Not a fan of their customer service. I'm stuck with a cumbersome (difficult to put on) coat that cost $300 because I didn't sign up for their stupid membership thing that a lot of stores ask you to join whenever you shop somewhere for the first time. All the tags were still on it and everything. Why would signing up for "sales and deals" in my email inbox save me $300 when I'm trying to return a coat that was never worn? Hold on to your receipts. Every item is made for people who are outdoors-y and must have frequent getaways from the city to go camping and skiing. Don't come here unless you wanna buy something to keep you dry while camping on some snowy mountain or whatever. It was a mistake on my part to come in, and let alone buy anything. Guess I'll have to sell this damn coat myself. read more

Absolutely no one I interacted with was helpful. We went in for a travel backpack for my daughter. I was looking for suggestions as my daughter is short as petite. We found an area were people were asking questions. It was finally our turn. I was told I had to go to the travel bags section and wait there's. She would send someone, no one showed up after waiting for some time. I started looking at the backpacks and found one we liked. Then I went looking for someone to help. I found a guy and explained what I was looking for why. Again, zero help. He told me all the backpacks were great and he didn't have one he recommended. Then I asked if there's anything else he recommended for travel and he said he didn't. We take the backpack I picked out and stood in a long line to pay. When we get to the cashier she greeted us. I said hi and asked her how she was, no response. I'm told the total, not asked if I need bag. She puts the receipt on the counter and stares at me. I ask her if I'm going to get a bag. She seemed very inconvenienced but did give me a bag. I didn't expect stellar customer service but I expected some customer service. I wont be shopping here in the future. read more

I brought a pair of NEW ski to REI to install bindings. After I brought back the skis, I found they leave marks on my NEW skis and the marks CANNOT be removed!!!!!!!! Customer's ski is not your whiteboard!!!!!!!! Your store has NEW skis that you can write on!!!!! read more

REI was always my go-to for winter sports related stuff. when i lived in california, i would bring my snowboard here every few trips to get a wax and/or a tune-up. REI has always been there for me when i needed new stuff -- gear, accessories, clothing -- you name it, they had it. since moving out to the east coast, i've been hard-pressed to find an alternative. EMS doesn't really cut it, and all the name brand snowboarding stores are too far out of my budget range to make them reliable go-to's. then REI soho opened. it is, by far, the LARGEST REI I HAVE EVER STEPPED FOOT INTO. there's so much stuff, i got kinda lost looking for gloves because i didn't know which section they were filed under. the street level has most of your gear/equipment and a smattering of clothing and accessory options. the level under that has ALL of the rest of the clothing, accessories, shoes, etc. and the bottom level is home to the service shop. i could spend hours in here just browsing all their stuff. and REI has some of the friendliest and most knowledgeable staff in the business. if you are really into winter sports (or biking/camping/hiking in the summer), i suggest you get the lifetime membership here. it only costs $20 and it entitles you to discounted shop services, as well as a 10% refund on certain purchases at the end of the year. pretty good deal if you ask me, considering how often i take my board in for a tune-up every year. read more

REI - my new snowboarding helmet! :) - Outdoor Gear Near Me - New York, New York

I was so excited to hear that they opened an REI here in the Big Apple. I am from down South originally, and we had a few of these close to where I lived. I have been meaning to come here ever since it opened. And well on Sunday, I finally made it into this sports great MECCA. Wow, I fell in love instantly. First floor has bikes, some popular items so that people can get in and out quickly (this includes yoga gear, bike gear, nutitional bars). In the back, is the camping area and also where they sell GPS watches. I have been looking for one for awhile, but haven't seen anything to my liking and what my needs are. A very friendly staff saw me eyeing the GPS case and came over to help. Too bad I was so flustered. REI has a handout on all the different GPS watches they carry and the specs for each. Really, there are 30 watches? What the...? I also wandered downstairs and browsed some yoga apparel, undergear, and also some shoes. They also carry a wide array of sporty clothes just for everyday wear. This place is just plain awesome. I love it. Great customer service, attentive and nice staff, clean and spacious shopping space, and high-quality sports gear. Who could ask for anything more? Perhaps Niketown should learn from these guys... read more

