar fasciitis before and really appreciate a supportive shoe.

Oh yes I’m definitely not a zero drop fan. Hurts my lower back and lower legs. I like the cascadia drop which I think was around 8ish.

I'm going to spend all $3.39 toward a 10-liter Ursack AllMitey Bear and Critter Sack, before my squirrel luck runs out.

Chipmunks got me at Pictured Rocks one year, I think they're worse than squirrels, on par with the sneaky fox