I visited MEC store in Calgary at a time flagged "as busy as it gets". Thank you Vlad for taking the time to assist a customer who is a senior. I had been gifted Mountain Hardware womens' trousers - and broke my fingernail after many attempts to open the very stubborn clasp. It seemed useful to be able to open the belt for a number of reasons. Vlad immediately and cheerfully assisted with finding me/manufacturing a replacement that worked. Very happy with the customer service. Thanks Vlad. read more

BAIT AND SWITCH WARNING Went back here three times looking at some expensive poles they had priced on the rack for a great deal. I even discussed with a salesperson what an amazing deal it was who concurred with me. At the till that price would quadruple. When I pointed out they had their in-store pricing much lower they told me to pound sand. read more

The Walmart of ski stores! Imagine not even selling xcountry ski pole baskets. So much for their supposed green policy. Just buy another set i guess is their logic. Interesting in that you can buy a single ball bearing for a bicycle so skiing definitely not a priority seems read more

This MEC store is like the one in Vancouver. So came here to see what they have on sale and might want to pick up some camping stuff. Well today was full pack of people. They must have some kind of events or discount. I do know that they have a calendar full of events and sales. Sales people are very helpful. But finding one who is not attending someone can be tricky. I mean they are all very very busy. I mean its nice to browse around. read more

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MEC is similar to the REI of Canada where it's a co-op for outdoor goods so a membership is required but access to all the outdoorsy gear you'll need from camping to kayaking and more. It's a pretty massive store so very likely you'll find whatever you need here. There's also a parking lot that requires payment, but for a quick in and out, may be worth it to risk it for the biscuit. read more

I walked over the Calgary MEC to look for some hiking shoes. A work friend (with an MEC Card) joined me and warned that I could probably get this item cheaper at REI in the US. I then took a look at the prices, compared selection with Atmosphere across the street, and headed straight to the closeout section. I found a nice Columbia brand in my size that were comfortable and half off. They also did really well on the Plain of Six Glaciers (Lake Louise) the next day. This MEC Store is handsome, roomy over its 2 floors and has a really nice selection of stuff. The Associates were friendly, knowledgeable, and very helpful. When I arrived back in California, I went ahead and sent in my $5 for my own MEC Card. I will be returning to Canada sometime in the future, and you never know when a local MEC might come in handy. read more

Mountain Equiment - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

MEC in Canada is pretty much the REI back in the USA. It's $5 for lifetime membership and you are supporting their co-op! Don't forget that you have to pay for parking...pretty much the only downside here. Small price to pay for all of the outdoor items you're getting. Needed some trekking poles and bear spray after we landed in Calgary. Found an awesome set at a great price and had amazing customer service from one of the guys there. He gave us the lowdown on good poles which were on sale. Also helped us adjust for our height. 3 year policy in returns no matter the reason. For bear spray, super easy. Sign the form, get the instructions, and head to the counters. I thought that some of the prices were on the higher end but there were also some steal of a deals. Huge store with lots of variety. Lines moved quickly even though they were backed up. Worth a stop if you're in the area and need some items for your next adventure! read more

I was visiting Alberta during an especially cold snap in February. I knew that what I'd brought from home wasn't warm enough. Naturally, I thought it best to come to MEC and get equipped with some warmer gear. There was just about everything that you could imagine for winter sports here in one place! Fortunately, I had the knowledgeable and friendly staff here to assist me with selecting what I needed. I like that it is set up as a efficient, well-organized retail space for outdoor enthusiasts. It has not been over-glossified for marketing purposes as some other chain sporting goods stores that I could name. read more

What a nice co-op. We found everything extra that we forgot or needed for our trip to the mountains. We even stopped and spoke to some of the associates about some trekking poles and bear spray. Both were incredibly friendly, knowledgeable and more than willing to spend the time with us which was a relief to a couple of unsure girls from another country. We appreciate MEC and hope to come back and support the store some more next time. read more

Don't let me in this store after payday! It's bad enough that I can break my bank account on any given mountain sports store in a single trip, but MEC goes ahead and combines ALL of them. They've recently even severely upped their mountain bike game, meaning that while I'm picking up some camping odds and ends, like a $7 lightweight first-aid, kit, some fuel cans and a granola bar or two, I can talk myself into an $235 Five-Ten Mountain bike shoe impulse buy. Oh, and why not pick up a new pair of goggles while I'm at it? This place has everything for your outdoor life. Everything is expertly laid out and easy to find. If you're not sure if it's something that they'd carry, just look it up on their website. You can get down to the details including size, colour, and if they've currently got it in stock. MEC is like Amazon meets Walmart of the high-end outdoor living world. Thanks for keeping me geared up and my personal savings down, MEC. You know I love you. read more

