This store has pretty much everything you want in a mountain sports gear shop. Climbing, skiing and boarding of all types and used gear to boot. The staff have the knowledge and the patience to deal all manner of pursuits and abilities. I was having a rough day a few weeks ago and let my attitude get to me in the shop. Service was impeccable despite me being a bit of a grouch. I rented an alpine touring setup for the weekend, the skis were phenomenal and the boot fitting was perfect. Stoke levels were over nine-thousand. So here's why Ascent gets 5 stars. I was treated with respect and understanding despite being a jerk. The gear was cheddar, and the people working the shop got a lot of know-how and not a lot of attitude. Most importantly, they're willing to work with you and hear you out if your situation is dire. Next level service over there. read more

Great stuff! Knowledgeable staff. No Attitude! They don't push the more expensive stuff on you. I love that they have used gear too . I've gotten new and used and am always happy. Their Groupons are Killer! read more

I`m still not being sure if they are scammers or not - an unbelievably weird store I must say. I`ve decided to purchase an Osprey Kestrel Picholine Green Backpack 48l on their website during the Black Friday Sale with a price of 135usd. Received no notification of shipment for several days, so contacted them on a chat - was told that an item gonna be soon in stock and will be shipped. Nothing changed after a week, instead, I received a message stating that my order can`t be processed due to "Shipping address being 4569 miles away from the location of the IP address" with an offer to pay one more order, this time 180usd - which I immediately denied. Afterward faced a complete ignore both from their chat and email till I contacted them on Instagram stating that this story would be posted everywhere it`s possible. My money was finally returned on the 10TH(!) DAY. As a result, I lost an opportunity to buy that Picholine Green 48l Osprey Kestrel in any other store during Black Friday but at least managed to snatch my finances from their paws. I would advise you to never buy here, so as not to lose neither your money nor time. Especially case there is an opportunity to get the same item in another shop in a few dollars difference. read more

I had an amazing experience coming into Ascent this weekend. It also just so happened to be 20% off all throughout the store. Every worker was helpful and kind. I had the greatest help getting my starter kit for climbing/bouldering without the judge mental stare, glare, and rolling of the eyes. (I apologize for getting your name but it was the dad of the amazing dog that was hanging around.) Thank you for a great experience and I am glad to have found a place that I can support local business and not have to go to REI! read more

I still haven't had the bike shop do any work for me, but they are helpful and decent in person. Be patient on the phone even if they seem less than helpful. Once I was told on the phone that pulling a crankset could take a day or more. In person they are fine. read more

Finally! A place that doesn't look you up and down when you walk in the door and decide if you look like you're going to spend money before they'll say hi or answer any of your questions. I went in here with some questions about my new-to-me bike. The bike specialists were eager to answer my questions and didn't treat me like a chimp with a wrench just because I have a vagina (but seriously, this is a common problem in Seattle bike stores). The entire staff has a really friendly attitude, and I'll definitely be back here to nurture my requisite PacNW gear-obsession. read more

I searched high and low for a great bike shop with a trustworthy wrench (mechanic). It took me awhile to find, I even resisted going to a clothing and gear store for my bike needs. I am glad I finally went. Aaron is a fantastic mechanic. Prices are fair. And he stands behind his work. He doesn't try to force you into something you don't need, he gives it to you straight. He also helps you plan and budget for the future. When my bike needs more than I can give it, I go to Second Ascent! read more

One of the cheapest places to get your Gore-Tex. Great outdoor store with knowledgeable staff and a good selection of New and Used outdoor clothing and gear. The only thing I don't like about this place is the fact that they don't sell snowboards, unless they are split-boards. read more

This is my favorite outdoor gear store... I still to this day use and wear gear i got here YEARS ago for insanely cheap prices. There are going to be some times when you can't find the exact right size of one particular item, but that's cuz they get used and factory seconds, and dont have a huge warehouse. But what they do have is a really nice owner who means well, and a friendly and mostly knowledgeable staff, which means they know the activities they do well... and I've gotten some good ideas/recommends from several of the staff. Bottom line is this: you go to REI to kick the tires and see what's available, then go to 2nd Ascent and find only the better end stuff you were looking at for cheaper This is a place I will continue to support. read more

Man this store is great. It's amazing how much they can pack in the size of the store they have. I'm not one of these "support your local store" types, but for Second Ascent I actually am. And most of it is even cheaper than REI! read more

Fantastic staff - knowledgeable, patient, and candid. I'm not sure why people are complaining about staff attitudes - I've always found everyone to be sincere and helpful and willing to spend a considerable amount of time answering questions. If you're new to mountaineering/ski-mountaineering or climbing, they are fantastic at walking you through what you may want to consider before making a big purchase. Other benefits: - unlike REI, the staff are pretty hardcore and know the gear exceptionally well - great selection of used gear - seem to have sales on a semi-regular basis - mountaineering rentals - open until 7pm on weeknights - local business - and they always have patagucci base layers on sale! read more

