I have been having pain in my heel, and when we were in Franklin, went into Outdoor 76, looking for a shoe that may be more comfortable for every day use. I was fortunate enough to speak to Jonathan. After explaining what was going on, he brought out no less than 10 different shoes for me to try on. It was obvious he was knowledgeable, and he was looking out for my best interest. Ultimately, I ordered the first pair that I tried on (in a color they didn't have in stock). I'm looking forward to getting and wearing my new shoes, and I am confident that they are the best shoe for what is going on with my heel. Jonathan was amazing, knowledgeable, and easy to work with. I highly recommend him and Outdoor 76. read more

I stopped in today to look for walking sneakers and Jonathan did an awesome job assessing my size and foot shape to identify a comfortable pair. The price is higher than I usually pay but I think the sneakers will be the best fit for comfort and ease some foot pair my current sneakers are causing. Thanks for the great customer service! read more

I was in there trying to find some new hiking boots. I'm a pretty solid 12 on a brannock and have almost alway been a 13 in running shoes and boots, but have been having toe pain in my latest boots. Andrew waited on me and the first thing he did was measure my instep, explaining this is the most important measurement. My instep is a 49(14/15us). Andrew put me in a pair or La Sportiva. I just finished 30 days in the Middle East, 15+ miles a day with 40lbs pack and they were great. Highly recommend this place read more

I lost my boots and thought I needed to have a boot instead of a running shoe. After a very thorough fitting Aleck opened my eyes to the most comfortable fitting running shoe I have ever owned. I purchased the Euro 43. From the store I preceeded to the AT to try them out. Amazing comfort and so light on my feet. Thanks for taking time to make sure the fit was perfect.Paralee read more

Great place to buy outdoor gear/clothes in Franklin NC. In the back of the store there is a great selection of local beer on tap, can beer and wine. Andrew was our bartender, he is a local from Franklin and can give you great ideas on places to visit in the area including outdoor adventures. read more

Outdoor 76 - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

I loved shopping at Outdoor 76 today! Marie helped measure my foot and talked to me about the right kind of shoes (and socks) for my hiking needs. She was extremely friendly and helpful. I will definitely be back! Also- their sale racks rock! read more

I have a very hard time getting footwear that don't hurt my feet. I had heard about the 'feet gurus' at Outdoor 76. A friend and I made the drive over today and we are so glad we did. We each have very different foot types and Jonathan Bird spent 3 hours with us , fit us with different shoes and we wore the shoes home. I have never had a pair of shoes that felt so good on my feet. I will happily drive the 2.5 hours again the next time. Thanks so much to the staff at Outdoor 76. We also got recommendations for some yummy food to get before heading home. read more

Great store catering to the hiker and outdoor enthusiasts. Excellent customer service

On the recommendation of my sister (an avid runner & hiker), I went to Outdoor76 to get new running shoes last week. Andrew started by measuring my feet, which I havent had done since I was a little kid! Turns out I have been wearing shoes that have been too small for me. Andrew must've spent at least 30 minutes with me finding the best shoe for me. I can not recommend Outdoor 76 more highly! Thank you Andrew! (By the way, there is a wonderful and tolerant dog in the shop that kept our pup busy the whole time!) read more

My wife and I were on vacation in Cashiers, NC. We neglected to bring rain gear, so we headed to Outdoor 76 in Franklin. We underestimated travel time and got there just ten minutes before closing. Needless to say, the manager did not rush us out; in fact, he provided us with EXCELLENT customer service. 2 rain jackets, 1 pair of Chacos, a Kavu bag, and a mug later, we are thrilled by this shopping experience. Check this place out!!!!! :) read more

Checked out this outfitter when we recenty had to replace a backpack for family members hiking the Appalachian Trail. While this place had interesting stuff and friendly people ... it is a small store and they don't carry much variety. Couldn't find a 58L or larger pack for a small frame. They had dogs on the back porch ... petted dogs ... felt better ... but had to go to Three Eagles Outfitters for the pack. read more

We stopped in for a visit before heading back home to South Florida. The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. They know the area well and all the great places to play in the outdoors. Then to top it off, they carry all the gear you will need for your outdoor excursions. In addition, they have nice clothing, shoes, and even sunglasses. The decor in the store is beautiful, staying true to the age of the building which I believe dates back to 1905. If you need something for hiking, biking, rafting, or camping, or just need to know the good spots in the area to head to, go in and see the staff at Outdoor 76! read more

