REI

I consistently end up back at REI to purchase my camping, footwear, and backpacking gear. So often I think maybe I will find something for a better price at a larger retailer but I always end up back at REI. Add in the dividend and then when it is a close call REI gets the sale.
I don’t like to buy gear online; I need to really look at the technical details.
Today was a great example; went in just to get my torso measured for a backpack and the salesclerk was so knowledgeable that I almost purchased a pack during the visit. I do know however that I will be back to purchase a pack there.
Another example; backpacking tents. Went online, went to large retailer down the street, went to another retailer in Portland. Ended up buying the REI tent because it was the best value.
This is a great location with a very friendly professional staff.

The REI team are amazing. I was so confused on which items i needed for an over seas adventure. They huddled and discussed my unique needs… and came up with just the perfect items. Thankfully I found REI.

I purchase online and in store at REI and I have had the best experiences. As an avid camper, I have found that their products are reliable and of good quality. The outlet online always has great deals on top of the line products and their service is awesome. If I have any issues with a product, I could return the product to the store with no questions asked (but I have yet to need to do that). REI is my store of choice for my camping supplies, hands down.

I really love REI. This is the only store I have been too. I love the selection and the organization. I’m new to the area and I’m excited to get some more outdoor skills. I’m slowly getting new gear and the store has been very helpful to me. I joined the membership program and I’m excited to see my end of year dividend.

For anyone who doesn’t already know, this is a store for people who love outdoor activities. This isn’t another Dick’s or Sports Authority. You’re not going to find any basketball or soccer gear here. What you will find is a large selection of equipment that will help you experience nature.
One of the things that I love most about REI is that the staff is super friendly, very knowledgeable and avid users of their products. If you have a question about something, come here. If you want to handle something before buying, come here. There’s been a number of times that I’ve had questions about a product and next thing I knew they popped it out of the package and let me check it out. Then they spent a few minutes folding it up and getting it back into the packaging.
Becoming a member gets you more than at most other places too. You get 10% back on most purchases, paid yearly. You get exclusive coupons and notifications of sales. You get access to outings with REI Outdoor School which is great for learning things like how to maintain your equipment or how to cook killer meals while on the trail.
I will always go to REI first for any outdoor product I need. They are awesome!

Went in at opening this morning and was quickly greeted with «dogs aren’t allowed», sending me on my way. I understand that dogs come in all sizes and dispositions, but my 7 pound Jack Russel puppy held firmly in my arms? Keep your rule, but try managing by exception. You lost my business to Amazon with your officious rejection.

They have everything you need for anything outdoors. I find the salespeople pretty friendly here and usually someone comes up to me to ask if I need help. Yes, prices can be higher here compared to other outdoor stores, but I think you are paying for better quality here. It also depends on what kind of outdoors recreation you are doing, if you need rock climbing gear to triathlons. If you going backpacking, great packs here!

What a cool «in the forest”-like setting. I’ve been here twice before and have always had a great experience. Store personnel are always available and welcoming and they have a good selection of goods for such a small physical location. Anything not in store can be ordered and shipped within days. Hooray for good hiking gear and no tax in this state!

While the selection is great. The items are overpriced and you can often find the items you want for cheaper online. When I walked in I was not greeted in a customer service friendly manner. I was instead stared at and was made to feel like I done something wrong. The sales associates were pretentious and snobby. I do not recommend Rei for out door clothes or items. One star for you.

Good place if you know what you want after you’ve done the research yourself. If it’s a more complicated issue or question, then you’re probably better off going to a specialty store that deals with that specific sport or activity all the time. For example, if you want skis or bindings, you go there off-​season to find skis. There are none or very few of the items in-​store. Then the salesperson you talk to, you realize, has just the same amount or less knowledge you have and is now consulting the Internet.
Fairly good selection of stuff. Good return policy. If you’re looking for really high-​end gear and want to touch and feel it, you probably need to go somewhere else.

Staff is rude. Things are pricy. Typical REI… if there staff cared people came in and may need assistance help, it would be a better place.

This location is much larger than the one close to home. Took some time to wander through and look at things. While REI isn’t the cheapest place, for most of your outdoor activities, you want quality and often times you get what you pay for. Huge selection of items to meet your outdoor needs. I think maybe heavy on biking, camping and hiking items. Overall, I’d recommend and say become a member to get your annual rebate.

5 star customer service, awesome selection, competitive pricing for quality gear, and probably the only store whose brand-​name products are as good as or better than other brands. I have had an REI camping chair for 7 years (heavy usage!) and it’s still good as new. Whereas I have had many Coleman chairs over the years that last maybe 1 or 2 years. The employees always speak from experience and make great recommendations.

