MEC Winnipeg

US citizens do not go here! Your money is no good. Had about $ 80 in merch. Asked if I could use US currency because I was short on Canadian money. They refused to sell me items unless i signed up and paid for membership. Pass on this place

I came by here today with my lovely old Raleigh DL Tourist bike and had it checked over while I walked around and shopped. Alot of people don’t know how to fix these old three speeds and so I usually end up just doing the work myself but it’s fun to let people look them over and check them out. I would definitely bring it back when one of their specialist bike guys was in for sure, tho, for a quick tune up.
Bought some neat things, including a great MEC knapsack/​open sack sort of bag that goes over your shoulders but is also open at the top. Anyway, it is a great idea and I stuffed all my purchases into it and heading back out on my bike. Way better than having odds and ends of bags hanging all over me.
Because I read ahead, I knew that parking would be a bear and so I parked way across town and rode along the river into town. This is a neat store with really amazing bike and camping things, I was really impressed. And the prices are very reasonable. I like their ethos and their mission and being able to order online and have it shipped is also very cool. Canada is a great place and people are very friendly and polite, this neat store sort of reflects that for me — good quality things at good prices. The idea of a co-​op is also awesome. You pay the membership ($ 5) and then you are a ‘member,’ since it is employee and customer owned. I don’t know all the details of course — you will have to ask them for yourself !! :)

I’ve always pass by this store always wanting to see what’s in store. Today was the day I actually had a reason to go in.
I called ahead of time asking where I can park, a female associate stated that I can park at the parkade between Ellie and smith ave. As long as I buy something over $ 10 then they will reimburse my ticket. Now I thought it was a sweet deal considering that it’s located at the heart of downtown.
For the first time I go in the store and asked a female associate where I can find the Vibram shoes. She replies «it will be upstairs where the shoes are» so I go upstairs and right away looked for what I was looking for. Now, I needed an associate to help me get the shoe size I needed. I had to walk around the second level TWICE to find their associate. Finally found a female associate and asked for my size, and had given it. She walks away to wherever she went to. I then had to look around to get someone to get me another pair in men’s. I found someone and asked a size 11 for vibrams. She had taken a look and gave me 45 and says «I think that’s 11».
I went back downstairs to pay. I asked the female cashier at the front if 45 is a size 11 in North America she replies with «I don’t know». I also showed her my ticket from the parkade and she asked for my phone number and gave it, she then stated that she couldn’t find my phone number. I was confused. She asked me if I was a member. I had said no. She said «you have to be a member to qualify for parking reimbursement» I said «oh? No one had told me when I called earlier». She replied with «are you going to sign up for a membership?» I said «does it look like I have a choice?» She hands me this piece of paper and said here you have to fill that up. I was pretty upset on how she had used her tone on a customer who has never been there before.
Anyway, I googled it the size and decided to go a smaller size from 45 to 44 (which was the size 11) then said to her «you know what, I might have to change the size to 44» she replied with «ok». I guess I was used to going to Sport Check, footlocker, etc that they would say ok give me a sec and I’ll get it for you. I then replied «so do I have to go up stairs then and get it? «she replies «yea» with a «DUH» tone to it.
Furious, I go back upstairs and had to find their employees again! Five minutes later I found one. Asked her again if 44 is size 11 she said «I guess». That was it I just wanted to leave the damn store.
Went back downstairs and was rung through a male employee and asked if I’m just going to carry two boxes of shoes or buy a bag and I had chosen not to get one and just left.
And oh, they never told me that there was a $ 5 dollar fee for the membership.
It didn’t feel like I was there for an hour but apparently I was since I had to pay extra $ 1.50 for the parking. Maybe I was there for over an hour… looking for their employees.
This has been the WORSE customer service ever. I almost wanted to just return my purchases and my membership because I don’t think I’ll ever come back. Don’t get me wrong they have pretty neat things in there if you love the outdoors.

It took me a while to find someone to help me with some hiking equipment, but at the end a female employee came and served me. At least the store here is in downtown and not in the middle of nowhere like in Montréal.

What a great resource to have, especially for cyclists — knowledegable people in the bike shop! The MEC strategy is to carry a selection of the best stuff for the best price. You know what you buy there will be high quality at a fair price. Whether you’re a hardcore outdoor adventurer or an urban sort who needs some useful gear, MEC is the best.

This store is great. I went here to shop for a picky person for Christmas and a sales girl was on me right away asking if I needed help. She walked with me around the whole store talking to me about every product I asked about and answered every question with a smile. Their products are great and durable! Service is great and the products they sell you last!

