Nice selection of footwear. I visited REI recently for first time. Located @Pike & Rose. Seeking new shoes designed for walking/support. I was not disappointed. I took a minute to find an associate to get shoes. Once associate arrived I tried on several pairs & select an idea new pair of shoes. I also saw a wide selection of clothes for various outdoor activities & indoor fitness. Great checkout customer service. read more

Update: Service is awful. Waiting for checkout is the sure way to drop all your purchases while store assistants entertain themselves with extensive chats solving world problems. Line is brutal and sad. People are dropping things they want to buy. While store features a few good brands, it is useful for trying on if you do not mind undressing in front of others since fitting rooms are locked and finding a willing store associate with keys is not something one can guarantee. If something fits you and you want instant gratification of purchase, you must stay in a line where store associate chats every customer up to demonstrate family like environment while marinating you for an hour waiting. You should consider if you want to wait or better order online. If you decided to buy, then after 20-40 minutes of waiting you are pressured through attack on why you do not want to become a member. REI, I do not want to become a member of this environment exactly because you are not considered about people. Those people in the line behind me want to enjoy their Saturday and you do not care about it. This is all I need to know. It is exactly the environment that I avoid as plaque as it is inconsiderate, often rude, entitled, pushy, and fake. I do not appreciate when you ask me to shut up and let you finish your speech why I must become a member. Today I made a good decision to leave the line while dropping whatever I wanted to purchase ($300+). A gentleman in front of me did the same thing. I saw gloomy faces of ladies in the line whom I passed on my way out and they were considering to leave as well. read more

Came here to buy some Brooks shoes for my husband and a bike for my son. Went upstairs to the shoe department and we have four kids. The shoe associate immediately stopped me to let me know they are not allowed to run in here. I looked around and my kids were actually not even running. Sure if they started running we would do our best to let them know not to run, but they are kids. When my husband asked for the shoes and asked some questions she kept giving my baby the stink eye because now I am restraining him due to her earlier warning. She was obviously annoyed about the children which is crazy because the shoe dept is next to kids section. I couldn't even bring myself to ask about the bikes. We purchased my son's last bike here so we had every intention to get another one, but we just got the shoes and left. That associate ruined our experience and we will not be going back to this location. She needs to be moved to a different section maybe restocking in the back not customer facing. read more

REI - Sports Wear Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

Great store. Bad location. Had to stop my tesla and reverse when at the parking entrance by Chipolte. Toll? Need to send me a text to my cell phone? I left---got lost in the one way streets---then pulled over in a warehouse to get my bearings. Then had the Tesla drive me back to the DOOM REI and face the parking charges and phone number... All to try on a pair of hiking shoes. This sucks! You need a new/old store---somewhere else---how about Rockville plaza or somewhere else close with a FREE parking lot. Lots of empty existing store fronts in the area. WTF. Oh yes the toxic dumpsters and port-a-potty's in the parking garage(s) on both sides of the street 20 feet from the front door are a nice touch. Ohhh the odor? Once inside I wish it was at RIO or somewhere else where I don't have to give my phone number to park. read more

Every time we visit this store, we have a great experience. The staff are not only knowledgeable, but also incredibly friendly--and yesterday was no exception. I especially appreciated Jacinta (or Jacenta?) for helping us identify great clothing options for our upcoming Alaska trip *and* for introducing us to another couple who are also planning to travel there. James was equally fantastic--he helped me select the right Osprey backpack, made sure it fit properly, and patiently guided me through testing and adjustments. Even the cashier went above and beyond to provide additional information we needed--despite the fact that it was already past closing time! Everyone was pleasant, and no one rushed us out. Afterward, as we reflected on the experience, my husband said it felt like shopping "in the old days"--when great customer service was the norm. It's nice to know that kind of care still exists, even if it's harder to find these days. read more

This REI is located at Pike and Rose in Rockville. Parking is free in the garages nearby. It is a two-story tall REI with everything you need for adventures besides fishing. The customer service is wonderful, and REI has one of the best return policies. REI is somewhat of an upscale store, so the items are somewhat pricey. Considering the size of the store, I did find that they were lacking in some apparel. Even smaller REI locations have more clothing options. However, being an REI member can help offset some of the cost as you can get 10% back on unlimited full priced items each year as REI credit. read more

