Great Outdoor Blog

In 1935 Paul Sperry invented the world’s first and most enduring boat shoe. Where all other footwear brand have laid claim to every inch of terra firma, from the highest snowcapped peaks to the lowest desert valley, from baseball diamonds to basketball courts, Sperry Top-Sider has flourished by helping all who love the water master the world’s final frontier… the oceans, lakes and streams of Planet Earth.

Surprisingly, the Sperry Top-Sider story begins with a cocker spaniel named Prince. On a raw winter day in New England when avid sailor and hobbyist inventor Paul Sperry let out his dog for its daily exercise he noticed that Prince was remarkably stable, even at a full run on the snow covered, icy crust.

Paul raced back to his laboratory to begin working. Soon, with pieces of rubber, a razor blade and an ordinary sneaker, Paul had pieced together the prototype of the world’s first boat shoe. Subsequent designs yielded the original Sperry Top-Sider now known as the Authentic Original.

Be sure and check out the latest Men’s and Women’s Sperry Styles at your local Great Outdoor Provision Co!  **Some styles not available in all stores.

Kahuna Longboards are now available in our Raleigh & N. Raleigh shops

Retro Fish Longboards - $149

The Retro Fish preserves the old-school fish tail lines. Take this fish to work, school or downtown.

48″ long
9 3/4″ wide
7 ply Wisconsin hard rock maple
Premium Paris 180mm Longboard Trucks
Dregs longboarding wheels - 70MM
Tahitian Volcanic Lava Sand as grip

shape: Kahuna Classic Retro Fish Tail w/ Kahuna wheel wells
camber: heavy
concave: mild
flex: maximum

Kahuna Big Stick - $149

The Kahuna Big Stick transforms your Longboard into Stand Up Paddle board for the Pavement!

For those of us who don’t live near the ocean or a large lake, The Kahuna Big Stick offers you the same fun and fitness as the water sport, but allows you to do it on any paved surface!

Just grab your Longboard and your Kahuna Big Stick and you can turn your local Greenway, sidewalk, empty parking lot, or driveway into awesome session!

Here are some of the design benefits:

- Solid, form fitting, solid wood cherry and ash handle for ultimate comfort
- Lightweight Douglas fir shaft with a gentle taper towards the handle
- Gentle oval shaft shape to give that ultimate feel in a paddle
- Various fabric prints (always changing) are fused in the shaft for an incredible look
- The entire shaft is layered in fiberglass to give added strength
- The tip is designed with dual high performance rubber contacts to allow for ultimate grip, durability and feel as you paddle on the pavement. The rubber contacts can be rotated to maximize use (replacement contacts are available)
- Added high performance foam is encased in the tip to provide additional vibration dampening to keep the ride smooth
- The overall tip design provides a slight spring as you transition through the stroke

MADE IN THE USA

M’s Watermaster II Waders by Patagonia

The Watermaster II Waders are the toughest, most puncture-resistant breathable waders on the market, and feature our innovative internal suspension system that allows “relief” without removing jacket or vest.

These days, waders have to do more than just wade. They need to breathe easily and resist the thorns – from blackberries to Argentine Califate – that guard our favorite waters. Patagonia’s Watermaster II Waders feature a proprietary 3-layer HydroStorm waterproof/breathable polyester fabric package that’s quantitatively tougher (not to mention 25% more waterproof) than the competition. An innovative internal suspension system provides quick, layers-on “relief” without hard-to-operate and failure-prone zippers, safety when taking an unexpected swim, and cool comfort when worn at waist height in hot weather. Strategically placed reinforcement fabric, patterned neoprene feet, contoured crotch and knees, grit-stopping gravel guards and a built-in wading belt round out the package. Field repair kit included

» More Patagonia Fly Fishing

GUIDE TESTIMONIAL:

I wanted to take a minute and express my admiration for the Patagonia Watermaster II breathable waders. Frank, owner of the Pere Marquette River Lodge had told me how well they held up, but I was a little skeptical. After all, I not only guide steelhead and salmon on Michigan’s Pere Marquette River in the spring and fall – I spend the entire summer guiding 7 days a week on the Naknek River in Alaska, from early June until the snow flies in early October. This includes a lot of days hiking into wilderness streams and dodging bears in thick brush, not to mention dragging jet boats on and off of beaches, putting docks in and out of the water, refueling boats, etc.

Last summer, I went through 3 pairs of waders and by the first week of July this summer, I was already on my second pair. When Frank fished with me in early July, he saw that I was in need and left his Watermaster’s for me to test for the rest of the summer.

Amazing hardly begins to describe the difference. Not only were they dry and comfortable to hike around in, but, at the end of the season, I was still wearing the same pair. I had completely wore of the pair of wading shoes that I had started the summer with (not Patagonia’s shoes – another brand) but the waders were still going strong. I didn’t even need to use my patch kit.

