I stopped by tonight to use a gift card I had from this past Christmas. Unfortunately there wasn't a lot to choose from at a reasonable price! Almost everything in the store seemed to be above MSRP. Another reason for the three star review is every sales associate I talked to or asked a questioned they keep pressuring me into their rewards program. I'm big on outdoors and a frequent shopper at stores like Field & Stream and Bass Pro Shop. However, REI isn't the place for me because of their very high pricing and pushy sales associates. read more

Love this store! I joined when I was in college and moved away from CA a looong time ago. $20 and totally worth it. You get a small rebate back at the end of each year. They offer free classes every month (on bike maintenance for example). They have the best selection of Smartwool socks and plenty of friendly personnel to help you! read more

First time in the store and it was a great visit! The customer service here is great. My boyfriend was in looking for a new pair of boots and I wandered around the store scoping out all that they had. Everything in the store has a money back guarantee, simply stated to us as they want everyone to be happy, because if you are not happy with the purchase you made you will not be happy in the great outdoors and may give up on a new adventure....I'm sorry, whaaaaaatttt??? Reallly??? Even, if he didn't like the boots, and wanted to return them, and the answer was simply, yes. Wow! :-) We ended up making a purchase as well as signing up for the REI program, It is $20.00 for a lifetime and give you 10% back on purchases every year (you can either get back in cash or a gift card your choice), they also have "garage sales" multiple times a year where they have goods up to 80% off, plus other benefits. Definatley give it a try, as it is very different than Dicks, Bass Pro, etc. read more

I don't know what they're doing at REI, but they consistently have the nicest, most helpful employees. My husband and I made a special trip up here from Lexington to return some items and check to make sure our backpacks fit properly. The employee in the backpack area loaded up the packs we had purchased on-line with some weighted pillows and taught us how to put them on correctly to reduce the risk of injury. Once on, he showed us how to adjust the straps and helped me identify how it feels when my pack is securely fastened. He then encouraged us to take a hike around the store for a while to make sure everything still felt ok. During our "hike," my husband and I took some time to discuss which cook set would be the best for us. We enlisted another employee, who turned out to be an ultralight backpacker and got her opinion. The our original helper showed up to ask how we were doing, and they got into a long discussion of the benefits of creature comforts vs. physical comfort. I really liked that there was a diverse set of opinions to point out the pros and cons of each side so we could make an informed decision. The second employee also pointed out that, since we were buying a sleeping bag that day, it might make more sense for us to purchase a second membership and use a 20% off coupon as it would save us money in the long run. At the register, the associate let us know that, since we live in a state that doesn't have an REI location (Kentucky), we can actually purchase most items tax-free through the web-site. With this knowledge, we decided to get only the sleeping bag, and she graciously offered to put everything else back for us after writing down the item specifics so we could find them on-line. REI is one of my new favorite things, and I wish they had a location closer to us so we could visit more often! Until then, I suppose we'll have to make do with occasional trips to this awesome store. read more

Employees are consistently rude. Something must be going on because I've never seen a group of people act like bigger jerks and then at REI. I've seen them treat other customers in the same way so it's not just a isolated incident. Inventory is lacking when it comes to sizes. Prices are a joke (shop here if You always want to pay top dollar). REI membership program is just ridiculous. The amount of money you get back in a form of a dividend is extremely small. REI why not just give us a good sale instead of trying to trick us. Also please stop saying we own part of the company when were a member. If we own part of the company no one would treat the owners in the way that you treat your customers. Forget about a quick check out experience if the store is busy. You'll stand in line... Spend your time and money at smaller local stores Who actually care about their customers. REI tries to pretend like there a customer focused company but it is completely the opposite. read more

David and Tyler were super helpful with tons of tips and recommendations for finding a new snowboard that works for me! Thank you so much!

