Stopped in to buy some tick spray and instead of just telling me it's upstairs, buddy walked me up and showed me where it was. He also gave me a quick rundown on how to use it and the history of said product. If only all workers could be so helpful. Didn't know this place was even here till recently. I'll be back when up that way. Reminds me of the stores you see in various mountain towns. People want to complain about the price of the clothes obviously don't know what they're looking at. It's about the same price online for those top-tier brands. Check em out! read more

The selection of quality outdoor gear is spot on! My family and I loved this place! Even if it's off your planned path, head that way anyway. read more

Cool to have an outfitter in the area with a nice selection but everything seems to be priced to the max.

This is the kind of place where you try things on to see how it fits then buy it online for half the price somewhere else. No one is paying MSRP anymore. And it would be great if I could look around the store without a worker breathing over my shoulder. If I wanted to steal something I would've done it. Leave people alone. read more

Very pricy but have a ton of quality supplies you can't find in a regular store, carries everything from clothes, to boots, to boats and camping supplies read more

Buyer, beware. Spendy and if you are just a little bit bigger than regular size, you won't find what you need and God for bid somebody buys you a present that's not the right size and if you want to return some thing, you better have your ducks in a row I couldn't return it and since they didn't have the right size is, I would've been happy to buy something else or exchange it for something else but no way had to be the exact same item even though they didn't have the right size is in stock Nice, clerks but honestly absolutely no help and made me feel bad shopping there. read more

Many of my family members, friends, and hiking club buddies patronize this establishment, most of whom speak highly of the quality of the products. I contacted the Peninsula location today to inquire about an item that I needed which they had in stock. I had received a gift card from a family member and had the balance checked ($60). I was informed that the gift card expired late November 2024, about six weeks ago. I understand that "rules are rules", but it is disheartening that Appalachian Outfitters would not honor this credit. Note that there are no "date issued" information on the card, just on the receipt when purchased. Despite our patronage of Appalachian Outfitters in the past, I won't be able to bring myself to ever consider buying from them again knowing they have $60 they haven't earned whether it's by the rules or not. After review of others' experiences, it does appear that once the money is in their pockets, the customer always loses. read more

Every time I go into your store I have to hold my breath. You are pumping toxic perfumes into the air and into all of your clothing and gear. Those perfumes are loaded with toxic chemicals which certainly don't align with our planet and the products that you sell. You have a wonderful staff (who you are killing) an a great supply of outdoor equipment and products! I love the brands that you carry... I just have to wash them as soon as I get home! Whoever sold you that franrance took you to the bank! Is not in any way making people want to but more from your store! They want to run!!!!! Pleeeeeeese remove that scent machine. I will change my review if you do. Minus that scent machine, your store is awesome! read more

Buyer beware that if you order on line, you will pay to ship back if it doesn't fit or looks like it's been worn before. I was told to contact the manufacturer (Keen) if the shoe looks like it's been worn. I would not buy from them again, ever. read more

I never knew a place like this even existed. It's like a camper/outdoor persons wonderland. Skiing to hiking to camping to rock climbing.....they have it all. Admittedly, I didn't come here for any of these items. You couldn't pay me enough to repel off a rock or attach blades to my feet and slide down a snow covered mountain. My idea of camping is when the Hilton's electricity goes out. Nonetheless, I was in the market for a cargo box carrier to put on the roof rack I just purchased. Finding a cargo box locally is like a one legged cat covering crap on a marble floor. It isn't possible folks. None of the big box stores carry anything, unless you want it shipped. But this place? It carried the exact Yakima box I wanted and it was in stock! Reserved this box on Yakima's website and it was ready when I got there. Walked in and was instantly greeted by a nice young guy. He got my details and get this....he asked me if I wanted it installed. "How much?" I said "Absolutely free!" He said. I wanted to marry him right then and there. FREE INSTALL? Sweet mother of monkey milk....of course. He got that thing installed faster than a knife fight in a phone booth and we were on our way. Great customer service....albeit a bit pricier than big box stores. I think it is worth it! read more

I really love this place. great place for climbing and taking your kid to they have anything you need for the outdoors I'm an avid kayaker and get all my climbing kayaking and hiking supplies here. The products are always high quality and very reasonably priced. read more

