This REI store is clean and the staff friendly. They seem fully staffed with someone easily accessible to answer questions in every department. This store has a large selection of things to purchase for outdoors. There is a lot to choose from with bike gear and repair. Replaced a tire for my husband's Cannondale wheel here. Service was fast. I always find something random to buy here. read more

I've been a long-time fan of REI. From my backpacking days to my keeping up with the kids as toddlers to our family adventures. I'm always finding something that I use in our active life. Here's what I love about REI - that when I'm getting ready for a trip and show up with a list, the person helping me will talk me out of some things and talk me into others. They give me honest feedback about what will work for the family and not try to up-sell me on other stuff. Example - I went to get new hiking shoes for the boys - because they're boys and outgrow everything overnight. I thought we might need boots with ankle support. The staff member suggested day hiker instead - which actually were perfect throughout the trip. While we're there we're talking about the socks the boys will wear and I happen to mention that I often get blisters no matter what I do. The last time I was there, the woman helping me showed me a trick to "lock" my foot in my boots by tying my laces a different way. It helped significantly but didn't solve the problem completely. The staff member mentions these socks that have the liner built in. I'm skeptical. Complete game changer! Again... didn't go in for new socks. Now I will never go back to my old hiking socks again. Hmmm.. wonder what our next family adventure will be. read more

First time ever visiting an REI (co-op) it's a really big store with everything luxurious any outdoorsman would need from shoes, even used ones to hiking, camping, biking etc. Even practical things I never even thought of as well overall I enjoyed my visit though the prices here are way out of hand but it is in a very upscale area. Overall as nice as the staff is, it wasn't the best experience read more

Great for anyone who loves the outdoors and a pretty wide range of sports. The products here are definitely on the pricey side but there are occasional sales items. read more

See all

Always quality products, staff is always helpful and knowledable. While they can be a little pricey, they always have sales but the products are quality. read more

Super annoying experience today. My wife placed an order online and for some reason, even though the email said it was ready they could not give me the items even though they were there on hand due to a technical issue with their system. Also, the manager was rude and basically made me waste an hour of my life for no reason read more

Wow they just opened Beautiful store excellent customer service. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. Mike was wonderful and very helpful. So excited that new life is coming to Vernon Hills.this is found in the new melody farms. They have a large selection of various sporting attire and equipment. read more

REI - Sports Wear Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

See all

If you like anything outdoors, then you already know that REI is tops for your gear and supplies. I didn't know that Vernon Hills had a new location in the new section of a busy intersection. This new shopping area has all of my favorite stores and I had time to spare and wanted to see what this REI had to offer. Right away, I was greeted as I entered by friendly associates who obviously cared about great customer service and not pushy obligatory fake greetings. The store is absolutely beautiful! I love hiking, camping, and pretty much anything outdoors and everything you need is here and well displayed. I really never knew just how cool some of the camping gadgets have gotten over the years. I started camping when it was a cheap tent and a heavy hot sleeping bag. The technology and ease of use in some of the new items I saw got me to want to plan a camping trip soon! Everything is organized well in different sections and I was overwhelmed by the quality and selection. This is close to my house and I will be frequenting this store. read more

REI - Sports Wear Near Me - Vernon Hills, Illinois

A gorgeous and well-organized store featuring high-end, comfortable, stylish and high-quality outdoor gear with a knowledgeable, friendly and customer-oriented staff in a convenient location! The staff will kindly order out-of-stock items under $50 to be delivered for free at the store. This REI is located a short walk from Whole Foods, Athleta and Nordstrom Rack. read more

See all

I've been an REI member since the mid 1990s, and have been to this and several other REIs. They have great gear, some good staff, and a nice looking store. The employees are coached to pitch the coop membership at every opportunity, so if you talk to more than one employee, you will hear the same pitch. It didnt used to be this way. When I wanted to look at raincoats, I found all the non store-brand coats had security devices on them that prevented you from trying them on comfortably. Once of the coats I wanted to look at required getting an employee to unlock it from the rack (and to turn off the annoying beeping). Once he removed the coat from the rack, he stood right there watching me try it on, not offering to remove the second security device that prevents you from seeing how the coat fits you. It made me extremely uncomfortable. I really liked the coat, but being treated like a criminal made me put it back. Oppressive loss prevention efforts and hard sells is not how REI used to operate. Its supposed to be a coop which means members are owners. It sure doesnt feel like it anymore. This store doesn't have as many classes, hikes, paddles, as other locations. Its a bummer because its literally right next to the Des Plaines River and Trail. read more

This is a great store. It's trends a little high-end for REI, although I guess overtime it has gotten more high-end and that's just the way it has gone. Yes it is a little pricey but the quality is high and it is fun to shop here. read more

