Hi
I'm after some mid height, waterproof hiking boots. I have been to almost every outlet in Sydney but the shoes that I am after are still a bit pricy (> 150). I am off to the US in about 2 weeks - is it better to wait to buy them at a store over there? I am after something like the keen gypsum, or a zamberlan gear gtx. I also suspect it'd be too late to ship something here.
Any ideas/suggestions?
If you're a size 10 US The Walking Company has a pair for $130.
http://www.thewalkingcompany.com.au/men-s-shoes/off-road/off…
I've had a pair of Asolo TPS 520GV for 4 odd years now and they are like walking on clouds. If you can wait until you hit the states you'll get them significantly cheaper than in Australia.
Look around for prices but US bricks and mortar stores will be cheaper than Australia and online outlets even more so. backcountry.com has been pretty good in the past, though I purchased my boots from http://www.shoebuy.com/ as they were the cheapest with shipping on that particular line at the time I ordered.
Regardless of model you end up with, if you can wait until you're in the 'states you'll save a lot.
With absolutely no shadow of a doubt, wait until you get to the US. I have bought loads of outdoor gear for ski trips to the US. I normally use the free US shipping option to have the item(s) delivered to my hotel. When I arrive I ask at reception and the stuff is normally waiting for me. I have done this at small hotels in the snow and also at Casinos in Vegas. Seems to be fairly normal for the US. In Feb I did this for my new road cycling shoes. The things were $350 in local Oz shops, $150 delivered to my hotel room free and waiting for me when I arrived.
In terms of finding the right place to buy, I haven't researched your model of shoes but I would use 2 searches:
www.spadout.com is a US shopping comparison site for outdoor stuff. It is pretty reliable and found me US deals I would never have found elsewhere.
www.thefind.com is another US comparison site.
www.sierratradingpost.com this is a kind of online outlet for the US. Postage to Oz is expensive but if you order via their ipad app shipping to your hotel in the US is free. If they have the boots you are after, they always have 30, 35 or 40% off codes you can stack onto their already cheap prices.
In the snow over there I have some Merrell Gore Tex boots I bought this way. I didn't have a specific brand in mind, just took a punt on what looked like a great deal.
If you aren't keen on buying online and having stuff delivered to your hotel, shops in the US will almost certainly be cheaper that here. If you can get to a Premium Outlets Mall where you are going (they are everywhere) there are deals to be had.
Havent checked out US shipping and dont know your colour preference or size but here are some options:
Keen Gypsum USD$84 http://stowesports.com/keen-mens-gypsum-mid-1007713-w13-c.ht…
Keen Gypsum mid earth USD $89 http://www.eggeller.com/EGG01478-GYPSUM-MID-EARTH#.U14xjvmSz…
If you go down the US Online route, always check www.retailmenot.com to see if there is a current discount code for the shop you are buying from. If nothing else there may be a 'free US shipping' code you can use in the online checkout.
Thanks for all the feedback guys! Having a look at some of these sites, wow the US prices are just so much cheaper! Even at the current exchange rate and tax it'd be cheaper. I think I'll wait til I get there.
For those who have previously purchased online and got it delivered, how many days notice would you need? The problem is I'm not staying anywhere more than 2-3 days but I will start the trip in Vegas so I was hoping to pick them up there, one way or other. I know there are premium outlets so that'll be the next best option.
Predictably, if it is offered, the free shipping is always the cheapest and slowest method. Most places say to leave a week or so but I would check when you bought. At the checkout most sites give an estimation of shipping times. You can normally get 1 or 2 day shipping if you want to pay more.
My mates that I go skiing with always tell me my stuff wont have arrived and I wont have a ski jacket/pants etc for skiing. They kid about it on the way over joking I'll be skiing in my jocks but I have never been let down yet. First time I did this I bought a Spyder Ski jacket that was on sale at my local ski shop for about $750. Spyder wont allow Aussies to mail order their stuff to protect the local rip-off prices. Instead I bought it mail order and delivered to my hotel which was a US address. Cost me $200 delivered to my hotel and waiting for me to arrive (just had to tip the porter that brought the box up to my room).
I have always bought items a week or 2 in advance. If you are staying in Vegas some Casinos charge a 'handling' or 'storage' fee for holding your mail until you arrive. I cant remember how much, probably $5 -$10? Some don't charge at all and others do. I have done the buy and collect routine with no problems at Excalibur, MGM Grand and New York New York casinos in Vegas.
I normally put in my postage details when I buy the items:
(my name)
Guest arriving (date)
Name of Hotel/Casino
whatever address on Las Vegas Blvd etc
Postage addresses for the Casinos are easy to find on their respective webpages and most have a dedicated section in their FAQ on having mail delivered to them including phone number etc.
In terms of tax, you shouldn't have to pay any US sales tax. The boots aren't costing more than $1K so you shouldn't have to pay any GST on them coming back in. Shouldn't be any tax at all.
In terms of outlets, there are 2 Premium Outlets in Vegas, North and South of the strip. Too far to walk but there is a free shuttle bus I think or a cab. I was at the Sth ones in Feb but wasn't massively impressed. Had some good t-shirts etc (hurley/billabong/quiksilver etc t-shirts for $10-$15 etc). I didn't look for hiking boots but there were plenty of shoe shops. You can check the store listings on the Premium Outlets vegas website to see whether you need to go to the Nth or Sth outlets. I don't recall if there was a keen outlet there.
Wow thanks for the detailed reply! I had no idea that hotels even offered this kind of mailing service! I might try it for some other stuff. The shoes are a bit riskier if I stuff up the sizing. I'll definitely check out the outlets. Surely I'll find something!
Why is it that you won't pay any US sales tax? It thought you'd be paying the tax rate of the state you got the goods delivered to.
Not sure but I have seen it advertised that you only pay sales tax on mail order stuff in a couple of US states, Nevada not being one of them! I bought cycling shoes and cycling sunglasses and had them delivered to the New York New York hotel in Feb this year and dont think I paid sales tax.
If you are considering Mail Order for anything have a look at Sierra as I mentioned and also www.6pm.com 6pm has some great bargains on outdoor clothes and shoes but they only ship to US addresses. My sunglasses that I bought in Feb were less than half their equivalent Aust price from 6PM. Their Keen Gypsum boots are USD$93 including free shipping http://www.6pm.com/keen-gypsum-mid-black-olive-capulet-olive
I have the Keen Gypsum and they are the best pair of shoes I own. Done several hikes in them including 30km's in one day. Best shoe for me cause I have a wide foot.
I got mine from Globetrekker in Brisbane for around $160. http://www.globetrekker.com.au/.
Try the Keen website and check your local/online stores for the best price.
http://www.keenfootwear.com.au/