I ordered a Parka, as a gift, from MEC's online Black Friday sale on November 29, 2024. Having been in the Edmonton south common store a few days before, and observing many in stock, the deal was too good not to order. As I placed my order, it indicated that the downtown store was "Next Day Pick Up". Given that I wanted to pick up as soon as possible, I selected the downtown store, even though the location is terribly inconvenient for me. Approximately 24 hours later, I called the downtown store, whom after about 25 mins on the phone with various people, told me they had no record of the purchase. Of course, I couldn't go pick up the jacket, the next day, at a location that was inconvenient, because MEC hadn't even processed the Order as of yet. Great. I called the customer service line and spoke to a male who told me "this sale has caught us completely off guard and we're overwhelmed". No kidding?? The male told me that there had been staff cutbacks this year, due to how slow it had been, but suddenly the sale has regenerated sales that have overwhelmed the existing employees Ok ... the spokesperson then told me that my jacket was in Winnipeg and had to be shipped to Edmonton! What is going on here, MEC?? You hold a Black Friday sale and you're overwhelmed??? Then my next day pick up, at this inconvenient location, is in Winnipeg??? The kicker is December 16, 2024, I received an email from MEC telling me that my order has been cancelled. My goodness. I've been a supporter of MEC for over 25 years, and have never seen such awful customer service or a absolute lack of responsibility in fulfilling an order - for that matter, I don't think I've ever had a more disappointing exchange with any store, ever, than this experience. I will never again shop at MEC. Shame on you, MEC. Not the MEC I once knew read more

I bought a Suuntu compass from them in 2015. It sat on the shelf for years and was in pristine condition. It developed a huge bubble and the declinometer stopped working. I took it to the Edmonton store downtown. The manager was sympathetic but refused to exchange it, despite suuntu having a lifetime warranty. Take your business to Amazon or somewhere else. read more

I purchased hiking poles less than a week ago at MEC (along with hiking pants with zipper up the side etc.). The hiking poles did not work the way my previous hiking poles worked. Previous poles I could adjust in 2 places to the exact height I needed for hiking (going up vs going down hills etc.). The sales clerk told me that I needed them to be fully extended in order to avoid them slipping up and down. I said that I didn't want them if I couldn't adjust them in both spots. He indicated that he would put something on my file and they wouldn't be as accommodating next time I wanted to return an item. I was horrified. I was going to purchase the more expensive poles at MEC but he pissed me off so I left and when I got home I went online and purchased the expensive set of hiking pole that I had intend on purchasing at MEC. Other folks have returned items and not had this kind of treatment. read more

I am so in love with MEC these days! Not only because they have amazing stuff and I could spend thousands of dollars in one shopping trip, but because of the staff. The staff at MEC are very helpful and they know a lot. I didn't know it was possible for a single human being to hold that much knowledge about hiking boots in his brain. It's crazy! My only not-so-great experience was when I was getting fitted for a backpack and the guy told me that he didn't have to measure me because he had "the eye." Well, "the eye" was wrong because I ended up going back another day and getting someone else to fit me. But 99% of the time, everyone is fantastic! MEC also has the best return policy ever. I used a sleeping bag camping but woke up in the night with a rash on my legs. I took it back and explained what happened and they refunded me right away even though I'd used it. They also told me that I could hike in my new boots to see if they were the ones for me and then bring them back dirty for my money back as long as the soles weren't visibly worn down. Seriously - I love these guys! read more

So when I get into my outdoorsy mode (which is sometimes), then this is really one of the best places to go for top-notch gear. Whether hiking, biking, or anything in between, MEC probably has you covered for supplies, clothing, and food (yup, food). BF scored a great bike helmet yesterday, and when we couldn't find the size we were looking for, an off-duty staff member helped us out. MEC must hire only the best, because in my early retail days, off-duty meant in cognito dont-ask-me-anything mode. I have to say, I was really impressed. Their athletic and outdoorsy wear here is cute enough, although they run a bit on the expensive side. I refuse to pay $40 for a plain black t-shirt. Their jackets, however, are more of an investment than a purchase. I would totally recommend them if you want to stay warm in the winter. Don't forget to bring a bag, especially if you're making lots of little purchases, as they don't offer bags here (goooo environment!). read more

