Where to buy high quality winter clothing?

honestly skip the malls and head to Siam Paragon or Emporium. Paragon has a Mountain Design store that carries Outdoor Research and some Mountain Hardwear stuff, plus their own brand which is decent for layering. Emporium has a bigger selection at the Paragon level but check the basement floor at Paragon too.

if u want more variety try the outdoor section at CentralWorld on the 4th floor near the escalators. they sometimes have random mountbell pieces mixed in with the patagonia and columbia stock. prices are higher than in the US but u wont freeze in seattle with a good shell and fleece.

one more spot is the weekend market at Chatuchak. sounds weird but there are a few stalls near section 8 that sell real surplus gear from japan and korea. just check the tags carefully for fakes. not as reliable as the malls but cheaper if you find something legit

arrow_drop_up 22 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

the rei advice is solid but if you're set on buying here, check the shops near khao san road. there's a few outdoor gear places tucked in the alleys off soi rambuttri that carry japanese and korean winter brands you won't find at central. one spot on the corner near the 7-eleven has a whole rack of mountbell down jackets that were popular with trekkers heading to northern thailand last season

also try the sports section at mbk center, 5th floor near the food court. they have a small outdoor gear corner with mountain hardwear and some random or pieces mixed in with the nike and adidas stuff. prices are negotiable if you pay cash but check the zippers and seams carefully before buying

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

tbh if you're heading to seattle anyway just buy it there. rei in seattle has way better selection and prices than anything here. the flagship store is near capitol hill and they always have outdoor research and mountain hardwear on the floor. bringing an empty suitcase is way easier than hunting around bangkok for winter gear that's marked up 30-40%

but if you really need something before you go check pro cam fis near asok. they carry mountain hardwear and sometimes have last season stuff on sale. the one on sukhumvit soi 19 has a decent rack of shells and insulated jackets. just call ahead to check stock cause their inventory changes fast

arrow_drop_up 1 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

Krua Dok Mai Kao is solid but I've always found their som tam a bit tame on the pla ra. If you want the real funky version, try the shophouse spots along Soi Udomsuk 26, near the night market end. They pound it fresh with fermented fish that'll clear your sinuses, and it's like 60 baht. Different style from the On Nut places, more Lao-leaning.

arrow_drop_up 5 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

for som tam specifically i'd say the Isaan spots in Chatuchak are underrated, weekdays only though since the weekend crowd ruins the vibe. there's a stall near gate 2 that does tam pa with fermented bamboo shoots, super sour and funky, not something you see much in On Nut. if you're already heading north for Or Tor Kor anyway its worth the detour.

arrow_drop_up 4 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply

honestly the som tam at Krua Dok Mai Kao is good but what got me hooked is their nam prik pla raa dip with the raw veggies, that funk hits way harder than the papaya does. think most people sleep on it cuz they just order the som tam and gai yang. also pro tip, go before noon on weekdays, after that teh pla ra gets milder cuz they batch it for the lunch rush

arrow_drop_up 2 arrow_drop_down

chat_bubble Reply ios_share

/

Reply