Carlo and I happened to be in New York during its most coldest recorded weather (-13 degrees Celsius during our New Year's celebration!). So, we needed a few things to keep us warm or make the weather more bearable. The staff at REI were very helpful in getting me the things I needed and also suggesting items that I wouldn't have even considered buying or using for cold weather. One of the staff even went to check the bins of merchandise that had arrived that day to see if she could find a nifty neck warmer in my size. They didn't have my size or the style I wanted, but she found a very functional neck warmer that was a size bigger but was for only $11. SOLD! They also have Member policy that allows you to replace things if they break - for life! Their products are of very high quality, which makes them worth the price. Since we weren't in a hurry, we decided to look around the whole store (also, it was nice and warm inside!). They have a vast array of camping and outdoor gear. Their tents and sleeping bags were tempting because they looked so cuuute and were very easy to set-up. If you are an outdoorsy person, this is definitely worth a stop, especially if you have time to wander leisurely. read more

Sporting goods stores in Manhattan are a rare breed, so we are all at the mercy of REI in SOHO. I have always found customer service to be lacking here (as in employees see you looking around perplexedly and deliberately dodge you so they don't have to help). This morning, I have been calling REI repeatedly to find out if they have mosquito net in stock before I trek down there and all I get is a recording with the store's opening hours - 10 a.m.. It is currently 10:51 a.m.. Is it too much to ask that someone pick up the damn phone so I can get on with my day? read more

I love REI and have been a member for years. What is great about REI is that they sell gear and the REI branded gear is often the product of feedback and really does get updated from year to year. The member coupon is a great deal and usually happens twice a year. Clearance items are often steals, sometimes deals. Know your prices. Salespeople are surprisingly knowledgeable and cordial. Cons: The retail priced items are often very overpriced. The lifetime guarantee no longer exists. read more

I am not sure where else in NYC (including Paragon) where you will find an all-encompassing store for all your outdoors and cold winter equipment all in one place. With an excellent staff that will get you to right place as soon as you walk in, the selection and sheer size of the store will not overwhelm. The best selection of backpacks, down jackets and winter accessories are what I visit REI for, and this store never disappoints. If you like what you see, the lifetime membership is just only $20 to get and your dividends can be used towards your ensuing purchase. A winning proposition from beginning to end! read more

Even though REI is a chain store, this location is a great addition to NYC, which also needs its outdoor/active get-up fix! The interior is large and allows for the crowds on days when it's packed. There's a pretty comprehensive clothing section in the basement. The (better-priced) clearance items are also on the bottom floor. Tom was super helpful and knowledgable when I came. I've only had good service when I've been here! read more

It's a chain, but what a great chain store this is in NYC! Spacious, with helpful employees, there's a bike store and bike shop on the top level, and more downstairs, including camping, footwear, men's and women's hiking and workout wear, and great clearance finds. I was able to score a great running shirt on clearance, and enjoyed checking out the camping and physical therapy section, with foot massages, foam rollers. Oh, and there's a clean bathroom- always a boon when you're a tourist traipsing around a big city. Love REI, and love this big store. read more

I was running late and arrived at the store slightly after closing time. I popped my head in as a previous customer was leaving, and pleaded for them to allow me to pick up my order. Although they could have easily turned me away, they were kind of enough to still help me out. The kind gesture is greatly appreciated. Thank you REI! read more

Great place if you're looking for some serious outdoor gear. They have an excellent selection of jackets, coats and also camping/outdoor equipment. Imagine you need to stock up for a big hike, camping trip, cross country bike event, etc. You can pretty much find everything you need in this gigantic outpost in Soho. Sleeping bags, heat pads, lights, Camlebak bottles & bags, cooking equipment, jackets, etc. It's all here. As a biker, I also like how they have a pretty decent selection of bike equipment. The actual bikes they sell here are okay, but not top-of-the-line. But if you're on a budget, this isn't a bad place to check out options that are superior to what you get in big box retailers like Target or Wal-Mart. Their website also features a wider range of what you'd find in the actual store, so it's all worth checking out. They also sell lots of bike gear like lights, seats, etc. Their bike clothing selection is alright, but personally you can find better stuff at Paragon Sports. However, for the casual rider/biker, this is a good place to start. All in all, this is a good place to check out if EMS or Paragon is too specialized (or expensive) for your needs (or at the least a good place to do some comparison shopping vs those places) read more

