Great selection of outdoor gear, tents, holiday gifts, etc. I've bought all I need for my backpacking trips and found gifts for the holidays for family. Staff was kind and the store seems to be ran much better these days than before. Definitely will be back!! read more

I was so excited about finding this local outdoor store last week. Great clothes, outdoor equipment, boots/shoes, etc. Bought two shirts, and knew that this was going to be my new outdoor store - goodbye REI. But now, I won't be back. I brought the shirts home and washed them - One button fell off. Brought shirt back to store with receipt to exchange. They told me that they would send it back as a warranty complaint and it would cost ME an additional $10! Acted like they were doing me a favor. First time I have ever had this happen that a store does not stand behind what they sell. I decided to take the shirt, find thread that matched and sew the button on myself. Great store, bad customer service! read more

We came here in preparation for our trip to Antarctica and needed essentially all clothing for the trip and this place had it all... especially some of the harder to find items (like those made of 100% merino wool). Anything you need for cold weather is here! If it kept us warm in Antarctica, it can keep you warm wherever your travels may take you. Staff was great too and led us right to the items we were looking for. All in all it a great place, but the deals are few and far between, so be prepared to pay full price (comparable to any online merchant). read more

Great customer service. Went in to get fitted for a pair of ski boots for an upcoming trip and the young lady who helped me was very knowledgeable and helped me find exactly what I needed. read more

I've been doing lots of walking during Covid. So much that I wore out my old hiking shoes and wouldn't you know it, they don't make that style anymore. I have wide feet so it's harder to find just the right toe box, plus I want them to be waterproof, too. I'd never been here before, but someone recommended them to me. I spent way more than I had planned, but I left a happy camper. It seems that the shoes have to be the right height around my ankles, too. It they are too high, they rub and that 's no fun. I had someone suggest I wear them for 3 months to make them comfortable. Sorry, but I don't have time for that. My saleswoman had a shoe that felt really good on my feet and she was very pleasantly knowledgeable. Turns out one foot is a little bit larger than another so I still need to find a different shoe, but the service I got here was excellent. Highly recommend. read more

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Good assortment of outdoorsy gear (as the name would imply). It's one of the only places in town that has a decent selection of Patagonia gear -- they even have tiny jackets for kids. I came here late-season {almost everything was picked over} -- I will definitely return for a new coat here later in the year. read more

The Benchmark Outdoor Outfitters - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

Replacing shock cords in tent poles is a miserable task... but Benchmark did it 0 complaints for $10 service fee + cost of cord. Otherwise I would have had to buy a brand new tent ($$$) as my current one doesn't have replacement poles available through the supplier anymore (it's 8+ years old). Staff here are so friendly and knowledgeable!! Plus they just gave an old tent a few more years of life, so I'm very grateful. read more

got a waxing and edge sharpening on my girlfriends skis for only 25$. Great people and great price!

Even though they are a bit pricey, remember that they carry higher QUALITY supplies. I love Benchmark! They must train their employees - very knowledgeable when looking for backpacking gear. I also shop there when I am having trouble locating something. They have a huge selection for a small store and the customer service is stellar especially compared to Sun and Ski. They are also located somewhere EASY to access. Plenty of parking, safe access coming in and going out, Definitely a hidden gem in the big city! I think I am changing my 4 to a 5, for the same reasons I gave NO in Milford a 5: I am giving them five stars for their customer service and the quality of the products we purchased. I would additionally award them five stars for their store appearance and the manner in which it was maintained. read more

A true hidden gem. We had to hunt to find it but were glad to have taken the time to locate Benchmark in Blue Ash. This outdoor's store was well stocked with all the needs for hiking, camping, climbing and skiing, including gear and clothing. We went looking for a new pair of hiking boots after visiting REI and being disappointed in the service and selection. Benchmark's Doug was a seasoned outdoorsman who knew all there was to know about the selection of hiking boots they carried. He took the time needed to help us select the right boots for us, giving the benefits and drawbacks of each pair and guided us through the selection process. Couldn't have been a better shopping experience. read more

it looks like the hats they sold is made from high quality materials genuine Formosa that you couldn't find anywhere.If you were to find hats of top quality materials the closetest you'll get is man made.that's it read more

