fatdad wrote:A caveat: I'm definitely not endorsing Sports Chalet or their (lack of) return policy. Never had to deal with that fortunately. Only, compared to other stores I've seen (including other Sport Chalets), they had considerably more climbing merchandise. In fact, I think every mountain boot I've bought is from there, which is saying something considering I live nowhere near there.

The riverside sport chalet is just getting back into selling climbing stuff after a period of not stocking anything. They are good for things like webbing and maybe a harness, but lately they only had two pairs of climbing shoes in stock for about six months. And when I say to pairs I don't mean two styles I mean a set of coyotes in size ten and a set of something else in womans size 2. PLus they have not stocked dry ropes until about a month ago.

Nomad Ventures has a few. Also on the east-side you've got many options... Elevation in Lone Pine, Wilsons in Bishop, Mammoth Mountaineering, etc. Although, I have always ordered my boots online. Most of the major websites have good return policies, even with boots.

If you happen to have size 11.5 feet, I have some rachlie eiger boots in very very good condition.
They are heavy leather boots. I am in the los angeles area.

Sport Chalet La Canada has moved across the street from where they used to be, and over about a block. I went in, and they had more fishing gear than mountaineering gear. Looked like a supermarket. Not like it used to be

I remember when they put up a climbing wall outside the main store, and had a competition. But that was in the mid 80's.

Luciano136 wrote:

Mountain Impulse wrote:Bruno,

I found more of a selection of winter boots at Adventure 16 in west L.A. than Sports Chalet. Plus, I can also attest from experience that Sports Chalet's return policy is meant to teach you a lesson. And of course check out REI Santa Ana to see what they have.

Thanks Augie. I was thinking about A16. Maybe I'll just give them a call to see what their selection currently is. There's one close in CM as well but that one is pretty small.

Last I had heard the CM and Torrance A16s both closed down.

The West LA A16 probably has the best selection in So Cal, May also want to try the larger REIs maybe Santa Monica and Rancho Cucamonga

Ramblindave wrote:Last I had heard the CM and Torrance A16s both closed down.

No way?!?! That's crazy!

if you are willing to drive down to Escondido, Nomad Ventures is an amazing store for climbing/mountaineering. I would go so far as to say that it is probably the best store of it's kind (because of the knowledge and depth of gear it has on hand) in So Cal. They have a lot of mountaineering boots actually in stock at the store. Plus the folks there actually know there stuff and have experience. (not like most of REI employees) It's a good thing I don't live closer or I'd be flat broke. That place kicks ass.

Give'm a call and ask them what they have. They're super friendly. Good luck with your search.

scottydo wrote:if you are willing to drive down to Escondido, Nomad Ventures is an amazing store for climbing/mountaineering. I would go so far as to say that it is probably the best store of it's kind (because of the knowledge and depth of gear it has on hand) in So Cal. They have a lot of mountaineering boots actually in stock at the store. Plus the folks there actually know there stuff and have experience. (not like most of REI employees) It's a good thing I don't live closer or I'd be flat broke. That place kicks ass.

Give'm a call and ask them what they have. They're super friendly. Good luck with your search.

Thanks for the tip! A little out of the way but close enough!

Dude...

Plan a dayhike in the eastern sierra over the weekend, and stop in Elevations in Lone Pine. They have the Red Trangos and the Silver EVO lights, as well as some other brands and models.

Get outta socal for a quick weekend and hang in a great place, and get some boots!

Then break em in somewhere up there!

Blair wrote:Dude...

Plan a dayhike in the eastern sierra over the weekend, and stop in Elevations in Lone Pine. They have the Red Trangos and the Silver EVO lights, as well as some other brands and models.

Get outta socal for a quick weekend and hang in a great place, and get some boots!

Then break em in somewhere up there!

I won't get up there in a while and then I still have the problem of returning them. I think I'll check out Nomad Adventures.

I would call all 3 Nomad stores and see if they can send whatever boots they have in your size to the store closest to you. They tend to have different models/ sizes at the different stores. I always thought the J-Tree store had the best selection but I've never been to the Escondido store.

Maybe call the NV in Josh and while your out perhaps some climbing??