[jaetee]

DB - what other brands are there? is it worth a trip on a weekend - is it reachable by MTR?

[discobay]

There are a lot of different brands. The stock changes every few weeks so I can't be sure what will be there when you go. It is not on the MTR. There are buses that go there. From memory there is the number 40 green minibus from Kowloon Tong bus terminus. Or you can MTR it to Choi Hung and walk 15 minutes.

[EmmaB]

A number of the Sample shops in Wan Chai, along the tram line, I think it's Johnson Road, also had quite a bit of North FAce and Colombia, but it is less than half the price if you go up to Shenzen...

[jaetee]

Are we talking real samples or fakes? I have seen a bunch of counterfeit shirts and jeans in Wanchai.

[Wes]

A little update on this.. today I went to Wanchai and checked out the sample shops. One in particular had some great Columbia and North Face Jackets for $60-$70 and an impressive selection of gore-tex, 'tech fleece' wind breakers, etc from big names such as REI. Not an absolute steal, but probably less than half what you would pay retail.

I'm still looking for a North Face backpack.. thinking of checking out Lion Rock road tomorrow...

[jaetee]

Wes,
Is that US$ of HK$? Can you list the location of the shop?
Thanks.

[dropdedfwed]

Originally Posted by EmmaB

A number of the Sample shops in Wan Chai, along the tram line, I think it's Johnson Road, also had quite a bit of North FAce and Colombia, but it is less than half the price if you go up to Shenzen...

hmmm,

have seen some Gore-Tex in Shenzen, but was not really convinced it was the real mackoy. it looked good enough, but so do some other fake things i guess the proof of the pudding is in the tasting. the problem is with Gore-Tex the "fabric" is sandwiched b/w atleast 2 protective layers, as gore-tex has little abrasion resistance, so it is difficult to check without cutting a sample open

Anyone know if the "Gore-Tex" in Wanchai or SZ is for real?

[Wes]

Oops.. I think in US$ most of the time.. so accordingly, the nicest name-brand jackets were around HK$420-$460. 'Tech' long sleeve shirts HK$69-$89, Goretex wind breakers maybe HK$350.

All the sample shops are along Johnston Road.. ride the tram from central and you will see them. One of the big ones is called "Sample King".

The shop with the most outdoors gear was on the south side of Johnston (away from the harbor), more towards central than the rest of the shops.

[dropdedfwed]

They're still awesome prices if the fabric is real. Gore-Tex jackets in Oz start at $400AUD($2400HK) for basic, and average b/w $500-800AUD. Mine on sale at 50% off was $220AUD.

Most "brand name" hiking jackets, even if they're not made from gore-tex, are generally worth equiv of $1000HK and more.

Thanks for the info Wes et al.

[Azuremain]

Why don't you just go to the official Columbia Shops in either Mong Kok or in Shatin. Both often have discounts and are conveniently located near the KCR or MTR, respectively.

Of course, if you're up to knock-offs, those would be the wrong places.

By the way, just next to the Columbia shop in MK are two authorized dealer shops of Karrimor and loads of other Hiking/Mountaineering shops with all kinds of brands like Arcteryx, Blackwater Gear, Blackhawk Ind., or 5.11 just to name a few.