This is the place to shop if you are a serious camper, backpacker, biker, skier, or rock climber. Their prices are higher but their merchandise is a higher quality. When you go off the grid, you want high-end equipment that doesn't fail. I purchased a really nice backpack when I hiked on the Appalachian Trail. The salesman was very patient with me as I tried 8 different backpacks with 40 pounds of weight to simulate a "real feel". Another salesman gave me a demo on different camp stoves and I bought a better stove than I initially wanted and it was on sale for less than I was going to spend. I joined the co-op and receive a rebate each year. Watch for sales to save and when you have on-line orders, the shipping is free if you pick up at store. read more

REI is definitely a must if you're serious about outdoor sports like camping, hiking, paddling or climbing. They have a lot of items that are otherwise difficult to find in the Milwaukee area. The staff is always very friendly and want to help. If they can't answer a question then they will find someone who can. Camping supplies are much better than what you'll typically find. They aren't geared towards the car camper and for that I'm appreciative. Before REI and Erewhon came to town more specialized kit often required ordering or a trip to Madison. And they do have some stuff for those who like it old-school like Crown brand white gas instead of the usual Coleman (no fancy butane in my bag!). There are a few negatives. First is that they can be a little pricey. REI is not obnoxiously priced and they can have very good sales. Being a member of the Co-Op helps because you get (I think) 10% back on purchases. And it's one of the cheapest Co-Ops to join, at $20 for life. Second is location. They picked a spot a little "out there" and leaving the parking lot to head East is horrible during rush hour. You'll need to turn right and then make a U-turn, which can take some time. And the third is that you shouldn't trust the website if it says something is in stock; call ahead. I made the trip out to REI last week just for some of their stormproof matches (one of the best of this type available). It's a product REI is really kind of known for and the website said they were in stock at this location. But no, they were completely out. One of the employees was good enough to go in back to check. They had many, many of the more common UCO matches so I opted for them until I happened to be back in the area. read more

This is my preferred place to shop for backpacking equipment. Yea the drive is alittle much for me but when I go I buy enough that the difference in sales tax between all the IL stores and this one works so I save money. One of the bigger REI stores in that they have a climbing wall and an inclined path so you can test out equipment. Very important for backpack fit and shoes. They also have kayaks and canoes here for you to sit in also. They also carry all the other necessary equipment; stoves, tents, sleeping bags and pads, freeze-dried food, shoes, and clothing are among the bigger areas. Staff is always helpful and will answer all your questions. It helps if you become a member as you are then part of the company and depending on how much you spent that year you will get a member refund, usually 10% on your purchases. They have great stuff, good sales, and an outlet store so it makes for a great place to shop for the outdoor enthusiast. read more

I wish I could live here. If there was a zombie apocalypse...this is where I would gather all my things ! Top notch products within the store, clothing or not it's great, and besides their service is always great. Real knowledgeable of their products within the store, and if not they'll point you to the right direction. And if you aren't a Member of REI I highly suggest doing so. $20 for life and that's it. I will always come back. read more

REI is for outdoor enthusiasts - biking, running, hiking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, camping, canoeing and that is important to those of use that pursue those sports and spend the often large amounts of money needed to fuel those passions. Clean store, with good parking that offers really great high-end brand name products and good support. I often order online and pick it up at the store for free. Lots of monthly how-to clinics and they support the Boy Scouts as well as many civic organizations - hey stop over at the store and sign up to help out with River Clean Up coming up soon. Occasional long lines during their sales - but the deals during the Member Only and Scratch N Dent Sales make up for it. When not during sale, prices can be on the higher side so shop their REI Outlet online and ...have it shipped to the store for free pick up. Become a member and get a yearly dividend - I spend mine right away so my wife doesn't get it. Good service and if something isn't right they will fix it. Had a problem recently at the Brookfield REI and spoke to the store manager Michelle Ortiz and she fixed it - I was greatly impressed by her attentiveness. read more

Another Seattle institution that has branched out. I love REI, The rock wall is gone- thank goodness, cause there's so much gear in here. I am a fan. I have found the staff to be hit or miss in approaching me, but generally very helpful when you start a conversation. They are all outdoorsy and use the gear, so very knowledgeable. I am always inspired when I leave the store! My favorite is the garage sale - scored a great deal on a kayak this fall. Members only - returns, rental gear to sell, etc. read more

Love the weekly clinics overall but for some reason today's clinic was still going on after 90 minutes which is rather odd. Other than that love everyone that works there read more

