Where to buy cross-country ski equipment?

[ron_newman]

I broke the baskets at the bottom of both of my cross-country ski poles. I'd like to replace just the baskets, but if I have to I'll buy new poles. While I'm at it, I may as well also buy a new bottle of Maxi-Glide wax.

Where's a good place to find this stuff around here? So far, I've had no luck at City Sports in Porter Square, Eastern Mountain Sports in Harvard Square, and Sports Authority in Assembly Square.

(Also, if I happen to find trekking pole baskets instead, are they fine for x-c skiing too?)

Comments

[ceo]

I'm surprised EMS didn't have cross-country ski poles. Try REI in the Fenway? Best bet is a dedicated ski shop, but the only one I'm familiar with around here is Ski Haus in Burlington.

[ron_newman]

The local EMS suggested I try their Comm. Ave store in Boston, and I may do that, but I want to see what other folks suggest.

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

I've had decent luck at EMS on Comm Ave. The stuff at LL Bean is pretty limited unless you go to Freeport (the store in Burlington is more of a fleece-jacket store than a gear store). If you can get out to the Weston Ski Track, their annual sell-all-the-rental-gear sale is starting on Wednesday, and that might be worth the trip, but I don't know if they're selling only full sets or not.

[ron_newman]

REI in the Fenway doesn't have cross-country ski equipment. They told me I'd have better luck at their Reading store, which is where I long ago bought the original skis, poles, bindings, and boots.

I ended up buying new poles for $15 (marked down from $30) at East Coast Alpine (formerly called Ski Market), 860 Comm. Ave. They had a very small number of x-c skis and poles, which they told me they were clearing out, because "cross-country skiing is no longer popular."

[obie119.livejournal.com]

no longer popular?? What planet is this person on? Maybe they didn't see the 60% full lot at Great Brook on a weekday afternoon???

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

I've heard L L Bean is good. But the nearest ones are at the Wayside shopping center in Burlington, and Legacy Place in Dedham.

[avjudge]

If you're buying from LL Bean it makes more sense to order online - shipping is always free - then you only have to go to Burlington or Dedham if you want to return something. And I agree with an earlier poster that the Burlington store is light on gear.

Personally, I just bought new downhill poles at Sierra Trading Post after finding I'd bent an old one. If you get their emails you'll never pay their (discounted) asking price, and often get discounted shipping. But selection is extremely hit-or-miss and the free or discounted shipping is often on larger orders.

[ron_newman]

Where are Sierra Trading Post's local stores? I cannot find a list or locator on their website.

[avjudge]

Sorry, I didn't specify mail order though I did mention shipping. You'd have to be in the mountain west to have local stores! (Though they've been bought by TJX Companies so in a way they're kind of local.)

[pywaket.livejournal.com]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=sierra+trading+post

JHCOAS

[obie119.livejournal.com]

If you want a trip down the bike path, the Bikeway Source (at the path's terminus in Bedford) is the best cross country ski shop around. Very friendly too.

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

ooh! I didn't know they had xc ski equipment! Thanks! That's exciting

[ron_newman]

Thanks for the suggestion! I would never have known they carried x-c ski stuff. This was further than I wanted to bike today, but I'll keep it in mind for future use.

[koshmom.livejournal.com]

There's a sports place at Wellington mall (the "older" mall, on the Fellsway, near Pet Supplies Plus) and there's also a Hockey related place in Medford Square which sells used equipment. Don't know if the one in Medford Square sells anything but hockey gear, I've always been tempted to go in but never got around to it.

[ron_newman]

What is the first place called?

I would never expect to find x-c (or any other kind of) ski equipment at an ice hockey place.