Even if you're not necessarily the outdoorsy kind, there's a ton of things that Mountain Equipment Co-op carries that no other place in town is likely to have. My sister started training for a variety of different marathons and was partaking in The Amazing Race in her city. She needed one of those backpacks that carries only water & snacks, and I looked around in a million different places I couldn't find anything of the like. Finally, I went to Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC), and yes, of course, they had it, along with a variety of styles & colours. What I love about MEC is that it's ouber friendly, even for the non-jock type. I mean if it was even remotely pretentious there's a good chance a lot of us would never step foot into it. But it's welcoming, it's easy to find things, and it does truly carry just about anything you'll ever need for the 'outside world'. The prices are ridiculously reasonable, and the quality is the best you can get. The people that work there are helpful and the store itself is laid out so well that you can shop according to outdoor activity (Ie: Camping, Hiking, Cycling, etc.) Just a tip for those of you who have never been here before. You DO need an account/membership in order to shop here. Kinda like Costco. So when you get to the til, they will ask you for your membership phone number. What I do, is I just use my Mom's, and they are cool with that. So as long as someone in your family, or someone you know has an account with MEC, you can shop there. Another tip for all you newbies: Most MEC products are covered under a lifetime warranty. For example, if you ever buy a backpack from MEC and the zipper breaks, or it rips, they will replace it for you! The warranty isn't just a year or two, it's a LIFETIME warranty! How sweet it is!!! Next time you need to buy some specialty outdoor/sports goods, give MEC a try. I can pretty much guarantee that they'll have what you're looking for. You're welcome. read more

Mountain Equiment - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

I never again will I buy anything again from any MEC store. They use to have parking free but asked for a dollar or two donation. I was not aware things changed and got a $40. fine and all I was in there for was to return an item. I was there for only 5-10 minutes. It costed me more for nothing and a huge waste of time driving in from the far south where they closed down their other store in Calgary that I would have not had this problem with parking. read more

I have been a patron of MEC since the early nineties, when I used to live in the Yukon and one memorable stint of minus 40 degree weather in Yellowknife with a minus 60 degree wind-chill. Let's start with my basics, I got my first MEC membership in Vancouver and used to tote my blue MEC bag, you know one of the first over the shoulder and off to the side portfolio bags of the 90s. This lasted me throughout my university incarnation, I thought I was fashionable and savvy, it was waterproof and could carry my books and my ultra thick ACER lab top (DOS). I also remembered when living in Whitehorse the local church, the Mary House used to have first of the month donation sales; my friends and I would scramble across the fence and wrestle each other for that MEC Merino jacket or that extra warm thermal MEC underpants or turtleneck. I swear I even got bruises. MEC was the best for living up north and for 7 years whether it was skiing in the wintertime, or backpacking across the Chilkoot in the summer, you never left without your Mountain Equipment Coop Paraphernalia. But the strongest memory for me is having your car battery die on the lonely highway back to the cabin in the middle of winter, with northern lights dancing above you and 23 hours of darkness surrounding you. You thanked god you had on thermal gloves and moonboots from MEC until that faithful car or truck would pass by. The list can go on, but as other reviewers have already sited, expect the best equipment for whatever season or sport, with a lifetime guarantee. And I will say this lifetime guarantee has a twist because MEC has sincerely saved mine many times. read more

Mountain Equiment - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

To a newcomer from the USA, this store is comparable to REI. There is a moderate variety of good quality equipment.

I bought 2 pairs of hiking shoes from MEC 14 days ago. Today I went in to return the pair that I never wore and also return my scarpas cause the sole was coming off. I got to the customer service desk and told him I bought these boots 14 days ago, I went on a few hikes and now the soles are coming off. He goes to me well where did you hike? So I told him but not like that matters. His second question well what where you doing ? (in an accusing time. Like it's my fault the soles came apart after 14 days.) What most people do with hiking shoes I was hiking. Not even once did he apologize or take ownership. Then he had the audacity to ask me why I didn't wash the boots before bringing them back. Well geez I didnt know you had to wash a pair defective boots in order to return them. Anyway worst experience ever trying to return a pair of $258 pair of hiking boots that I've only had for 14 days. When they tell you returns are easy don't believe it. He questioned me for minutes before returning them and then asked me why I was being argumentative. When in reality the questions he was asking where unnecessary and accusatory. Next time take ownership and apologize and then feel free to ask your questions. read more

Mountain Equiment - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

Awful staff. They only care for money. Not friendly at all. Very rude. I won't go there again.

