I do love this REI! It's in the heart of Fenway and is a great place to find any of the outdoor gear, gifts, and fun finds! I love getting to explore the store and always find something new. Although it's on the smaller side for an REI, it is bigger than it seems. They have decent selection of gear and brands - definitely all the essentials. You can order online as well to pick up at or ship to the store if a specific item is not available. I tend to utilize this if there is something specific (brand/color, etc) that I know I want and then it's super efficient to pick up. The staff is super nice and always happy to guide to the section you are looking for. They are also helpful if you are returning an item or exchanging and I love their commitment to sustainability in the community as well. I always see people down in the bike/repair area so that seems to be a super convenient option to have for a the cyclists in Boston. If you have an active lifestyle, this is the place for you to come on this side of the Charles River. read more

" Huge selection and store in general " They have a huge selection and the store in itself is big . Especially compared to other stores of this brand ; around Boston ma . REÍ is known and represents value , love it. The vibe is welcoming and service is helpful. I had a great time shopping in this store today . read more

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They were so pushy about joining their membership program. I was asked 5 separate times and said no each and every time, only to have to debate with an employee as to why the membership doesn't make sense for me. They told me at checkout that I would save money on my current purchase if I signed up (I asked them to confirm this so it was crystal clear), so I signed up. They then tell me AFTER I've made an account that my discount will be applied to my NEXT purchase. It felt like they wouldn't let me buy anything. They also said my friend was "bumming off of his girlfriend" for checking if she had an account to try to get him to sign up. The products were good and the store was well equipped, but someone at REI corporate needs to change how their employees are trained. Being pushy is not a good look, and quite frankly left such a bad taste in my mouth. Would never go here again. read more

I visited this REI recently and I was amazed with the variety of items they have for pretty much any outdoor activity (and some indoor types as well). The store is nicely laid out and it's easy to find whatever section you are looking for, but also there are lots of staff that can easily be approached to ask a question regarding an item or a section. I went to check out the tents and outdoor winter mittens and the selection was outstanding in terms of brands and price points. The merchandise is not cheap, but the quality is there and for a few extra bucks, you can get good quality that will last a long time. read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Boston, Massachusetts

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There's nothing wrong with this particular REI *store*---it's nicely laid out, the staff are fine, they have the usual overpriced granola-yuppy type stuff with the occasional decent sales (mainly online). Reason I am giving this place 3 stars is because of the scumbaggy policies of the Landmark Center in which this REI is located. Their exorbitant PARKING SCAM has actually gotten worse...reading other reviews of the LC from fall 2019, people were complaining about a 10 minute "free" parking window if you get your ticket validated by one of the establishments inside.  Well guess what, as of this writing it's been cut to FIVE fricking minutes!!!  Yep, $5 for less than 10 minutes it took me to park, wait in line at REI, pick up my online order, go back to my car and leave.   Next time I come to pick up an online order from REI, I will simply park in the "Lyft drop off / pickup" area in front.  Will have to dash in and out before these ingrates try to have me towed. Or will just have to plan to drive a little further out to pick up from the two other REIs nearby, in Reading and Framingham. read more

Spendy but well stocked, i know where I'll be headed later this year as I prepare for a November trip to Finland. Other than cold weather gear, of which they have a bunch, there is also stuff for camping, hiking, kayaking and all sorts of outdoorsy things that I don't do too much of. Backpacks (for camping, not for laptops), sleeping bags, sleeping mats, tents, campfires and campfire cooking. Prices are clearly marked and they're definitely a little high. It's quality, though. read more

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I went to rei in search of hiking shoes. I pestered the staff person to try on about 6 pairs of shoes. He was very nice about it. I was frustrated by me! They also have a great return policy. read more

Stopped by this REI when I was grabbing lunch at the food hall. It's a pretty small REI so the selection is limited but it still had a lot of essentials. I grabbed a baseball cap within 10 minutes. It felt like most of the staff was at the cashier area so it was hard to find an associate when I had a question. read more