One of my favorite stores in NYC. Very friendly employees. Big fitting rooms. Hugh varieties of stuff needed for outdoor activities. Skiing, snowboarding trekking,.. for all outdoor activities you find there the needed stuff. Good quality. Not only designer labels also own labels from Rei can be found there. But most impressive is the friendlyness of the employees. If you buy there more often please have a thought about the member card. read more

REI - Fitting Room - Outdoor Gear Near Me - New York, New York

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Recent west coast transplant and am glad to find one of my favorite playgrounds in NYC. Like many other REIs I've been to, the staff at the NYC location is beyond nice. I've noticed REI staff tend to reflect the local flavor eg: a store close to the coast will totally rock Kayak and SUP gear selection and staff who know the specs... But what is the flavor of NYC? I didn't explore every department but camping didn't feel like one. One of the associates I spoke with, fellow CA transplant, was amazing. While the one who I ended up working with was not able to give a well argued justification of why I should buy one brand vs the next. I know, I know it is probably negligible differences but this is why I come to buy from a speciality store vs online, y'know? Prices for REI will likely be more expensive, however you look at it, but I do love the community development, conservation and coop aspects of their business. Great place for inspiration and last minute purchases. read more

REI - Pro tip: these sleeping bag samples are for u to crawl in to try for fit and length. Just be ready for an audience! - Outdoor Gear Near Me - New York, New York

Being gainfully unemployed, I decided to attend the grand opening event on Friday morning with dreams of a $100 gift card dancing in my head. The first 200 people in line were going to get a water bottle with gift cards in $5, $10, $20, $25, $50 and $100 amounts. I got there a little after 8AM and after some quick counting with fingers and toes, I determined I was within the first 200 on line. Fortunately it wasn't that cold for a clear December morning and Whole Foods had a energetic crew out and about handing out coffee. How anyone can be so cheerful so early is a mystery to me but they managed it. The REI staff went up and down the line with giveaways and stickers for those that could answer some basic REI trivia questions. The two hours went by quickly and soon we were ushered into the store past a cheering line of employees similar to what the Apple stores do during a new product launch. It was a bit overwhelming given my free coffee buzz so I grabbed the first bottle handed to me and looked for my prize gift card that I waited so long for. $5 ... Oh well, time to check out the store I guess! History buffs and architecture freaks will be enthralled with what REI found during the renovation process and how they managed to incorporate things like the huge steam powered flywheels that once ran the printing presses in the building. They are a bit more impressive then some modern $100 rip off inkjet cartridge! Does anyone buy those things? It's cheaper to throw away your old printer and buy a new one when you run out of ink given how much they charge for that colored water. Anyway, back to the store. It's huge with 2.5 levels. The 0.5 doesn't count because the lower basement level part conference room and mechanics shop where you can watch the tech hammer your bikes or skis. Just kidding on the last part, I'm sure those guys are very well trained! The better be if they're going to charge $50 for a basic ski tune. Where is the nail file and candle wax? All of the merchandise is brightly lit and nicely displayed. The staff is very eager to help, maybe a bit too much but I don't blame them. They haven't been beaten down my the typical NYC retail customer yet. Stay strong! And my $5 gift card? I'll hang onto it for a rainy day. Even the beef jerky packet was $7 and that was the cheapest item I could find in the store! I definitely need to find a job before I can think of going back in there. In the meantime I'll take advantage of some of their free classes and lectures in the coming months. Someone out there must have the $100 gift card that was meant for me... -Pete read more

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I love REI but I am going to give this location a one star. Disappointing staff for a flagship! I called an hour ahead of time and spoke with someone to check to see if they had shoes I was looking for, which they did. When I arrived no one was in the shoe department to help me. A woman from the ski department helped me, and all she did was complain to all the customers waiting about how big of a mess her section was saying it was like "chimpanzees we're running through the Store". I finally found the man I spoke to in the phone, and he didn't even offer to help me while I was waiting and listening to this worker speak so terribly about the customers. I left without purchasing the shoes I came in to buy, I will go elsewhere where customers are more appreciated. read more

this place(REI - Soho) seems to be going downhill further and further. Went to try some hiking shoes, wait was not too long to get the shoes I wanted. I needed to ask for additional information, salesperson was nowhere to be seen, there were 4 staff people chatting with each other, nobody bothered to offer any help, telling the story of their lives to each other was more important. I left, tired of waiting and attitude. read more

Find anything and everything you need sport and outdoor related. Pricey but you will find everything. Excellent customer service.

