Purchased my winter coat here. Was glad to find that they had sales for many products and also student discount. Service was friendly. However, it seems brand and design options are limited. read more

I am thoroughly impressed with the outstanding level of service and product selection at Gearhead Evanston. Joan assisted me on both of my shopping visits and helped me make the perfect selections. Joan's depth of knowledge of gear and outerwear was impressive. She was patient and informative. Thank you and I'll be back to shop at Gearhead and I've been recommending the store based on my positive experiences in the past few months. read more

Conveniently located in Downtown Evanston. that got most the gear you want. Their hours on Sunday's are so so their gear is new and better read more

The lanyard broke on the goggles I wear when I ride my bike. On Monday I went to Gearhead Outfitters in Evanston and got just what I needed. I was greeted by an employee named Ally who showed me a variety of lanyards and helped me pick the right one. The lanyard is working great and I don't have to worry about my goggles falling off! Ally was very pleasant and helpful and I am grateful for her able assistance! Thanks Gearhead Outfitters and thank you Ally! I look forward to visiting again soon. Have a great day! read more

Uncle Dan's was an emergency stop since I was already growing frustrated with Amazon and their inability to deliver a running belt I ordered over a week ago. I expected my shipment from Amazon to arrive last Thursday and decided to hold out another day or two for my belt to arrive. I've got a race in less than 2 weeks and running with music is essential for me. I've grown tired and bored of running with only the sound of my heavy breathing and random outdoor sounds as white noise. Right now I just miss my playlist! My last running belt I owned broke on me because it couldn't carry my big ass iPhone (the zipper broke only after 2 months of use). So I wait hoping it will arrive... Monday rolls around... Still no running belt. I then, followed the usps tracking number and apparently it was last seen on the 9th in Baltimore with no location to follow afterwards??? Knowing this led me to believe that my package was lost in the mail. I emailed both Amazon and their supplier and they told me my order was in transit and that it should take just a few more days. Tuesday evening, I get an email from the supplier's CEO saying that my belt arrived and was asking me if I enjoyed my purchase and if they can get my feedback. (This is where I just wanted to grab the nearest pillow, push my face up against it and then scream into it!) I went postal at this point and couldn't take it anymore. First of all, I never received it in the first place and second, I don't appreciate someone lying to me saying that my product is in transit and will be arriving soon when it never arrived. So I demanded a refund and decided to send my business elsewhere leaving me in a pissy and unsettled mood. Queue in good ol' Uncle Dan's. I've heard much about the place but never bothered to go in till now. Before I went to Uncle Dan's i checked out their website to see if they had running belts that can hold the iPhone 6s+ and they did! Uncle Dan's has an impressive selection of sporting and outdoorsy equipment so I was definitely able to find what I needed here plus more. Another great thing is that the store is just a quick walk from home. Best part of it all was I paid 25% less than what I would have paid on Amazon so overall I was relieved and happy. read more

Gearhead - Running belt. Run tested. Nina approved. - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

Same store, new location. What's not to love about a store that sells Tilley hats and kayaks? Great customer service, a fantastic selection of outdoor apparel, and, now, a centralized location that's easy to access. read more

Gearhead - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

They have the cutest winter sweaters. Great selection of winter gear; hats, gloves and scarves to keep you warm. Everything is also very stylish so I don't look like an umpa lumpa in the winter! In addition the staff is very approachable and ready to help. Uncle Dan's is also dog friendly. My dog and Uncle Dan's have a special relationship, she goes in straight to the counter and asks for treats while I buy outdoor gear for our walks. I would not have it any other way! read more

If you have a passion for outdoor adventures such as hiking, camping or just like hangout outdoors, this is the place for you to get all your supplies to do just the thing you love. This one stop shop has all brands I love and more. I'm a fanatic of North Face jackets and had a few in mind, I stopped in and they had a large selection more than the North Face store around the corner in Evanston. I ended up picking one up. The customer service here is great and they are very knowledgeable with all the gear that they sell. Besides that, I love supporting local businesses and they been in Chicago for more than 30 years. To top things off, they gave me 10% discount for being a student (NU wildcard). read more

Stopped here quick on a layover in Chicago for some last minute gear I needed for a trip. Selection and store were both fantastic, and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. Will be back whenever I'm in town again. read more

Came here looking for a thermos to keep things insulated well. I will say that the one they got us was really, really good at what it does. It was little creepy how much the sales guy sold us on it (-1 star) , but it does work. It seems like a nice location with a lot of stuff, and they were having a clearance they day we walked in. I'll be back to check this place out again sometime, as I don't have much to say considering we spent about 20 minutes there. read more

