REI – Recreational Equipment

Lots of high end hiking/​camping products with some other sports selections. It is generally overpriced by 50−70% I’d say. Plan early and shop online for much better deals

Just the right amount of customer service! I appreciated getting the help I needed, but plenty of time to browse on my own.

Love this store as much as all the reviewers who love it for the same reasons. However, it is still pricey. Some items, of a manufacturer they don’t carry, are much more reasonably priced for the same or better quality. The location is great and they have me returning, but when I find equal items with a much better price, I get a bit ticked. Do not try to get help during one of their sales times. Too busy and not enough time to get knowledgeable help. Other times are good to shop; get the info and then shop during the sale. The return policy is terrific!

I like the stuff the store carries for the most part but the customer service is horrible if not non-​existent. The only time I was approached was when I was almost the last person in the store and the person gave off a strong vibe that she was only asking me if I need help because she thought I was stealing something, and it made me very uncomfortable. I have spent a lot of money in this store simply because there are very few options but at this point I avoid it at all costs. Also, bought the REI half dome tent and they will not replace tent poles, even if they break because they sold you cheap crap. Which will definitely happen if you shop here. Good luck

If only there was another equivalent outdoors shop around, because I absolutely dread going to this REI. From the moment I walk into the store I am being hassled by employees. They hover over my every move trying to make a sale. Even when I say I do not need any help or I am not interested in their membership cards they won’t leave. I’ve been to this location many times and it’s always the same story.
I only go here as a last resort now to look at expensive items before I buy online from a nonREI store. I won’t spend money in a place that makes me feel so uncomfortable, which is a pity because I could probably spend hours wandering around otherwise.

Love this REI. Great location, helpful staff, and great products. It’s of course expensive, since it’s REI, but you know it’ll last.

i went into REI not knowing just how pricey a good womens weather resistant coat would be, i was disappointed to see that they run around $ 200. After wandering around for a bit a blonde saleswoman came up to me and asked what sort of price point i was looking for– and what i would need the coat for. i told her i was going to colorado in february and man oh man was she helpful, i wish i had gotten her name. she told me that the womens coat that i had my eye on (which was around $ 230) was also available in the kids section! im pretty small and there werent any XL kids in the store (which is a womens small if i remember correctly) but she filled out a product request form and had the jacket ordered online and sent straight to my house! free shipping too! AND it came in just two days, and fits perfectly! and it was only $ 80.

REI has been a great store for me so far. I have only been there three times, but I am apart of the Co-​op. I love the Co-​op return policy of you can use the shoes for up to a year and still return them if you don’t like them. They have great sales, customer service, and a good selection of stuff. I have yet to do any of their classes, but I plan to do two or three this summer and will do an updated review in a few months :)
They have camping, running, yoga, shoes, dog athletic stuff, hiking, backpacking and more merchandise. Check this location out and or the one up North by Whole Foods Gateway. :)

I absolutely love REI. They’ve always got lots of great gear for you and I always find something that I don’t really need to leave with but still get great use out of. They are a bit pricier at times but the conveniance factor of instant use makes up for it versus ordering online.

It’s too bad the employees rival car salesmen because otherwise, this store is a great resource for most things outdoor related.
Each time I come in, there’s a slew of employees hunting me down, saying hello and almost immediately diving into their membership sales pitch.
Even after explicitly stating that I’ve heard about the membership/​benefits and no I’m not interested, they still continue to try and sell me and… why god why?! Please make it stop!
I’ve even had more than 2 employee come back about 10 minutes later saying, for example, «I see you’re looking at this $$ item. You know if you got the membership, it’d totally be worth it» while unsuccessfully attempting to shove one of their little yellow sales slips into my hand.
It’s interesting to notice how consistently less friendly/​helpful the employees are after I’ve (politely) said I’m not interested in joining. For example, I was looking for a medium sized backpack. I showed the employee a few examples as well as specific features, sizes, etc. I was looking for. Instead of showing me his suggestions, he decided to lecture me on how I used the work «day pack» when I should have said «back pack» because according to him, his idea of a day pack was a few liters smaller than what I was looking for.
Are you kidding?
He then proceed to show me several backpacks that really were nowhere near what I had asked for and also conveniently ended up being some of the most expensive options.
Another relentless saleswoman did a wonderful job at not answering my questions but instead, found a creative way to tie everything she said back to trying to get me to sign up. She ended up being the one to ring me up and tried to get me to give her the phone number of a friend who has a membership, even though she said they’d get no credit because I was purchasing a sale item. Dear god, lady!
There are very few stores to have Pavlovian trained me to develop mild anxiety when nearing the entrance because I subconsciously know what’s about to ensue.
This REI is one of those stores.
It’s too bad because I like the store, but for now, I think I’ll be sticking to online shopping where I won’t be bombarded with sales pitches or lectured on semantics.

Terrible service. Rude employees. Attempted to get help in the shoe department on ³⁄₂₉. Employees turned their back on me and ignored my inquiries.
Too bad you don’t realize that income comes from the customer’s wallet.
See you never. Adiós.

Great service, knowledgable staff. Was told a registry item was in stock, when we looked that was not the case. Staff confirmed with us that it was not available and helped us order online. We opted for a gift card. One star off for the inconvenience.

