If you could design a Hiking Gear/Clothing website from scratch, what would you do?

[ReidKSmith]

As a backpacker, it frustrates me that so many sites either don't include necessary information on the product, or don't give you the option to effectively drill down and find the product you're looking for. I decided to do something about it, and I'm working on a new website to compete directly with sites like Backcountry. The specific goal of this new website is to fill all those holes, and allow customers to filter their search results by using a comprehensive set of "attributes" that will allow us to find the best Gear and Clothing for what we need.

For example, all socks will have an attribute called "Sock Cut." When you click on the "Socks" category, you'll be able to filter results by selecting everything from No Show to Mid-Calf lengths - 8 different choices in all. You'll be able to select multiple choices or none at all, (if you'd prefer to look at all cuts). There are already several categories like this for each area of clothing and gear.

What suggestions do YOU have for ways to narrow down your search results when looking for gear? What product information do you find important and wish you could search by, (e.g., weight, sleeve length, etc)? What information do you often see that you find isn't important, (waterproof/breathability ratings, fabric g/m2 weights, etc)? What things annoy you about the current major backpacking/hiking gear sites?

The Bottom Line:
When you're looking for gear, what common set of "attributes" do you wish you could filter your search results by?

Thanks so much for your help!

[whiteOak]

I dont want to buy anything from china because of their record on pollution and global warming,
so
I guess I would like to know where each product is made

[azkul]

A couple of years ago for Christmas, I tried to buy presents that were NOT made in China. I went to Target and couldn't find a single item in their store that wasn't made in China, so I went to Walmart - same thing. After, I went to several other stores from big chains to small "local" places - and in all cases 80-100% of what they carried was made in China.

Then something occurred to me. If all the manufacturing happens in China, no wonder they have lots of air pollution. Of course, they could spend millions of dollars making their factories more eco-friendly, but when you're paying your workers 2 cents an hour, it's hard to fork over a few million bucks to upgrade the smoke stacks.

[Gershon]

I really gave this question a lot of thought and spent several hours "shopping" for some items. I also realized I have only bought one thing for backpacking online. As it turns out, I don't really like buying online for backpacking.

Let's use sleeping bags as and example and look at things I'd compare

Brand___ Price___ Temp rating____ Insulation type____ loft___ weight____customer ratings____ number of ratings ____ style (mummy, etc.) __Length___ zipper side____ warranty

I'd like the ability to have a comparison table with a checkbox next to each bag so I can delete some from the list. I'd also like to be able to sort by clicking on the column heading.

Since you mentioned socks, I'll address that. I just buy Smart Wool socks. If I wore shoes instead of boots, I'd buy Fox River blue liners. I find socks need to be matched to the footwear and that can only be done by experimentation. Now that I know what's comfortable, I'll keep getting the same type.

I tried shopping for a fleece. The biggest factor is some sort of temperature rating. The only one I saw that had temperature ratings was Patagonia. I finally found out a fleece weight rating is similar to a temperature rating.I contacted Backcountry through online chat to find out more info. It was very helpful. I've often called customer service when shopping online to get info.

One interesting thing I found. The more I had to dig to research, the more committed I became to buying a sleeping bag and fleece. If I can drill too quickly, maybe I wouldn't be so committed.

[zen@dotbox.com]

When I shop for outdoor apparel I usually go to beyondclothing.com They're the best company I've found for custom outdoor clothes.