MEC Edmonton - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

Mountain Equipment Co-op is a step apart from other outdoor and sporting goods stores. Customers have to purchase a share in the company in order to shop there (it is only five dollars for a lifetime membership). Because it is a co-op, prices are low. Service and selection is also great. Outdoor enthusiasts will find everything they need for cycling, camping, mountaineering, climbing, hiking, kayaking, and just about every kind of outdoor sport. There is emergency and first-aid supplies, accessories, and things you may never have even though of. MEC sometimes sponsors events in Edmonton, has gear-swaps, and offers classes and clinics in different kinds of activities. They are committed to preserving the environment and encouraging people to enjoy themselves and stay fit. read more

I've only been to a MEC once before and never purchased anything, so tonight was kind of a new experience for me. The bike shop beside my work was closed so I decided to pop into MEC this evening for some supplies for my bike. The store itself is pretty impressive- tons of equipment, well stocked, and very clean. A really helpful sales associate helped me pick out a new bell, light, and water bottle holder for my bike so I can start riding to work without dying. He was awesome at his job. The experience became a real buzz kill once I reached the cash register. They informed me that I needed to purchase a membership to shop there. So she busts out a clipboard with a form asking for all of my personal information that would have taken a few minutes to fill in (but nobody got time for that so I asked for what was necessary). Now, it was only 5 bucks but I'm definitely irritated at that whole concept. I wouldn't have spent half an hour picking all that stuff out when I could have shopped for free at sport check, United cycle, or any of the bike shops in the city. I despise the principle of having to pay to shop somewhere, especially when you aren't getting any deals on pricing. To top it off I had to carry all my little items out to the parking lot awkwardly in my hands because they don't have bags. Yay for the environment, but maybe have some recycled bags on hand? Thank goodness I didn't bike there, just sayin! So I guess I'm a member how so maybe I'll be back some day, but I'm feeling pretty annoyed at the moment. read more

I rather like exploring this store, both for practical clothing items for myself, or the occasional sporting good item, and for gifts for my much more outdoor active siblings and friends. Staff are great at answering questions for example when I went there to buy a new bike pump a few years back they were able to show me all my options and point out questions that I should have been asking. They host events in their parking lot as well including gear swaps and such that people such as my brother often use. I like the fact that they have equipment rentals as well, for us occasionally active folks. The quality of their items along with their consistently good service and the fact that they are located on major bus routes and have good hours are all reasons to shop here. read more

Like most people I really enjoy this place. They have so much stuff it's unbelievable. We have gone here for baby carriers, bike stuff, sunglasses, camping gear, hiking boots. We have found the staff usually pretty friendly. I think the prices are usually a little Pricey but sometimes you can find some really good sale items for a great price. It's definitely the place you want to go for all your outdoor adventure needs. The new location is really nice read more

This location is HUGE! I love the outerwear here - might be hard to find someone that's working in the department though. This place is my first go-to for my hiking and camping needs. You'll also be able to find gift ideas for loved ones as well. At first the cash lines were a bit confusing with different signs/lines. read more

I joined the Co-op because I wanted to become a member of a community and to support a Canadian business. I liked the range of choice I had at MEC. The people who work there are knowledgeable. Now, in spite of the fact that the Co-op has become American, I can continue to have this kind of experience -- by shopping at other local businesses in Edmonton. read more

They have everything for the outdoors! I mainly go there for bike parts and accessories. Very knowledgeable staff and comfortable atmosphere. Worth taking a look! read more

