Snow Peak Store

For anyone not familiar with Snow Peak, it’s a Japanese company that specializes in premium camping gear and boy do I mean PREMIUM. As a proud owner of a Snow Peak plate, green spork, and now Ti-​Double mug with collapsible handles, I can attest to the durability, lightness, and portability the titanium material can provide in Snow Peak’s simple, elegant, and efficient designs. I can also confirm these items are not cheap so thank goodness for Oregon’s sales tax exemption laws.
This Snow Peak store was the only Snow Peak store in the United States until a couple of months ago and while small, features all the Snow Peak stuff, as well as other products campers and clampers would want to enjoy Mother Nature in style. On both occasions I was there, I was helped by friendly and knowledgeable staff.
While you would better served by going to an REI or a Big 5 as a one stop shop for all things camping related, it’s clear that the items the Snow Peak Store sells aren’t items you can find anywhere and are worth checking out in person.

I’ve spent thousands of dollars on snow peak products in both the Tokyo and Portland stores in the past year. I’ve generally liked the products but have never had reason to return or discuss a defective item.
I am not impressed. I purchased a pair of gloves that wore through the thumb within two weeks. Quite surprising given the price. Even more surprising is the Snowpeak policy on returns.
I brought them back to the store last weekend. The guy working was nice but he was new and did not know how to handle the exchange. He confirmed they were in stock and took down my e-​mail and phone number. He blew me off and never did anything about it.
So I returned today and discussed the same issue with a more experienced clerk (Wyatt). Wyatt was completely dismissive of the issue and refused to
make the exchange. He seemed like an annoying guy generally, so perhaps I just had the wrong guy.
His recommendation was to e-​mail the company and show them a picture and maybe they would respond. The gloves were actually in stock at the store and refused to resolve.
Good products at a very high price, but absolutely no commitment to the quality of the products. Bummed because the stuff is cool, but I can’t
justify further purchases with this policy.

My snow peak headlamp needed some service so I mailed it in, and they sent me back a brand new one no charge! Super friendly and helpful, no hassle. Megan was super nice. Great company and helpful employees-​thanks Snow Peak!

Summary: horrific customer service policy. Details: Some of their products are great – I have quite a few – and the designs are cool, but their folding coffee cone does not work – the bottoms of the filters blow out. They are aware of this problem. After my purchase and having discovered the problem, I returned to the store to attempt a return. They convinced me to try some troubleshooting. I followed their suggestions – different size filters, different brand filters, folding the filters, but to no avail: still left with most of the grounds in my cup. Finally, I went back to the store (third trip back) and asked for my money back, or at least store credit. They refused on both counts, all the while admitting that the design has problems. On both of my visits the manager was out «getting food,» and while the poor automatons left staffing the till were able to reach her via cell phone, none of them could see the wisdom of standing behind their product or maintaining me as a customer.

High end Japanese camping gear store. My husband has been getting their beautiful catalogs for years but it’s nice to touch & feel in person. Very cool modern designs but pricey. You do find yourself wanting everything in the store so that you can be the styling camper.

Store is fun to visit and the titanium products are great. Tents don’t work even setting up though. Tried to set up two with four people and struggled with two different tents. Drove 150 miles one way and was very disappointed they had not even attempted to set up the tent I had called about so many times that week. It was apparent the tents I tried were never set up, in Japan nor Portland because the poles did not fit, so I drove home without.

High-​design camping? It seems a little contradictory. But Portland being the living contradiction that it is, it’s no surprise that Japanese-​made Snow Peak has centered its first US store and US HQ here in PDX. And when it comes down to it, the idea isn’t as contradictory as you think.
Camping products are among those that benefit most from high design concepts. Maximizing functionality while minimizing space/​weight is essential to enjoyable backpacking and camping. And any help we can have leaving no trace is appreciated. The products on sale here are not cheap, but they seem to be of the quality that will last forever. Everything from cups to stoves to shelters to clothes. Tables, folding chairs, cookware… they have it all. They even stock Nau clothing and some sweet backpacks. And lots of ingenious lighting devices. So very cool.
I am super excited to drop back in here and do some serious shopping. My first visit was just to quickly browse. I will likely break my wallet next time I drop in.

I was so excited to see that Snow Peak had a store in Portland and it was «just open» while in town for a business trip.
While the Snow Peak website has fantastic photography and magazines like Outside and Backpacker have rave reviews on their products, it’s great to be able to see actual product before making a hefty purchase. This is the place to do just that!
Great lighting and cooking products. Not everything is made for backpacking, but it’s nice to pack in «luxury» items like a titanium cup and silverware on a trip. Other products like shelters, furniture and grills are perfect for car camping.
$ 60 copper head hammer? I want one.
I could truly spend a fortune here.

Snow Peak. Japanese Design. Outdoor Gear.
There are huge segments of Japanese manufactured goods that never make it here. Tokyu Hands is the classic hardware department store, and there is a whole district devoted to wholesale Japanese hard goods. They are your Japanese source for elegantly designed everyday hardware and household items. Great if you can visit.
I have admired this company from afar and now they have come to Portland. Snow Peak makes camping stoves, lighting, tables, cookware and shelters. They have been doing pop-​ups in connection with Nau and now they have decided to open their first USA retail store.
They do have some unique items like titanium sporks and straws. Even titanium hip flasks. Their backpacking and camp stoves are beautiful. The retail store hosts some compatible lines, like Nau and Zeal.
With the current exchange rate between the Dollar and the Yen, their gear is expensive, but well made and light weight. It will easily last a generation or two and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it become collectable, like Dieter Rams’ work for Braun or Eames. Most of their products would be suitable for car camping, not backpacking. It’s well designed but not precious. Let’s hope they have an influence on some of the outdoor cluster companies here.
And like many outdoor companies they are creating a narrative around their products:
, an idea pioneered by Yvon Chouinard’s company.
Cool camping stuff and a design inspiration, from Japan to Portland.