I am only half joking when I tell my guests that I spend more time in my chest waders that I do in a pair of jeans. For the last couple of seasons, I have started out almost every day by pulling on a 7 or 8 year old pair of silkweight Capilene bottoms, an equally old and beloved pair of Patagonia fleece pants and then switched to a different companies waders. No longer. Patagonia’s commitment to quality and durability has convinced me to look to them for their waders as well.

I have already spoken to Frank about a pair of Patagonia wading shoes for next summer. I have been hearing only rave reviews from other guides on the shoes as well, and I can’t wait to put them to the test.

Thanks for the great products – keep them coming.

Jim Johnson
Owner, Alaska’s Naknek River Camp

Stop by and check out the new Vibram FiveFingers in our Raleigh ,  Greenville, Charlotte, Chapel Hill & Wilmington Shops.

barefooting (bare•foot•n) n. 1. The exhilarating joy of going barefoot without leaving yourself exposed; 2. any activity requiring unconventional footwear offering the protection of a thin, flexible Vibram skin; 3. an intelligent way to deepen your connection with your natural surroundings.

M’s & W’s FiveFingers Sprint: Hook and loop closures along the heel and instep provide a comfortable secure fit. A thin, abrasion-resistant stretch polyamide fabric fits low on the foot—for comfort and quick drying. A flexible, non-marking TC1 performance rubber sole is razor siped to enhance grip over a variety of terrain.

SPRINT IS BEST FOR: Light Trekking, Bouldering, Pose Method Running, ChiRunning, Fitness Training, Yoga, Pilates, Sailing, Boating, Kayaking, Canoeing, Surfing, Windsurfing, Flats Fishing, Travel

$80

Our buyers and product testers spent over 18 months of research to determine this fall’s outerwear collection. After working with the industry’s best designers and clothing manufacturers we are excited to introduce a terrific selection of jackets from Arc’Teryx, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia and The North Face. There are jackets for everyone’s tastes, from the classic Covert Sweater Cardigan by Arc’teryx to the minimalist Down Sweater from Patagonia featuring top quality European goose down. We invite you to stop by the shop an find the jacket that best fits your needs for winter adventure. Take advantage of our Coat Swap offer and Save 20% off the regular price of a new jacket.
» CLICK HERE to see Featured Items

Icebreaker is fussy about their fibres. They procure the best pure merino available, direct from the mountains of New Zealand. And then make their own fabrics using icebreaker technology. Originally they had to, as no-one could supply what they wanted. Then it turned into a passion and a source of innovation. They have set up contracts direct with the farmers who grow the wool. They currently work with just 30 of the best growers in the world, mainly scattered around the Southern Alps of the South Island.

» Stop by the shop to give it a try. Merino can be worn in all conditions…especially nice when we hit record 90 degree highs in October!

Skin 200 - $70
BodyFit 260 - $80

Because Life’s Tough
Since 1870 Blundstone has made the toughest no nonsense footwear for rural, work and outdoors.

Blundstone footwear - No nonsense, go anywhere, do anything legends.
Great Outdoor Provision Co. stocks these classic models:

• Blundstone 500 - $145
• Blundstone 490 - $145

We fell in love with Horny Toad’s Cashmoore and Velush fabrics the first time we felt them. Dense, super soft and fuzzy, yet surprisingly breathable, these luscious fabrics are perfect for fall, winter, and spring.

We brought in a ton of styles because we know once you try them on, you’ll know what we’re talking about. And while you’re here, check out our full selection of Horny Toad sportswear.

» See the goods

Men’s : Donny (Tan), Vagabond (Choc), The Sherlock (Charcoal)
$55

Women’s : Scribble (Sand), Starlet (Tan), Checky (Chocolate)
$48

It’s Finally here! We have it in all our shops as of 9.4.07

The revolutionary new Reactor is the fastest-boiling, most fuel-efficient all-condition stove system ever made. It offers unprecedented performance in challenging conditions, including superior wind protection and consistent flame output at all temperatures, elevations, and fuel levels. It’s also compact and easy to use, comprising a patent-pending canister stove and a high-efficiency 1.7-liter pot that makes it great for everything from solo trips to cooking for groups of up to three people.

• Unrivaled Boil Time:
  Outperforms the competition in lab tests—boiling 1 liter of water in just 3 minutes—with an even greater advantage in challenging conditions.
• Maximum Efficiency:
  Patent-pending radiant burner and heat exchanger make the Reactor the most efficient all-condition stove system, so you carry less fuel.
• Unmatched Wind Protection:
  Radiant burner head is enclosed by heat exchanger for total protection in even the windiest conditions.
• Integrated System:
  State-of-the-art stove and high-efficiency pot are combined into one compact, easy-to-use system.
• Consistent Flame Output:
  Internal regulator equalizes fuel pressure for optimal performance in all conditions and at all fuel levels.

Minimum Weight: 21 oz. (595 g)
Packaged Weight: 21.6 oz. (612 g)

PRICE: $139.95