I visited uncle dans while in vacation and they were very friendly and offered me help several times during my visit. They had great products from many brands and they had Decent prices. It's a cool local shop and they have a great selection for everybody. They had every thing from hiking to climbing to even kayaking the only thing is that I wished they were slightly cheaper but I guess they do need to make a profit. If you're in the area I definitely think you should check them out. read more

Gearhead - This is the hydroflask and sticker I bought there. - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

The 5 stars are for Steve at the Evanston location. He's a great salesman and a "thing of the past". Today's salespeople have no idea how to treat a customer. Steve was personable and very helpful, he understood exactly what I needed that would fit this particular occasion. Also, this store as someone mentioned is high end in comparison to when it was Uncle Dan's. They seem to have a cleaner selection of things, there are some items on sale but certainly not the same store. The experience with the salesman I had made me not mind the prices, there is a price to pay for personal shopping attention. There are times I have walked into the other location in Lincoln Square and no one even said boo! I will not give them or anyone who employees people like that my money, not in this day and age, I may as well shop on line then. read more

Honestly wish there was a no star option. Arrived in great mood looking for a rain coat. Stood at counter watching three male employees talk about meats. Went to the other counter where a man was helping check out a couple. This man walked away once we stepped up to pay and started to talk with the other three male employees who were located at the OTHER register. Needed to bang a metal tin on the counter to get the attention of the employee. He tried to be funny by joking about stealing the Patagonia rain coat. Purchased and returned this item. I will not be supporting a business that hassles you throughout the store and then when one is ready to pay, they gab about meats. Unprofessional and makes the customer feel ignored in the end. Hey, at least cashier helped me pay. The other guys just stood there. read more

The BEST outdoor clothing store in the US! seriously, I come from NY to buy my outdoor wear here. They have the best indie outdoor brands. The customer service is amazing and delightful. I can't say enough good things about Gearhead at its staff. You will find everything you need and more. read more

Very friendly service, competitive prices, student discount for NU students and a solid selection of items make Dan a great local shop. I've come here several times and have yet to leave empty handed. When looking for a new neck gator for snowboarding season the sales staff was very helpful in showing me and talking through the pros and cons of their various options. More recently, in looking at lightweight jackets, the sales team member was also very knowledgeable without being pushy, which I appreciated. Be sure to check around the store for the sale section; I've been tempted by discounted jackets and layers and usually they have most sizes available in each sale style, which is great. read more

5 stars for gear. 5 stars for staff. 2 stars for ladies clothing selection. Uncle Dan must be into the larger ladies. Size small and medium hiking pants and rain jackets were hard to find mid-summer - surprising, since most of the girls I know who hike and climb stuff have size small or medium bodies. Maybe they all got there before I did. I also got a flashlight that will hopefully be less breakable than my last one and some 30% deet bug repellent. Previous gear purchases (pack, cookset) have held up well! The selection is better for urban gear like fleeces and puffy jackets. 10% discount with Wildcard. read more

I'm always up for supporting a locally-owned store, so Uncle Dan's gets a plus just for that. And Kv G is not kidding when he says the staff is very helpful; I took my family in there when we went to visit and they seemed to know all the ins and outs of the North Face products my sister was looking at. Yes, there is a 10% student discount, but you can also get the discount if you can answer the daily question on the board - the day we were there it had to do with geography. Hint: there's a Barnes & Noble across the street. That's all I'm saying. read more

I really enjoy browsing at Uncle Dan's, but I rarely buy stuff here. Not really sure why, but I've only ever bought a few things here. Today, I stopped in because I bought a puffy down jacket from the Uncle Dan's downtown several years ago and the zipper is now malfunctioning. I wanted to check on the lifetime warranty of the product, because I could no longer find the brand online. According to the man at the door, who offered his assistance as soon as we walked in!, the maker of my jacket was bought out by Columbia. He said I could send my jacket to Columbia and they may try to replace the zipper. But, he also warned me that the last Moonstone jacket he sent back to Columbia resulted in very poor customer service on the end of Columbia. I'm really not a fan of Columbia, but I love my Moonstone jacket, even though the zipper is broken. So, I guess I'll take it to my local dry cleaner and see if they'll replace the zipper. It's just not worth it to send it to Columbia in the "hopes" that they'll fix it. I appreciated the heads up from the staff member at Uncle Dan's. I would have been really upset to send my jacket to Columbia, have them destroy it and "credit" me in Columbia apparel (which is what happened to the last Moonstone customer they sent to Columbia). read more