The first person I dealt with in the bicycle/carrier rack area what's the rudest person I've ever encountered in that store. Dismissive, and bordering on just flat out ugly and rude. I ended up buying an SUV tent because the deal was salvaged by the Japanese gentleman who works in that same department. He's kind, courteous and well-informed. REI is not cheap, so a well-informed and courteous staff is essential in a place like this. I i've been a guide and outfitter and I know equipment quite well. But, I have found people at REI who know much more about certain things than I do. There's no room for someone like the fella back in the repair department. read more

We were super excited to check out the first store at Mellody Farms in VH. This was also my first visit to any REI and I was SO impressed! Great stuff - think jackets, caps, boots, bicycles, gloves, socks - just about everything you would use for your outdoor adventure. The store itself is wonderfully done. I was here on Day-2 after the formal store opening and despite heavy foot traffic, everything in the store was well displayed and maintained. The staff were always around offering solid inputs to the customers. I read somewhere that to celebrate this store opening REI invested $20,000 in the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves at VH. That resounds so well with their line of business. Additionally they had a whole load of fun activities, giveaways, product demos lined up which added to the buzz during opening weekend. Am very excited to see how the area shoppers receive the newest REI. Prices are steep - If you are an outdoor enthusiast with a love for high end gear then this just might be your thing. read more

Apparently this is a new REI store. We drove an hour to check out this location for the members garage sale. Their website says the event starts at 8am. We showed up at 8:30 and people are outside waiting. The store has a sign posted on the door that the garage sale opens at 9am. The corporate website shows all locations participating in this event starts at 8am. I'm not sure if corporate allows each store to vary the times, however in my extensive background working for large retailers on the corporate side, unless the store is Francis's owner, stores normally have to adhere to published event schedules to maintain consistency. In any case, we should have went to the Lombard location because it is closer and they probably opened the event on time. read more

Even this location is slightly further for me, on a mileage basis, than the Glenview one, I find this location very convenient. Hubby has taken up trekking and recently found himself in a lot of rain. He needed a really good rain jacket. I had some funds left over in my REI membership account and I was in the area so I stopped in to see if they had what I was looking for. They did! Three different styles of the brand recommended to me. A saleswoman saw me pondering the jackets and came over to help. She explained the difference in the three, (Still had to call my expert brother for additional advice) which was certainly helpful. Checkout was a breeze with friendly and attentive cashiers. Lots of parking available in the lot. read more

The prices at this place are absolutely ridiculously stupid and one of the main reasons is they have way too many employees working. I couldn't even walk in the door without getting mobbed by two different people so we are nice enough to ask for them to point us in the right direction and when we got to that department, there was three people waiting to assist us. I got so annoyed. I walked over to shoes to get away and there was three different people in the shoe department and within 25 seconds all three had asked me if I had been helped yet. Some people might enjoy that but sales pressure from eight people in a matter of three minutes was so annoying and then $80 pair of shoes cost $189. 6 people tried to sell me an REI membership that had no real benefits. Aggressive staff pushing expensive products and selling memberships. People buying stuff were just not strong enough or too polite to tell them to leave them alone. I wonder why I had never been before. Compare it to a free session at a gym and the sales pitch for a gym membership after. Many people don't have the backbone to walk away and end up with an unused gym membership. Most people walk away from REI with an overpriced so-so item and a paid membership they will never use. I did not. I will never go back. read more

Their people are knowledgeable, listen well and make recommendations. Their products are good, and customer service top notch. I've rarely not found what I need when I look for outdoor equipment, be it bicycle holders tents, ski accessories, stoves, etc. I sometimes see online competitors lower by a few dollars on commodity items, but to me its worth paying for their experienced staff and the convenience. Their COVID responses have been appropriately managed. read more

This is the closest REI to me and they always have everything I need. If not they help me order the right equipment. I have the REI membership and any issues within the year they always do right. Love REI! read more

NEVER, I'll say again, NEVER buy at Rei. Also, don't waste your time becoming a member because there no benefits to this. Bought Kodiak waterproof boots, they Leak. I'm past my REI warranty time. they won't do anything. Waste of money. The customer service was terrible! Man clerk at the front desk at Vernon Hills just looked at them and did nothing. It would have been nice if he had the manager check the boot. That's why I drove 15 miles there and 15 miles back. I just walked out mad. Lesson learned. Never REI read more

Wife bought two pair of hiking socks this Spring in anticipation of hiking in Yellowstone and the Tetons this month. First time she wears the one pair her toe pokes a hole in the sock. Took it back to REI. They won't do anything about it. Paid cash. Cashier informs us that without the receipt (who keeps a cash receipt for hiking socks purchased several months in advance of a trip?) they won't allow any type of exchange. Rolls out the tired, worn out, "Corporate policy" line. I'm pretty sure that's our last visit to REI. Buyer beware! And keep those cash purchase receipts!!! read more

Great except the prices, however you get what you pay for. Staff have all been friendly so far regardless of how ridiculous some requests are. read more