Cabelas Instinct

[2ski]

Cabelas does carry Sitka now as well.

I bought some microtex on sale this spring as well. Hoping for good things from it. If not for a good reputation on this site I would've passed.

 

[littlebuf]

Justin knows what I'm talking about

 

[tstowater]

I've "outgrown" the Cabelas line of clothes, etc. like many others on this site many years ago. I still have selected items that I use all the time and frankly have been very impressed with the durability. For specialized hunting applications (generally mountain type of hunting), the Cabelas branded lines don't seem to provide what I am looking for. That being said, it did appear that some of the "Instinct" branded items are quality items so we shouldn't just through the whole thing out the door. Also, remember the return policy isn't as it once was. Frankly, people took advantage of the liberal return policy and that ruined it for everyone.

 

[Justin Crossley]

I really liked most the Sitka I had. But I had a pair of Accent pants replaced two times because the seams were coming apart. I sold them though because I like the fit of the Kryptek better.

 

[dotman]

I don't mind Cabelas at all, especially the bargain cave.

 

[mt100gr.]

Cabelas as a box store for outdoor gear is a great place to find some items at a good price. Their "housebrand" gear can be good too. Obviously, a lot of it is built by well known companies that have licensed them to brand and sell it as their own. Headlamps were mentioned, but many other items are identical.

Some gear I have really liked: microtex clothing (for certain applications), my Outback Lodge 10 x 10 tent, casual clothing, lots of name brand optics and knives, a few pair of "Cabelas" boots, general gear like dry bags, trailer hitch plug adapters, etc.

They must know they can compete at some level with the "mountain hunting" brands and my take is this: there are a lot of weekend warriors. Guys who want something "designed" for what they say they live for. I am in no way knocking anyone who cannot or chooses not to spend weeks at a time in the hills but I would imagine this new line would suit them well.

I also think it's safe to assume that most of us, myself included, at one time or another, spent an awful lot of time making lists of gear we needed that could be filled in a trip to Cabelas. As our tastes, goals, interests, and budgets change and grow we "graduate" to more efficient, higher quality stuff. It's a natural progression for those who seek fulfillment by putting their bodies and outdoor equipment through the wringer in an attempt to to reaching an ever-rising bar.

...just my thoughts/ opinion....

 

[jmez]

I don't think the return policy has changed on the branded items.

 

[5MilesBack]

I don't mind Cabela's and their customer service has been great. They have their place for some items with me, such as ammo or reloading components but I understand where you're coming from, especially when it comes to gear. My assumption is that most of us have moved on to higher quality gear that they do not offer. With that said, I bought a pair of their microtex pants when they were on sale, they're okay and I can tell I like my Kryptek pants better and so far I've been happy with their Meindl Perfekt hikers. But anymore I will wander through the store just to look. It amuses me to see their used guns priced higher than new guns.

Oh trust me.........I'm on Cabela's "preferred" list, and get the hard bound catalogs every year. I should own a lot of stock in the company for the money I've spent there over the past 30 years. But I didn't see anything in that catalog that interested me. And I love my Microtex pants........but they don't make them long enough for me anymore. I would guess that 75%+ of my Cabela's purchases have been from the Bargain cave however......at a minimum, "on sale". Retail is for suckers.

 

[crumy]

I just left the Cabelas in Columbus, Ohio and I was so disappointed. I liked going to them to see and touch certain gear. As stated above, my choice in gear has changed but I was excited that they had Sitka and Kryptek. Now with Krtyptek not sold there and this Cabelas location only carrying "cabelas branded" gear I am so disappointed in them. Guess I will just use my cabelas points on reloading gear. .

 

[cuerro viejo]

Cabelas just sticks their brand on stuff. Who is really making this equipment?

Not anymore, they order enough to import their own stuff. I bet their branded gear is over 150million, in just clothing- non licensed. They do 3.6 billion a year

Cabelas brings in smaller companies like Firstlite and Kryptek to fill niches. . If sale through is a certain %. They drop small company and knock them off.

 

[Mtnboy]

I love this site, but the "elite-ist" attitude cracks me up.

Everything cabelas brand sucks?

I have a pair of waders & boots as well as some Guidewear rain gear that all have 100+ days of use with no issues and have worked great every time I've used them.

I own several Cabelas brand fly rods that have handled hundreds of nice browns with no issues.

I also wore cabelas microtex Camo for a couple years and killed a couple elk in it. ....

I guess I'm just used to sucky gear....

 

[muleman]

I love this site, but the "elite-ist" attitude cracks me up.

Everything cabelas brand sucks?

I have a pair of waders & boots as well as some Guidewear rain gear that all have 100+ days of use with no issues and have worked great every time I've used them.

I own several Cabelas brand fly rods that have handled hundreds of nice browns with no issues.

I also wore cabelas microtex Camo for a couple years and killed a couple elk in it. ....

I guess I'm just used to sucky gear....

My problem with a lot of Cabelas clothes is that they are over built and as a result heavy and bulky. Over the years I have used some Cabelas branded clothes. Hunted several years in their synthetic base layers, which at the time the base layers were on par with the best in the industry and significantly less money.

Personally, I try and take the best of breed approach to my gear. If a Big 5 (cheap regional sports store) branded piece of gear was the best for my purpose I would have no problem using it. As the hunting industry catches up to the mountaineering industry in terms of dedicated elite products, we will see more and more technical improvements. Does that mean that the heavy wool and canvas that my grandfather used won't work? He shot a lot more and higher scoring animals than I can hope to.

It is natural to want to brag a little and self assure ourselves that we have the best, which is where I think the elitism comes from. From what I have seen, the most successful hunters are those that are in the field regardless of what label is on their gear.

 

[Chem-E]

My problem with a lot of Cabelas clothes is that they are over built and as a result heavy and bulky. Over the years I have used some Cabelas branded clothes. Hunted several years in their synthetic base layers, which at the time the base layers were on par with the best in the industry and significantly less money.

Personally, I try and take the best of breed approach to my gear. If a Big 5 (cheap regional sports store) branded piece of gear was the best for my purpose I would have no problem using it. As the hunting industry catches up to the mountaineering industry in terms of dedicated elite products, we will see more and more technical improvements. Does that mean that the heavy wool and canvas that my grandfather used won't work? He shot a lot more and higher scoring animals than I can hope to.

It is natural to want to brag a little and self assure ourselves that we have the best, which is where I think the elitism comes from. From what I have seen, the most successful hunters are those that are in the field regardless of what label is on their gear.

Well said.

 

[Matt W.]

Back to the Instinct line... It seems intriguing.. Not a bad way to to get your buddy into backpack hunting, especially the Backcountry subset.. Icebreaker makes the base layer and the pricing for the Gortex gear seems pretty darn good.

Pattern is ok as far as camo goes, Cabela's Outfitter Camo is one of my all time visual favorites.... I'd love to get a set of the Backcountry Instinct to test it out. Be real curious as to how it compares to the top tier stuff.

In general I have had pretty good luck with Cabela's. They carry First Lite, Sitka, and a large variety of products. If I shop carefully and catch sales it usually works out just fine.

 

[2ski]

I was impressed by the ad/layout they had in the catalog that I looked at the other day.