I've been a MEC member for years; decades in fact (ahem). Over time, I've found that you simply can't get a better deal or better quality for gear or footwear - climbing, kayak, camping, trekking, biking, snowshoe or nordic. It's such a deal that I've tried outdoor activities because it cost so little to get geared up. All their gear is high quality and the "house brand" is also great value. I have MEC packs and duffels that have been to more continents than covered in the highschool curriculum and twice as old as the students. And, ever since American tourists started stitching Maple Leafs to their luggage, that little MEC label is the best way of recognising a real Canuck overseas. That being said, over time, I've learned that their clothing just isn't worth it. I know, it's really Canadian patriotic to have MEC gortex, but I've worn out virtually every jacket or item of clothing I've bought there, well before other technical clothing from other brands. In fact, in almost every category, Under Armour, Northface, Adidas, Helly Hansen, LL Bean has an item that more technologically advanced, durable, comfortable and, if on sale, less expensive. In fact, I find that technical clothing at MEC isn't that good a deal in the first place. I'm still a devout fan of the gear ... no better quality or value in North America, but they seriously need to review and update their technical clothing choices, especially for durability and technology. Of course if you buy the clothes for casual wear, it's probably a good buy; they just don't stand up to technical use as well as other brands. read more

Struggling to find bike parts on a Sunday, I headed to MEC hoping to find what I needed. And I did! Size and selection matches that of the (I think) larger Calgary store. Over all it is a very clean, well laid out store with lots to offer for all outdoors needs. The bike parts that I needed were easy to find and the staff was helpful when asked to be. HOWEVER, I noticed that I was being followed by certain staff members... dealing in retail myself I know why this is but it made me feel unwelcome and unwanted by the establishment when I clearly had intentions to purchase my items. I will go back though, maybe they will know me as a regular next time? read more

If you're looking for a place to buy outdoor wear - your search stops at MEC. It really is the best place I've been to for any kind of outdoor activity, be it cylcing, kayaking or even trekking to the south pole (that might be a stretch, but they have a lot of variety!). Of course, having said that, they do have a great collection of general winter jackets, mid-layers, thermals etc. Given that I'm new to winter in Canada, I found this place to be extremely useful to get accessories like winter socks, boots, midlayers etc. Also, a friend of mine managed to get a really neat laptop bag from here. They have a general travel section which has quite a few varities of backpacks, from serious week long treks, to something to throw on your back if you're flying to Vancouver for the weekend. The cycling gear is also of very good quality. In general, it is safe to say that the MEC really focusses on high quality products. Many of their products are quite expensive (like midlayers that cost $150) but are also for the serious buyer. It's the kind of place you'd go to if you wanted a long term use backpack or whatever. That's another reason I really like this store. Quality, quality, quality. Of course, I should mention that I bought a pair of winter boots last year which weren't fitting me alright. And I had used them, in fact dragged them, through snowy-slushy footpaths for a week before I decided they weren't for me. Yes, they did take it back without a slight hesitation. I didn't have to make up some random story about how it got dirty for so-and-so reason. In that sense, I like this place quite a bit. They do value their customers and strongly believe that things as important as shoes (and perhaps many other items they sell) may not get perfectly married to your needs. It's also important to mention the knowledge of the staff. They take these things seriously. I spent a couple of hours looking at backpacks and they helped me understand what is right for my physique and size; and also how to choose the right bag. They honestly don't try to sell you the most expensive one, but their target is to sell the one that meets your needs the best. Now having said that, it invariably means something above the ordinary in cost! read more

The Mountain Equipment Coop is the REI equivalent in Edmonton and in many ways does it better. Even if you'd rather be home and don't have the next big trek yet planned, it's fun to come in here, dream, and then act on it! Staff is super helpful and practical. read more

"The Mountain Equipment Coop is the REI equivalent in Edmonton and in many ways does it better." This reviewer nailed it. It's just like going to REI in Berkeley. In fact, an MEC employee told me that the founders (from, Seattle if I recall correctly) based their business model and design of MEC off of the REI design. In the case of MEC, all of the staff is very knowledgeable and can help you out with any question you have about the merch. It's not cheap, but the quality of the MEC stuff is fantastic. If you're not satisfied, their return policy is very similar to that of REI; VERY liberal. I bought a parka back in September or so, and was able to return it in December without a receipt. The tag was in tact. In another case, my dryer ruined a fleece jacket from MEC. They took it back without tags and I was able to exchange it for a new one. They are able to track your purchases since you have to be a member to buy from them. Makes not having your receipt a non-issue. read more

