Bought my skis from them last year and come in all the time to pickup new gear, really great employees that know how to do their job and do it well! Especially happy with my experiences I have had with them at their downtown outfitter store! read more

Maybe learn to communicate and train your employees. We shouldn't get different answers on your own store policies from each employee. When we call ahead and mention the gift card we're using for the rentals, you didn't inform us we couldn't use one for rentals (a GC is a valid form of payment that should be treated like cash btw). Surprise! We arrive and suddenly our Gift Card isn't valid for rentals. When we called ahead, again to avoid any surprises, no one told us the rentals can't be picked up in downtown. We designed our entire float and drop off plan around something you could have communicated to us to avoid a Waste of time We now had to pay out of pocket when not planning to and had to drive all over town just to rent. Never again from this company. read more

I recently rented an inflatable tandem kayak from the river store. I will say I have had nothing but really good experiences at the store downtown. I was given the wrong pump and had to rent a separate pump from Bigfork. When I asked for a $15 refund to cover the cost of the right pump, the store manager, Henry, told me that he would not give that to me. I was actually kind of shocked by him standing by the fact that the pump had to be held down with another person to be. I will continue to use the store but never rent from them again. read more

We visited the Garfield location today to rent a couple kayaks and the person helping us hardly helped. He was not friendly in the slightest and we were clearly interrupting his slow time. We were hoping to rent kayaks and all that were available were self bailers with holes in the bottom. We asked for other options and he basically looked at us like we were crazy and said "well you're butt is going to get wet so you might want to think about that." He did not give us any information or other options so we left and rented from LB snow instead. They were much more helpful and gave us the boats we needed! Head there first! read more

these guys are so awesome. I needed to have my Cataract oars re-wrapped. if you've ever tried to find someone to re-wrap you rope on your oars, its tough. Even Cataract had difficult time recommending a spot to get this done. after talking to three other shops that say they re-wrap oars, a friend said to head over to the Trailhead. Great call! they took my oars right in and had them done in a week and a half. Can't say enough great things ...... read more

The clothing and goods you will find here will be very high quality and made to survive the outside in Montana. I enjoy shopping here very much but the items are quite expensive. The building itself is really cool and nature like. read more

Horrible service! Went in to buy a raft for Christmas and some jackass employee wanted to my mask Dad that I had on. You try a support local and you get crap service. NOT TODAY NOT EVER! Way to burn bridges with locals who try and support. read more

I've been considering writing this review for a while now. I'm stoked to see that the Trail Head treats the tourists so well, and I wish for the same for the locals that live and spend a lot of their money here. After multiple experiences with Trail Head employees in the past few months since buying my first raft HOT DAMN. The condescending nature of the employee interactions I continue to have has me trying to buy everything I need online, but that doesn't always work. I need help and I need advice. However, when I walk into the store to inquire about patch kits and necessary tools needed for replacing a D-ring I need a little more than what the employees at the Trail Head have delivered. When someone mis-informed me about a bottle of adhesive that I needed to exchange for the correct stuff I was told "we don't normally do that, how was it stored? Hmm...this stuff breaks down really fast I don't think it will be possible. Let me talk to the boat guy." Hold up...your employee recommended this product and even told me I could return it for store credit if needed. It ended up working out, but a friendly smile and "let me see if we can do that for you" would have been received MUCH BETTER. I got an eye roll the other day from a girl who was recommending PVC cleaner and I said that I would come back and get some if I needed it (I already had it), she insisted I needed it, I told her I had it covered, eye roll...seriously. I still shop here, I have to to get parts I need last minute. I simply spend an additional five minutes in my car steeling myself for the inevitable blow to my pride as an outdoorswoman that I will receive within your establishment. I don't know the best way to do everything when it comes to hiking/rafting/and camping, but the delivery of advice from your employees is abysmal. I would love to feel welcomed within your shop. Trail Head, If you read this I'd love a response. This is something that you have the power to fix. read more

Online shopping for outdoor gear is like having phone sex rather than the real thing. You really want to feel the goods in your hands first before taking the risk of bringing it home and then venturing out into the wild. Of course, Internet retailers like Sierra Trading Post, Altrec, Backcountry, or CampMor offer high-volume discounts, low sales taxes, and free shipping. As with book-buying from Amazon, gearing up the e-commerce way is all too easy to do. And for some things, that's fine. But places like the Trail Head have adapted and improved with the times. The staff obviously are a serious asset and know a lot about the inventory in stock. This is really critical for things like boots, skis, and more complicated backcountry supplies where price and brand are not always the best measurements of dependability and quality. But for things like performance clothing, from companies you already trust, the Trail Head's semiannual "gamblers' sales" are things to mark on your shopping calendar. Off-season items are discounted from 20-50% off retail, in a series of three rounds. You decide when to buy, gambling that no one else is interested in the same item and decides to blink first. Of course, it helps if you are flexible here in terms of colors and sizes. I've gotten Women's L Icebreaker socks when the Men's M were gone. And truth be told: they are the perfect fit. Esp. if you can wear S or XS Men's items (like Ibex gloves) or don't mind certain colors (a cappuccino brown Patagonia Nanopuff Jacket, 50% off the $190 tag, for example), then the gamble is totally worth it. I like the feeling of being able to walk from my apartment to the store, grab some gear that fills an unmet need in my outdoor repertoire, and then carrying it home in my own shoulder bag. No UPS or FedEx boxes needed: just me, the gear, and the Trail Head. A threesome, you might say. Hey - don't knock it until you try it. The "Trail Head," I mean. Why? What were you thinking? read more