MEC is NOT the place to go for rental gear. The people working at the customer service desk are unaware of how to select AT ski gear and unable to answer questions about rentals. On top of this, they refuse to match rental prices within Calgary. At the University of Calgary if you are renting Alpine Touring Gear for 6 days, you only pay for 4 days. This exception exists so that it makes more sense to rent rather than purchase. I called MEC and shared this information with them and said that as a lifelong MEC customer I would really like to rent my gear from them and hoped that they would match this (as I only needed to rent my gear for 5 days to do the Wapta Traverse, thus requesting one day free). This request was met with a blunt "absolutely not". I am very disappointed in the service and had higher hopes for a store that I have spent thousands of dollars at and would have eventually purchased my ski touring gear from. I hope that changes are made to support their customers in trying new sports... because that initial support will lead to customers purchasing their gear there. As of right now, I would not recommend MEC rentals to anyone within my large community of mountaineering friends. read more

This was the first outfitters I shopped at in Calgary and I have been a customer for probably 15 years or more. I remember the old building. I progressively purchase less and less here, even though I keep going back, hoping that my experiences are just a fluke and that I caught them on a bad day. I think that I am done trying anymore. Poor selection and horrible service will keep me away for good. Over time, I have found that they offer less and less. Particularly in the clothing department. This would seem strange, given how big the space is, but they add more and more of their house brand and much less that will compete with what obviously makes them more money. This might be acceptable if prices were significantly better, but they are not. For instance, if an MEC product costs about the same as Patagonia or North Face etc. then shouldn't it offer the same quality and features? This is not the case. Also, I like the other brands as their offer more variety in styling and sizing. This brings me to my next point. Who decides what sizes to bring in, how many of each and when to restock? This is not done with their local buyers in mind. All of one size and none of another. Mens (and Womens for that matter) is brought in (or made) with the same inseam no matter what the size. Maybe you get the odd "long" for men, but no "short". It is the opposite for women. God help you if you are a size small man of 5'6" because you have to buy a 32 inch inseam. Also, too bad if you are a tall, thin woman...wear floods. Or, they tell you to go online. Well, their online site sucks, and if I have to shop online, then why not go to a different store or a different online retailer? On a similar note, re: availability, THIS IS CALGARY CORPORATE GENIUSES! You are an outfitter. Calgarians live in the mountains year round. And let me tell you something, it can be freezing in the mountains in August so that warm gear (like base layers) should be in stock and re-stocked year round. We are not Vancouver or Toronto! Please customize to the needs of your local community. Finally, the service has been getting bad, really bad, but last time it was so horrendous that I left my soon-to-be purchases in the shoe department and walked out. You have to grab a number, even to ask a quick question. You wait forever...I have never had to wait like this anywhere else, especially on a weekday. I had one woman tell me she would be right there to help me and never came back, then later on, a guy did the same thing. They never came back, not 10-15 minutes later. And every single one of their staff that day seemed only willing to do the bare minimum, or tell me "I'm new" and shrug their shoulders. And to top it all off, I have to fight downtown traffic and pay to park in a parking lot where I perpetually circle. I am afraid I no longer need the priviledge of shopping here.Your staff tell me your market share has been slipping and this has been a concern...I wonder why? Update: ok, I added a star because the selection in accessories is quite good, even though you pissed me off. read more