Since most of my paintball excursions occur way the hell out in the middle of nowhere, I tend to do a lot of camping. While I'm fairly proficient at survival type stuff (Boy Scouts FTW!), I also enjoy the convenience of having decent gear to make things easier on myself. Enter MEC. Awesome selection of pretty much anything you would need to live in the wilderness for weeks at a time. I don't partake in stuff like kayaking, rock climbing, etc, but they have numerous selections for those activities as well. The one and only reason I'm not giving five stars is the fact that this store's only choices for knives is Gerber. I hate that $%&# with a passion. Cheap, poorly made junk. read more

MEC has great quality and style for the money. I'd say the quality is a 9/10 for a 6/10 price. Also there seems to be an endless supply of cool trinkets for hiking and such. Good stuff. Ample parking and you need to buy a membership read more

My romance with Mountain Equipment Co-op first started with trying to convince my boyfriend to go camping with me a few years ago. I am a regular outdoor enthusiast but apparently I have been living under a rock for most of my life as I had no idea the scope of MEC's products. I was looking for a store that would have enough "gadgets" to get him excited to go shopping and had a solid selection of the camping basics for me. We went in looking to find a compact 3 season tent, as my preference is to avoid the crowds and anyone who camps in Alberta knows that this usually means going while there is a) still snow on the ground or b) there is a chance that there will be snow on the ground in the morning. Once we entered the front doors I knew that camping nirvana was at my finger tips. We chose a MEC Tarn 3 tent that folded up small enough for it to fit into a pack and immediately got side tracked by well.. every thing else in the store. I really like the selection of their "MEC" line of products and the fact that almost all of them are tested by staff and that their website allows for you to read thorough reviews by consumers takes the headache out of shopping. My only qualm is that most of the "MEC" line comes in colours that would give Andy Warhol a headache. Even with their reasonable price point I have a hard time paying to look like a box of highlighters which usually leads to me purchasing one of the other brands that they carry in a similar style but for a much higher price point. I do understand the need for bright colours as safety component but I feel that options still would be nice. Each season we have added new items to our gear and each time MEC has always proved to one of the best for selection and price in the city. Since they renovated and removed the second cup I have hoped that their issues with stock would improve but so far no luck. It seems that they are always running low on the high demand items or they are just plain out. I always check the clearance rack as I have been quite fortunate in the past with snagging the last of my size at a steep discount be it hiking boots or hoodies. This year I will be upgrading my pack from a 35 litre to a 50 litre and Mountain Equipment Co-op is the first place on my list. As for their "bring your own bag" policy I am all for it. It seems to be a store targeting those with an active lifestyle and a eco-conscious mindset so it makes sense to me that people who shop there would already be aware that bringing your own bag is a good choice. If you forget yours they do offer reusable ones to purchase right at the tills which ensures that you wont be caught unprepared next time. read more

Edit : After posting this review MEC contacted me and is handling the matter very professionally. Will update when completed. -- I brought my bike for a overall tune up (115$) on a Tuesday, told them to replace any part that would be worn out, and they told me that if would be ready within 3 days (Friday). I didn't hear about them on Friday so I called and they told that they had to order a part to replace it, and that the bike would be ready by the following Tuesday. I had to call again on Wednesday and they told me that they didn't know when the part would come. On Friday (10 days after the bike drop off) they gave me a call to tell me the bike was ready. There was a note from the technician that a part was worn out and would probably impact the bike but they didn't change it. read more

Best place for buying your travelling and outdoor gear! Huge amount of selection of everything from clothing to tents to backpacks to gear. All you could ever need for an adventure. Staff is very knowledgable, so be sure to ask if you've got any questions. Everything I've ever bought from MEC has been great quality, so I really recommend buying from here. Prices can seem high, but the quality is worth it. Plus they do charity events, and that's always bonus points for a company. There's a little lot attached to the back. If you go during off peak hours, there's tons of room to park. This is a co-op so make sure to buy, or borrow!, a membership for $5. Also, don't forget to bring a re-useable bag! (The cashier got a little judgey when I asked for a plastic bag once. I've since learned my lesson.) read more