I'm an open-minded kinda guy; I'll hear you out if you really think that climate change is a hoax, or country music is way better now that only pretty people sing it, or you believe Appalachian Outfitters deserves five stars. Hear you out, then tell you that you are so very wrong. I've been to this place dozens of times, perhaps fifty or so, with my family, by myself and shopped for and/or bought clothing, boots, ski stuff, fly-fishing stuff. I've left some money there, okay? So, I thought maybe I'd let the dust settle over the most recent disgusting bit of retail chicanery, and give the shop another try. I tie my own flies, for the most part, and when I decide on a new pattern like to have one that was professionally tied to use as my model, for scale, color, texture, all that perhaps important stuff. So back I go, to the lonely little outdoor store and head over to the fly display. Then, I see the prices. I had chosen eight fly patterns. The least expensive was more than I've ever paid for the MOST expensive fly. Guy comes over, "Find what you need?" Yeah, seeya. Head up to Chagrin River Outfitters, get the SAME eight fly patterns, for about a third the cost. Almost covered my gas. How serious are they about fly fishing? Their web page, devoted to fly fishing, reads, in total: "Fly Fishing." (I cringe when I think of the poor, wide-eyed people staggering into this store, thinking that they'll be in good hands. Your wallet will be.) http://www.appalachianoutfitters.com/products-page/fly-fishing/ read more

Nice store that caters to the outdoor enthusiast. They have a wonderful selection for hiking and backpacking. They carry a lot of paddle sport supplies with kayaks, canoes, and all related gear. All in all this is a place to get top quality products, and not for the bargain shoppers. read more

I had a very bad customer service experience. This place is run by a bunch a "kids" and not very customer friendly.

Went to Appalachian Outfitters this weekend to get ready for an upcoming trip to Patagonia. As a relatively inexperienced hiker/camper, I specifically needed a good pair of hiking boots and a backpack that will last me for the 2+ week trip. So glad we came here as opposed to some big box store - I feel really confident that I ended up with the right gear for me, and I don't think I would have been able to pull it off on my own without AO's help. The saleslady who helped me with the boots measured both my feet, pointed me towards the right pair of socks, and recommended a couple additional pairs of shoes to try that I had originally dismissed. I ended up with a pair of boots a half a size larger than I normally wear and I think I'm going to be really glad of that on the trail - my toes have plenty of room to wiggle around! For the backpack, the salesman measured my torso and helped me find the right pack/strap combination. He loaded 10 lb sacks of sand into the bag so I could practice adjusting all of the straps and get used to walking around with the weight. Then we 'heat molded' the hip strap to my body so it fits perfectly - no breaking in time needed! My family and I have been coming to AO for years - great selection, super knowledgeable staff, locally owned. Can't wait for this trip!! read more

Mission: Find Damian a warm winter coat. Qualifications: No puffer jacket, shop local, great price 9 days ago I took my beautiful, loving, sweet as anything puppy out for a potty break when it became clear to me that HOLY CRAP IT'S COLD IN CHICAGO. Turns out my wool topcoat doesn't really cut it in these frigid temperatures and, with the almanac calling for one of the coldest Winters on record, it was about time I invest in an amazingly stylish, comfortable, and WARM winter jacket. Since I exhausted nearly every option in Chicago I thought I would give my search a whirl at home. A quick Yelp search led me to Appalachian Outfitters... ...which I have passed by hundreds of times. I went to high school down the road and my former-athlete self used to frequent Virginia Kendall on a regular basis. Who knew this place was such a treasure? I was impressed with how busy the place was on a Saturday but given that it was sandwiched between Black Friday and Cyber Monday it seemed there were many looking to score some great deals. I found my way over to the Men's section (which loops around the left side of the building from the entrance) to see what I could find. There are your more well-known names: North Face, Patagonia, Mountain Hardwear, etc. along with several lesser-known (read: smaller operations and foreign) brands. I wanted something to mix up my excessive amount of North Face and Mountain Hardwear jackets in my closet and was excited to see that they carry the Jack Wolfskin line. When I was in Germany a couple years ago I noticed EVERYONE was wearing this brand and, although I am not fashion forward, I thought it strange I had never heard of it. I really liked the style but had not seen it anywhere else until I stopped in this store. Since most of the jackets are locked with cables I had to wait a few minutes before an associate came by to try it on. Soon Andrea, one of the associates, stopped by and we spent a bit of time talking about the brand, other stock they carry, the weather, and a bunch of other things. Admittedly I tend to avoid store associates like the plague but this was a time that I really needed some help, and Andrea was there to help out. Even the SO ended up walking out with an impulse buy. If only she were to have gotten a commission on the sales! This store has a wide selection of items for all your outdoorsy activities. Even before the Black Friday discount I thought the prices were completely fair and was happy that they have a rewards program (which calculated to approximately 2%) for repeat shoppers. The added bonus was that I was able to support a local business. Win-win for all! Though distance will prevent me from making this a more regular go-to for my outdoors needs I will definitely be recommending it to friends and family in the area. I am looking forward to staying warm all Winter long! read more