There's nothing I like more than a store with heart, and MEC has it. You will read here that MEC is a stand-out in both brands and selection; that the service here is wonderful; that it is a mecca for any outdoor gear that you will need; ALL of these things are true. If you like to do anything outside, from whistles to kayaks, you will find what you need at MEC. MEC stands for Mountain Equipment Co-Op and although I should be reviewing the things you can find at the store and the service blah blah blah, there is enough talk of that here. I'm going to talk about what I've learned about the store behind these great products. When you purchase anything from MEC they will charge you a one-time $5 membership fee and this little $5 makes you a member of the Co-Op, you are now officially a voting member of the store! Members can vote on, and run for, the board of directors; who directly effect store operations; essentially it's a store of the people for the people. This Co-Op also makes it difficult to sell the store to a larger conglomerate as they need the members to say 'yes' to consider a sale (and it's a big ass number of members). This keeps MEC local. Besides offering a collaborative experience for its customers, MEC does an amazing job with customer feedback and actually integrates that feedback into their product design. They also have a killer return policy; if your pack, shoe, sleeping bag or rope breaks, even after YEARS, they will take it back and give you new stuff. They are also a leader in sustainability and conservation and have some of the highest proportion of sustainable products available at their store that I have seen to date; PLUS each store does something neat to help our environment (Calgary is wind powered, Winnipeg powers their store with bio fuel etc.) I sound like a real champion for MEC, but let's be fair, they've got great gear, great service, great selection, decent prices and are overall a cool store. So next time you need a waterproof first aid kit or a day-pack, hit MEC and know that your $5 membership fee goes a long way in keeping this store one-of-a-kind! T. ps. My MEC education is courtesy of an excellent friend of mine who works there; she also tells me that if you want extra cool benefits like product testing and classes, get a job at MEC. read more

Last winter was SUCH a long, brutal, winter. Day after day of trudging from my car to the office, or from my office to lunches . . . the howling winds. The snow. Minus 20's. Minus 30's No trip to Maui booked . . . The horror. THE HORROR!!! What "Darkness." It was one such noon hour, slogging through the drifting snow - ice wind whipping my face and freezing my eyelashes together - that I was reminded of the book, "Into Thin Air" by John Krakauer. Ya, I wasn't freezing to death on Everest, or even dropping body parts from frost bite, but it sure as hell felt like it. That's when it dawned on me: you need to be SERIOUSLY DRESSED for the elements. And if they make gear that lets you survive days on a sub zero mountain, then trekking from the parking lot in good gear will be a breeze! Or something like that... Bottom line was I decided to start over-killing a bit in winter wear, with high technology in materials and insulation. That decision led me back to MEC, a place I hadn't really been to in a while. Now... you walk through the door, and you are reminded that MEC carries EVERYTHING for the outdoors: Cycling, water sports, camping, running, mountaineering, casual clothing... you name it. It's all there, the place is packed to the rafters, and it's on the high end of the quality scale. Professional grade gear. Browsing around, there's also a TON of stuff in the smaller, "impulse" category. Things so cool that for 10 or 20 bucks... you really want it. Which also makes MEC a great place to do some gift shopping for anyone with a remotely active lifestyle. My main take-away, though, is going back to how I began this review: we DO live in a challenging environment come winter. And you don't need to be skiing or snowshoeing in the mountains to get that. Waiting for the bus in windy -30 weather may not be climbing Everest, but it's harsh. And it sucks. And MEC DOES have the higher tech thermal layers and outer wear that makes ALL the difference in the world. Especially when compared to cheaper department store knock-offs. What am I saying? Good gear makes things better regardless of what you are doing. So it's worth paying for. That being said, MEC is pricy. I understand paying for quality, but it is still on the expensive side. That, and parking: another strike. I actually have passed on several visits to this location simply because the lot is full (and when you DO find a spot, you have to pay for it). MEC built a nice retail outlet DT, but it's a bit of a pain to get to, and clearly this cuts into their retail traffic. Having it located someplace like Deerfoot Meadows, with lots of free parking, would make me a much more frequent customer. However -- it is the best of them all, so the hardcore will do what it takes. I just wish they made it easier! 4/30 read more

As an intrepid outdoor explorer, or at least a pretend one, I love Mountain Equipment Co-op to death. My backpack of choice during much of high school and university was their solid bookbag with laptop slot, and it lasted me a lot longer than the more fashionable, more expensive bag I replaced it with later. MEC is just so full of so many excellent things. I have a pair of extra thin merino wool long underwear that I wear underneath my pants when the winter weather ventures into -30 territory. They're great for skiing too! And then they have camping equipment, and rock climbing equipment and dufflebags with weals. MEC is the high quality outdoor superstore. The staff actually know their stuff, and are always ready to give you accurate advice and help you try something else before you buy it. The lifetime guarantee on the majority of their products gives me such peace of mind. If I ever get stuck on an overnight, overland camping trip, it won't be because of my MEC gear, which is more than I can say for a lot of outdoor superstores. If you're at all serious about being outdoorsy, it is worth it to pay for the quality, care and assurance that MEC gear gives. read more

