I was really happy to find out that there is an Eastern Mountain Sports in Connecticut. It was…read morereally popular some years ago when they had so many stores. Right now this is the only store in Connecticut, but one of the workers there told me that they're opening another one in Manchester, Connecticut. That's great! It's an awesome store. This store is right next to Bob's. One of the workers told me that the owner owns both stores. The Bob's side has the toilets. The workers are helpful. There's a good selection of outdoors stuff. You can become a member for free, and you get money back and coupons. There were already some Black Friday deals out. They had a sign that you can rent stuff too. Great store!

EMS is one of the few remaining store fronts to get good quality hiking gear. I recently purchased…read morea new pair of boots in preparation for hiking the White Mtns and the staff was helpful, knowledgeable, and they had my size in stock. Refund policy was clearly explained and I spent a couple days wearing my boots indoors only as they mentioned. Thanks for being such a dependable supplier of outdoor equipment!

cheaper shipping as member. but slow on-line access. need more selection available and discounts on…read moreitems for membership

Defender has gone from a large showroom, customer oriented business, to a typical B grade online…read moreautomation center where the customer is a dot in an app. Sad, but this is the American trend where back office nerds and cost accountant wreck businesses. Still good inventory, which is the only reason I use them.

This is an amazing place to bruise through, especially if you are interested in camping and/or any…read moreoutdoor activities or sports. Anything you could possibly need, you will find here! But, everything is super expensive, because it is all the highest quality of outdoor gear. This is also a cooperative business, so you join for a one time fee, and once a year, you receive a profit, based on your yearly purchase. Love REI!

Still five stars. We came in looking for a number of things. Kind of a scouting mission. REI has…read moreplenty to offer for hiking, camping, biking, kayaking, and more. We are looking for, among other things, a smaller tent (ours is huge) that we can easily lug around with us and REI has a large selection. We signed up for their membership several years ago. Just tell them your phone number when making a purchase and you get credit for the purchase. We picked up a UV protective t-shirt as a gift for someone. It was reasonably priced imho, very soft and moisture wicking. Brilliant. I should probably get myself one too. BTW, the company no longer offers bags. None. So bring a reusable bag if you plan to shop here. It's just another way to reduce waste and be a good steward. Some of the prices can be high, but not everything. They sell Patagonia which is an expensive brand, as well as other, more moderately priced items. You just have to know what you want and what you are willing to pay. If you check out the bulletin board upstairs, they offer guided excursions that look really fun. I check out their selection of hiking poles as I am looking to buy some. Everything from really reasonable basic models to foldable, light weight pricey models. So you have options. They have pet items. Personal care items. Clothes and shoes are upstairs. So many types of water bottles. Camping items for both the thru-hiker and the car-camper. Check them out. They are a good resource and the staff are friendly and happy to assist.

This is my new tackle shop. Very knowledgeable and just good people! They are very well stocked of…read morethe latest gear and lures. I am excited to try out my new Shimano Trinidad reel. Stripers beware!!

Been trying to reach you guys about the broken, unsealed, and upside down daiwa tatula that you…read moresent me in a Dr. Doolittle box. Nobody has responded or did anything for that matter. Horrible job guys, truly.

First time coming to the store and it wasn't sure what to expect, but it's for any outdoorsman or…read morewoman who likes good quality gear There's 100% satisfaction guarantee for up to a year and they also have a buyback program for anything used to sell as a secondhand item at a lower price There's a bike shop that will service your bike, they have a bunch of camping gear, cold weather gear, clearance clothing items. They also have a backpack section with somebody that can help you go over the different backpacks, the correct way to wear them and the different options when buying.

In the middle of the winter, just the day before the massive snowstorm Benjamin arrived, my winter…read morecoat decided to retire. Granted, it was 7 years old and zippers don't work forever. In an attempt to find an upgrade immediately, I went to REI. At REI you'll find an assortment of items for your active lifestyle. There's items for camping, for hiking, for skiing, etc... The coats are sorted by brand. I looked through, they had just one, in one color and one size. I asked the associate, they told me I could order online. Mind blowing info, isn't it? Unfortunately my online experience wasn't much better. Maybe everyone else is looking to replace their coats at the same time. I walked out empty handed. It might be worth stopping by, since the rest of their inventory looked like it might cater to certain lifestyles.