I went here about a year and a half ago to buy some hiking boots. The salesperson spent a looooong time with me helping me try on practically every boot in the store. He helped me pick out inserts, taught me how to tie the laces best, and honestly didn't seem to care if I bought them or not but only if I found shoes that worked for me. I was hesitant because I couldn't find any used or sale shoes that worked, but I know my feet can be difficult and I wound up going with the whole set-up he gave me. I can now say this guy knew exactly what he was doing. I haven't gotten any blisters from these shoes, they are a treat for my feet, and I don't regret the large purchase for a second. I would trust them with any of my outdoor gear needs. Lucky for me they are frequently featured on Groupon and Living Social :) read more

Very helpful staff, great prices! I'm basically starting from scratch on mountaineering gear for the basic climbing class with the Mountaineers. I came in to Second Ascent with a big list and lots of questions, and left with a lot of high quality items and honest advice. We spent a long time looking at mountaineering boots, and I mean they were trying so hard to find something that would be perfect for me - switching out insoles, socks, even lacing my boots for me. We got close, but nothing was quite perfect and they stressed the importance of not settling on these boots - they even called around to other stores to see who had similar boots in my size (the man at Pro Mountain Sports, on the other hand, tried convincing me that the first pair I tried on would work. "Spot rubbing on your ankle? It'll break in...") I applaud the staff here for being so knowledgeable and honest. I'm in Tacoma but I can't wait to make the trip up to go back! read more

Great shop for your outdoor needs. They especially great when they have their sales! Knowledgeable staff can guide you to the right product whether it's for climbing or skiing. read more

Most of the times when we come in they don't have what we need. When I came in this past weekend, they had what I needed but for more than the item costs online. Street parking also recently went from free to metered in this area, so just head to REI and get everything you need in one stop with free parking. read more

I bought my Kona Dew Plus here 5 years ago, and sporadically bring Mr. Bikeypants in for some TLC. Ahh, the whisper-quiet of shifting gears on a freshly tuned bike! And there's a Chinook Book coupon, so you don't have to spend *all* your drinking money on your ride. read more

Great place to find hidden gems for a fraction of the price. They have a lot of 2nd hand products that are practically brand new. There is also a good selection of new gear as well. From the time I walked in to the time I left there was always someone within ear shot to help out. Everything from hiking, climbing, biking to ski gear. It's definitely worth checking out. read more

The service I've gotten at Second Ascent is always honest, down to Earth, and accessible. The staff is really knowledgeable and seems very passionate about what they offer, with general outdoor gear, climbing stuff, and a full bike shop. This place is my go-to for outdoor/bike retailers in Ballard, and it's a staple in the neighborhood. read more

This was my first time ordering (on-line) from Ascent. Jake was super responsive and followed up with me via email during my buying process. He even adjusted my shipping cost when the system did not. I originally ordered from Ascent because of the price but also received GREAT service! I would definitely order from them again. Michael P (Chicago). read more

Really helpful, knowledgeable employees that will take their time with you even if the store is busy. Great selection. Definitely like this store. I'm knocking it down to 4 stars because A) parking in the area is atrocious and B) the hours are not great. read more

Fun place to find some equipment! Found out via a coupon site where we got a discount, so we went by so I could get a new pair of climbing shoes. The selection was ok, and the staff was friendly enough. Parking on the street was tough, so I realized that we should have gone earlier. Good experience, and certainly somewhere to consider buying equipment instead of going out to REI. read more

My visit here was a blur. I knew I had to get out fast or I'd spend a lot more than I intended to. This store sells new and used climbing and bicycle gear but I was there only for the bike related stuff. I bought a slightly blemished (dime-sized hole) pair of 3/4 length MT biking shorts for about a quarter of the MSRP. Had I lingered, I would have picked up gloves, leg and arm warmers, and who knows what else. The store was busy. I didn't need help, but despite the number of customers, no one was standing around waiting to be served. I just wish there were places like this closer to where I live. Parking around the store location is tight but transit is readily available not too far away. read more

Second Ascent is a great local outdoor place that sells not only new, but used as well. I have bought hiking boots, various outdoor clothing, presents for all outdoor types, and used their bike repair services. The used items are decently priced, but it tends to be on the pricey side otherwise - take advantage of their sales and occasional Groupon deals! And they let (leashed) dogs in - which is a plus for me. I usually have someone offer assistance, but to be honest, I can't ever think of a time that there was a female on staff - they probably have female staff; I have wanted to ask female input on about bike and outdoor equipment but have not had the opportunity to do so- I will be keeping my eye out in the future, so when I do see one elusive female staffer, I will ask for expertise.... read more