Summary: - Friendly and helpful service - "Rocksolid guarantee" that allows no hassle returns/exchanges - Canadian company with western Canada roots Detailed review: Was looking for a small travel pack. After reading a number of great reviews of select MEC's products, I finally decided to check out their local store. I was amazed at the breadth of products in the store - I guess I never thought I would need "mountain equipment" but they had all kinds of stuff I would use. Staff was very helping in navigating the store as well as providing input into how to choose amongst their products. Had to pay the $5 member fee but the cashier told me about the "rocksolid guarantee" which gives me confidence in their product. Everything purchased was reasonably priced and aesthetically pleasing. For those new the store, there is parking to the east of the store and a few spots marked "30 minutes free for MEC/Second Cup" (otherwise you may have to pay for parking in the lot or on the street). read more

The best place to buy outdoor gear. It's nearly always cheaper and better quality than what you can get anywhere else. They have a lot of Canadian made goods, and are committed to good environmental stewardship. read more

MEC Edmonton - Front of the MEC Edmonton store - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Edmonton, Alberta

New location. Layout is confusing because as you enter you cannot see the various sections and there is no guidance on where to go to find what you want. Could not see a service desk either. Staff were very helpful but hard to pick out as they blended with the customer attire. Free parking is nice but was full when I was there. Store is located in the trendy warehouse district so you can buy groceries and go for a beer hahaha! Has a lot of cycling and camping goods and yuppy outdoor clothing and boots. A little on the pricy side. read more

MEC is a great source for athletic and outdoorsy casual wear. Hubby & I particularly love the Prana and Buff brands. Some of the clothing is shapeless and suitable for mom-wear, but there are nicer cuts available too. This is also a great place for gear - we've gone for camping, biking, cycling, day hike packs, and water bottles. The river gear always tempts us, and they offer rentals to test out just how interested you might be in such an activity before you commit the big bucks. I held off for a long time before becoming a member. It kinda pissed me off that you had to be a member to make a purchase, but their product eventually won me over. If you've taken a long bike ride to get here, there is a Frank's hot dog stand conveniently outside AND Bueno Gelato across the street to recharge with some treats. read more

As MECs go, this one had pretty good selection, a good layout, but I found that it lacked staff-customer interaction. Overall, it has all the necessary items you might need, but one thing that I depend on in MEC is staff input. I think I would like this location more if the next time I visit I was able to find or chat with staff while browsing the store. read more

I've been a member of Mountain Equipment Co-op for a long time and I love this company. That being said, I have to admit that I'm not always happy with the Edmonton location. It's not the staff, whom I've always found to be helpful and knowledgeable. My complaints have more to do with the location itself. It's just too small. If you've ever been to MEC's location in Vancouver, you know the store is huge. Any time I have ever gone to it, there's always a great selection and items are rarely out of stock. Not so in Edmonton. Depending on the season, you'll quite often find the items you're looking for in short supply. I found this when I was looking for compression and stuff sacks for my Mt. Robson hiking trip. Great prices, but the selection of the remaining bags was terrible, not to mention the section was extremely disorganized. While I am happy that the store has expanded a bit, I am sad that it meant the Second Cup location had to go. I would have preferred that they seek out an entirely new location with a much larger space (and hopefully more backroom storage). I think the population and economic situation in Edmonton could justify that. I don't know if the renovations are done, but the lighting could be improved. The gear half of the store has great lighting, but the clothing half has rather dim illumination. It's not a great experience. As a company, I'll give MEC 5 stars, but this store not so much. I hope that it improves, but considering they've just done these renos, it's unlikely they'll consider a new location any time soon. I know that MEC has always had a focus on the environment, which I think is great. I am still disappointed they stopped sending out a paper catalog though. I always looked forward to it. I'll echo another reviewer about the shopping bag situation. I like to bring in reusable shopping bags, when I remember them, but it's a pain that they just don't have them even if you're willing to purchase them. And parking. Oh, parking. If you've read any of my other reviews, you'll know parking is an issue for me. Frankly, it's a pain in this area. MEC used to have some free spaces in the adjoining lot, but no longer. I think it's an Impark lot. I avoid pay lots and usually time my trips to this store when parking is free on the street. Though I am not so fond of the Edmonton MEC location, I still love the quality, design and price of MEC's products. I've been a loyal member of Mountain Equipment Co-op for 25 years now and I will continue to shop there. read more