I had never been in here until recently and am kicking myself that I didnt go sooner. I heard that they had recently added a skiing section, as a nearby retailer had closed, so I came in to look for some gear! From the moment I walked in, I was shocked by how much larger the inside is than it looks from the outside! I was quickly greeted and received nothing but awesome customer service from everyone I encountered. The gentleman that helped me with ski boot shopping was over the top knowledgeable and is a true asset to this store. They have a great selection of so many things outdoors and I kept finding more things to look at! I'll be honest, I spent a huge amount of time in here! I purchased a pair of ski pants and will be back for so much more in the future. I'll be saving up for the dream ski boots I tried on! This outdoors girl gives an A+! read more

Went in for a small backpack and a pair of 5 finger shoes. The staff was very helpful and even called multiple locations to see of the backpack I wanted was available in another color. Was blown away when the sales guy matched the amazon price. With the five finger shoes the sales guy sized me and helped explain the different types. I had him get me a bunch of different sizes and colors to try and I never felt like he was impatient with me at all (I would have been). All in all, their prices are at market or a little higher, but I'll always go in there first before buying something because of the service. read more

A comparison with the new REI store in Cincinnati. Now that REI is open in Cincinnati I'm sure the question will come up - what can Benchmark Outfitters give me that REI doesn't? The good news is - a lot. I found that Benchmark is stocked with more higher quality camping gear than REI. For the stuff I was looking for (titanium cook set, lightweight camp fly, and Leki trekking poles) Benchmark had them in stock and REI did not. I've found that REI stores typically don't stock some of this higher end gear (despite it being on their web site). Another huge plus is the staff. I've been really impressed with the quality of staff at Benchmark. They are experienced with the gear that they sell. REI is hit-or-miss with this quality of staff. For this niche - Benchmark Outfitters is as good as it gets. The bad - Benchmark Outfitters do not have the variety of clothing that REI does. They also don't have any biking equipment. This is *not* their niche. If you want high end backpacking and camping gear - Benchmark Outfitters is the place to start! read more

I'm an REI guy, but since there aren't any in this neck of the woods I thought I'd swing by. They did have a nice selection of Vibram running shoes, but the sales associate didn't really have any experience at all with sizing shoes. He just kept saying "I don't really know how to do that" in response to finding how far my toes came forward in the shoes (since you can't bend over and see for yourself). The sale associate in the tent section was knowledge-able but too intent on "selling" me and not answering my questions. The take-away: lots of stuff to look at, but I wouldn't rely on help. read more

There is a decent selection of camping supplies and necessities. Things are a bit pricey. Good location when you're in a pinch.

The employees don't work on commission. They're just helpful and informative! They aren't pushy. They have great tips and make a great effort to get us the gear we need for our adventures. We've had impromptu demonstrations of camp stoves, water filtration system, proper boot fit, anything we have a question about they are there to answer! (even when it comes to places to go and things to see) I am we'll aware that I can save a few bucks ordering some things online or going to rei but nothing comes close to the service, guarantee, and personal shopping assistance that I get shopping here. I can only imagine the number of boots I would have shipped back and reordered before I found the more narrow fit that I needed. They have helped us make a few important decisions when we were unsure about a gear purchase and they've been right on every time. My favorite place to shop. read more

I didn't expect to hear back on my complaint about their returns policy, but I was very grateful that someone contacted me to discuss my concerns. This was months ago, and I feel a bit bad for not updating my review earlier, but I've had a slipped disc and the last thing on my mind has been footwear for hiking that hurts too much to do. I was planning on returning the boots per their updated returns policy, but before they contacted me, I had already figured out a cheap fix for my numbness problem, which was just to unlace the boots and re-lace them a bit further up. This solved my problem, and made me feel somewhat of a jerk for complaining when there was a simple alternate fix for my issue. I actually am pretty happy with the boots now that the laces aren't cutting off my circulation. Hopefully, I'll get my back issues under control before springtime, so once I wear these out, I might actually return to Benchmark for replacements (and have an even better update than 1 additional star). In the meantime, I am really grateful that my customer concerns were addressed. For me, that was an unexpected reaction, and I really appreciate that level of good customer service. read more