You come here for the customer service, and customer service is what you will get. Super knowledgeable, friendly, and helpful staff. People who actually do the activities, have expertise, and are happy and willing to answer questions. Not necessarily what's for sale, but, in their opinion, what works the best. They will work with you, before, during, and after sales. Perhaps not the cheapest place to get some things, but their customer service more than makes up for it. They do have sales, coupons, and such at various times, though. They also have used equipment. For people who are into mid and high end stuff for their activities, this is a great place. read more

Cool idea! They have some really nice, lightly used sports gear. read more

Brought my teen son here to buy rock climbing shoes. They have a decent selection here and we had the nicest kid helping him. He tried many shoes, some new, some used, and they really talked a lot about what his needs were and with growing how much to put into something now. They had a return policy that was very liberal...up to a year to return unused or get credit if slightly used. Encouraged my kid to wear indoors to test out. I felt like they put a good amount of time in for my newbie teen and we appreciated that. read more

The bike service, at Second Ascent, is fantastic! Isaac and Aaron know their stuff for sure...always helpful and very friendly. My kind of bike shop. Thank you! read more

I came here to get fit for AT ski boots, and could not have been happier. I knew very little about these boots, except that I knew that I needed to find a shop that was good at fitting boots, and these guys were great. I wish I could remember the name of the guy who fit me, because he was awesome. He was patient, listened as I rambled on about what I thought I wanted/needed, and never made me feel like an idiot for not knowing everything about AT boots. It was April/May when I was going, which ended up being an awesome time to buy boots - I was looking to not have to spend too much money, and not only were most of their boots on sale, they also had some boots from previous seasons which had even better prices... so I got an awesome deal. There was no reason I couldn't get boots from a few seasons ago, and I SO appreciated getting a better price. The guy who fit my boots, in addition to being patient, was clearly very knowledgeable about the topic. I had come in to get the boots pretty close to closing time, so there wasn't enough time to do the heat molding, so he told when the best times to come back in to do them would be (i.e., times when he knew the store would be less busy). I didn't need a receipt when I came back in to do the molding, and they said that if I ever had a problem with the fit, to just bring them back in and they'd help get things to fit better. What excellent customer service. The store in general seems to be pretty great, though I haven't delved deeply into other parts of it. The staff were always friendly in making sure that I had been helped, and were the chill and down-to-earth sorts of people you want at an outdoor shop. I very much appreciate that they are locally owned, and also that they sell some used gear. Definitely a place to which I will be going more. read more

THE PLACE FOR XC NORDIC OR SKATE SKI GEAR IN SEATTLE! I'm fairly new to Nordic skiing and needed some help navigating all the gear. I quickly found that there are simply no other stores in Seattle that actively carried Nordic equipment. Luckily, these guys rock and were very helpful in explaining ski sizing, and binding/boot/ski types. Ultimately, I came out within my budget and received excellent customer service! Thanks Second Ascent Crew! Matt S. read more

Great experience at the bike counter!! Since I'll be moving in a week and couldn't wait to get a tune-up (they were pretty busy)-Andrew was kind enough to do a mini tune-up for me in just a couple of hours!! Awesome!!! Thanks guys! They also have great 2nd hand gear. Definitely check this place out for your outdoor treks. read more

Second Ascent is one of the reasons why living in Seattle is awesome! The staff is extremely knowledgable and friendly. The store holds many after-hours presentations with raffles and beer on climbing, gear clinics, mountaineering, etc, which is free of charge! There selection obviously isn't as vast as REI, but I always check here first for their amazing deals. I bought a pair of hardshell pants that retailed over $400 for less than $150! Sometimes they have items here than I can't find anywhere else, even online! I recommend this place enough! read more

so this place is pretty legit. I was looking for a place that would mount my telemark skis which I assemble various parts from the depths of craigslist. Customer service was awesome as I was greeted by a mountain man who looked the part. Heck he couldve had a fake beard, but that was the confidence I needed to trust him. Got my skis back a week later and they look perfect. I imagine this is what is is like when a clueless gm just grabs whatever old washed up veterans and talent they can from free agency and then telling the head coach to make it work. Second Ascent made it work. read more

I found this store when looking for snowshoe rentals. I mentioned I'd never snowshoed before. The pair I rented kept coming unbuckled and I was lucky not to have gotten more than a muscle strain. When I dropped them off I was told it was because my boots aren't bulky. I had also not been told I may need to carry the shoes and should have gotten a hook for bag for them. I guess this place is great if you are already super outdoorsy, but if you're a beginner don't go here. read more