I was so disappointed with the shoe department today. The Hubba Hubby is a big fan of checking product reviews so he reviewed a ton of shoes that he wanted to check out for running and he wanted to check out some of the waterproof options from MEC. There was no one working in the shoe department when we were there, but there was an option to "take a number", which wasn't needed at this time as there were no other customers in the area. After waiting for a few minutes, the HH searched out an employee who then came over. I was surprised to see this employee carrying around his coffee, drinking from his travel mug as he was serving us. Perhaps he knows a lot about coffee, but this employee did not know much about shoes, to the point where the HH seemed to know more. That was really disappointing. I'm hoping it was just an off day and maybe this employee doesn't always work shoes, because I surely had higher expectations of the staff. I think normally they're amazing but I also had a disappointing experience as I was browsing the ladies' clothing section too. It seems like they don't cater to larger sizes - there are a few shirts that are 2X but it seems like pants only go to size 16 (I asked to confirm, but this employee just told me to read the signs to see how high the sizes go up to. Thanks, I figured that out - I was just wondering if you could point me to any sizes that are higher than 16 but I'll read the signs myself). Bonus, the shoe selection is massive - so many different types! If you are looking for selection, this is the right place. And the cashier that I was chatting with was super friendly. I think overall, the store has a pretty massive selection to serve your outdoor needs. And in the past, we've rented a canoe from MEC and it was a fantastic (and affordable) experience. I really hope this was just an off day but for my first experience in both the shoe and clothing departments, it wasn't great. read more

Mountain Equipment Co-op is probably the best place to buy outdoor gear and it probably has the best prices. If you are an outdoorsy type of person you will definitely love this place. If you like to hike they have got you covered, climbing? no problem. They have plenty of items that will keep you toasty warm in the winter no matter what you are doing. The staff is really helpful and know what they are talking about. This is the perfect place for all your outdoor needs. read more

I love shopping at MEC. I don't care so much about the equipment as I do about their clothes. I think this is some of the best quality "outdoorsy" clothing in our city. Everything here is made with high quality products and breathable material. They have great long johns too!! They have great winter coats and I always try to buy my winter coats from here (of course this isn't always possible because it is a little pricier). The equipment they have here is also very impressive. I am sure that much of it would be impossible to find anywhere else in the city. A membership card is needed in order to shop here, but it is a one time payment of $5 and I am sure this $5 will save you many headaches in the future. read more

Try to find parking somewhere aside from the lot attached to the store because it's ridiculously expensive to park there. This is a co-op so you need a membership to purchase things. It's only $5 for a lifetime membership so it's definitely worth it! They also offer an equipment rental service for anything from sleeping bags to rock climbing gear at a fairly reasonable price if you don't want to buy your own. They have lots of sports and equipment products and their staff are all extremely friendly and knowledgable. The only downfall is that they are rather pricey. You a get what you pay for though. If I was made of money I would probably buy one of everything here!! read more