I love Uncle Dan's! The new store in Evanston is really nice. Not only do they have a nice selection of quality merchandise, they also have great staff. The staff is friendly and doesn't pressure you to buy anything. Also they are very knowledgeable about the products and will patiently work with you to answer questions and find the product that best meets you needs. It's a great experience. They helped me find a Cloudveil coat for winter....I love it! My boyfriend also purchased a Patagonia jacket and winter gloves. Bonus: they give a discount to students (10% off regular price merchandise), so don't forget your student ID. Also, if you bring in your dog they will give it a treat. read more

I love walking into a store only to be avoided like I've got the plague. I was incredibly interested in some of the shoes, and travel clothing they sell, but when an employee avoids all eye contact with me I suppose I can just spend my cash on the internet for the same type of service. Seriously, slightly graying sir by the door- Im not nearly as intimidating as I look- I just wanted to talk about some Patagonia stuff!!! read more

Over the years I have visited Uncle Dan's to purchase gloves, Nalgenes, random camping supplies (for the three times in my life I have camped), and shoes. I have never purchased a coat from the store, until last week. I made a quick stop with a friend after work to check out what was on sale. I was going in with the mindset I might get a good hat on sale or maybe a new pair of gloves. I ended up walking out of there with a brand new Patagonia coat that was nearly half of the original sale price. I was not only pleased with the high quality of the sale items, but I was also pleased with the service. Two women working in the store both provided feedback on the quality of the coat and could tell me their own experience with that particular style/type of coat. Not only did the women chat with me about coats, they also were friendly and we ended up talking about the new store location for several minutes. read more

Uncle Dan's is a great spot for outdoor gear in Evanston. The staff are always friendly and ready to help and they have a wide selection of gear including Patagonia, North Face, Keen, S'well, Ice Breaker, Marmot & Fjall Raven. They also have a wide selection of footwear, children's clothing and accessories. I always stop in when I'm walking around Evanston and it's my go to when I am need of an outdoor product. read more

I love supporting local gear guys. The trouble is, it's sometimes hard to do so because it is just SO. MUCH. CHEAPER. online a lot of the time. But in college towns, you can usually find a good local one that has reasonable pricing. Enter Uncle Dan's - Evanston's local outdoor gear shop. We were in town for the weekend a while back and it ended up being juuuusssttt a bit colder than I had anticipated. Needed a hat STAT so we dropped in here to check it out. What's that you say??? All hats are 30% off??? Score! Got myself a really cool Pistil hat for less than 25 bucks and Sean ended up scoring an Ibex (awesome merino wool) pullover with snaps at the neck for $80! That is a straight up scandalous price for something that sweet - it was 40% off as were tons of other things in the store for a winter clearance event. Very nicely kept gear store with all the staple brands and some you don't see very often (Ibex, Lole, etc). Really good deals during sales - none of this I'll give you 10% off BS. Check out the Uncle if you like outdoor stuff and you're in the area. Hell even if you aren't - its about 50 yards from the L stop. read more

In the past, we regularly shopped here. However, it seems that ever since they moved to their new Church Street location in Evanston, prices are TOO HIGH and the employees are neither knowledgeable nor hospitable. Now we place our orders online or by phone with BASS Sporting Goods or with SIERRA. Sorry Evanston- - we do believe in "Shop Local & Buy Evanston" !!! read more

Uncle Dan's has a great selection with a helpful staff. I came here with the intention of finding a vest, and walked out with the perfect item. The sales guys were extremely knowledgeable and knew the name of the various materials and fillings (such as primaloft). They were informative, but not pushy, which is the perfect attitude in my opinion. The prices are a bit on the high side, but that comes with the territory. read more

They have a great selection of Northface and Patagonia apparel, backpacks, and other products for the outdoors. Can someone tell me why backpacks are so expensive? The Timbuktu messenger bags are cool. I never saw them before I went to Uncle Dan's. Unfortunately I experienced poor customer service from one the employees (everyone else was friendly). She made me feel unwelcome and out of place. That was enough to keep me away for a while. UPDATE: I was contacted by Carolyn of Uncle Dan's because she wanted to know about my experience. She was very understanding, apologized for my experience and assured me that Uncle Dan's tries "to exceed every customers expectations with grace, style and kindness." Carolyn, thanks for taking the time to listen to me. read more

They sell all kinds of camping goods as well as clothes that would be good for hiking or mountain climbing. Some of their items are on the pricey side and you could do better at some other stores. Keep in mind this is still a mom and pop store so give them a try at least once! read more

Gearhead - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

This place offers the best camping gear in Evanston. I'm also crazy about its wilderness look here and there; it definitely makes me get in the spirit for camping. read more

Gearhead - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Evanston, Illinois

See all

I went into the store in Evanston today to purchase a new winter jacket. I was not sure what I was looking for, but just wanted warmth. Well The sales people were fantastic. They spent so much time with me explaining everything I need to know. I appreciated they gave me space to look too. I tried on almost every brand and style and walked out with a very warm North Face and a ton of information. The selection and customer service was out of this world. Thanks Guys. read more

Pretty good selection, NU Wildcard discount, and cheerful staff. They allow dogs too, which is always a plus in my book.