Have quite a bit of my camping gear from here, it is good stuff. We also have our coffee mugs from here and they are good at keeping it warm. Speaking of keeping warm have brought some of the cross country ski winter wear here, what a difference proper gear makes. Will be going back to get more.

Is MEC one of the greatest stores on the planet? Probably yes.
Travelling with something from MEC, marks you as a smart person that knows how to locate decent kit at a great price. I have had conversations started with Czechs with uncles in Canada because of the MEC tag on my Adventurer backpack.
BTW Adventurer backpacks last ten years of heavy daily use. I am on my third in three decades.
You have to buy a five dollar membership but that card is a mark of honour — I knew friends who would use their parents card since the membership number was in the low hundreds nad was viewed as a mark of prestige. My membership number is only in the five digit range. When you get a co-​op membership — it is not a loyalty card, it is you stating that you care about the Canadian Wild Places and want to be part of a group that does something about it.
This place not only sells socks to keep feet warm (really good socks) — it does projects to improve your karma and make your soul better. What other store improves your Karma?
It is located in a tricky part of Winnipeg for parking and such. If you head down the street next to it their is a carpark. Ask at the tills and they will give you a free parking voucher. Better Karma and Free Parking — do you get where I am going with this?
So, I challenge you — go to MEC and do not buy anything. Try and leave with picking up something. I doubt you can. If you live in any place that requires you to wear clothes — MEC can outfit you properly. And if you do live in this naked paradise — they will have guides to tell you where to go where clothes are required.
Finally the staff are great. Knowledgable people, who do things that you are buying kit for. The guy selling climbing gear most definitely climbs — in MANITOBA. Do you know how dedicated you have to be to climb in Manitoba. The kid has to find a bloody hill first!
So go — get stuff — come back here and thank me.

I love coming to this store. Despite the lack of parking around the area, it’s definitely worth the trip down here to stock up on gear.
In my travels, I’ve certainly had my uses for my small shoulder bag (under $ 25) — it carries all the bare essentials and can be looped around a chair in case you‘re worried about theft. Or you can just wear the bag in reverse so you can keep an eye on it. My husband always gets stopped at work often because people just love his little black bag. They‘re always bummed out that you can only get it in Canada.
The clothes are perfect — durable, portable and affordable. I‘ve purchased at least two skirts here and they look great! Pants and fleece fit nicely too.
Backpack and sleeping bag purchasing is a breeze with all the great help around. All of the employees are seasoned campers and outdoor enthusiasts and have tried most of the products. They‘re a great help when you‘re not sure what looking for.
My only complaint about this store is the selection. Compared to the outlets in Vancouver and Calgary, they definitely stock less merchandise than the other stores. Still, it‘s great that they have a outlet in Winnipeg.

I came here to select a birthday gift for my boyfriend. I had no idea what I was going to get him, but thought that by browsing MEC I would have an idea.
The staff were EXTREMELY helpful. The minute they saw me cluelessly walk around, I was asked if I needed help. I told her that I was looking for a gift for boyfriend who likes camping, and I was thinking about something gadgety, but useful for camping. She thought carefully, and showed me one of the strap on head lamps which she explained to me how it would be useful when camping.
It was affordable and super useful!
Next I went upstairs, where the same thing happened, and someone was there to help me right away. I told them, again this is a gift, but I dont want to buy any regular old t-​shirt. Something that is unique, and useful, and practical that no other store would have. Her first instinct was to show me the 100% merino wool shirt and explained to me why it’s good.
After a couple of jackets and shells, I settled on the shirt.
I was really happy leaving store because I came him not expecting anything, and came out with awesome gifts!
I would say MEC is also another one of those trap stores that everything you see could be cool and useful. Especially if you’re new to the sport or activity, and want new gear!

Great place to find clothes, packs, travel gear, accessories for camping, general travel, sports etc. The staff are really friendly and helpful especially the staff in the packs section. They help you figure out the best pack for your body size, usage, etc… and they fit you too.
I found that their travel accessories are definitely cheaper than other travel shops around the city. Also, a decent bike accessory section. They generally carry their own MEC clothing line so you won’t likely find the more recognizable outdoor brand names here.
Since it’s a co-​op, you just need to sign up as a member for $ 5 (lifetime membership) but like most places you can just use your phone number instead of carrying their card around.
The one thing that sucks about this place is the lack of parking! It’s located on Portage and Donald so it’s only limited to street (meter) parking. And there’s no street parking allowed in that area between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm weekdays. I saw a banner that allows free 1 hour parking if you buy more than $ 10 worth of stuff at an Impark lot somewhere on Smith. Not sure which lot that is but obviously I didn’t spot that sign until after I circled this place for 10 mins!