Wow I can't believe it's not bacon. Oops! It is bacon! I mean... wow, I can't believe I haven't reviewed MEC yet. Haha! I've been shopping here for years after finding out they sell bikey stuff and I no longer had to deal with Western Cycle. No longer did I have to trek long into the wintery nights to either United or Revolution to satiate my off season cycling geekness. Prices are fair and range from cheap to WHAT!? plus tubes are cheaper here. They sell all kinds of bike stuff for cleaning/fixing/upgrading your bikes and now they even sell bikes. For a price. Just ask! My bikes are worried. They have a repair tech to help you do things to your bike you aren't able to do yourself (mind out of the gutter!). But for me the best part is... sing along... no more Western Cycle. And they help you (not me!) do all that other crazy outdoorsy stuff too like kayaking foaming rapids and climing El Capitan - I bet they even have stuff to help those inclined to get down too! - or maybe you'd like to stay on top (gutter again? out!) Crazy stuff for sure, but for me it's all about my bikes. At least, that's what they tell me - my bikes I mean. I (heart) MEC read more

The best store for finding outdoor gear! MEC sells great quality items, and staff are super knowledgeable. The price you pay here is always worth it, for the quality you receive. You do need a membership to shop here, but at $5 for a lifetime, you can't go wrong. There is also an excellent return policy, at any time, even without a receipt. If you're unsatisfied with a product, they're truly happy to help. There are also several running races put on by MEC, which are very affordable compared to many other races-about $15 each. There are several 10k races, and one half marathon to choose from (last year). I plan to take part in a few of those in the future. I just enjoy this whole store, too. It's very large, and there is so much equipment to choose from. Also, there is a large parking lot right outside. read more

Amazing new location! Same trustworthy staff. Layout is a bit daunting to figure out - perhaps a sign or more staff available to direct you in the right direction. Overall, pleasing displays - vaulted ceilings complimented with natural lighting make for a pleasant ambiance. Can't find what you're looking for in-store? Try online: mec.ca read more

I can't lie- these past couple years, MEC has been slipping a bit. Not that it isn't still my go-to, but I find myself checking Campers' and even Atmosphere more and more often before making a purchase. Their selection isn't what it used to be, and they push their own brand a lot now- for the uninitiated, the MEC brand is seen as the value brand of most gear- not great, but cheap and won't break on you. You see more of it in place of other stuff now. In addition, the service at their bike shop was not great- upon receiving my bike back this spring, there was a wrench still in the chain! But it's still MEC. The staff know their stuff and the return policy is great. I'm just concerned what might happen if it continues down the road it seems to be on. read more

Loves it! My boyfriend took me there to prepare for our camping trip together and it was great. Knowledgable staff and its like candy land for campers. Some of the brands are quite expensive but MEC makes a lot of their own things , with equal quality at a more affordable price. I fit children sizes so added savings there! read more

My wife and I tried dealing with a refund issue. I went to the store and spoke to a representative and they assured me they'd be in touch. 2 weeks later no word so I called and again they said they'd be in touch and again crickets. This store is way overpriced and their customer service is atrocious. read more

While I concur with the other Yelpers that MEC has an excellent selection of outdoor gear, there is a little something to keep in mind if you plan on shopping here - bring your own bag(s). After I plopped down $400 to buy several pairs of super warm mitts and head gear I waited for the cashier to bag them up. He looked at me and arrogantly said that MEC doesn't use bags for environmental reasons. I told him that If I didn't get my merchandise bagged up then I'm not buying it and I want my money back. Quickly they found a large cardboard shoe box to put my stuff into. I don't toss plastic bags, I always recycle them. But to have a store that doesn't even have bags for their merchandise really floored me. I mean you should at least have the option to buy them like you do at Superstore, Shoppers Drug Mart, etc. How the hell are you supposed to get your stuff home? Like I carry a large canvas bag with me everywhere I go or something. read more

I feel like I'm betraying MEC by this review, but I've been very disappointed with them lately. Don't get me wrong, this is place is great if you know exactly what you need to get. You're likely to find even the most obscure outdoor gear here. However, if you're a new climber, hiker, biker, camper, etc., and are looking for some knowledgeable advice, this is not the place for you. Unfortunately, their staff was not even able to answer the most basic questions about climbing harnesses (i.e. how it should fit). That's when I knew I should probably look elsewhere. I would recommend, instead, checking out one of the smaller local stores where the staff are clearly knowledgeable about their products. Sure, it will probably be a bit more expensive, but it's worth it. read more