I just want to start out by saying, "I absolultely love REI." This review is in regards to the bike shop; not sure what happened there. I've used them for bike repairs for the past 10 years. They became my "go to." I got to know the staff and they were wonderful. I spent a lot of money repairing/re-componentizing bicycles (money well spent) over the years. My last visit was weird. They had done a deep clean and replaced some parts. I went back to get an adjustment. They did the adjustment, I came back after riding a couple of miles as it wasn't quite right. I asked if he could give it a couple of more tweaks to get it right. They couldn't do it, the service person (manager) said he was heading out. I was like, "oh, I came all this way, can't one of the other techs take a quick look?" Answer: "Nope. Make an appointment and come back. There are no other techs. Everyone quit. " Apparently he's the only one left at the shop. Not sure what's weirder; the fact everyone quit or the fact that I was dusted off. I don't mean to whine, but I have been exclusively giving them my multi bikes repair business for a long time. I come from a family business, it's not good practice to dust off loyal customers. I have purchased and will continue to purchase bicycles there for my son. I will buy outdoor gear there as I support their "spirit." In terms of bike repair shops, I'm now in search of another "go to" place. read more

Oh REI, how I do love to roam around and get all aspirational about all the outdoor stuff I should be doing, except for this annoying day-job thing. But I do love all the good stuff. And the backpacks. They've got Osprey, my absolute favorite, and a bunch of other brands that look good as well. I tend to use their ski shop services a lot. Got my skis tuned there, and had my bindings put on the new skis I bought online and delivered there. If I didn't already have a bit more local bike shop already I'd go to REI for bike stuff as well. Nice, big store with good selections for NYC. I like that I can have stuff shipped there too. The line tends to move fast and I must say, the cashiers seem to really dig their job chatting with people and talking about gear and good hiking trails. They keep it moving but they always throw in a little chat to those who want it. I asked about the ski discount tickets that used to be listed up behind on the wall before Covid blew everything up. They went over and got me the info I was looking for. Got some good deals through REI as well and it's always good to sign up for the membership. I like to go there and buy something I actually need, or just wander around and dream. read more

What a great smaller version of REI. The staff was very helpful at helping us find the items we were looking for even when not stocked on the shelves. It is not a large REI so don't expect to find everything you are after but it contains plenty. There's parking available in the garage or outside. Don't forget to validate your ticket! read more

Our go-to for outdoor gear. Great staff that have always been helpful and kind to us. Good stock of products. If they aren't an expert in a particular item they will find someone that is. Decent value if you can find sales. A lot of the REI branded gear is great. read more

Don't try and shop here if you aren't a member! I've gone here a few times, and always the same thing happens. You ask for help, or go to a register to pay, and the people are unbelievably friendly. Then they cheerily ask you if you are a member. When you say no, they LITERALLY chase you around the store telling you why this is so essential. When you respectfully decline, mega attitude, if not outright disgust, ensues. At the register same thing...lovely greeting, then they ask are you a member, I answer no thank you, and it's ice ice baby for the rest of the transaction! It is very aggressive, and I will be shopping elsewhere that isn't a guilt trip or feel like a cult!!! read more

absolutely awful REI - service is terrible (both customer and technical, their shop has rocks for brains), selection for most things is slim, and ofc it's REI so you're paying ~$5-10 more for items you can get on Amazon (and with the same amount of service). Shop techs have an attitude for no reason, management the same, no reason to take your business here, worth the trip to FRAMINGHAM to get the REI experience you expect... read more

The two employees I had interactions with were rude and stand off for no reason when asked simple curious questions. Was spoken to as if I was stupid. The store overall is good however this store specifically was low on ALOT of sizes for a multitude of products. Just the customer service experience alone we didn't want to purchase anything read more

I have been a member of REI for 35 years. I went to this location to buy a coat. They didn't have my size. In and out of the store in 15 minutes. Parking cost $14. That's absurd. No validation for parking because I didn't buy anything! This sucks, they suck. read more