I love this store, good quality items, decent variety, helpful salespeople............BUT, (and that's a big butt) they only have small and medium sizes. Hardly any large, and God forbid XL sizes. Dont they know that fat people like outdoor adventure too? read more

An awesome place to get outdoor gear. They have great deals and a fantastic selection. It's family-owned, and the staff are very friendly and knowledgeable. Will be coming here many more times! read more

Great service! They helped us with refitting our roof rack in the scorching heat! So friendly! Love their personal touch. Highly recommend them for all of your outdoor needs. read more

Drove all the way from chillicothe Ohio to buy some Yakima roof rack extensions to receive the worst customer service, I was even greeted with a "what do you want" and rushed out. Even brought up the attitude with the sales guy and he just shrugged his shoulders. Terrible business. I recommend going elsewhere read more

They dont even carry a full inventory! All three times I've been there they've told me they dont carry what they said they did and I had to order it to be shipped to the store and go pick it up a week later. And if you ever get a gift card for their stores, forget using it online. read more

Very pleased with a surprise experience with this store. I had ordered many clothing pieces online and when my package confirmation shipment came email, I noticed Benchmark sent the delivery using UPS Carbon Neutral Shipping. I utilize online shopping frequently for purchasing and this was a first! I had to look this up on the UPS website. Basically, it is an option businesses who are concerned with the impact of mass shipping on the environment can take to minimize the effects of CO2. I am aware of the commitment Benchmark has toward global sustainability and was pleased to see this extra step. Thanks for your commitment. Update: My experience here just gets better! I continue to be blown away by the commitment of the staff and their knowledge and expertise. I was needing gear for my son and my boyfriend, who are at opposite ends of the experience spectrum in ability and cold tolerance for snowboarding. My boyfriend loves the Icebreaker components that were suggested he purchase, my son is breaking new barriers with his new equipment. The expertise and knowledge at this store is so appreciated! read more

I've been going here a few times a year for the last couple of years. Last time I was there, I had been at the new REI looking for an ATC. REI was completely out of stock, and the parking lot was insane in that mall. So, I headed north and went to Benchmark. The keep their climbing pro behind the counter, but when I asked no see one of their ATC's, they said I could come around the counter and look at them. The sales person was very helpful and I ended up getting an ATC with a locking beener (instead of buying the two separately) I'm not going to say I will buy all my gear from here, as much of it is so much cheaper online, but I am willing to pay the increased prices for that kind of service. read more

My son and I were in the store yesterday to look at snowboards and Northface pullovers. We had some questions about the different boards and the way my son snowboards. Erin was the sales associate that helped us and we were very impressed with her. She was very relatable and knowledgable. She really knew her stuff. I really appreciated finally having a sales person who actually uses the products they are selling and can give personal endorsements. That's so valuable to me. Next, the Northface clothing. My son's girlfriend remarked how the store's warm and cozy atmosphere makes it exciting to shop for warm and cozy clothing like Northface pullovers and jackets and she's exactly right. I found them to have the same pullovers that the other stores have, and comparable prices, but also a few unique items we hadn't seen before, and those were reasonably priced as well. My 20 year old son tried on a non-zipping pullover and stated that it was "the most comfortable thing" he's ever put on in his life! I would give this store a 10 out of 10. I love the atmosphere, I love the brands the store carries and the different colors, and I mostly love that the staff actually knows their products because they use them! read more

I've been coming here for 20 years. It's the best outdoor store in Cincinnati. There are bigger places, but none with the high quality items they carry. The staff is helpful and friendly. I like REI as much as the next guy, but this is always where I start when I am looking for something in particular. They're first rate. read more

Have bought a couple packs and various gear from these guys. I pay the extra money to get the knowledge they have about the outdoor products and also get to support local. Nothing beats a real human being with experience that just wants you to get what you need not just pushing product off on you. I have gotten honest answers even when it didn't work in there favor. read more

My family has been going to benchmark for years. We buy all of our gear there as well as shoes, clothes, and everything in between! Compared to REI, they have plenty of selection in brands such as Patagonia, Chaco, and north face! (Some of our favorites). The service is much friendlier as well! It's a great local business I recommend to all! read more