The staff here have always been super helpful and knowledgeable of the products. I have been here on multiple occasions and have never had a bad experience. If you are going to shop here anytime soon, just know there will be a line out front to social distance the store a bit, but it moves quickly (I was in line for 10 minutes.) Also, as of now, you can't try on any clothes in a fitting room but you can come back and return if need be -- They also have awesome sales going on too... just got a Prana swimsuit originally $96 for $35. Seriously one of the best stores for all your outdoor needs in NYC. read more

We only have a limited number of days that we are alive. Some of those days fall in Winter time and some of those days fall on the weekend. That leaves a very limited number of days for adventure and I personally treasure those days of freedom and being in the outdoors very much. I also treasure and care for my gear and consider only to let those I trust to service and work on it. I need to be sure it gets me back home and doesn't break down. I have lost faith in REI workshop/s, I no longer trust them with my gear. The New York (SOHO) shop mounted some new bindings on a new pair of ski's, however cut the mounting bolts too short so after less than a dozen times on the ski's the bolts were stripped, the bindings fell off. The only option was move all of the bindings and drill new holes in the ski's basically ruining any option for resale of the ski's. I won't mention how much the ski's/bindings cost new. The very next time I needed a service with a different pair of ski's, I was in the Denver store. I booked (and paid for) a hand wax/tune on a Thursday and was scheduled to pick them up on the Saturday. I dropped past the store at 5pm Sat, asked about them and saw them on the rack still waiting to be done (they confirmed they would call me once they were ready). . . I then went back in at 8pm and they were still on the rack. By 9pm at close they were still not done. . . no call as expected, I specifically asked to be called if there were any problems, however nothing. I asked for the ski's and very politely apologized for the confusion and let them know not to worry about the tune and also that they could just keep the money, I would just take them as they are. I personally don't like to rush people who are servicing my gear and I also didn't expect them to stay past closing time to start them on a Saturday night. However I did want to ski the next morning. 5 minutes later out come my ski's they had been on the machine that strips all of the wax off the bottom (quickly thrown on the machine). They presented me with the ski's in that condition (5 minutes before they were ski-able, now they were un-ski-able), Zero Wax. . . said they refunded $10 off the $30 fee. I was lost for words. . . Bewildered even. . . Sorry REI you lost me, lost my trust. I can't even . . . read more

Admittedly, I was a bit nervous going into the store because REI has always felt well...rather crunchy granola. I'm a complete novice when it comes to hiking and I needed boots. A kind staff member helped me find the correct shoe department when I got close to the stairs. Once I was in the right section, Hunter helped me find the perfect boots for my needs. He was friendly, funny and knowledgeable. The store has a mock rock that you can test your boots on. Checkout was easy and fast. With a store and community as welcoming as this, maybe I'll be a trail mix chick one of these days. read more

I've only ever had positive experiences at this store. The sales help are experts, friendly, trustworthy and supportive. You'll want to make sure you have some time to spend. There's just too much great product to rush in and out. Well I ran in here at lunch today for a laundry list of items. Tire inflator, body glide, cargo pants and a headlamp. Haha. Yeah. Because that's the kind of list you bring to REI. Everyone was super helpful. I got everything I needed and rushed back to my office only to realize I had lost my favorite pair of Ray-bans . Fingers crossed.. I knew exactly where I lost them but I mean who returns a pair of classic ray-ban aviators? Ryan at the bike counter at REI, that's who. I went back after work and there they were, patiently waiting for me. I friggin love this place. read more