I have had great experiences at 76 both times I've visited for my hiking needs. My first time was as a thru-hiker on the Appalachian Trail (April 2018).. and I was completely new to hiking. I had only hiked a handful of times before deciding to hike to Maine, and I was completely clueless when it came to my socks and shoes. By the time i reached 76 by foot, i had been through six pairs of shoes (mile 109 on the AT), and three brands of socks. REI couldn't quite figure out why I was blistering and chafing so horribly in six different pairs of shoes. We tried everything. New brand. New socks. Smaller size, bigger size, completely different styles. Honestly now I just know they were guessing, and I was the experiment. When I arrived in Franklin I had already been told to stop by 76 since i was known on trail for my foot issues; everyone highly recommended 76 for a previous experience they had. I'm so glad I listened because i met my forever hero Rob who fit me in my seventh pair of shoes, and the right combo of socks and liners--which were the only shoes/socks that worked for me out of seven pairs (and four brands of socks). I am 100% sure if it wasn't for Rob taking the time to fit me in the right shoe/sock combo, I wouldn't have made it to Maine. He spent so much time with me, and even let me try a pair of Salomons to make sure they weren't the one. Instead of just sticking me in my shoe and sending me on my way, he went through the trouble of process of elimination instead. Which for my weird situation of blisters and chafing skin, I felt so taken care of. Rob really cared about my feet, and about helping me get to Maine. I cant say that about any other "major" outfitter I worked with (REI, Columbia). Fast forward to April 2019, I needed gym shoes (completely different style from before) and, of course, I wanted to give 76 a visit to get their professional opinion and service. I was so lucky because my hero, Rob, was there and I was able to get fitted in gym shoes by the shoe guru himself! I was so excited, and I have to share: I absolutely love the shoes and insoles I purchased from 76 that Rob recommended. I have lost over 40+ pounds with these shoes, and I truly think the insoles and the shoes have kept me moving well in the gym without injury. Here I am again thanking Rob and 76 for another amazing pair of shoes!!! Rob, thank you so much for teaching me how important it is to take care of our feet. My back and knees are overall so much better now that I pay attention to my shoes, thanks to you. Thank you 76!!! Y'all are the best! read more

Great store. Great owners. And the guys that work there are awesome. Fun, nice, helpful... There's a ton of great stuff on the 40% - 50% off racks! read more

Franklin, NC is at approximately mile 110 of the Appalachian Trail. I wore my Nike running shoes from home during this first stretch of the trail on my 2015 thru-hike with the intention of getting properly fitted for trail runners in Franklin. I could not have asked for a better experience from an outfitter. The guy spent 90 minutes with me, starting with a discussion about foot structure and showing me cutout sections of various types of trail running shoes. We then moved on to measuring my feet thoroughly, not just for length and width but also for arch length - which turns out to be a crucial parameter when being fitted for shoes. I probably tried on a half-dozen pair of trail runners before settling on the Saucony Xodus 5.0. They even custom-molded a set of insoles for me that were way more supportive than the factory insoles that came with the shoes. I ended up wearing this first pair all the way to Boiling Springs, PA - nearly 1,000 miles - with zero foot issues. I received a new pair in Boiling Springs and wore those up to Rangeley, ME where I received my third and final pair. Huge kudos to Outdoor 76 for making this hugely important aspect of my hike awesome. read more

If you think you know shoe fit and you have not checked in with Rob.... then you are missing something! He spent loads of time explaining and having me try on shoes. We found the perfect fit and no more knee pain!!! read more

This is my new favorite store. I've been in before to browse, but today I went in to look for some shoes. The staff was so knowledgeable that I walked out with an education, excitedly telling my husband all I learned. I've been wearing minimalist shoes for years, but I learned a lot more about them. I also had my feet measured and it was spot on when I tried on the shoes that I ultimately ended up purchasing. What also impressed me is that the shoes he recommended for me actually came off the sales table. They have a great selection of all types of shoes, hiking boots, running shoes, etc. They also have tents, backpacks, hiking/camping equipment, and a great selection of shirts and hats. The staff is not only knowledgeable, but patient and super sweet. read more