I do really like this store but can't give it 5 stars due to the high prices and inconvenient parking...I would still recommend stopping in when it's not a madhouse at Pike and Rose (generally weekday mornings) as they have an unbeatable selection of camping gear, backpacks and a lot of outdoors clothing and shoes. The staff are usually helpful if you have a questions. I do always get sticker shock when I come here though and even the sales are expensive...yes, I love my Patagonia T shirt but I paid $45 for it on sale, which I do think is too steep for a T shirt... Parking is around the block to the underground parking garage if you aren't lucky enough to snag the impossible spots off street (I never am). I did become a member (it's a lifetime membership) but the window of time to use the coupons is rather narrow...they do have outdoors classes which I've been interested in taking but never have time for... read more

One of my favorite activities on Friday evenings is visiting your store with my dog. He's a 20‑lb Cavachon, very friendly, curious, and well behaved. Your team has always been welcoming, and your store has become one of the places we enjoy visiting together. Sometimes I buy something for myself, sometimes for the dog, and often my wife and kids and I pick something up as well. We truly love your store and consider it part of our community and our regular shopping routine. This afternoon, as usual, I came into the store with my dog. We were greeted right away by a very friendly gentleman at the door who played with him for a bit. Shortly after, we went upstairs and I began looking at shoes. Nearby, another employee was enthusiastically sharing his shoe knowledge with a group of four or five customers. I was looking at a pair of trail shoes and waiting for a moment to ask a question when, unexpectedly, he stopped his conversation with that group and addressed me by saying that only service animals are allowed, and that while the store used to be more lenient, they were recently directed to stop allowing pets. I asked when this policy began being enforced, and he explained that it had always been a rule but was only recently being enforced. He mentioned that he loves dogs, but that dogs are no longer welcome unless they are service animals. I'm writing because, out of all the ways this situation could have been handled, this was one of the worst. Instead of interrupting his conversation and enforcing the policy publicly in front of other customers, creating an awkward and unnecessary situation, he could have waited and approached me discreetly to speak one‑on‑one. Clear signage at the entrance would also help set expectations and ensuring all team members are aligned on policy changes would prevent customers from being put in uncomfortable or embarrassing situations. The approach taken felt immature, condescending, unnecessary, and reactive. That said, I still genuinely like your store and your brand. I hope you continue to support your community not only with great products and concepts, but also with the friendly, welcoming demeanor you are so well known for. read more

Brought in skis for wax and sharpening, $40 and got them back 3days later. (sun&ski wanted to charge $99.) Friendly, knowledgeable ski techs. read more

This REI is great! The building itself is two floors full of outdoor gear (camping, biking) and clothing (jackets, gloves, pants). I was particularly interested in loading up on my winter attire to get ready for skiing on the West Coast. The staff were very friendly and patient in helping me understand the differences between different materials and brands. The in-store price of REI was similar to the prices online. I ended up getting an REI membership and buying a Patagonia Torrential Rain Jacket and inner Patagonia shell. Both items kept me quite warm on my trip! read more

REI - Patagonia Jacket - Sports Wear Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

Sigh. I was so hopeful that shopping at a brick & mortar store (to support local jobs) would offer a great customer experience. Unfortunately, at REI, that was not the case. First, the new parking system was annoying. Rather than the card to be validated, it snagged my plate. The "anonymous" option didn't end up offering the anonymity either. Had to fight traffic all the way to the top to find a space. I entered REI to find one particular item that I had researched online. There was no one to greet or direct me. Instead, I had to find an employee and ask for guidance. Heading upstairs, I then had to scout around, looking for someone to get the product from the back. Got it, though it was of inferior quality to the one I was replacing. Back downstairs. LONG line of customers waiting to check out. A manager helped one employee with a question and then left rather than opening another station. The check-out person was friendly (when I got to her). Ultimately, I'm not sure I'd rush back so soon after this experience. read more