REI BIKE SHOP- Great place! Brought my bike in for work and a tune up because another place that I used to go to wouldn't work on mine because I didn't buy it there, so I gave REI's bike shop a shot. Drew was awesome, he really knows his way around a bike. Give him a huge raise, REI! My bike was a mess and it was like brand new when they were done with it- all at a reasonable price! If the rest of the store is as good as the bike shop, I'm a new regular customer. read more

I went in to buy a backpack and asked to use the men's room. I was told "sorry, they are for employees. That's just our policy due to covid. But I was welcome to go across the street and use Bestbuy's." I said thanks, I'd buy my gear elsewhere. Obviously they didn't get the memo.....customers have a lot of options. If they make the effort to come to your business, treat them like they matter. read more

Misleading: parking validation only gives you one free hour, sign says you can stay for two hours. Comparatively small REI. read more

Parking was free for 15min although sign says 2hr. Misleading and infuriating- as I never had to pay 12 dollars parking fee just to visit REI. Never happened elsewhere. read more

I would not recommend this REI's bike shop. They are always booked and won't even help out someone who needs something simple done to make it home. I worked in the building and my chain had slipped. I brought it to REI to fix because I didn't know how to (although I knew it shouldn't take long). They refused because they said they were fully booked. I had even told them I can't get home without it, but they were so reluctant. Just ended up walking my bike home for an hour. I know they aren't obligated to help me out (even if I would pay) but it definitely did not make me want to come back. read more

I am so glad that Massachusetts has REI so that I can buy nice outdoor gear as I am really in to hiking, backpacking and camping. The Boston location is quite nice and convenient to have in the city. The staff here have always been friendly and helpful. Parking is free with validation. I have found that this location doesn't have all the departments that other REI's do. A couple of times I have driven out to the Framingham location to get some large items, specifically cross country skis and kayak gear. I feel this arrangement is perfectly understandable as real estate is expensive in the city and it probably is cost prohibitive to have space for large items that are infrequently purchased at this location. read more

LOVE REI, no wonder I'm so broke. Everytime I leave this place I have new toys that I probably shouldn't have. Okay, so the Boston store. Tcustomer service was awesome, fast and friendly (just as any REI...) this location is one of mix sized shop, but they also have bycecle rental ( no I dent rent, it's 20 degrees) Because this REI is located in VERY busy block, parking will cost you. If you can't find above ground level, there are extra in basement, which is more convinient if you bought big items. Overall this REI location is another failure free straight a store. I deducted a star fir the parking. read more

REI in MA. Reminded me of California days. REI is the best. We bought detergents for waterproof clothes and down jackets. We couln't find them at first but a worker kindly showed me where they are. read more

Dear REI, Thank you for warning me about the pools of sweat that would run down my back after a long day of hiking if I selected Backpack #1, pointing me to Backpack #2 that would provide me with an airy breeze and ventilation. Thank you for supplying me with natural alternatives to the 98% DEET mosquito repellants that still keep me from catching malaria... The sheer amount of camping/outdoorsy equipment that doubles as uber-efficient travel/backpacking tools. Oh, how I love you so and hope that our relationship lasts as long as one of those fake beard Hollywood marriages (hello John Travolta/Tom Cruise, I'm talkin' to you)--I mean, those are the only ones that last, right? Top notch customer service, and everything you could ever need for camping/outdoor sports/backpacking can be found in one place...what more could you ask for?:) read more