Picked up an online order for dock lines 20 minutes before closing. Needed to return due to it…read morebeing the wrong color, found a new product and checked out within 10 minutes, we were the last people in the store. The manager, an older man possibly named bill but I don't recall his name, was standing with a younger man(the cashier). The manager looked completely out of it and couldn't be bothered. When it came to process the return the cashier didn't know how to do the return, he proceeded to turn to the manager and ask for help. The manager looked at me and said "you'll have to come back another day when someone who is working knows how to do this" This man wasn't a young new manager, he's been working there for a while. This wouldn't have been a problem but I live over an hour and a half away and can't just come back. The manager just wanted to go home and hurried us out the door. A man shows up after they shut the doors behind us and the manger perks up and tells the man they will stay open as long as that customer needed. Clearly two grown women aren't better than a grown man.

West Marine is a place for people that like boats or the water. This store isn't the largest but it…read moreis conveniently located right on Rt. 1 close to the marinas in Clinton. It has the usual books and maps, clothing, wetsuits, ropes, pfd's, electronic stuff and the like. It also has the little hooks, straps, stickums and other odd little things that can be so frustrating and difficult to find. It you have a boat or even if you just end up around boats this is a good place to poke around and find stuff you will eventually need.

This is one of the best tackle shops in Washington county. They have everything from saltwater bait…read moreand tackle , to freshwater trout fishing supplies, to flies and so much more. When I need local squid for fluke season, this is where I go, when I need clams for spring tautog and seabass fishing, this is where I go. I've purchased the vast majority of my rods and reels through them, and they always have the best prices. This is your one stop shopping spot whether you are driving in from CT or NY or you are fishing anywhere in South County. They are located right in downtown westerly. Stop in and see Brothers Mike and Doug Wade .

I urgently needed a quality replacement rod and Mike had the perfect one for me within a short…read moreperiod of time. Mike also gave me some tips on where to look for stripers and when. I'm really happy to have this resource close to home.

I went in there today in a panic because i needed football cleats for my kid for today!!! The…read moreowner Janet was nothing short of amazing!!!! She helped us get a good fitting pair of shoes, reminded me of other things we might need WITHOUT actually trying to sell us stuff. She was so helpful - she saved our butts today. I had been in there before and also got great service. Its the kind of service big chains cant match on their best day! Janet - I can not thank you enough. Sports equipment needing people - go see Janet. Thanks Alicia & the kid

Burnt by the return policy .Purchased a golf putter on June…read more9,knowing the golf club return restrictions.(shame on me)There is no area provided for testing clubs.Used club on June 10 wasn't what I hoped.,went to the store with putter on June 11 to try to receive a store credit for my purchase and once again was met with the policy.Asked for owner or upper management info,I was informed that I was speaking to him.I was then handed back the club and told maybe something could be done but due to my attititude NoWay! My only request was for a store credit. Not he place to purchase golf clubs

We enjoyed our time playing mini golf. There were just a few groups ahead of us and it was never a…read moreproblem waiting. Bring your big spray as there are surrounding wooded areas and standing water. We had a great experience with staff and the person waited until we were finished as we closed the place down. Looking forward to trying golf range.

I used to think this was a good local business and had used the driving range many times over the…read moreyears. Came in today to see if I could get a better price on a used Taylormade 3 wood marked at $75. I had seen the same club online for $35 to $60. "Conner" the club salesman said this was a new club and worth $75. Wouldn't budge on price, even $5. I went out to my car and googled the club, it's a 2007 so it's 17 years old. Also, a lot of used 2007 Taylormade 3-woods for $35-$45, and not just EBay, but second hand shops. As I came back in, I noted the large sign on front of the building "We Meet or Beat All Prices". I found the Salesman and stated my case again, mentioning the sign out front. He got a little huffy and said the sign only applied to "new" clubs. He also said he had raised the price to $99. He then mocked my age, and said I had to leave...now! So bought the club on-line for $38 (matches my son's driver). Also, started checking out courses in the area with driving ranges (since I'm probably not going back to Great Brook due to the poor and even insulting customer service). Pequot is $5 and $10, vs $9 and $14 at Great Brook, but you can only hit irons off a mat. Elmridge was also $5 and $10, but you can hit all clubs and it's off grass, not mats.