Just did a return but the line moved quickly and Adam was GREAT! He was so friendly which I appreciated because that's SO RARE these days! He was also super helpful, patient, and went above and beyond to help me. Really brightened my stressful day. REI, ya'll need to give him a raise and promote him! Also the store is AMAZING!!! Worth just going in and walking around, it's so nice! Will definitely go back. REI also please ensure you've fixed all issues with labor practices, merit raises, summit pay for unionized workers, racial equity, age and gender biases, discrimination against transgender workers, and accommodations for workers with disabilities. The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) found REI violated labor laws by withholding raises and pay = NOT cool! Act right!!! WE the customers spend our HARD earned money there, WE want you to treat employees RIGHT read more

I wanted to buy a bicycle there. Waited for almost half an hour for someone to help me. I want to sell rep.Did come said, I'll be with you "we are packed", but did not make eye contact with me. Several cells rep passed by me as i'm standing there waiting that's fine. We had to leave and instead went to trek bikes to buy a bicycle read more

Nice One-Stop-Shop for adventurous seeker or just to shop around. The building has impressive design from façade to the interior, spacious and comfortable at the same time. All sections, rows and shelves locations are very informative, and the staffs are friendly to make sure you get the perfect service that you need. Awesome! read more

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When I first joined REI it carried much more climbing gear. Not so much now. In fact climbing is a distant memory. which is sad considering it was created by climbers. read more

I came in for a jacket for my son and he saw some really great items for camping. I really like the fact that they took time out creating a picture map for different size tents for customers looking for specific size. I'm not a camper, but they had lots of tents and even food supplies. I'll bring my son back during the Summer time for camping gear and etc. Upstairs is where the jackets and etc is at and down stairs is where the camping ite and etc are. Many people were shopping for warm jackets and etc, and a lot of help in here from employees. They were really friendly. read more

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My experiences at this location have all been curbside, so I can't speak to the interior of the store, but my experiences have been on the whole positive. I super appreciate the ability to have items shipped to the store for free when unavailable in store. Curbside service has also been fast and friendly even when busy. Items in an order I placed this month arrived a week or so apart, so I ended up going twice because there is a window of time they hold packages before they have to 'cancel them' for space reasons I assume--this window is more generous than many stores, so not really complaining about that. Both times there was a line for curbside, but I was still helped in a timely manner, and everyone was friendly despite running around like crazy. The online check in via email link is fast, easy, and clearly works, which sometimes I am skeptical about at other stores haha The reason for 3 stars instead of better, is I really still don't understand the move to Pike & Rose. The old location a block down the pike was spacious inside and had plenty of free surface parking. You can't expect me to believe this was a better value rent wise for the store either. It wasn't super convenient when they first moved here, but now it's even worse, as P&R demolished the parking lot REI had. Now there are only 3 curbside spots in front of the store that are very hard to u-turn into if you can't easily approach it from 1 specific direction. Both times I went this month 2 cars parked so poorly for curbside, spot 3 was blocked and I had to pull in by the dumpsters (thank you REI employees for still finding me). TLDR: the employees here seem great, and curbside service is the way to go because parking will cost you your soul, sanity, or possibly an accident with the way people drive in P&R. read more

Phenomenal customer service! I recently was in REI purchasing a pair of boots, and Joey (ask for her!) helped me out for a full hour helping me get my boot situation (realized I needed an insert due to a little heel slippage, etc) and got me on my way. Long story short I was charged the incorrect amount and the manager, Chris, rectified the situation and realized the shoes had an additional sale on them! Very honest and helpful people and I'd highly recommend shopping there again! Thanks! A read more

REI - Sports Wear Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

I found that the employees of this REI were friendly and not as "too busy to talk to you" as the employees at the REI in DC. You walk in and are immediately greeted by employees and there are plenty of people walking around to help. I couldn't find a couple items and the employees were able to pull out their smart phones and look on their inventory to see if the items were in stock. This store is two floors and for new comers to the outdoor side - don't be too intimidated (not all these items are necessary and many are luxury items that go on amazing sales at the right time). I can't remember his name however the male older employee (he had 15 years experience in shoes or so he told me) really helped me in the shoe section. I have been trying to get into using trail runners for hiking shoes but I find that I slip more. He recommended shoes with vibram that is a type of rubber soles that are less likely to slip on wet surfaces. I thought he made great recommendations and I will definitely be back with wool socks to try everything on read more

REI - Camino inspired socks - Sports Wear Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