I'm not one who anyone would call "sporty." I'm not even sure if anyone would ever dare call me "active" either (unless they meant sexually?), but the REI store is probably perfect for active, sporty people... Since I'm neither of those things, you're probably wondering what the heck I was doing in a sports store. Well, my boyfriend's flip flops were broken & ghetto and since we were just coming out of Best Buy, he suggested we go in and check out their flip flop selection. I laughed and said--yeah right, like REI will have flip flops. Much to my surprise, they DID have flip flops. Bored, I tried on a pair too and was surprised to find something that all of my flip flops do NOT have. Arch Support and a comfortable woven band across the top (much, much better than plastic or leather) They were amazingly comfortable (and for $50--they should be) regardless--I swooned. They didn't look too bad either --a green, blue purple band & perfect for walking around Boston on a Summer Day. Not to mention that the bottoms actually had a LOT of traction (anyone wearing Old Navy flip flops on a rainy day will tell you that what comes of that ain't pretty) I don't know why I was surprised, if you're outdoorsy you probably respect your feet a lot more than I do, and you probably go for comfort & arch support before style--but these were cute & SO comfy. The shoes were by Vibram, if that helps. They also had a men's version which Russ loved! I also noticed that for hikers that the shoe section has a giant fake piece of mountain side to try the shoes out on. Very helpful when planning for that big hiking trip! Also, it doesn't hurt that this place is RIGHT by the T (D Line to Fenway stop) and right by restaurants, ice cream joints, bed bath & beyond....AND best buy. read more

I joined Boston Sports Club and realized that I didn't own a pair of gym shoes. Since REI was right there... The place looks really cool...and they do seem to have just about anything you'd need if you were camping, so I was kind of excited about shopping there. My excitement dwindled as I searched for somebody to help me. Either some people called out sick, or they were awfully understaffed. I finally got somebody to help me...and asked for a recomendation for a pair of sneakers for working out. I did say that I wouldn't be running in them (had a lung injury and running is out of the question for now). She paused for a second, looking at the wall of sneakers, and told me that they were better known for outdoors gear and that I should probably go to City Sports. Honestly, the whole conversation took twenty seconds....she didn't even pretend that she would sell me anything. I admit to being a little cranky when I shop, but mostly because of sales help like this. Would it have been so difficult to show me even one pair of basic sneakers (of the many they had displayed) before sending me to another shop? I actually wasn't going to write a negative review until I walked into REI looking to buy a new bike. I must have wandered around for ten minutes looking for help...I told the sales person that with the $600 I got from that spending initiative; I 'd like to buy a new bilke. He pointed at one bike, said that it was $399 and then looked around like I was a distraction. I've tried to spend money there twice...and I'd rather not go back for a third helping. read more

The bike shop here is excellent and I've always received friendly and prompt help. Went there today to get a fender, a gentleman promptly received me, explained what different options do, walked me upstairs to pick the part, and installed the part right away. On my last visit, they helped me right away with a flat tire. The store itself is very good with stock and service but I wanted to write this review to mention how helpful the bike shop folks are, thank you! read more

Came to this REI location this past Saturday to buy a heart rate monitor and was pretty unimpressed with the service. Took me a long time to find someone to point me in the right direction. Then had to wait to have someone paged to help me and stood at a counter for over 10 min. The selection was really limited and the person that came to unlock the cabinets seemed very rushed and knew nothing about the models. When I asked if one particular model was able to upload the workouts to the computer she said yes absolutely. But when I got home, i found this was not the case at all. The most time the salesperson spent with me was walking me to the register in order to get credit for my purchase and try to upsell me with a membership to their club. Also, the parking lot here is a mess and I was in a line behind 14 cars trying to exit. On the positive side, parking is validated here, and the man that rang me up was smart and helpful. But by then I just wanted out of the store! Today I went to City Sports on Boylston & Newbury and was thoroughly surprised at what a huge variety of heart rate monitors they had and how helpful and knowledgeable the staff was. Shocked really. Now I'm really regretting my store choice and wishing I could exchange the now used/worn monitor set for one from City Sports with the features I wanted! read more

Bethannie, I think her name was, was super helpful in the shoe department. Every time I'm in there I find a ton of stuff I want.