I cannot gush enough about this store. I have suited up for bicycling, snowshoeing, and general Seattle drizzle-ness here... all for a fraction of what new items would cost at REI or similar joints. The staff are nice, knowledgeable, and helpful... and they won't kick you out if you're there just before they close but really need to find X because you need it the next day. I wear my Patagonia wind shell practically every day of the year (going on 2 years now), and I paid $45 for it. I got a cycling rain jacket for a bike trek for under $30, with a few dark marks on it but perfectly functional. The good deals go on and on... read more

I've been in and out of Second Ascend about 2 dozen times in my ten years here in seattle. I have always had decent customer service and over the years I've found some pretty cool stuff there too. This past week, this store taught me 2 things I didn't really know before. 1. Just like my breasts, my left foot is larger than my right foot. Who knew! 2. Second Ascend has mad customer service skills. They showed me courtesy and promptly attended to my needs when I returned my first pair of cycle shoes because they were too small. When I left I had a pair of shoes that worked for my needs and I felt well cared for too. Thanks read more

I had a couple of items I needed and had a Groupon from a few months back so I made the trek to Ballard. I'd been here before a couple years ago, so I knew how small the place is, but I was hopeful that I could find what I needed: Bike Fenders Waterproof Gloves that weren't too bulky Micro spikes Neck Buff/Gaiter and some window shopping on a few other items. The reason I'm giving it four stars (it'd have to literally blow my mind to get 5) is because of Isaac in the bike department. I have been in the restaurant industry and sales for 14 years and this is my first Yelp review. I know that all too often the positive reviews go unwritten. Isaac was by far one of the most helpful, friendly and genuine people I've ever encountered in retail (and I'm pretty sure I was dragging him away from the service department). He showed me around the bike department and gave me a few options for each item I was looking for and asked a lot of questions to figure out what I really needed versus what I was looking for. After telling him I'm just getting into the sport, he recommended some good resources to learn more and get me involved. He did this all in a very relaxed, disarming manner, and I ended up buying a few essential items I didn't actually have on my list. Aside from having great service, the bike department has a wide variety of parts/clothing from a few companies. Other than that, another attendant I spoke with didn't have any suggestions for the gloves and they were sold out of spikes (my fault, first snow in the mountains will do that) but were set to receive some middle of the following week. I ended up finding some suitable gloves (Pearl Izumis) in the bike gear area and they had a few options for neck buffs, but not the style I was looking for. Overall, a great little shop to find the specialty gear that you can't get at the bigger stores, a decent selection of used clothing and gear, and you get to support the little guy! read more

This place has been my go-to shop for years and years now. From bicycle parts (ordered or new, or used) and cycling gear/clothing, jackets and shells, to camping supplies, climbing gear, or even just a pair of warm socks- Second Ascent always has what I need in stock (despite the fact that it's a lot smaller than most shops). If they don't have it in stock, you can order it and the turn around time is unbelievably fast. Most of the staff has worked there for several years and they are all active outdoors enthusiasts with serious experience. They really know their gear, and give honest tips and recommendations based on their years of experience (something you can't always find at places like REI). It really seems like they're family, and not just employees. I can't say enough great things about this place. Long live Second Ascent!!! read more

I quite like this place although over the years their second hands goods selection has been much reduced. But since I really like Ballard and enjoy shopping at their location I do recommend them. The staff is generally very knowledgeable as well and helpful so this place should definitely be considered when shopping for your outdoor gear and clothing. Plus, being in Ballard also makes it convenient to stop by the farmers' market or a coffee for a good Ballard Avenue experience. Stop by. read more

I bought my bike here a few years ago and the staff was incredibly helpful and patient with the process. I wanted a bike for recreation and the occasional ride to work but was pretty oblivious on what kind of features I wanted. They explained the different features and helped me weigh the pro's and con's of each. I never felt like they were trying to make a sale. I also rented snow shoes and poles here, they were affordable and they let you return them the following day without an extra day charge. This is the place to go for outdoor and recreational gear. read more

Top flight service and gear, solid deals, good people. This is my local gear shop and my local bike shop. The collective uses the gear they sell, personally, so you'll find experienced staff here to get you kitted. Plus, the folks here are way rad. Specifically cycle mechanics/gear techs Aaron and Isaac. These guys have fixed my bikes on the spot when busy, an hour before the race, a couple of times. Because they knew it meant me getting out there or not. They've worked with the manufacturer to warranty my parts that are beyond warranty, and have diagnosed and fixed challenging problems aiding me in keeping my gear in check. Professionals. Second Ascent Rocks. read more