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Lots of stuff in stock. If you apply for a part-time job at this store, they will require you to do a 3 hour group interview. It was ridiculous and a waste of unpaid time. read more

Love hate relationship with REI. I rarely purchase anything because I can never find help. I've gone into this store three times while in area to purchase bike shoes. Each time I end up just leaving because there is very limited staff to help. read more

I just gotta say that James in the shoe department is amazing. My wife and I both needed help with shoes for an upcoming trip and he provided information above and beyond what we ever would have imagined. Looking forward to the next purchase. read more

Overall I have positive things to say about this store -- it is spacious, has a reasonable variety of gear, and many of of the staff seem enthusiastic and knowledgable. It suffers from too few staff, but given the pandemic,one has to be somewhat forgiving. And in the past I have had a good impression of REI. This said, a recent experience has soured me on REI as a company. In short, a pair of Asolo 520 hiking boots I purchased from this store a few years ago completely fell apart in the middle of a strenuous rocky 8 mile dayhike in the Shenandoah Mts. (the soles fell off both!). See the picture below. In my opinion, this was a potentially dangerous equipment failure. I discovered that almost half the online reviews of it reported the same thing. In my case and others, the shoes were a few years old but otherwise in good shape. Most disturbing, when I tried to post a negative review on the REI site, REI gave me a hard time and finally allowed me to post in but only on the site of the earlier model (which is now discontinued), even though reviews of the current model have the same concern. I suggested they stop selling this model, but they blew me off. REI is not doing right by its members when they (1) continue to sell hiking shoes that are known to suddenly fall apart in the middle of a hike, and (2) they then make it difficult to post negative reviews so other customers can be warned. They say their mission is to "inspire, educate and outfit for a lifetime of outdoor adventure and stewardship", but based on this experience, it seems they have lost sight of their mission. I hope they get their mojo back. read more

REI - Asolo 520 shoes at the end of a dayhike - Sports Wear Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

What a difference a few years makes. I would only go there to pick up orders I made online. In the last year or so I noticed how the staff were had improved, the inventory was better, and without pause staff would have serious conversations with me about outdoor gear. I just want to go in to outdoor stores and get what I need and advice when there's better options -- I will not go to places that I have to muddle through mainsplainy talk to get to what my actual questions are. I haven't gone there to shop since my last review--just pickup and returns but maybe I will now. I still think REI in general does not have that great of inventory for women in the outdoors. There is so much gear and technical clothing being created by and for women but I still find REI's stock veers toward fashion for women. It also tends toward trendy companies where some of the greatest innovations and products in outdoor technical clothing and gear come from smaller companies (although Patagonia has remained tops). I still try to target independently owned outdoor stores for myriad reasons including well curated gear and clothing. read more

Went to the store with my husband today for hiking shoes. Standing at the shelf, looking and checking the shoes while waiting for the staffs finished helping other customers but never get help. I understand that because it's the last weekend sale. However, when the new customer showed up and just picked one shoes to take a look. One staff reached her immediately. And the new customer was just standing next to me ! Feeling like they literally ignored us. So disappointed... never go back read more

I got blessed with a once ridden bike that sat in storage for a year & been waiting for the right moment to find a place to get it checked out. Today is that day, thanks to the grand opening of REI @ Pike & Rose. The inside looks like a log cabin in an organized maze of everything recreational. After my touring of both levels of unlimited merchandise for every sports, camping & travel equipment, I headed over to The Shop. Here is where I met Tim who gave me Bicycle 101 from diagnostics to services to products. He also shared insight on the Co-op (Consumer Cooperative) Membership for $20 offering a lifetime perks of Member Refunds, Annual Dividends, In-store Garage Sales & Outdoor Classes, Rental & Shop Services discounts...I look forward to my ROI from my $20 REI investment. In the knows: REI designed their own brand gear & clothing. It's free for a Bicycle check up. You can return your purchase up to one year. There's a dedicated parking lot facing the Chipotle. The employees in the different departments were friendly & eager to assist. Whether you're a Pro or a Beginner, REI is the place for your gear, products, clothing & so much more & without emptying your pockets. read more