This year I decided that it was finally time to get serious about hiking, so naturally REI was one of the places to start collecting some gear. A lot of the other reviews out here mention the limited knowledge that that the sales associates seem to have. Agreed. Also that the sales associates don't make much of an attempt to be really helpful. Agreed... But- I don't think it would be wise for anyone going out into the wilderness to depend on sales people for sound advice on specialized gear. I strongly suggest doing your own research (and lots of it) as well as talking to others who are already accomplished in your chosen activity. With that being said, it seemed like 90 percent of the time that I made a well researched decision on a quality piece of gear, REI had said gear in stock and ready to go. It was very helpful to have an item in my hands before buying, as opposed to getting stuff from the internet. REI has a very decent return policy too. If you can't navigate through a REI location to find what you're looking for and need to depend on a sales person for everything, then you probably shouldn't go out in the woods ;) read more

I've been a member of REI for many years and even worked at one for a summer, so as a company and brand I am a strong supporter of the organization. However, I felt compelled to write a negative review of this specific Boston location for the multiple mediocre to poor experiences I've had there in regards to customer service. Whether this is because of the urban Boston location or the merry-go-round transient employee populace there, I am not sure. In any case, it has often been the situation that the employees had no idea what they were talking about when I asked questions about the products; they gave off the presence of a "holier than thou Active lifestyle guru" when they talked to me as if I were a child; or they simply treated me like someone who was simply a dollar sign to them instead of a loyal member. In all my interactions with REI stores across the nation, this experience has only been specific to this location and it is disappointing that no doubt so many people new to REI or outdoor activities are being treated this way in Boston. So despite my loyalty to REI, it is unfortunate that because of the numerous poor customer service experiences that I have had at this location in Boston, I will be steering clear of shopping here from now on or recommending this location. Instead, I'd visit the nearby locations in Reading, Hingham, or Framingham for a proper REI experience. read more

This pretty but not so little a branch of REI is pretty awesome and pretty much what you need when it comes to your pretty little active-life needs! (strange use of the word "pretty" can be totally ignored!) Right in the middle of Fenway, in the very fabulous (was tempted to use "Pretty" again but totally avoided it) Landmark Center, I like so many things about this REI and can be briefly described and categorized into 4S's: - Store-Size: Quite Large. I have been to quite a few REI locations and I must say this store is quite big. That makes it the customer experience very easy and hassle free. I went in on a not too busy an afternoon when there were a reasonable count of customers. And everyone had their space to look at the products and not bump into each other. - Sections: Very well organized. Not many stores do a great job of dividing the sections logically depending on the product types and not just for Men, Women and kids. That's one thing I really like about REI. The very systematic segregation of sections. - Selections: Plenty a many. In this day and age of online shopping, it is good to see a store having a display of various brands under one roof. Every time I visit the store, no matter which location, I always find a new brand that I had never come across before. - Staff: Fantastic. I have to conclude by saying that the staff here is pretty good (no, seriously! Pretty and good at the same time. And do pardon by obsessive use of the word "pretty") That the Landmark Center has enough parking, and is right across from the Fenway green line station, makes it equally convenient for anyone using their preferred mode of transit. I like this store! No complains. read more

I have been going to the Boston store for years. However, I have found that if you go here know what you are looking for and do your own product research because the sales people are less than helpful. I went in to purchase a pair of Native sunglasses, only to find that they were out of stock. I asked if they had suggestions for something comparable, and they sales person who originally helped admitted that he did not know anything about the products. Ok, I give him credit for being honest and he did call for someone he claimed that knew the products better than he did. The second sales person was absolutely no help. He showed me a couple of different brands, but as I began asking him questions, it became clear that he did not know the products and was unable to give me clear answers. What was more of a shock to me than the lack of knowledge was his customer service skills. He acted like he had better things to do than help me. Years ago I use to be able to walk into REI and find very nice, knowledgeable sales people and walk out there confident that I made the right purchase. Not so much any more. I find myself more often going to EMS if I need help choosing a product that I have questions about. read more

