Best Outdoor Stores
While you probably love to spend time in the outdoors, it is less likely that you love spending time shopping for the equipment and apparel you need. Physical stores have their advantages if the staff is well-educated and stock is varied and plenty but online shopping from home is the natural choice for more and more of us – not least due to the option of comparing prices on different platforms.
In the following we recommend you the best outdoor stores online (although some have one or more physical shops as well). We have put emphasis on those having a varied offer of brands and products, while listing which type of customer service and shipping policy they offer as well.
Best Outdoor Stores – List:
REI – REI Co-op product line
REI
Website: rei.com
REI (Recreational Equipment, Inc.) is more than just a store – it’s an institution in the outdoor gear industry. Founded in Seattle in 1938 by Lloyd and Mary Anderson as a co-op to make quality gear affordable for outdoor enthusiasts, REI has grown into a multi-billion-dollar business while staying true to its cooperative roots.
Beyond its online store, REI offers trips through REI Adventures and training via the REI Outdoor School. It operates 154 physical retail stores across 36 states, with about 20% located in California. Online, REI carries both established American brands and newcomers such as Sherpa Adventure Gear and Kari Traa, as well as its own in-house line, REI Co-op, with more than 700 products (about half of them clothing).
REI.com also features the REI Garage, a section for heavily discounted products that are discontinued or updated models – a great place to find bargains.
How to get free shipping
- Orders of $60 or more at REI.com, REI garage or by phone qualify for free standard shipping (not for oversized, e.g. very heavy or large items).
- Free if pick-up in store (except for certain bike brands).
- Otherwise standard shipping is $5.99; faster shipping costs from $20-$33.
International shipping:
- Yes (except for certain brands and products). From $20-$35 depending on amount spent.
Customer Service:
- Live chat, phone, and email.
- Customer service works Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Backcountry – Backcountry product line
Backcountry
Website: backcountry.com
Founded in Utah in 1996, Backcountry has grown into one of the most recognized online outdoor stores. In 2013, it acquired German retailer Bergfreunde, expanding its reach to Europe. Backcountry also operates a physical retail store in Salt Lake City.
The store matches REI in terms of selection and sometimes surpasses it, especially in mountaineering gear, with strong offerings from brands such as Grivel, Rab, Scarpa, and Black Diamond. Backcountry also has its own merchandise line, featuring casual apparel and accessories with its iconic mountain goat logo, along with practical items like probes, shovels, and ski skins.
How to get free shipping:
- For orders over $69 shipping within the lower 48 States or to an APO address (not available on freight or bulky items such as bikes, kayaks, etc.).
- Otherwise check cost with the instant shipping calculator.
International shipping:
- Yes (via UPS).
Customer Service:
- Live chat besides contact by phone or email.
- Customer service works 6am-10pm MST, U.S. & Canada.
Campsaver – physical retail store
Campsaver
Website: campsaver.com
Campsaver.com is the only outdoor store on this list which does not have its own apparel or merchandise line. Nevertheless, Campsaver features more than 873 different brands and as the name implies, often have great deals for them. The width in range, however, does not mean that Campsaver only carries a few items from each brand; in comparison to the other outdoor stores on this list, it for example offers by far the widest choice of outdoor gear and apparel from top-notch European brands such as Montane, Rab and Petzl. There is of course also a good selection within classic American brands such as Mountain Hardwear, Outdoor Research and Patagonia. Campsaver was established in 2003 and has one physical retail store in the Cache County in Utah.
How to get free shipping:
- Qualifying orders over $49.
- 500+ small items ship for free.
- Otherwise check cost with the instant shipping calculator.
International shipping:
- Yes (with exception of certain brands).
Customer service:
- Live chat besides contact by phone or email.
- Customer service works 8:00 am – 6:00 pm MST, Monday-Friday.
Moosejaw – Moosejaw CO-LAB product line
Moosejaw
Website: moosejaw.com
Founded in Michigan in 1992, Moosejaw now has 10 retail stores across four states, but its online shop is where it really shines. Moosejaw carries one of the broadest selections of American outdoor brands such as Black Diamond, Mountain Hardwear, Outdoor Research, and Patagonia. It’s also strong in merino wool apparel, with offerings from Ibex, Icebreaker, and Smartwool.
Like REI, Moosejaw has its own apparel line, but its CO-LAB program is particularly interesting. Partnering with established brands, Moosejaw has co-developed unique gear like a daypack with Osprey, water bottles with CamelBak and Klean Kanteen, and even a hammock kit with Therm-a-Rest.
How to get free shipping:
- Orders over $49.00 or Moosejaw items over $12.00 qualify for free shipping (6-10 days); otherwise prices from $5.95.
International shipping:
- Yes (with exception of certain brands), using UPS. Prices from 35$.
Customer service:
- Live chat besides contact by phone or email.
- Customer service works 8am – 9pm, Monday-Thursday; 8am – 7pm on Fridays; 9am – 5pm on Saturdays and 10am – 5pm on Sundays. EST.
EMS – Eastern Mountain Service product line
Eastern Mountain Sports
Website: ems.com
Eastern Mountain Sports or simply EMS caters, as the name implies, mostly to the East coast when it comes to the location of its 20 physical retail stores (New England states + New York and Pennsylvania) but is accessible to everybody online. Here, Eastern Mountain Sports offers a smaller, more eclectic selection than the other outdoor stores listed here, but nevertheless excels particularly when it comes to accessories. It for example features a bigger selection than the others (up to twice as many products) within footwear from Merrell, sunglasses from Native Eyewear and climbing accessories from French manufacturer Edelweiss. Eastern Mountain Sports in general performs great within climbing gear as it carries a wide range of products from Black Diamond, Grivel and Petzl. Eastern Mountain Sports also has an eponymous apparel line which is as varied as REI Co-op’s.
How to get free shipping:
- Qualifying orders over $75-99 during promotions
- Pick up in store
- Otherwise flat rate of $7.99 for standard shipping
International shipping:
- Only Canada as well as U.S Territories and APO/FPO locations.
Customer service:
- Live chat besides contact by phone or email.
- Customer service works Sunday– Saturday, 8 AM – 10 PM (EST)
Agree with your list.