Appalachian Outfitters is an excellent outdoor gear store located near the entrance of the Cuyahoga Valley NP. It is located just off Akron-Cleveland Rd on Kendall Park Rd about a half mile from the park entrance. The store is two stories and carries almost any outdoor gear you might need. The lower lever includes outdoor shoes, rugged clothing, books on enjoying the outdoors, and many other misc. stuff you may need outside. On the upper level, there are kayaks, canoes, and tents. Attached to the store is Kendall Cliffs, a rock climbing center for which a separate review is available. Overall, if you need some outdoor gear for any fun outdoor activity, stop in at Appalachian Outfitters either at this location in Peninsula or in Canton. read more

When you want to buy outdoor stuff and you want to support a local business vs. shelling your money out to Dick's Sporting Goods...this is the place to go. All the top outdoor clothing and gear plus a helpful staff. And it's conveniently located next door to the rock gym and a stone's throw from the Ledges in case you get cold or wet during a trail run. Large selection and they always have a range of sizes to pick from which is great. read more

Went here to buy a pair of hiking shoes. The lady who helped me was very friendly, patient, and knowledgeable. She explained the different types of hiking shoes and the special qualities that can come with some of them. I ended up with an ankle pair that is waterproof and something that I can grow with as I go from light to moderate hiking (paved trails to rocky trails). I spent $140 which is way more than I wanted to, but I am confident I will get my monies worth. I actually went for a good little hike in CVNP about 15 minutes after I bought these shoes and they definitely stood up to the test. My only suggestion would be to buy wool socks with your shoes so your feet don't get really sweaty. read more

Super friendly and helpful staff for a total newbie like myself. Nice selection of various outdoor equipment.

Worst shopping experience ever. The staff in the store is so rude. Had to buy some insoles for my Scarpas but refused to buy anything else. Never going here again. read more

Nice store, great selection of high quality gear. Pricing was decent and fair for the merchandise.

Great store!! Super helpful staff!! I just visited Appalacian Outfitters for the first time today based on my friend's recommendation, and I'll definitely be back! I was so impressed with the enormous selection the store had to offer and found the shoes I was looking for. The staff was super helpful! I was especially impressed with how manager Brad handled an extremely rude customer. Because of this, I'll continue to give this wonderful mom and pop shop my business! read more

I drove an hour to get to this place, figuring that as a specialty store, the sales people would know their product and there would be a decent selection. Wrong. I went looking at kayaks, and this being my first kayak, I had a lot of questions. Although the young girl who tried to help me was pleasant enough, she basically stood there and watched me look at the kayak and sit in it and waited till I asked questions, most of which she couldn't answer. The selection was OK but they didn't have the Perception model I was hoping to look at. Very disappointing. I had a better experience at REI! read more

Horrible return policy. Bought a sleeping bag as gift for daughter with cash. On wanting to return it, they would only give store credit. Great looking store at entrance to park but that shadiness stopped me cold. All my spending on four active kids goes anywhere but this shifty retailer. read more

Great! Came here a few weeks ago to purchase my fiancé som sandals. The shoe clerk was PHENOMENAL! He knew so much about the products and had such a positive attitude throughout the experience. We ended up buying a pair of Chacos and my guy says they are the comfiest shoes he's ever had! Great selection of shoes, clothes, outdoor gear, and even kayaks! We will be back for supplies before our Hawaiian honeymoon in April! read more

A lot of folks looking for great outdoor gear patronize one of the many online powerhouses like REI, including me, but AO is a great local store. My wife and I always try to patronize the local shops first, and rely on the online outlets when we have too. This is a two story shop chocked full of high quality hiking, camping, kayaking, and outdoor gear. The staff will help you with any request, and do fittings for gear you need. read more

I spent $200 on a pair of shoes here (even though I could've gotten them much cheaper online) because supporting the ma and pop shops is important to me. Unfortunately, the store manager said as a mom and pop shop, they couldn't return or exchange the shoes I bought and that my only option was to send them back to the manufacturer and wait for them to repair or replace them. With a big outdoor trip less than two weeks away, this was not a viable option. Instead of being treated as a valued repeat customer, I was met with rudeness and rigidity. While I do understand policy (I, too, am a small business owner) the sheer lack of respect for a repeat customer leaves me not only frustrated, but also disappointed. Painting a customer as irrational or somehow deserving of poor service only speaks to the kind of management the staff is being trained under. Yes, you did get my $200 and you don't have to appreciate my loyalty to your small business, nor value the fact that my hard-earned money was spent at your store, but I will recommend to others that they buy online and at the big box stores because at least they can stand behind the products they sell and are able to return or exchange shoes that are defective. read more

