Kayak Shed

Very helpful folks! When I needed some new «barefoot runners», these people set me up by giving me ½ off because of the color. Thing was, I absolutely loved the color! How cool is that? The Trainer

Langston at this shop was amazing! Superbly helpful and helped my boyfriend and I with a ton of questions we had. He was very friendly, knowledgeable, and represented this kayak shop like a god damn champion. Thank you!

It baffles me when I read a negative review of a local business like the Kayak Shed, so I’m writing this review in counterpoint to some of the other reviews posted here.
I’ve been a customer at the Kayak Shed for almost ten years. John and his team have bent over backwards to provide excellent service and advice to me, and hundreds of members of the local community. They are just as helpful and courteous to the beginners as they are to the Rock Star paddlers that frequent the store.
It always amazes me when I drop by the shop that they work so hard to provide for so many different kinds of paddlers in such a small space. No matter what you need, if it requires a paddle, they have it, can get it, or they’ll tell you how to find it.
The Kayak Shed is a GREAT local business and get highest marks on all counts.

I have purchased several kayaks and tons of accessories from them over the years and I have always been very satisfied. The staff has always been very helpful. They have demo boats and free parking behind the shop (parking can be an issue in Hood River).
Most of the staff are kayakers, so they have a good knowledge base, which helpful when selecting a boat or equipment. Occasionally there has been a staff person in the store that was less than attentive, but in my 10 year experience with the store, that is the exception rather than the rule.

Bought my first kayak here a few weeks ago and now that summer is here I’m so stoked! The staff was friendly enough to help me through the process and even though I had a million questions they didn’t seem to mind.

I have no clue what the other people rating Kayakshed are talking about. I’ve spent thousands (plural) in this store before and keep coming back for more. I’ve bought everything form kayaks to clothing to fishing gear to stickers in this store and each time I’m treated like a VIP. Their staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and goes above and beyond to make sure their customers are happy. Don’t listen to the haters, go see them yourself and make your own determination. Highly recommended.

I drove to HD looking for a couple Kayaks and the Kayak Shed had been recommended to me. The young woman working there seemed uninterested in providing any service or answering questions and we were the ONLY ones in the shop. She was in typical Hood River casual attire but had the attitude like she worked in Beverly Hills and was snarky. I wanted to purchase from a local shop but I recommend passing on this one and buying on line or with someone that has interest in helping you.

almost 2 years ago I ordered a pair of vibrams 5 fingers from them. it said right on the website that the manufacturer was behind and left an accurate estimated delivery date. I got both an email and a phone call from the kayak shed staff and then of my order showed up just as they described. it sure seems like the staff was accountable, accurate, and honest about what was transpiring. I felt nothing but reassured and pleased by the service.
since then, I’ve had the opportunity to paddle on more than 1 occasion in the gorge. their inventory is complete and their staff is wonderfully knowledgeable about all of the gear. they’re very patient and we were getting quite the tutorial. the staff is so humble and helpful you would never know that the day before they were dropping class 5 waterfalls and the next day they’re teaching my friends and I about simple beginner considerations.
Prices are fair: at or below market, but come with support and guidance that was invaluable.
Angie and Todd were amazing. I hope that they are still there when we go back.

This was my second order from this company for Vibrams… I spent over $ 200 on this order. ugh.
I would highly recommend that you find a store local to you where you can go and try the shoes on. I ordered my second pair of Vibrams from them, wore them around the house and found that they were not the right fit for me. When I called, I was basically told that since I was probably dirty before putting the shoes on that I could not return them.
Thanks for that, much appreciated!

I placed an online order for a pair of Vibram KSOs, received an email that they were on back-​order two days later, and then didn’t hear back from Kayak Shed again. I was forced to call the store 6 weeks later myself, just to find out the item is still on back-​order with no shipment date in sight. By any measure, 6 weeks of no contact or updates on an order while a store holds your credit card info is poor customer service. Needless to say I won’t be ordering from Kayak Shed again.

We contacted via email as we needed to special order some ultra-​lite Wilderness systems kayaks to pick up on a specific date as we were traveling through Oregon to Idaho. Super great service and communications. the order arrived in perfect time and inventory provided us with a Yakima rack system as well. highly recommend, these guys are super!