This store serves all your outdoors needs. Everything from jackets, to supplies, to packaged non-perishable foods, book bags, boots and accessories are sold here. The staff are also extremely knowledgeable when it comes to their merchandise and are friendly. Feel free to ask them if you have any questions. I purchased a North Face mountain Goretex jacket that was a retro of their 1990 release. I opted to pick up the item in-store. The whole process took about 1-2 weeks and I was satisfied with my purchase. Along with the more famous outdoor brands, they also offer their own in-house REI merchandise. Ever since Tents & Trails collapsed and closed down, there are limited options from other stores to the immense amount of gear that REI and Paragon Sports provide. I've never had a bad experience shopping at REI and I'd definitely recommend shopping here for your outdoor needs. read more

I've been a member of REI for over 20 years. When I find a business I like I stick with them. Love going to that location in the Puck building. They have everything you need and more. I have to be careful when I go there because I just want to buy everything. Today I went there and got everything I need for an upcoming trip. They have the best selection of outdoor gear in NYC read more

I will start by saying that I love REI! I love their return policy and it makes me want to keep going back there. Yes, sometimes their prices are a little higher than other stores, but their lifetime guarantee of the product makes me more willing to buy things at REI than anywhere else. Some may accuse me of abusing the return policy on occasion, but I am a dedicated REI shopper and try to exclusively buy things from them if I can. I suppose that's why they have their return policy. (I end up buying some stuff to try out just because I know I can return it. Most of the time I end up loving the equipment and keeping it. Sometimes I exchange it for what I really want) As for this store, the selection is okay. Not the best stocked, but you can purchase anything online and have it shipped to the store for free. It comes pretty quick too. They say 5 days, but I have had two items shipped here and each came in 2-3 days. I am SOOOOO happy REI came to NYC! I just went on a 300 mile bike trip and it went smoothly because I was able to stock up at REI! read more

This place is pretty great. I love being out doors, but in NYC I don't really have a need for most of the stuff they carry. I wish I had more reasons to shop here, because their selections are vast for the items that they carry. I went in with the hubby a few weeks ago to help him pick out a face mask for his outdoor winter running. The store is huge, but it's laid out very clearly. It didn't take us long to find what we were looking for. Within 10 minutes of being in the store, he had about 7 options to choose from. When we checked out, the lady at the register was super friendly and thanked us for our business. I must find a reason to go back. read more

Staff is very helpful and chill. They ask you once if you need help and just leave you alone to browse the store. I'm the kind of shopper who will ask for help when I need it. I hate having staffers hounding me asking if I need help every minute of every second. REI gives customers the space they need to shop around. Wanted to get a bike, but they didn't have the one I wanted in stock. Was advised to order it online and if anything it can be picked up in store or returned in store if its no good. From what I've heard and read, their return policy is no hassle, so that's plus. read more

One of my favorite places to go if I want to kill some time or just grab something that I could use like a water bottle, or some outdoor clothes, and everyone I've met there so far have been pretty nice. read more

I agree not one time. Theyhad a. Item in stock I needed but have the nerve to get a mad when I don't buy the Items their trying to sell me And they always say look online and online is a joke if am In NYC and the items are in NJ online tells me. I have to wait two weeks for item never I'll keep shopping on Amazon two days I have what I need This store needs to go out of Business read more

Oh REI, why must you take all my money? I can't walk outta without picking up some hiking or biking gear! This location downtown has a ton of great stuff, especially for hiking/outdoors. they also have a good selection of road bike accessories, but not my first choice for those. Where this place shines is service, you can always find a very helpful rep that will spend time explaining things to you if you need. They encourage you to try out the products to make sure you are comfortable with them. I picked up a 70 liter hiking bag here and they put some sandbags in it and said I should walk around the store for 10-15 min to make sure it was comfortable enough for me -- that is service! Also, their return policy is great (if you get REI membership, $20 for life). As an REI member you have a year to return stuff, which comes in handy for those times you buy something and leave it in your closet forever! Prices are usually full retail, which I thought would be a problem for me, but I value the service and ability to try stuff out in the store. Sometimes they have member discounts or seasonal specials that are pretty good if you are willing to hunt/wait for deals. read more

