Takeaways
Some trades were clearly practical. Others were completely sentimental. With a huge range of gear, in price point as well as niche, some people brought items they just wanted to see continue their journey with someone else.
With a drawer of stickers, straps and Adventure Tags, we made sure no one left the Gear Swap empty handed; what surprised us was how many organic swaps occurred - from cameras to collectibles, the spontaneity and enthusiasm to swap was amazing.
Everything happened so quickly, we didn't even think to document some of the swaps at the time - I was so excited to share my BigIDesign Brass Permanent marker with another member of the community, I didn't even think to take a photo. I swapped for the pictured Streamlight that I've already used a bunch.
The biggest takeaway from the gear swap was the need for a Master Ledger to keep track of all the swaps that went down.
Five other things I came home with
Wotancraft Disposable Camera
"My wife is from Edmonton, I need to that hat" - @bigheadtaco
"You can't get this anywhere anymore" - @bigheadtaco
"It might be the rare one" - @bigheadtaco
Three quotes building up to a trade with me for my Oilers fitted, made it an easy decision to make the swap. This trade was intriguing from the start, but this swap was truly symbolic of everything I'd hoped would occur.
Not only did my hat represent something meaningful to me, I could only hope it would end up being a great gift for Take's wife. When he proposed the trade for a mysterious green box, I wasn't familiar with the brand Wotancraft, but this ended up being the discovery process with a brand I'd hoped for.
Now the only question is whether I'll use the disposable camera as intended or if it'll be a deign piece in my office. As noted by Take, the issue with using it is the struggle to find a lab who will return it after developing the photos.
Condition: Brand New (Blind Box - Opened at the swap)
Estimated Value: SOLD OUT
Ceado Hoop Filters
This one is deep. We're incredibly thankful for our friends at Revolver Coffee, so much so that I bravely brought some coffee that I buy from a local roaster in Edmonton to the gear swap that I wanted to trade for some custom Hoop filters. If you haven't already discovered the Ceado Hoop as a brew method - you're missing out, but that's for another post.
Condition: NEW (100 pack)
Retail Price: SOLD OUT
Holy Duck 'Zero Ducks' Vegan Chili Oil
When I thought about the things I liked to bring home from Vancouver, sauce tops the list. I'd mentioned that to Wesley, who happens to be a transplant from Alberta, and he told me "gotchu fam", and he hooked it up. Surprisingly or unsurprisingly, Holy Duck is a staple at my house already, but I'm looking forward to trying out this vegan variant.
Condition: NEW
Retail Price: $20.00
Tomica Diecast Car
Just like my deck of cards and the Hot Wheels I brought, fun for all ages and always good to have on hand. One of our community members brought a Tomica to the swap and levelling up on my car contribution, they noted "This is quality". Being a father, I certainly have a lot more 'mainline' Hot Wheels than I ever could have imagined, but its a real treat to get a premium car like this for my own collection.
Condition: New
Estimated Value: $10
Vario x RZE Medallion Yellow Trench Watch
This one is cheating because it was neither from the Gear Swap, nor was it something I will trade, but it was something that I was excited about all day - despite not being a lover of the bundt, I've reached for it more often than I'd expected.
While we shared a number of our watches and upcoming releases at the gear swap, I talked about this one all weekend and it further consolidated what we'd hoped this weekend would be about. Community, camaraderie and relationships.
Condition: 9.5
Estimated Value: SOLD OUT
