A few Sundays ago, I was in the Spadina-Queen Street West area. I walked by this MEC on my way to…read morean eatery for lunch. Walking back to my car after lunch, I decided to stop by this store and check it out. I like MEC. On the first floor, freeze-dried food was in front of me. Pad thai sounded great. I then saw electrolyte tablets and waffles. If you are looking for a water bottle, there are lots to choose from. From Hydro Flask, to MEC's own line, you can find something that will suit your hydration needs. I saw lots of camping items. Tents. Cookware. LED lanterns. This store has everything imaginable. The downside is that I didn't see any sales items. I find it expensive to shop here, especially post-co-op memberships. There are two floors to this store. You can take the stairs or find the elevator. I didn't buy anything. However, it was nice to browse. (433)

The worst online customer service; they have a chat function that clearly doesn't work. After tons…read moreof waiting, they ask you to email. Which they also haven't replied to (almost a month for an order that's 'PROCESSING'...). Annoying.

I am an online customer, and though I never met these folks face to face, I probably had my best…read morecustomer service experience in years. An axe I ordered was delayed, to no fault of these guys; but instead of just sending a form email with new expected delivery dates they contacted me and offered several options on how I may have liked to move forward. I missed the first email (junk mail bin), but they also left a voicemail looking to get in touch over my order. I emailed them back and they sent along some sharpening oil, etc with my order when it did arrive. I've gotta say, this is not what I expected as an online, faceless customer. But besides being delighted over my new axe, I'm happy that they valued my business enough to personally reach out and make sure that the resolution over the shipping delays was tailored to me. Nice work Canadian Outdoor Equipment, I'll be sending you all my future business and recommending you to my friends and family. Thanks!

I ordered Bahco saw blades. The price was good. Shipping was reasonably fast but when the…read morepackage arrived, it was like a 10 x 10 package and they had taken 24 inch rolled and jam them in there. Three of the blades were damaged. What would've been a positive experience was ruined by crappy shipping and product.

Great service from really cool guys. Needed some air in the tires of my wheelchair and went in when…read moreI passed the shop by chance. They happily took care of me leaving everything else behind. Asked me to test a couple of times until I had the exact pressure I wanted. Didn't want any money.

Disappointed. I bought a bike, was told that I would have a lifetime of basic repairs. As soon as I…read morereceived the bike, there was a problem. I was told they don't fix it and that I had to go to another city, another bike shop, to get it repaired.

Patagonia is an amazing brand. Sustainable and fashion forward. Ethical and even donates profits to…read morenoble causes. They also have a great warranty period. It's a lifetime warranty with the iron clad guarantee. Service in store is so personable and friendly - I really appreciated all the Help I had here. P.S. holiday season better sweaters are selling our fast. They didn't have any mediums left. I'll definitely be back to shop this Patagonia store!

Patagonia is an incredible brand that never disappoints. I own many Patagonia items and I am always…read moreamazed by the quality. I recently went into the Toronto store as my down jacket had a tear in the zipper. The team at the reception desk immediately went into problem solve mode and offered a solution. They shipped the jacket off to their warehouse and I asked them to ship it to me when fixed. A few weeks after this happened I received a call from Julie at the store who confirmed the coat was fixed and she offered to drop it off at my home (instead of mailing which would take longer). I was amazed by this level of service and I have been telling everyone I know about this experience. Keep doing what your doing Patagonia and big thanks to Julie for going above and beyond!!

Arc'teryx Beta AR -- Fails Durability Expectations…read more I expected the Arc'teryx Beta AR to last, especially at this price. Instead, all my jackets developed zipper delamination and seam‑tape failure, despite minimal use and proper storage. There is no wear anywhere else, which makes it obvious the failure is in the materials and construction, not the user. Arc'teryx Warranty dismissed the issue and offered only 20% of the original price if I surrendered the jackets. They refused proper repairs, even if I paid. This does not meet the standard of reasonable durability that consumers expect -- especially from a brand that markets itself as the best in the industry. I'll be posting this experience on consumer platforms so others can make informed decisions. Premium pricing should come with premium durability and a responsible warranty -- Arc'teryx failed on both.

Arc'teryx has a funky name related to a dinosaur but instead of having a dubious future, they…read moreinsist that you will be ready for any apocalypse at least the weather generated ones. Need a jacket that looks stylish yet can ward off torrential rains? They have it. Footwear looks amazing and the colours and textures set them apart making MEC look like the Wal Mart of outdoor clothes. Awesome.

Small store packed to the ceiling with reasonably priced. Owner well educated on product friendly…read moreowners

If you are at Richmond Hill needing some hiking and camping gear, the right kinds of tactical…read moreclothes to go paintballing in, or some army surplus, Creative is the place to go. Tucked deep away inside an outdoor plaza complex at the northwest corner of Highway 7 and West Beaver Creek, the location is small, but not overcrowded, so you'll surely find what you need and want. Many military paraphernalia on sale are much cheaper than many army surplus stores in Toronto. Creative stocks many other new outdoor and tactical gear at decent prices. Perhaps you could also be interested in a riot helmet to go along with a machete? Mad props to the man running the store, who is not only very friendly and accommodating, he is not an intimidating military-obsessed nut (as army surplus stores tend to be staffed by military fanatics). {YRT: probably simplest to use VIVA purple line to West Beaver Creek}

They have changed the way they make things, particularly their Tin Waxed hat. What was in the past…read morea well made tough hat had now been reduced to very very thin material with some parts glued to gather and what appears to be cardboard in the rim as a stiffener. It appears they are chasing penny savings in materials and quality in the quest for profit with little to no regard for quality or their customer, in my opinion.

Filson is a brand synonymous with durable quality bags and outdoor clothing as per their website…read more My exposure has been only for the the bags they sell which is a quality product. Again since this falls somewhere between fashion and practical items category I will leave the choice to agree with their design choices up to the individual level. I primarily am used to seeing their items at re-sellers so didn't know they had a flagship store in TO as just stumbled upon it. Initially it looks like a smaller store from the outside with a limited selection until one walks in a realizes that the store goes all they way back and the area towards the back is much larger. An extensive selection of the items on display and one can have items ordered from their website to the store as well. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable which is great for a somewhat specialized store. Give this store a look if you like what they offer on their website and would like to see it in person and try it out before buying.

Nothing beats the ambiance and level of personal attention you get with a well run family business…read moresuch as Easthill. Great staff. Great selection. Great service. The quintessential outdoors store.

fast, easy and have ammo i have not seen in years. super…read morehappy and would recommend their services to anyone. if your looking for ammo, go to these guys. they will ship it right to your door.

Walked into the store today to purchase winter boots and the two clerks ignored me. No…read moreacknowledgement that I even entered the store. They didn't even offer their assistance when I tried on a pair of boots. This store needs some management help. Clerks not doing anything. Walked out a bought some boots elsewhere. A place where people cared. Will never enter this store again. Hopefully it will be closed down the next time I need shoes.

I came here to purchase my hiking shoes and the service was great. It's not a large store and their…read moreprices are just a tad higher than the same product in other stores (comparing to Sail and Atmosphere) but the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Salomon sells a great product and this location has a good selection. I would definitely shop here again.