If you are dressed app to be outside, being outside is a joy! Love their socks, shoes, pants, shirts, winter coats, etc Staff is patient, kind and wonderful! And you get discounts! read more

This outdoor sporting goods store just does it right. Back when I was climbing a lot, I used to hit EMS for all my needs, from chalk to carabiners. With the epic failure of attempting to rent kayak paddles at Puddle Dockers, we hit EMS instead. ¡IMPORTANT! If you read nothing else, read this. If you're looking to rent a kayak or paddles, look no further. ¡IMPORTANT! What would have cost us $20 a day (returned by the end of that same day) to rent from Puddle Dockers ended up costing us only $5 per paddle per day from EMS... returned by close of business the -following- day. You do the math. Plus, the store itself is huge, it sells tons of other outdoorsy gear, it's climate controlled, carpeted, and has funny, helpful (not to mention super hunky) staff. Admittedly, our sales associate had to figure out just exactly how he was supposed to check out paddles to us, but got it all sorted out with a little free humor and wit thrown in, gratis. Basically, it's everything that Puddle Dockers wasn't. Seriously. Catch my drift? [No pun intended on that last bit.] read more

Eastern Mountain Sports - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Honestly I'd have to give this place 5 stars just for the customer service alone. The staff member who helped us definitely knew his stuff and was super helpful in picking out shoes. Very patient, and took the time to explain the pros/cons of the different brands and what they specialized in. Did the whole foot sizing thing and everything too, which I've never experienced before. Fantastic selection as well! read more

One of the employees inappropriately put their hands on me. They repeated it even after I told them not to. I complained to corporate about the man and nothing happened to him. I received no apology from them. The man spoke with distain in a way that made it clear that he was either racist of sexist or both. DO NOT SHOP AT THIS STORE!!!!!! Do not put your money into support this company, particularly at this location!!!!!!!!!! read more

They probably sell great equipment, but their customer service is really subpar. I waited in line for about 10 minutes, with my arms full of items. Both clerks left the register to chat with other customers. Despite multiple eye contacts with store people, nobody came to ring me. A line formed behind me but it didn't seem to change anything. I took my business to a place that better values their customers' time. read more

Best staff ever. I purchased clothing and gear here for my first camping trip ever and the advice I got couldn't have been better. It's obvious that the staff knows the quality of the goods they sell-- There's a 15-20% discount on full priced items (or something like this) for college students so be sure to bring your student ID. read more

I was in the market for a new pair of hiking boots to replace my 10+ year old Hi Tec's that were still serviceable but the tread was getting worn. I went to Eastern Mountain Sports in Ithaca, NY and tried on a dozen different boots before settling on a pair of Keen Targhee II that fit my rather wide foot. Before making the purchase I asked about their return policy and the salesman told me, "You have up to a year to return them." I thought that was a pretty liberal return policy and so home we went. I decided to give them a good workout before a trip to Arizona where we planned to do some serious hiking in the Grand Canyon and Sedona. So we went to the Finger Lakes National Forest where I knew there were trails with some steep ascents and descents. What I experienced was that there wasn't enough ankle support and my foot would slide forward and jam my toes. It seems like they should be another inch taller with a couple of more lacing points. They also didn't breathe at all. The weather was cool but after a couple of hours of hiking my socks were damp. Not good. I really wanted to like these boots and did except for those 2 important issues. I took the boots back to EMS and told the guy at the checkout my story. He said that if I wore them then I couldn't return them. I asked him how I was supposed to know if I wanted to keep them if I didn't wear them. His answer was, I could wear them around the house but I couldn't return them unless they were in like new condition, in the original box with tags still attached. He offered me a 50% credit on another purchase. I didn't get the guy's name but he was about 5' 7" and had a trimmed salt and pepper beard and was wearing the smallish wire rim glasses that I've come to associate with Ithaca smart a$$e$. So, I'll go back to my Hi Tec's until I find suitable replacement and I have a pair of Keen Targhee II's in size 10 wide for anyone that wants them at 50% off. I won't take the store credit since I will never spend my money at EMS again. PM me at https://www.facebook.com/joseph.m.campbell.7 read more

EMS sells so much great outdoor gear. They've got clothes, shoes/boots, camping equipment... They're especially good for packs, with a good selection of camelbacks, daypacks, and backpacking packs. Prices are a little high but what they're selling is worth it. (Sometimes you can get a discount with a Greek Peak season pass.) read more

We recently bought a Kayak and Thule Rack and a few other related items at EMS. Choosing the kayak was a big decision and we had great expert help from a few of the people there. Matt and another person whose name I have unfortunately forgotten, were great in helping my wife and I to hone in on the right kayak and paddle. When we came back to pick up the boat and put it on the car, Eric helped with how to properly load and strap on the boat. Apparently he has had a lot of training from Thule and his expertise was obvious. They couldn't have been more helpful or knowledgeable. I will definitely do all my outdoor gear shopping with them. read more

I recently visited a EMS store. I am from Canada and am used to MEC and their products and service. I was finally able to visit a EMS store as I had heard great things about their products that were unique to them. I found the staff rude and dismissive from advice on a product or opening a change room. This involved more than one staff including the manager. One product I was looking for was a poncho and was told that I could't afford it. I think I will stick to Mountain Equipment in Canada and not go out of my way to shop for outdoor items again. read more

I purchase a new North Face NorthStar 4 tent from EMS. The tent was obviously stored incorrectly as the waterproofing was a sticky white goo on most of the surfaces and of course leaked. I spoke to an EMS rep and they provided a return label. I returned the tent on 7/18/2020. On 7/22/2020 I received a refund for $7.99 which was the shipping cost although I did not receive a refund for the cost of the tent, $549.00. Over the course of several weeks I talked to EMS reps several times for a status of my significant refund. Twenty-seven (27) days have passed and still no refund. I again call today, 8/13/2020, the rep said it would be another two weeks. The rep said their refunds take two months to process, a ridiculous about of time. Of course, I requested the contact information of someone with the authority to explain the delay. The response was "I only have an e-mail address of customer service, I don't have anyone's name". The rep would not provide me that e-mail. I finally got a name of her superior, but that person was in a meeting. I left my contact information for a call back. I am hoping they redeem their self, but I have low expectations. Holding customers refunds is a poor way for a company to manager their cash flow. Perhaps another bankruptcy is on the way. read more

My jacket zipper became not sewn. I purchased the jacket over 1year ago and had NO receipt. It was an expensive 4-in-one jacket (with a reversible liner) that EMS does not make anymore. The manager let me keep my liner to my jacket and credited me $150.00 toward a new shell. I was able to purchase a better, warmer shell for only $100.00 and still had another $50.00 to spend in the store. EXCELLENT CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!!!! read more

My wife's North Face boots separated at the rubber molding and we decided to make EMS, where we purchased them, our first stop. I am glad that we did as the manager explained that the warranty was only 1 year and while he couldn't do an exchange. he did give us 15% off of our purchase in addition to the current promotion of 20%. She walked out with new boots and we are happy with the outcome read more