I called prior to coming in to ask about climbing shoes. I visited the other REI location (I think in Beaverton), and they had a small selection of climbing shoes. Hence why I called prior to coming in. When I was connected, the gentleman on the phone was really polite and told me that they had a bunch of shoes to pick from. When I got there, the man I spoke to on the phone recognized me and helped me more in store. And he was right, they had over 8 pairs to choose from, one slip on, three velcro, four lace-​ups. And that’s just for mens. They have others for kids and womens, and two other pairs in a small clearance section two rows behind. Sizes are down below the sample shoes and they have more in the back. I spent a good hour and a half there just trying to get a good fit and finally decided on a pair of laSportiva Nago’s. The man was really informative and helpful. I’ll definitely go back to this store for the customer service alone. I didn’t have time to check out any other sections, but it’s REI, and I’m hardly ever that unimpressed with REI.
But, the counter lady wasn’t that friendly and she was the manager. She kept looking at my sister when I was the clear customer bringing money and size 12 climbing shoes to the counter. I felt as if she was looking at my sister for confirmation about what I was doing. And it took a while for them to realize that I was a paying customer. There was another cashier, but she seemed really invested in talking to this other guy. I didn’t want to bother them.

It’s REI. One is pretty much as good as the next. This isn’t a huge store. Limited amount of product on hand. Helpful, friendly staff. We didn’t need any help while in the store today, looking for shoes. But were asked twice in different parts of the store. So that’s good!
God a great deal on a pair of Kids Teva’s, which is exactly what we came in for. Checked them out online, then went in and bought them.
We didn’t have to wait in line on a Saturday afternoon, bonus points.

Are you kidding? It’s REI. What’s not to love. I’m just happy I don’t get a paycheck from them, cuz i’m sure i’d just sign it and hand it right back so i could walk off with some gear. :) :) :)
They are always super helpful. Very knowledgeable. Willing to go that extra mile. Tons of great stuff to choose from.

What’s not to love about this place:
Stellar customer service — Check
Great quality stuff: — Check
REI Dividends which spend like real cash — Check
Did I say stellar customer service? — Check
They really do like their customers and that makes all the difference to me.

Good God I spend a lot of time wandering this store. Anything outdoors related gear for camping, hiking, biking, etc and they have it, along with all the accessories that go with it and the proper bag to carry it in!
The selection of bags is truly impressive. Two duffels large enough to carry bodies, a backpack camelback and a smaller camelback have survived many adventures over the last four years. So has all the bike gear I got on the clearance rack except the light jacket I shredded in a crash. It was a gnarly crash and thin material, other than that I consider their gear to be virtually indestructible.
In fact 90% of our outdoor gear is from here. They soften the blow to our wallets by sending us a dividend check each year. Become a member and you can get a percentage back of your purchases too!
Check their calendar for events and various outdoor classes. I haven’t taken one yet but I keep meaning to!
The staff is very knowledgable and will hook you up with the right gear for your needs. By now I think they just recognize us and let us wander around cleaning up the drool in our wake ready to answer questions if needed.
I wish the prices were a touch lower but the sales are killer. Each week they have an energy bar and gel on sale. That’s about the only time I find those items to be affordable.
Definitely worth a stop if you are into experiencing this incredible state we live in. Just watch out for the trail of drool…

Great equipment and service, but deceptive in advertising. In large letters you’ll see a sign upon entry gifting you $ 20 for $ 100 spent. The fine print says that you’ll only get a $ 20 gift card for each purchase of an item costing more than $ 100. If you buy four $ 50 items, you will get no gift card.
I hate it when business are deceptive in their fine print that way.

I was shopping for an affordable race /​commuter bike. I found one I liked and affordable in REI Seattle. My sister planned to go shopping in Portland and told me not to get in Seattle. I thought she had a good point there! I found a REI near by where my sister was getting her iPad and we stopped by after all other shopping was done.
This REI is not big. But, they sure had the bike I wanted. In fact, they just put together the bike the today before I was there, which is really nice. The staff who helped was Don, I believe. He is experienced in biking/​cycling and has done STP few times. Since I am a beginner, he didn’t think it’s necessary to pick the expensive stuff. Therefore, he picked reasonable and affordable tool kits, accessories, helmet, etc with me. I am a member of REI. So, I was able to test ride my new bike around the block with store vest and helmet.
After picking all the accessories, the tech guy installed for me to the bike immediately. I was worried about how I can transport my bike back home and was ready to get a bike rack. However, Don was able to give me a lesson about how to take the wheels out and back (I am not sure if I still remember). We were able to put the whole bike in the trunk. He also reminded me to take my bike back to REI for Warranty tune-​up after certain mileage and it’s free.
Overall, I had a GREAT experience shopping here.