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Today I went into the store to ask about my dividend. She told me how much it was and asked if I would like to shop in store or get it cash back. I didn't know cash back was even an option. I thought wow that's nice that they even offer this option. I asked is there any incentive for me to shop in store versus getting cash back on my dividend? She said well it's easier for me for you to shop in the store because all I have to do is press a button versus counting out $92.00 for you. Wow! That just rubbed me the wrong way. I thought about it and asked for my dividend in cash and she then got irritated. Me being the customer ended up feeling bad for some reason. So I said you know what that's ok I will go shop in the store instead. Went to hiking shoe section. I waited for thirty minutes to try on two pairs of shoes. I was waiting patiently. I finally get the guy who was a wealth of knowledge after waiting for him for a half hour. I was ready to buy two pairs of shoes for $300. He ends up leaving me after five minutes with someone else who wasn't experienced after waiting for him for thirty minutes. She was very nice and helpful. I end up noticing that one of the pair of shoes had laces which excessively shorter from one another and it was difficult to keep the one shoe tied. I asked for another pair in the same size and she said these were the only size they had. I asked if I can order the same pair and have them shipped to my house. She said yes but you have to do it up front. So I took the shoes up to the register to ask them to order these shoes for me. I explained to her the situation. She proceeded to tell me that these shoes look like I had warn them and you need to try these on. She accused me of bringing back worn shoes when really they were brand new shoes I was trying to purchase. I just got them from their sales people in the back. I didn't even notice then soles were worn on a pair of shoes I was about to buy. Anyways I asked can't you just order me this same pair to have them shipped to me? She huffed and said yeh I guess. I said you know what give me dividend please. I don't want the shoes anymore I will get them myself from somewhere else. She then went on to say I don't even know if you can get cash back your dividend. Eventually I did get it back after she asked someone else who said of course she can get her money. Wow! There was two hours of life I will never get back. Since when did REI people get so pretentious, rude, and unhelpful? Thanks for treating your 20 year customer poorly REI. Normally I would give them a pass. But to have multiple people treat me so rudely. I will spend go spend $300 elsewhere. I will give a shout out to the new lady in the shoe section though! She was putting forth the effort! read more

This place is amazing. The employees are wonderful. I feel safe and happy while shopping here - especially during Covid. APPLAUSE! :)

I went in to order a kayak. I was pleased with the knowledgeable man (Tom) who answered all of my questions. I went to the checkout to order it when the customer service got even better! I was using gift cards for my purchase when one of them didn't work correctly. The checker, Hannah, very polite and helpful did her best but was wise enough to seek help from someone else. That's when Samantha came into the picture. Without going into detail, she did an outstanding job of working with the corporate office to restore its value. She was polite, helpful, understanding, and really went "to bat" for me when talking on the phone with the corporate office. The value of the gift card was fully restored, as it should have been! Because the resolution to the issue took quite a bit of time, she even discounted another item that was an in store purchase because of my inconvenience. She deserves kudos and a raise for her exemplary customer service!!!!! read more

No customer service. Unknowledgeable staff (asked two staffers). Had to research and pick out my own equipment while staff just stood by. Should have gone else where to purchase my roof rack. read more

I love REI. I bike, camp/backpack, and kayak. The store has such a clean lay out and everything is made easy to find. If you ever have a question, the person in the section has the answer. They themselves have tried products on their trips and will tell you the good, bad, and ugly on each. They have a lot of knowledge and will help you obtain the right gear for your customized trip. The best part of REI is being a member.. Join it! It is twenty dollars, for life! All you have to do is spend money there each year. ( it doesn't matter how much) Being a member has such great rewards that I have all ready taken advantage of. You can have items shipped to the store for free. Every purchase, you get 10% and it comes back to you in your dividend. Every product that I have bought from here within the last 3 years is still in excellent shape. My thought is, although it is expensive, it is going to last longer than if I buy something cheap and have to continue to replace it. Although I usually go in there shopping for my upcoming trip, i often find myself planning the next. This is where you should go for all of your outdoor needs! You won't be sorry! read more

They're always good to my skis and bike! It's worth it to become a gold member, the savings on skis and bike tune up is worth it alone. And coupons on clothing. read more

Love this store! They always have a good, new selection of products that are priced for your everyday person. Their clearance area has a nice selection especially the shoes were I can regularly find my size 14's. The staff is friendly, knowledgable and available to help without seeming too pushy. I signed up for the rei rewards card too making it an even better deal. They have lots of events and free classes for everything outdoors. read more

Have shopped at many locations across the country and started shopping at this location after it first opened in '98. I have noticed the people that work there have become less knowledgeable as the years go by. Now it's full of Millennial Hipster goofs, that are more interested in tattoos and nose rings, than knowledge about gear, or helping people in the store. I like the gear that they carry, and they have a great selection. Prices are high, but they do have sales and membership coupons often. I shop there if I need an item right away and try and avoid the hipsters. read more

A good find in Milwaukee. I needed running pants and they had some. A typical REI store.