I am so impressed by their customer service! I purchased a pair of long underwear, which started ripping over time. I assumed I could not return them because I threw out the receipt and cut off an itchy fabric tag. I left a review on MEC's website (not trying to bash MEC or get a refund, but just wanting to indicate it was a faulty product). MEC immediately responded asking me to call them, and they were able to look up my purchase using my membership #, and gave me a full refund over the phone. I completely didn't expect that. Other than the long underwear, I have had great experience with MEC products. In particular I have owned several backpacks and bags, and they were very high quality. When I was in grade school, I would need to buy a backpack (or two) every school year, until I bought a MEC backpack in high school. I had that backpack all through university, and I still have it 17-18 years later and use it for travel. Too bad it's a mid-90s teal colour, hahaha. read more

I wouldn't necessarily call myself an outdoorsy type. I mean, don't get me wrong, I love being outside and if I was lost in the woods I might have a rough idea of what to do... But, Mountain Equipment Coop inspires me to be a pro at anything and everything. I walk in through those doors and there is a shift within my being, I want to camp and dig my own toilet in the ground, I feel the need to buy the "stand up and pee" thing for girls, and most of all, I stare in awe at the kayak's, imagining myself in one, ripping through waves....and then I come back to reality. No disrespect to the people who actually get to do these things, I actually admire you. I find it amazing that you place your four month old baby in your back pack baby carrier and hike a mountain, while I can't even figure out how to strap up my kid in the bike trailer. I have purchased packs for travelling, hiking and school that have all stood up to the test of time and rugged use. My husband is an avid bicyclist and goes to MEC for all his biking needs. I recommend dropping by if you are heading out on a trip and need some travel sized items like sunscreen, lip balm, and they carry some nifty toothbrushes. They also have a great selection of dehydrated foods. I don't have a use for these, but I am once again amazed at the variety and feel that one day I should try one for dinner. Ahhhh MEC, I have a longing to just set up camp right inside the store. If you have not had a MEC experience, you must go, you will not be disappointed! read more

Favourite store ever. I always shop here when I'm home in Calgary and am grateful for the knowledgeable staff and amazing products. You can seriously find EVERYTHING you would ever need in life here. LOL Love it. Feels like home. read more

Been a bit late in reviewing MEC, it's a good all round outdoor store with almost everything you could possibly need to do most outdoor activities. Prices are reasonable and between Atmosphere (used to be Coast Mountain opposite) and MEC you can get basically what you need! One critique would be their own branding over more well known brands like Lowe Alpine which I couldn't find recently on looking for a Day Pack but apart from that a cracking place to spend your money for essentials. read more

I used to live in Calgary years ago and loved to go browse in this store and pick up gear for camping. I had been doing my shopping there on-line. After moving back near the city I decided to drive in myself to swap some shoes I had bought for a bigger size as I miscalculated the European sizing. Drove in from Airdrie only to discover I would have to pay a high fee to park in their parking lot to shop at their store. Super disappointed. Things are tight all over right now and gouging your customers just for showing up is a terrible way to do business. read more

I only have gone to the Edmonton store and Calgary store, the Calgary store is better supplied and has a LOT more gear in every category. Service was great. read more

I bought a u lock from MEC a few weeks ago. I locked it at the Y near Eua Claire. Suddenly it wouldn't open. I came back the next day with the extra keys which came with it. The lock wouldn't open. I called MEC to explain my scenario. They sent out a repair person name Dave to brake the lock. Then gave me another u lock. I was so thankful. I was so surprised of how incredible their customer service is and how super nice they were. Its amazing compared to most places staff goes out of their way to help their members. Also the prices are very reasonable. read more

I went in to look at getting a new pair of skis. I ended up talking to a guy who introduced himself as the assistant manager of the store. I was pretty stoked to have found such great help, but it was made very clear to me that I was not as 'cool' as him due to my current gear being outdated and I was not up with the current trends. When you go into a store to learn more about new products, it is very unsettling to be told you are basically not good enough to shop there. This actually did not phase me that bad, as the kid was young and clearly not doing much with his life. What started the alarm in my head not to go back, was when I walked through the store to check a few prices on some other items. I was helped by 2 other employees. I had mentioned that I was looking at skis earlier, but did not say who I was talking with, nor my experience, just that I had originally came in for skis. Both of these employees immediately asked if I had talked to the assistant manager and apologized that he had horrible customer service. This makes zero sense to me. This experience and the fact that I found most of the products overpriced, I will not go back. I have had similar experiences with the staff there, at an increasing rate. Maybe I am too old to shop at a millennial store focused on trendy things. I have actually found myself helping other customers with gear selection while employees watched. It is impossible to get help in the footware department there. MEC's warranty is the only reason I would go back, and I would only purchase there again if it is online and there is a sale. Their increasing line if MEC branded products, ie camp booties, jackets, and dry sacks, seem to be of lower quality each year, with the price staying the same or increasing. This is now the last place I would go in a pinch. read more