This particular REI location is rather small and always seems pretty gutted on things like hats and socks. When I can I try to pop in here and get some new smartwool PHD socks since they give 10% if you buy 3 pairs. They have an insane amount of clothing and I’m always surprised by how much they have in here. The tent collection is pretty small but you can click and collect online.

Just can’t find too much to complain about here, at least not at the downtown location.
One of the things REI has going for it is that the people who work there actually know what they’re talking about so you’re getting a lot more than just product — you’re getting product knowledge. A long time ago, in a galaxy far far away all retail was like that — the salespeople knew shit.
Those days are as gone as a 2014 calendar.
But REI is a throwback: the sales people are avid cyclers, campers, snowboarders, et al., and are only too happy to help you.
Stopped in today for a return — the online warm-​up coat was a little too snug (that’s the manufacturer’s mistake, not REI’s) and the transaction was quick and painless.
Do yourself a favor — shop REI and leave the bland big boxes behind. You can thank me later.

I come here for all of my outdoor gear needs. The people who work here are really friendly and knowledgeable — from helping me pick out a sleeping bag to multiple backpacks and even clothes and various gear, all of my questions have been answered every time. They don’t upsell me on any item, regardless of if I’ve mentioned a budget. They help you to find the gear that is best suited for your specific need — for example, when helping you find a sleeping bag, they’ll ask you where you plan on going — warmer weather destinations don’t require a sleeping bag with a super low temperature rating and will be much cheaper. Super useful information.
I’ve purchased several things that were REI brand and they are all very good quality items. I mean, you would hope so, due to the price, but I’ve never been disappointed in my purchases and everything holds up well with time and use. It’s not like going backpacking through the mountains is easy on your gear, so it’s pretty important that this stuff holds up well.
I feel like REI also frequently has sales, which helps with the sticker shock some might feel. (Seriously, though, camping gear isn’t exactly cheap, and you really do get what you pay for. Still, it is nice to get a deal on something you already planned on buying.) It’s always nice when you see that you just saved about $ 80 on a sleeping bag and about $ 70 on a backpack. If you feel that something is just out of your budget, wait a little while and it will probably go on sale. Especially pay attention to when REI does their holiday sales — so many great deals. Oh! And, if you’re an REI member, you have access to the REI outlet and you’ll learn when they have REI garage sales, ensuring you have access to all the best deals. I know I’ve also been sent 20% off coupons in the mail on a semi-​frequent basis, which is also awesome.
I love REI’s close proximity to BookPeople, too, that way I can be sure to blow a whole lot of money every time I’m in this part of town. Just kidding! Even though it sometimes feels like that is the truth. If you need outdoor gear, REI is your place, just don’t be shocked when things aren’t at Wal-​Mart prices.

I’ve been here twice in the last three weeks, to purchase and then later today to return a bicycle rack, and the staff have always been friendly, professional, interested in helping me get the right tool for the job, and sincerely interested in my satisfaction. I’d joined as a member of the cooperative years and years ago and the sales assistant at the cash register entered multiple possible phone number for me with unfailing politeness to help me find my member number. When I returned the bike rack this evening because it was chipping away the paint of my car, the staff were understanding, sympathetic, and helpful. High recommends! This is the way customer service should be.

I can spend hours at any REI just browsing all the cool outdoors gear they have.
In fact going to REI is almost like going on an outdoors excursion somewhere.
They have really friendly reps who are knowledgeable and will give you their opinions on different options.
I tried on some Keen hiking shoes today and the lady in the shoe department sat down on the floor and tied the laces for me. That’s pretty good service.
If you’re not sure about buying, they’ll hold the item for you, 24 to 48 hrs depending on if they’re a clearance item or not.
They are on the pricier side but you get what you pay for.
But the best part about REI is, if you have the receipt or if you’re a member, you can return anything at anytime.

One of the staff members here spent quite a bit of time with me here on a backpack fitting. Really appreciated the service.
Prepping for a Thai trip. Tore it up during Labor Day sales. Usually hate the crap out of retail sales rushes, but this joint was not packed at all like the joints to the North were.
People aren’t buying off-​road strollers at this location like they are in Round Rock. That’s a good thing. Buy stuff here. If they don’t have it, they can put it on hold up north.

Large and clean store. I’ve never been in an REI before so when my friend said it was somewhat like DICK’s back home I had to go in and have a look at the outdoor and workout stuff.
I ended up buying a very reasonable REI brand light fleece jacket that I love. It was $ 50 when the comparable North Face fleece would’ve been $ 179. You can’t beat that!
They have outdoor stuff, bikes, bathing suits, workout clothes, warm weather and rain gear clothes as well as outdoor accessories.
Great location with plenty of parking near the heart of downtown Austin too.

REI always has a nice selection of outdoor gear. It’s pretty pricey for me. I had to stop in there because I had to get a long sleeve for a track workout. I forgot mine at home. I don’t know what compelled me to go there. I usually go to the Clearance racks where I can find great stuff than their regular price items. Just so you know clearance to them doesn’t mean cheap either. If you have the money to burn, then this place is for you.