Great selection of outdoor gear and knowledgable staff. I probably buy 4 or 5 items a year there, which doesn't sound like a lot, but the quality of the merchandise is very good that the items last me for ages. I also think it's important to support my local businesses as much as possible. Additionally, they offer hiking, backpacking, and camping classes for Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. We recently had an outing there with our Brownie troop and the outreach coordinator set up a program for the girls. It was really informative and interesting. The girls loved it! I saw a bad review earlier about the customer service. I've never personally experienced bad service at Benchmark, but I would encourage the person who had the problem to contact store management instead of complaining to everyone she knows. Having worked in the customer service industry for 20 years, I can tell you firsthand that small businesses depend on word of mouth and care about their customers. Contacting store management and reporting the bad service, will be much more effective at correcting the problem than blasting them on social media. read more

Expertise is worth the premium prices. These guys know their stuff. Always willing to help and never pushy. They staff well

This store has such a great variety of product. They offer Marmot, The North Face, Arcteryx, Patagonia, & lots more. The store staff is very knowledgeable and can help you find what you need for any outdoor activity. This store is great for hiking, climbing, and snow sports essentials. An associate by the name of Alexa Grau works there and she does such a fantastic job of effectively promoting the store! This is one place you need to stop at before taking that next adventure. read more

My wife and I wanted to get good quality hiking boots this Spring and we tried all of the usual outfits we could think of first and were not getting anywhere very quickly. Bass Pro Shops had a decent selection, but the salespeople really didn't seem to know much about the shoes they were selling and we wanted to ask questions about fit and waterproofness and socks and backpacking and etc. REI (great to have one now in Cincinnati) actually had less selection and though the folks selling shoes were a bit more knowledgeable, it was still unsatisfying with the number of customers there keeping us from getting any real attention. We even looked at Dick's, but same issue. Good shoes, but nobody to answer questions. We learned of Benchmark Outfitters from a friend with a Scout group. We tried them out and they were great. The folks on staff there helped us both get fitted correctly and all of our questions were answered by folks in the know. Would highly recommend Benchmark for anyone who is thinking of getting into hiking, backpacking, or climbing. Custom attention and information for about the same price as the big stores. read more

Overall this is a very nice outfitters for backpacking gear. They have eagles nest hammocks (the best hammock on this planet) and a good selection of packs, clothing and gear. The prices are a little on the high side (what do you expect, it's kenwood) but the people here really know what they're talking about and they are very helpful and friendly. read more

Great store that carries quality outdoor gear. Knowledgable sales people and enough of them to have personalized assistance.

i'm very disappointed with my experience buying a pair of hiking boots from Benchmark Outfitters. I bought these Ahnu boots because I am going on a hiking trip and need ankle support and protection from rain. After wearing them for a while at home with no problems, I tried them outside on two different short hikes. Both times I had pain in my right foot causing me to limp. I tried different inserts and still no better. I took them back to the store and was told that they were "worn" and could not be resold (the uppers were pristine and the soles slightly brown). I asked if they could return them to the manufacturer but was told no. Zappos and Fleet Feet will take back shoes if they do not work for you; this seems an outdated policy. These boots were expensive and now I cannot use them. I have made other purchases from Benchmark before, mostly clothing. But now I will be taking my business elsewhere. read more

The people at benchmark are awesome! They were so patient with me today while trying to figure out which Patagonia hat I was supposed to pick up for my daughter for her boyfriend! We took photos and narrowed it down - meanwhile - the extra time I spent there allowed me to shop for me too, and i purchased two north face zip ups for me! The colors are gorgeous! Thank goodness benchmark is right in my neck of the woods, so to speak, in blue ash! I'll definitely be attending their ladies night in October! read more

Thanks very much for the help with my order - I really appreciate your going above and beyond!

Amazing place, I come here all the time for all of my outdoor needs. The staff members are so friendly and knowledgable, they really take their time with you and go above and beyond to help you find what you need. Mo H said it best. Love this place! read more

A great local source for expert knowledge and quality gear. I'm sure I could find similar equipment online but when it comes to knowing what to buy and how to fit, you gotta go to Benchmark. Also, chat with them about your adventures. They have a genuine interest and helpful tips to help you get excited!!! read more