Ugggh, I dreaded this day. Uncle Dan's used to be where Gearheads is now located. I am not sure of the particulars, but it appears they may have merged and then Gearhead took over... again not sure. For a while Gearhead carried many of the same brands as Uncle Dan's, now it has become an upscale shop with no middle price point, thus making it exclusive to those who can afford $85 bucks for a pair of shorts that barely covers a butt. While Uncle Dan's started out as an Army Surplus that is certainly not what it was last year and many years before. It was a shop that provided active wear for hiking, climbing and generally clothing for the outdoor active folk. The thing is Uncle Dan's, established in Evanston in the early 70's, grew with Evanston's community and understood this northern suburb of Chicago college town had a diverse community and Uncle Dan's catered to it. Gearhead is exclusive and represents exactly what Evanston is the opposite of. They got rid of outdoor clothing and gear for those who can afford mid-range prices. Fair enough that yes, there are many in Evanston who fall in millionaire category, but many more fall into the middle class family with children and well ...Uncle Dan's knew this and catered to Everyone. I won't be shopping at Gearhead, not so much that I can't afford it as much as "just why" would someone pay that much. Not to mention the variety of clothing makers GREATLY decreased which means most of the clothing is now cut for skinny. I guess only skinny people are active according to this companies market research. Gearhead lost a customer, and will probably lose many more... I don't suspect it will last as long as Uncle Dan's did here. I guess it's REI online for diversity in price range and clothing designers. If you like ridiculously priced outdoor fashion, this is your spot. If you're down to earth like most I know that are active outdoors... you know that you don't have to spend half a grand on a couple pair of shorts and a t-shirt, no matter who's name is on the label. read more

I'm confused about all of the posts that people were beyond willing to help them. I came in wanting to shop and I had my eye on a pair of Chacos. Two or three employees looked at me then walked away so I walked away too...it's no fun to be ignored. read more

Uncle Dan's does a good job of appealing to people who want good quality outdoor equipment and apparel and kids who no doubt want their North Face jackets, Timbuktu bags, and other more trendy items. They have a great selection of heavy duty footwear for winter or hiking, and their North Face, Nalgene bottle, and Timbktu bag inventory are a sight to see. You get a discount with your student ID, and you might want to use it since downtown Evanston prices can be a little higher than normal. read more

We love Uncle Dan's, they have tons of outdoor wear and gear. Plus they have great sales and send out nice coupons if you're on their email list. Their prices are the standard prices for the brands they carry and ideally they don't have too much Northface junk. But if you're lucky as we have been you can score some heavily discounted Patagonia or Mt Hardware stuff. ps- their new store(next to urban outfitters) is awesome and huge! read more

for evanston it's the best deal for camping gear. active endeavors is way to expensive for no reason. Uncle dan's has some expensive shit but is for the more modest. If you haven't already over look the more trendy shop and try uncle dans you don't need to pay more to get more read more

Great selection of hiking gear and the staff are very friendly and helpful!

This place sells everything you could need for outdoor weather. The staff was really knowledgeable about their products. In my experience everyone was really nice. The only downside is they are pricey. I'm 100% a believer in you get what you pay for, but their markups are a little too high for me. You can find their products cheaper on line if you do your research ;) read more

Went in to look at some shoes and was helped by Matt. He was incredibly helpful and supportive. Will come back when the retail world pays more. If you have the time, go in and talk to the friendly staff and support a local business. read more

I just have to give this place 4 stars because they have a somewhat large selection of outdoor gear. However this place is extremely expensive; I found that often I can find the same items online or at REI for half the price at most. read more

Great selection of gear. Pricey, yes, but it's all top quality stuff. AMAZING customer service. Like, comically thoughtful. I bought a bag there two weeks ago. A Timbuk2. After packing it at home, I realized it didn't work for me. I brought it back for a refund. No problem. But wait, something's up with the computer. Hold on a sec. Hmm . . . don't know how we can print the receipt out. What's that? You want to check the meter because you thought you could just run in? Here, take this quarter for the meter. Okay, hey, you're back, we still don't know what's going on. The computer says your card's been credited, but we can't print anything out. So can we have your number and we'll call you to confirm once we sort this out? And here's a 15% off coupon for your wait. Wow, wow, wow. read more