Great selection of outdoor gear, friendly service and customer forward store policies. The one qualm I have is that the store parking is pay parking.... Perhaps this is to encourage a non-driving modality of transport to the store but that's not always feasible. In any case, I love this store for outdoor merch for the young and old. read more

Mountain Equiment - East side view of the store and parking lot - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

MEC is the best place to get any type of gear for any outdoor activity. I'm an avid hiker and rely on MEC for all of my gear. The staff at MEC are also the most knowledgeable people when it comes to which type of gear you should have and the best recommendations for fit. The pricing at MEC is generally very competitive and they keep their products at the lowest prices without sacrificing any quality. Because it is a Co-op, you do have to register with the store to become a member (I think you pay $10 and then you're a member for life). You can either sign up on-line before you go to the store or sign up in person when you're paying. If you like hiking, cycling, camping, canoeing, kayaking, or just the outdoors in general, MEC should be your source for any gear you require. read more

I haven't gone into MEC for a couple of years and needed to last week for something. I forgot how much I love it! I've been going to MEC off and on in Toronto and Calgary for years. I find the Calgary location to be very well laid out with most things logically where they should be. I like that for big ticket items like tents etc, they have them set up so you can really see what you are buying. They are well staffed so there is always someone around who knows what they are talking about if you have a question. I like that they don't pounce on your though and allow for comfortable browsing. They are not the cheapest but I find everything I've bought has been well made. And they are cheaper than some other specialty shops for the same items. I think their location is also perfect and easy to get to. Now that I am reminded they exist again I have been forming my wishlist of things to buy! read more

This place combined with the friendly staff sets the bar for outdoor outfitting. Competitive pricing and amazing selection.

The best outdoor store on the planet. Please open a shop in the US! Fantastic selection, easy to find, and great staff. Not the least bit arrogant like REI. Good prices, especially MEC brand which is high quality. Overall awesome. Can San Francisco be your first US location, pretty please? read more

There are more than enough reviews here raving about this place. So I'll keep it short. Great selection, great service, overall a very enjoyable experience. This was my first time here, on a mission looking for 1 litre canteens. They had about 5 in that size to choose from. Prices were very reasonable as well. You do need a membership here to make purchases, but it's 5 for a lifetime. We'll worth it. read more

I love that I can make a return here, even after a number of months and without a receipt. You'll get a gift card, but what's the point of hanging on to something you don't like. I tried all sorts of messenger bags until I found the one I like, and they encourage that. Rip the tags off, fill it with your stuff and try it out. If it doesn't work, bring it back. FYI - they don't carry plus sized women's clothes and a lot of their clothes are "slim fit". Staff will measure the backpacks for you and make sure it's a good fit. The building is accessible and there is always something new to check out. read more

I came here to have a flat bike tire fixed and the guy who did it was super helpful and very fast. He recommended a new tire, replaced the tube and tire, and pumped up both tires - all within 20 minutes. I also asked him to take a look at my gear shifting and while he told me my bike's derailleur was too ancient to fix it was still very helpful to know! Also, the price was also a lot cheaper than I was expecting! Tubes themselves are only a few dollars, the tire was less than $20, and install cost $12 I think. If you've never been to MEC before you should be aware that they are a co-op and they only sell to members. Joining is $5 and you are a member for life! MEC is also a Canadian company, which is an extra bonus from my point of view! read more

This is the mecca for bag addicts. There are a bazillion types of backpacks and messenger bags and all of them are well made and comparatively well priced. I haven't been hiking in years but I still come here to get my backpacks for work and travel. Surprisingly, they also have a large selection of cycling gear which I only discovered in recent years. Staff are helpful and the store is well organized. Parking can be a pain. read more

Love MEC period. I know where everything is. A little expensive, but it's a great one-stop shop. Parking is a zoo..this location is always busy. read more

I'm a huge fan of MEC. They are community focused, care about the environment and have a great selection of outdoor adventure gear. The camping equipment selection is vast and they have some quality items. Some prices are competitive but some are a bit pricey. I would have to say, from my experience, they have the best selection and prices for dried backpacking/camping food. read more