Blog
Old Town Sportsman Series
Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+ 132Coming to GOPC in January 2024!The patented Old Town Sportsman BigWater ePDL+™ 132 is a power-assisted pedal drive kayak that delivers unmatched adaptability. Seamlessly switch...
Badfish Monarch
Now In Stores!Find your nearest shopWith glide for flatwater paddling and stability to take on rougher waters, the Monarch is all about versatility. Badfish’s unique exoskeleton design allows the Monarch...
A tent, a chair, a much-needed escape
By Joe MillerA quick overnighter was in order: a change of shelters-in-place, if you will. One that was close to home (about an hour) and one where I likely wouldn’t...
The solitude of paddling: it’s never been more welcome
By Joe MillerI’d paddled about 45 minutes up the Eno River from the boat launch before I realized I hadn’t seen anyone in a good half hour. The river access...
Curbside pickup cures the adventure blues
By Joe MillerIt was a day much like any other. In fact, I wasn’t even sure what day it was. All I knew was that, like I had s many...
Our Kimberly Brookshire: from fashionista to ultimate field tester
Kimberly Brookshire atop Clingman’s Dome on the MST. (But is she coming or going?) Back in 2015, Kimberly Brookshire was working in the fashion industry, though not enthusiastically so. She...
Patagonia’s Torrentshell adds a layer to keep you even drier
Enjoying a wet snow in the Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket I start most mornings with a three-mile hike. It clears my head, awakens my body, makes it possible to sit...
Perception, Astral and Hobie make Kayak fishing more fun than ever
Our John Upchurch with the new Hobie Pro Angler 14 with 360 Drive Technology These fits and starts of warm weather, the spring peepers beginning to call from vernal ponds,...
Gearing up to climb a Fourteener — at our Greenville store
William Fike, right, atop Mt. Elbert It was the day before William Fike was to leave for Colorado to attempt the state’s highest peak, 14,440-foot Mt. Elbert, when he got...
For practical gear advice, our Zach Roberts is your man
Zach Roberts at play with his kids! You walk into our store, you see something really cool. Cool, yes, but the practical side of you isn’t sure how vital it...
Our Rudy Hayden knows the gear you should use (and the gear you shouldn't!)
Having the right gear means not worrying about standing in a river in March. Just ask Rudy. Rudy Hayden, captain of our Charlotte store, knows a thing or two about...
Smartwool: a revolution in wool clothing
Women’s Smartwool Merino 250 Baselayer Pattern Crew, left; Men’s Smartwool Merino 250 Baselayer Crew, right A long while back, somewhere around 400 BC to 300 BC, our shivering selves began...
Need gear? Do we have a deal for you
Osprey Aether AG 85 Maybe Santa had bad directions and didn’t make it to your place this year — or maybe you over-estimated your Nice List status. In either event,...
Gift ideas for the last-minute Shopper
They call you a procrastinator, a dawdler, a devotee of the dilly-dally. Ah, but crafty you, you know what you’re doing. You bypassed Black Friday, eschewed cyber Monday and, most...
Gear: revisiting six reviews of 2019
Sierra Designs Clearwing 2 When you review equipment, you typically don’t have enough time to make a thorough evaluation. You test it for maybe a month, you gather your initial...
Need a gift idea? Our Rob Arends is happy to oblige
Fishpond Jagged Basin Duffel Ask Rob Arends, manager of our Greensboro shop, what might make a good Christmas gift and not just his eyes, but his entire face lights up....
Fishpond, Echo make this the season of fly fishing giving
Our Jim Coveney displaying the Fishpond Dakota Carry-on Rod & Reel Case “Vests vs. packs, boxers vs. briefs, it’s pretty much the same thing,” says Jim Coveney, Fishing Manager at...
Looking for unique gifts? Look no further
Cotopaxi Tarak 20L Ties, socks, underwear. Wouldn’t you like to give a gift this holiday season that makes that special someone’s face really light up? Here are some thoughts. Cotopaxi:...