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My experience at REI was great. I know next to nothing about the different types of clothing (hiking vs climbing vs whatever else) or boots and had to buy a bunch for an upcoming international trip. James in particular was extremely helpful. He approached me to ask if I needed any help. When I told him what I know and where I'm going, he explained why the climbing pants I was looking at were not appropriate, where the hiking clothing is, and explained the difference. I bought a pair of boots and was equally ignorant. James again helped me and the very first pair he brought out turned out to be perfect (he brought out several others for comparison). read more

The REI staff was incredibly helpful in picking out the right bike for us. Though we ultimatley did not purchase a bike here due to not having the size we were looking for, the staff was super helpful in explaining all of the different components of the bike and helping us make an informed decision on the bike so that we will be happy customers. The backpack that we purchased is excellent and we will be returning. read more

My favorite place for outdoor stuff!! Now we are in a pandemic unfortunately!!! If you go during peak time like the weekend, prepare to wait in a long a** line. It doesnt move fast either. Make sure your dressed for the weather, cuz if its hot, theres no shade, if it rains and you dont have an umbrella, you will be SOL. The store has two levels. Second level has the clothing. Which took me forever to shop, in I love everything!! Help is non existent, unless employees planned a sick out. For a busy Sunday afternoon, I maybe saw one poor stressed out associate. I was looking for an outer vest and this fleece pullover. The associate was kind enough to help me find this pullover that I so badly wanted. SHe then came back a few minutes later to check on me. Cool. I bought a fleece pullover and some cute beanies. I looked at their paddleboards and shed a little tear, as much as I love the sport, My car wouldnt be able to hold it, nor do I room at home. However, they have all my glamping needs here. Very nice tents not cheap Walmart quality. But nice tents that will sustain bad weather conditions. Almost all of my needs was in stock. I suggest getting their $20 membership. Its a one time fee, and it pays you back into like dividends for future purchases....and it has many other perks. The only con, is checking out. Long lines. They move sloooooooow!! I hope this location can get it together with staffing. I really like their VA store. Fast friendly service there. read more

One of the offshoots in the Pike and Rose complex, this REI is actually solid and has all the outdoor gear you'd come for. Staff have been friendly every time I'm around and have answered all my questions. Don't expect any tips from me on the best hiking gear, trail shoes, etc. but the guys here can point you in the direction you want. Also with the free membership, there's enough sales and discounts from time to time which is nice. Side note - they actually have their own designated spots in the parking lot next door, and the parking will be free if you're just shopping there. read more

Now that Springtime's here and the days are getting longer, it was time to get my bike ready for some early evening and weekend rides. I also needed a new saddle to replace my old one, which was a bit too hard, making things a bit rough on the bum. I'm an REI member, so I headed off to Pike and Rose, where Jason helped me out with tuning up my bike, while one of his fellow team members took the time to explain all of what goes into choosing the right bike saddle, including avoiding perineal compression and numbness. (You guys know exactly what I mean.) Once we picked out the right one for me (the Serfas Dorado), we handed it off to Jason, who took things from there. In addition to having the new saddle installed, Jason recommended REI's Bronze Tune package to make sure my bike was in tip-top shape. The package includes a full safety inspection, wheel truing, brake and shifting adjustments, making sure the drivetrain's lubricated, and pumping up the tires to the right pressure - all expertly done for just $65 for members. That's quite a good deal for all that! Finally, when I picked up my bike, Cori double-checked the fit of both the new saddle and the bike in general, making sure that everything was properly aligned to my body, giving me some pointers to avoid shoulder pain while riding, and letting me know that I could just pop in anytime for adjustments. All in all, a great experience at REI, so if your bike needs a bit of dusting-off or if you're in the market for a new bike, these are the folks you want to chat with! read more

REI - Where the magic happens - Sports Wear Near Me - North Bethesda, Maryland

2 stories. Big selection. Get there. Bought a jacket. Other items. Get there. Park across the street in garage. A little bit of street parking. read more

Love this store, been going here for ages... They always have what I need, and the shoe associates are always SOOOO accommodating when it comes to helping me find the right fit for my shoes.. I have wide feet and the woman there helped me choose the best fitting shoes for my feet, I know I would have chosen the wrong fit if I was looking on my own and would have regretted it long term... lol The store associates there are really friendly, give me space to look if they're in an aisle where im looking at things, and always ask me if I need help without being overbearing, they're always so nice and I appreciate that The only annoyying thing are the types of people that come in there sometimes that walk super slow, or stand in high traffic areas looking at stuff... and the lines can take some time if you go at certain times..... lol read more