Kind of stuck up Place. First time family was in the mountains. (Family of 6) we are not outdoor ppl for the mountains. This is our first time up in the Appalacian area and had a wonderful time and wanted to get some kind of souvenir as an accomplishment for hiking 6 miles on the Appalachian Trail and actually awakening some inner mountaineers. When we walked in the place was way overpriced and the staff seems like they were better than us because they did this all the time. read more

Always a great time at the back of a sporting good store playing darts, listening to music and drinking good beer! read more

Outdoor 76 - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Franklin, North Carolina

This is a small store that jam packs just about everything you will need to explore the beautiful outdoors in the surrounding locale and beyond. When I visited the store mid-afternoon there were several employees on duty, all of which were very friendly and willing to help and appeared to be very knowledgeable about the outdoors and how to best serve customers. Outdoor 76 is a fantastic stop for anyone interested in the outdoors and gearing up before checking out the marvelous natural attractions western North Carolina has to offer. read more

I would've never thought to find beer in an outdoor store, but this place is great! The staff are friendly and knowledgeable about the beer, and the decor is also a nice touch! My first time here was a success! I would definitely recommend the cider! read more

Great selection. Thru hiker discount. Beer on tap in the back, good vibes all around. Very knowledgeable staff advised smart purchases. Must visit if you are a backpacker or outdoors person in this area. read more

Outdoor 76 is the perfect converging spot for thru hikers, local outdoor enthusiasts, and a friendly, progressive crowd. Grab a brew, learn about outdoor opportunities, and buy from a really nice selection of clothing and gear. read more

They have a good selection of outdoor and backpacking gear. We came here while hiking the Appalachian trail and after the 10% through hiker discount the prices weren't ridiculously high. We did get expert help on some new insoles for our boots and the salesperson seemed very knowledgeable. read more

Carries a lot of good outdoor brands. The staff is very helpful. They have a good selection of Chaco's and were very helpful in getting them fitted. read more

Outdoor 76 is a great outdoor shop - tactically located close to great hiking, paddling, mountain biking, camping and so forth in Western North Carolina. They are aware of and carry new technology in gear, as well as standards in the field. I have shopped there for trips abroad, such as a cycling trip in Ireland, and appreciate being able to buy outdoor gear at a friendly, local downtown shop. read more

"Jake" was excellent with guidance & help to find me a great pair of hiking shoes. I had no idea which shoes to even try on. Have worn the shoes now for a week, and for the first time, have not experienced the usual uncomfortable "new shoes break-in" problems. The shoes are comfortable and a perfect fit. VB read more

The best and most interesting outdoor retailer on the appalachian trail. They love what they do.

One of the best outdoor stores in the region! The owners, Rob and Cory, are incredibly knowledgable and friendly. The location and atmosphere are great, especially with the addition of the bar. And the selection of outdoor gear and clothing is exceptional. read more

This place is great! Everyone is super helpful and friendly and they have a great selection of outdoor gear. Plus you can head to the back and grab a drink at the bar while you're there. read more

Love this store! Great staff. Extremely knowledgable with footwear and leg/feet issues. All around great advice and atmosphere to shop/hang out. Serves beer on tap as well! read more

Outdoor 76 has grown over the years into a larger location. They have a ton of great products for all activities and a very knowledgeable staff which uses its products regularly. When I walked in the store I had a few questions about local spots of the AT. I must note at this point I hadn't shopped or shown that I was going to give them any business. Instead of just quickly answering my question the gentleman stopped what he was doing, pulled out a map, and spent a pretty good amount of time going over my trip and even giving me some pointers on a better route that I would not have known about had he not shown me. Afterwards I was asking about buying a tent on a budget and instead of selling me one from his inventory he was able to find a used one for me at a great discount. I noticed a few reviews where people had nothing but praises but only gave 4 stars. I never understood that. When im in town Outdoor 76 is my go to place! read more

Very helpful staff, even in the off-season! We stopped in during a winter section hike of the AT. A few pieces of our gear weren't working out, and the staff helped us choose appropriate replacements. They also helped us coordinate a ride back to the trail from town. Some of the " gear" shops along the trail are more souvenir oriented, but this shop carries the good, tough brands that work. Thanks guys! read more

Love these guys, so helpful with any outdoor gear questions, they know the area and they are experts in everything they sell. I would strongly recommend you check them out if you are doing any kind of outdoor activity in the Smokey Mountains. They even rent equipment if you can't afford it. read more