REI! Where to start? I had gone here in search for gloves! Because being from VT I thought I could deal with the cold in Boston, MA...I was wrong! The first thing I wanna point out here is REI's location. It is great! Its right off of the Fenway stop (Train D on the green line). If you happen to live near BU you can walk to REI! So you have easy access to this store! As you walk in you will find that the store is pretty huge and clean! They have a huge selection! From boots, gloves, snowboarding/ski gear, camping gear, to jackets! So anything for the outdoors they should carry! Now I was looking for something basic here! All I wanted was a pair of gloves. I ended up finding a pair that fit a guy with monster hands! RARE! It was easy to walk in and find the gloves and I did not need any help on picking them out. They had all the sizes put out on the rack with a row per-size. Made it easy! I then went to check out. They did offer me an REI rewards card (One you gotta pay for) but when I told them I don't live near by they let it go. So they didn't try to up sale me for no reason! I then walked out with $36 less in my pocket for a good solid pair of gloves! Now over all Id say if you live near an LL Bean or can wait to have them shipped to your house. Id deal with LL Bean on the web. REI's prices did seem a little to high on some things. Such as boots and other winter items. Even simple things like hats and fleece jackets! Just a thought! If your in a pinch this location is a great place to shop! Worked out good for me! An A-OK 3/5!! read more

I go to REI once in a while when I need camping gear or the mister needs sneakers. But I recently discovered a new reason to go to REI: they sell the BOB Revolution stroller, and twice a year it goes on a serious discount. I had been researching strollers for quite some time before deciding on the Revolution, and it took me a while to come to terms with its $390 price tag. But then over Labor Day weekend, I found out that they were having one of their big sales, and I could get the Revolution for 20% off! That's almost $80 in savings, which obviously is nothing to sneeze at. They didn't have the color combination I was looking for, but they told me I could order it online and have it shipped to the store for free, which I did. The whole process was super easy. And then when it came in, we pulled the car into the garage, parked right outside the door, walked in, got the stroller, walked out, and the whole process only took like 4 minutes. We didn't even have to pay for the parking because it was so fast. And baby is going to be riding in style once she arrives. So yes, this REI is pretty awesome. read more

REI is my go-to place for anything outdoors. The customer service and store policy is so good that you'll see me purchase something here instead of online, even if the online price is a bit cheaper. That's saying a lot these days. I never shop anywhere in-store anymore. I think I forgot how. I walk into a store and get all upset because I don't want look for anything without categories or ratings ... but I digress. I bought a jacket and the zipper got caught, tearing the fabric. I called them and they said I can come right in and swap it out, no questions asked. Tip: Become an REI member. read more

If you do outdoor sports, REI is probably worth joining. It's officially member owned and for 15 bucks you get a 10% rebate for life and you get access to their used gear sales which have some incredible bargains, if you don't mind - or possibly enjoy the frenzied rush of folks who have lined up to try to get first crack at the best deals. I prefer the North Reading REI, even though this is closer. It seems to have a better selection and the staff usually know more. All the REIs have some great free programs that can really help you get into something new. The website is useful for info on special events (sales and freebie events) and has a wider selection than the stores. Along with EMS and Hilton's Tent City, I lean on REI for to get geared up for the great outdoors. Generally, REI staff seem to know more than at EMS. If you are laying out big bucks and want to see what you are getting before you buy it, its worth checking out all three. Bob Smith's Wilderness House near BU has been knowledgeable, but their prices are usually the highest of the lot. They've changed ownership however and might be worth a visit as well. read more

Amazing selection for outdoor winter/summer activities, clothes, boots and equipment. 1 block from my place, excellent return policy, selection and online store. Customer service amazing and staff extremely helpful and knowledgeable. It's actually 4.5 stars, -0.5 stars as seems a bit pricey but considering their return policy don't think it's that much of a deal. will get 4 stars for the moment, lets c what they offer me for outdoor climbing this summer and can they gain that missing 1 star. read more

Understaffed. Waited for almost an hour in the shoe section. Never received any help.