After searching all over Missoula for a shop that not only sold alpine touring gear, but employed staff who were knowledgeable, we finally landed at the Trail Head. We walked in prepared to spend $200 or more on a new pair of Intuition AT boot liners and $60 on a fitting for another pair of AT boots purchased elsewhere. Matt was very helpful, knowledgeable and honest. Instead of bilking my girlfriend for $60 on thermo-molding she didn't need, he told us straight-up that if she skied them and they felt great then she shouldn't bother molding them. As for my boots, Matt took time to check the fitting and informed me that the boots I brought in were not the correct size for me (bought them used). Instead of selling me a $200 set of liners and "fitting" them with foam pads and expensive footbeds, Matt told me I might want to try to make do this season and look for a new pair of boots. After having HORRIBLE experiences at ski departments in shops in my hometown, I was very pleased that Matt took the time and attention to help us out, even though we more or less walked out empty handed. The service was outstanding and unlike the gearheads who work at some other shops, Matt didn't make us feel like idiots, and he saved us money. What more can you ask for? The only reason I'm giving them a four instead of a five is because they didn't have any AT boots in stock in my size. Not a single pair. That was disappointing, because if they had a pair that fit me properly there's a decent chance I would have bought them. A five star requires an exceptional experience, and while this experience was great, I wouldn't say it was exceptional. read more

I've shopped at The Trail Head off and on since 1993. I can't always afford new gear, but when I can, I try to buy there to support them and to thank them for the expert customer service over the years. Just recently, they opened a used gear exchange in the basement of the downtown location, and they offered the same assistance in helping me find ski boots as they do with new gear. I'm a single mom on an extremely limited budget, and I was able to get the last things I needed to get my family ready for ski season. Offering quality used gear makes snow sports accessible for lower-income families, and I'm so glad The Trail Head is making that happen. read more

First time in the store. The team was super helpful and spent 45 minutes with us selecting and fitting a new backpack. Selection was great and customer service was even better. read more

They sell great gear, but should not be in the people business! Horrible customer service!!!!!

We planned a last minute weekend to Glacier National Park and contacted Trailhead for rental equipment. They were wonderful in setting us up with tents , sleeping bags, pads, and bear safe cooler. When we got to our campsite to set up camp and got out all of the equipment we were very pleased to realize the condition and ease of use Of everything we borrowed. We Will not hesitate to rent from them again. Also, the staff at our equipment pick up going out and our dropping off when we came back from our trip we're all very kind and courteous. read more

Have to agree with Bradley N. on this. Online shopping doesn't give you the feel of the real thing. Shout out to Steen and John Anderson for helping out this Arizona girl. Thanks John for the great deal on Aire Kayak and accessories. No one there was pushy in any way. Loved my experience and love my Kayak. read more

I don't like pushy sales people but that said a little greeting would be nice. I wandered around for about a half an hour and gathered some things like maps and some supplies for an upcoming hike, but did so solo. As you can only imagine that an upscale outfitter would be, they feature top notch equipment, apparel, and accessories. When I approached the register they were super friendly and asked me why I was in town which was a nice gesture. I did notice someone outfitting with flies downstairs, and it being nearly November I found this to be odd, as the salesperson seem to mislead the gentleman that he could actually go catch something on the Bitterroot at this time of year. In any event, if you are downtown and like pretty outdoorsy things you will be right at home here. read more

You can pretty much rent almost anything here. The staff know their stuff too! I think for the most part their rental prices are good, but I was really surprised by how much it was to rent paddle boards. read more

Very helpful staff. I went in three separate times to try on the same pair of sunglasses that I was on the fence about. I always feel bad having staff unlock the cases let alone 3 times in a day. Each time they were happy to help and let me make my own decisions in my own time. Great selection of high quality goods at fair prices. read more

Nice, local, hole in the wall on the tracks with great ciders and one cool ass cribbage board. Hit it more than once so as not to make a bad call on any aspect. The 406 is crisp and dry and was my go to. The chile pepper cider was very epic and easily my second choice. Service is great. Not open everyday, wed-sat 3-9? read more

I highly recommend using this company if you're looking to kayak down the Clark Fork River! Not only were their rates very reasonable, but the staff was REALLY helpful. We didn't know anything about Missoula or the river, and they were super helpful about how to get to where we should put out based on the amount of time we had and the level of difficulty we wanted; and, they even allowed us to switch out the type of kayak we rented online for something different (the inflatables are really fun!) with ease. Their office is located downtown and you need your car to transport the supplies they provide you. Definitely enjoy a trip down the river, and use these guys. read more

Trailhead is the best ourdoor gear store in town. Their staff are helpful and have the experience to help. Their gear is actually geared towards what is needed around Missoula instead of the whims of a national retailer. Try going anywhere else to get your skis fixed in May. I trust this place whole heartedly. read more

Although the Trailhead stocks high-end gear, I find over and over again that their customer service is spotty and hit-or-miss. Sometimes I call ahead and ask if something is in stock, and invariably the staff persons says it is, but when I arrive there, the item is not in stock. I have also talked with staff while at the store who respond to me with pat answers, as if they have not really listened to what I am asking about. I suspect that the management of the store does not focus on teaching staff about basic principles of customer service, but I don't know if that is the case. REI staff, despite working at a box store, have offered absolutely excellent, consistent, kind customer service every time I have entered the store. I would prefer to patronize my local business, but I have been treated so much more respectfully at REI, that from now on I will shop there. So just a buyer beware: if you know what you want and aren't looking for great customer service, by all means, shop at the Trailhead. If you want consistent customer service as well, go to REI. read more