Best bike shop in Rockville. It's a great store for outdoor gear but don't sleep on the bike shop. Not a lot of great options nearby and they are highly trained and helpful. They sell everything also. Prices are comparable to normal bike shops too. Sometimes even cheaper. Be a member it makes a difference. read more

REI in general stands as a unique creature: it's an aging, but still kind of hip outdoor store that is also a co-op. This particular store is smaller than most, but usually has what you want and the staff are knowledgeable and friendly. REI invokes so many mixed feelings for me. On the one hand it's a co-op, which is great, but on the other hand they've moved (like most outdoor brands of yore) to being more commercial at least half about fashion. On the one hand, I used to go there all the time as a kid and love it, but on the other hand Zappos and Amazon have mostly replaced that kind of shopping for me. On the one hand it's great to be able to walk into a store and try things on, but on the other hand the prices (unless they're clearance) are usually much higher than you'd pay online. With all of that, I don't come to REI nearly as often as I used to, but I still go there regularly enough to have a membership which I earn actual dividends on each year. As I introduce both my wife and my son to more outdoor stuff, it seems like we always end up here to explore the broad array of options. read more

I've visited the old location once before the move, fairly underwhelming and was never acknowledged on either floor of the store. I was there to see their GPS watch selection, specifically the Suunto Spartan Ultra. A expensive watch....I walked around for a while on the top floor, figured it must be downstairs because I don't see it and no one for me to ask....went downstairs...the same but I didn't find it.....it's in a locked display so I admired it from behind the glass and left because of no acknowledgement. Onto the new store, I have to admit I've never been a REI fan because of its reputation of being a high priced store for things you can get cheaper online and/or elsewhere. But I needed a headlamp for night running and didn't have time for online order and delivery so I took a drive to the REI store...saw it was abandoned. I did a look up in Google Maps and saw it moved down the pike...cool. I get there and see it and parking is clusterF! Totally inadequate for the volume of customers they bring in on weekends but on the bright side you can just park in the parking garage across the street. It's paid parking but unless you're planning to buy out the store, the first two hours are free and that has always been way more than enough time to get in and out on my several visits to the new store. The new locations a lot more appealing than the old one and easier to find what you want. The floor staff is hit or miss but the ones who've been a hit have been spot on. As mentioned in other reviews the cashier situation sucks, they have about ten or so terminals but only 2-3 open...max! But there always seems to be an additional 5-6 employees behind there not taking customers and occupied with something else as customers wait in line. Luckily every time I only have 1-3 people ahead of me. On to customer service, generally on the floor associates won't really acknowledge you, usually the ones by the entrance will and those manning tables (probably because they want to upsell you). The cashiers are so-so, they aren't upbeat but aren't at the "hate my job and/or" you level but they do seem to want to ring you up and get you out (sorta a good thing). This store has a decent variety of things, wish it had much more trail running stuff, shoes are vary scarce in variety, as are hydration vests. Even compression sleeves were limited to only one $40 Brand. I'll be back as I need more trail running gear but hope their stock improves. read more

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Shoe section understaffed. Sales Associate at the register forgot to give us our receipt, so we asked if he could print it for us. He proceeded to talk about the membership program for the next 5-10 minutes, which I did not ask to hear about. By the end of his spiel, he said "have a nice day" and I had to ask him again to print the receipt because he forgot. read more

The hubby and I came in to pick up an online order sent to the store and also to make a few returns (I over-ordered). Although I was entranced by the sheer selection of goods, I don't really know what was happening at the cash registers. It took at least 10 minutes in line (with three registers open) and I kid you not (do people even say that anymore?) another 10 minutes to actually make the return! At least the cashiers were nice and apologetic. read more

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DO NOT SIGN FOR THE MEMBERSHIP!!! I signed up in October 2022, I am supposed to get $30 for online purchases and the next day I tried to make online purchase, they said that I will be getting my rewards bonus of $30 from my purchase in March 2023. read more

Great selection of outdoor activities needs. How can one not to like this store? And the staff is also very helpful.