I love this store. I love that I can buy something online and ship it to this store and return it if I don't like it. I love how every employee loves what they do and are always ready to help and is knowledgable. I love that they have classes (which I haven't attended, but seen one taking place). It's a big store packed with an abundance of products and they do a great job of keeping all of it organized. read more

Big selection, informed staff, location is so so. Prices are jacked up. Membership is a great investment. I was out of the country last year and came back to a dividend that gave me a nearly free guidebook for climbing! read more

Just returned a running watch I got for Father's Day. The watch worked but wasn't quite the right one for me. They took it back with no questions asked. I'm happy to support a store with great products and great customer service. read more

I love REI so much I registered here from my wedding. The employees actually know what they are talking about and the products are well made. Yes, they are a bit on the more expensive side, but they will last for years, and if they don't, I've never seen a better return policy. My favorite thing to do is come for the "garage sale" days, where they sell the damaged, returned, etc items as a very heavy discount. read more

A toy store for adults. All the coolest things for the outdoor enthusiast. Just a bit pricey unless you wait for a sale.

I took my my Mt Bike in for a new rear derailleur and tune up. The mechanic missed the snapped axle in the rear hub. I ended up taking it to another bike shop down the road to get it done right. Other than that they do have a great selection of outdoor gear. read more

Greatest store on the planet. Wish this location had a climbing wall like other rei's.

The service here is seriously lacking. I spent about an hour selecting items for an upcoming hiking trip in probable rainy conditions. So lots of waterproof items...waterproof jackets, shells, and pants, with a few other layering items. Things I found all on my own, since lots of employees were talking with each other, but not noticing me at all. I realized I had already exceeded the time I had to shop, due to an appointment, and looked for someone to hold the items. Finally found someone at the register, and he told me he'd hold the items until 4:30. I returned at 2:00, and looked for someone to ask about the held items. I tracked down one of the employees, and she told me I'd have to stand in line at the register to get the items. After standing in line for 10 minutes, it was my turn, but someone walked in from outside, directly up to the counter. The clerk was ready to help her, until I pointed out the line and that it was my turn. Both clerk and customer sighed. I asked about my held items, and they couldn't find them. They said, in a non-caring attitude, as if wasting my time was no big deal, "Oh. Must have been restocked." And that was it. No offer to help with anything, no apology, nothing. Just ready for the next person in line. So I left, fuming. This would have been a large sale for them, and prep for my trip would have been done. So I called and told the manager. He used the words "I'm sorry," but his only offer to help was, "So you'd like us to track your items down again?" They wouldn't be able to, so that was an empty offer. I would've had to pull them off the racks all over again myself, going through the same thought process and time it took to do it the first time. The fact that not one employee took my time seriously makes it unlikely that I'll ever be back. read more

I stopped in REI on Saturday and there was only one person working the floor they didn't have what I was looking for overall crappy experience I will go elsewhere to get what I need read more

This is a great place for all your outdoor needs. From equipment to climb the peaks of great mountains to camping gear. if you can think it REI has it. REI has a great shoe department and knowledgeable staff. they carry some of the best outdoor gear you can find and the clothing to go with it. From Patagonia to Hard wear to Columbia and North Face. Check them out you will not be disappointed in the selection. read more

This store has everything an outdoors nut or an outdoor novice could want. If you have something specific that you know you need, they will direct you to it or it can be found very easily. The store is well organized and the staff are very responsive in helping. One thing to know is that some staff specialize in specific departments, so don't be surprised if one member of the team refers you to another team member. I am leaving the country for Peace Corps, and I don't have any extensive experience with backpacking or living in extreme conditions. I had a list of things from the Peace Corps that they recommend one bring, but wanted to get help from an expert. The gentleman who helped us was very knowledgeable. He recommended a great sleeping mat, sleeping bag, and pillow. I was very pleased with the experience. We are REI members, which essentially gives you 10% cash back on everything you spend over the year. If you are planning to spend over $200, it is worth the one time investment. read more