This place has pretty much everything you may possibly need for outdoor activities: hiking, mountain climbing, biking, camping, cave diving, kayaking, zombie apocalypse, skiing, snowboarding...the works. As an avid hiker, needless to say, this is one of my favorite stores in the city..loll I could probably stay here for half the day..if not longer. Unlike SOME people who don't do their research online before they go to an actual store...ahem...I pretty much know exactly what I'm getting already, cuz lets face it. In a store this size, with so much merchandise, it's safe to say customer service is sketchy at best. Of course, there's the occasional, amazing sales associate who loves what he/she does and has a limitless memory of what there is in the store. Then there's the other 99% of sales associates who hate their job, hate their life and are absolutely clueless. So I can't say much for the customer service at REI, cuz I've never actually requested help from anyone. Though, on occasion, a sales associate will come over and ask if I need some help, so they get some brownie points for actually showing they care. As for prices...well...according to Marie W's review.. she says that "REI not only had a huge selection, but super inexpensive." Meh..I disagree. REI's prices are up there..along with Eddie Bauer. REI is definitely NOT inexpensive. For example, take a waterproof hiking jacket with Gore-Tex coating. A good quality jacket would run you anywhere from $100-$200 at REI or Eddie Bauer. I could go to TJ Maxx and Marshall's, do a little digging and find a similar jacket with the same quality and capabilities for a fraction of the price! Overall, REI is a great store for all the activities I mentioned above..and more...IF of course, you don't mind paying the higher prices. But with the higher price tag, you're definitely paying for excellent quality merchandise and accessories. read more

Two separate experiences, both with terrible customer service. Aren't outdoorsy people supposed to be kind?? Go to paragon where the sales people want to be helpful and are just decent people. read more

I came for winter boots and a warm hat. The salesman in the shoe department was knowledgeable and very helpful. He took his time with me and the other people he was helping. I never felt his attention was spread too thin. Upon checkout, I was overcharged for an item. I contacted customer service and it was the shoe salesman! He couldn't give me a partial refund so he just refunded the entire item. REI consistently lives up to its reputation and then goes even further. read more

I'm surprised by the negative reviews on here. I've never had a bad experience here and came on yelp to write this review specifically to say how helpful the employees have been here over the years. I always seem to go here before a trip (hiking and/or camping) to buy things and everyone has always been super friendly, knowledgeable, patient with my indecisiveness and questions, and helpful! Even the people at check out have always been super friendly! I've gotten so many things here over the years.. hiking shoes, various backpacks, a UV sterilizer for water, a jacket, pants, socks and more. They also have a really good return policy if you're a member (not sure what the return policy is otherwise). read more

Anything you need regarding outdoor, camping, hiking, skiing, biking, swimming , pretty much any activity you can think of they have the survival tools, books, equipment and clothing for it. And they carry nothing but the best along with outstanding informational customer service. read more

REI Charges return shipping during Covid-19, what a joke!! you can't go into the store to try it on and their size charts are wrong so you have to roll the dice and if it doesn't fit you lose nine bucks! This is insulting, get with the times REI read more

This location is hands down the worst location in the nation. They NEVER have anything in stock and their sales associates have almost no knowledge of the departments they are working in. Their excuse is always, look online and you'll find what you're looking for or we have millions of customers so we can't keep everything in stock. Guaranteed you don't have a million customers all looking for the same item. It's an ordering issue on your store and keeping your stock up to date. Get your shit together REI! It's bad enough your location isn't able to do a used gear sale but to not have new stuff in stock is even worse! read more

The store is nice and has a good selection. I was there for snowboarding gear. But I have to say that both guys from the staff I talked to weren't helpful at all. They tried being friendly but seemed really annoyed. They where slow and I had to remind them of everything I wanted several times. I had to ask so many times for them to open the fitting room for me too. I was going to buy my full snowboard equipment there. Boots, jacket, pants, helmet, gloves etc... in the end I was so disappointed in the staff that I left without buying anything and went to buy my things at Paragon instead. Just saying. read more

After some asshole ran over the front wheel of my bike destroying both wheel and fork, I had to find a cheap replacement - no more blingy wheels for me, especially since this city has terrible roads and very prolific thieves. I looked online first and rei actually had a 700c wheel for me that was decent quality at a great price. I picked up a wheel and used my co-op card to get 10% back later in the year. REI is a mecca for any granola munching, hiking boot wearing outdoor lover. While I've seen bigger REIs out west, I'm glad to finally have one in NYC. Sometimes you just want to geek out and check out the tents, sleeping bags, and technical outerwear (even though most people don't use that stuff to its potential). read more