My relationship with Moosejaw Mountaineering began in 2011 when I returned home from my first thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. A friend of mine took me to the Birmingham, Michigan store and introduced me around. That night, I bought a Granite Gear pack and I met a ton of cool people. I was impressed that the staff there had actually used much of the gear they sold. The folks who work in the stores, at the warehouse and in the offices of their Madison Heights headquarters helped me plan for my thru-hike of the PCT in 2012 and every hike since then. They even turned me on to the Shore to Shore Trail. Good people, all of them.
Since then, I buy all my gear there. Both at their brick and mortar stores and at Moosejaw.com. I wear their shirt and fly their flag when I go on my hikes. I promote them as much as I can when I do talks about long distance hiking. I have contributed to their website. Sometimes, I just go to the stores to hang out and drool over stuff I can't afford. In turn, they have helped me out with gear in some clutch situations. Sometimes brand new, sometimes gently used. I don't mind. I am just grateful and proud to associate with such a great Michigan company.
I reached out to some whom I trust for their opinions. I decided that it's the people at Moosejaw that I want to support. I owe them. They have been really good to me over the years. Additionally, I have already gratefully accepted gear from them for my upcoming hike of the Israel National Trail. I will continue to promote them until that level of mutual support changes.
Love Moosejaw? Hate Walmart? Either way, leave me a comment below!