I have shopped this store for years. After today's experience it is the last. The store does have a large selection but the prices are over inflated. I visited the store on 12-26-14 and purchased a Camelbak Forge coffee mug ($14.50). I told the attendant at the counter that the price was the best around. I went in on 12-27-14 to purchase another, to my surprise the price doubled overnight! So much for honest merchants! All they care about is profit! read more

This store has great variety but POOR customer service. We purchased hiking boots for our son who was going on a trip to Colorado. He came back with some tears around the "collar" of the shoe. We had never seen anything like it so we figured there must have been a defect in the boots themselves. The boots were less than two months old! I took the boots back to the store and was told that the manager would call me in a few days to see what could be done about replacing the boots. After one week I called the store because no one had called me. The manager was rude and told me there was nothing he could do: he had "taken photos of the boots and talked with the manufacturer who said it was wear and tear". I explained that there could be no "wear and tear" when they were worn such a short time. He became even more agitated with me and said that was all he could do. I asked if there was a possibility of getting a voucher to buy new boots? No. Could we call the manufacturer together? No. I had to tell him to put the manufacturer info in the box and I would pick them up. My husband went into the store to pick them up and tried to advocate with the manager who dismissed him without assisting. These boots cost $150! I called the manufacturer myself and explained the situation. Without hesitation, the rep told me to send in the boots and the company will replace them at no cost to me. Now that's customer service! And no thanks to Appalachian Outfitters! read more

Bought a Steripen Classic 3 there today, which apparently had a defective UV light. When I called the store to inquire I was told it was "no problem" to come back in to return or exchange the unit. When I did so, the manager, Sherry (sp?), said it would have to be returned to the manufacturer before any exchange or refund could take place. Very big waste of time, especially as I am trying to prepare for a hiking trip - and a contradiction of the phone information. Spent the better part of a day having to deal with it. Used to be a fun store to shop at. Have shopped there for years and have had generally good experience with them in the past, but In this instance, their customer service was quite incoherent - and the dismissive attitude of the manager disturbing and offensive. Note to Appalachian Outfitters: when a customer purchases something from you that turns out to be defective, and it becomes a hassle to at least exchange it, something is not right. For good customer service, it would have been an occasion to try to rectify the matter asap, and (gasp!) maybe even apologize for the inconvenience. read more

I can tell you first hand this store is great. I have worked at outdoor stores such as REI and EMS. I worked for AO for several years. They are a great resource for quality gear. They will special order for you and they now feature a gear swap. Despite their small size relative to the big box outdoor stores like REI, they have a MUCH larger selection of quality merchandise. read more

Bought a pair of Chocos there for over $100. I wore them inside for a few days (and because I have wood floors, they got a bit dirty) and decided they did not fit right. Went to the store to return them, and told a gentlemen that worked there my problem. He told "no problem, you don't want a shoe that doesn't fit!" Same guy goes to the front to help me return them, and says "Oh, you can't return these, they are dirty. Doesn't matter if you only wore them inside, we cannot take them back." So I ask if I can at least exchange them for a size that might fit me. He says no. So needless to say, they have lost my business, and I have an expensive shoe that doesn't fit me right. read more

I have been in the market for my first kayak and have visited quite a few outdoor retailers throughout Ohio doing research. I was excited to find out about this store and that they carried Dagger kayaks, which was what I had decided to go with. I took a trip to Peninsula today with the intention of asking a few questions and purchasing a Dagger Vortex, roof rack, paddle, pfd and perhaps some other gear. When I walked into the store with two friends one employee was helping a woman with shoes. He looked at us, basically like we must have been lost as I noticed we clearly weren't his typical clientele, and failed to even say hello or acknowledge us in any way. We made our way upstairs to where the kayaks were displayed and I was able to take a look at various models in person, but still wanted to make sure I was going to purchase a kayak that would fit my needs. Five minutes, ten minutes, fifteen minutes... no employees to be found. Finally after at least a half hour, I saw the writing on the wall. I wasn't going to be offered any help. So we made our way back downstairs to leave the store. All of the employees were just standing around talking to one another by the counter, glanced at us as we walked to the exit, and of course, couldn't be bothered to ask if we needed help or didn't find what we were looking for. To say I was disappointed with my visit is an understatement. This is the closest outdoor store that carries the quality brands of products I want, but clearly I will have to travel to Southern Ohio to make a purchase somewhere where I am good enough to even be acknowledged, let alone assisted. read more