This REI location is great! Starting off this review, I am NOT comparing it to bigger REI's in other cities (Seattle, Denver, etc.). This is a smaller location if you are used to those ones. Honestly, I love just browsing often here, because of the many great products that are in store. But when the customer service is top notch is when REI becomes even better. Every time I come in I am greeted, and offered help. Often times I'm just looking around, but some days I really do need some assistance with the many options. I was in last week looking for a sleeping bag for back packing, and the help I received was wonderful! I forget her name, but she offered me advice on what I wanted to look for, and well as which would fit me best. I did end up buying the sleeping bag, which I most likely wouldn't have done without assistance. Wonderful, wonderful place for all you adventurers! read more

I'm like a little kid at Christmas in this store. SO MUCH RESTRAINT REQUIRED! Really friendly staff, great selection, competitive pricing, convenient location. Cinci needed a large outdoor supply store that was more centrally located and REI came to the rescue! Thank you! read more

I went in here looking for a christmas gift for my boyfriend. I had gone here already informed about a couple of products I wanted to look at so I wasn't clueless. The staff was well prepared for all my questions concerning the head lamps; giving me their experiences with some of the products and they also helped me narrow down the selection to two great ones. I left the store with one that was the best choice for my boyfriend. I enjoyed knowing that I purchased a great product with the help of REI's great staff. Thanks! read more

May 26 everything else is opened in shopping area except REI. Drove 70 miles to return shoes. REI is closed except for curbside pickup. Will not accept a return. As I said all other stores are open. REI could care less about Customer Service. They could have come to the curb taken the return gone into the store and processed it like others have done. Shop somewhere else. read more

This place has everything outdoorsy, and it's a nice store. Good variety of everything. It's definitely not the place to go if you're looking for a good deal though. Even the clearance wasn't discounted very much. read more

My husband and I stopped in to REI to buy a couple of items for his son who was leaving for Europe. We needed a couple of specific items and knew REI would have them. The store is big with a huge selection- I'm not an outdoorsy/hiking etc. type but it appears they would have everything you would ever need. We flagged down an employee after unsuccessfully looking on our own and I was so impressed with how knowledgeable she was- she asked us all the right questions to get us exactly what we needed- didn't try to upsell us anything, and had personal experience that helped her to suggest the right products to us. It's a little pricey but everything seems to be high quality, and when you are talking about durable equipment/gear, probably worth it to spend a little more for quality- and also to be in a store where the sales people really know their stuff! read more

Great store. I buy all of my gear and clothes there. Equipment and clothing lasts for years even with heavy usage.

I was very fortunate to find this REI during my recent stay in Cincinnati. I left my Yeti bottle at home and desperately "needed" a replacement. I quickly found one. Staff were decent, did not do much in terms of help. Checkout was very convenient. read more

So happy there is an REI in the area! Selection is great for many outdoor activities and was able to try out several backpacking tents in the store before making my purchase. Staff is expert at what they sell. read more

I'm not really sure why people talk up REI so much. I thought the store was pretty meh. I didn't see many items that you couldn't get at an average sporting goods store such as Dick's or Dunham's. Their main draw for me is that they're a Benchmade knife dealer. While I was expecting them to have a knife counter, all they had was a small display with maybe 10 knives in it, and only three were Benchmades (and they were all Griptillians at that). I was later made aware that their online store and catalog had many more items that were not available at this store, so maybe that's the way to go. read more

Love this place! Maybe a little too much lol great customer service and product knowledge.

My last experience at REI was exemplary. I was ready to take the plunge and buy a real backpacking pack. The sales people were SO helpful -- they suited me up, helped load, and had me walk around the store several times to make sure it was comfortable. While I was tromping around the store, other sales people chatted with me to see how it felt, asked me about my upcoming trip, and were pretty much the model of amazing customer service. read more

I've been a member for several tests but this place still continues to amaze me. Yes you do have to be a member to purchase items however it's only a one time $20.00 fee. They have several items made by REI which they're very good about standing behind. Being an avid hiker it's great to have a REI store close by with knowledge staff to help you with any need. From hiking gear to bikes they'll definitely meet your outdoor needs. They also host classes on several outdoor topics which change on a monthly basis. Thanks REI for a great store here in Cincinnati! read more

REI backs what they sell. I showed up 2 minutes after closing for a return, expecting to be turned away. Instead, I was welcomed in, not rushed and left with the problem solved. Their staff was all so great when they didn't have to be. read more

First time going. Definitely not the last. It was like my soul exploded into four walls. Anyways. I got there thirty minutes before they closed to buy shoes quickly but when I got there it was intense. I got help quickly and it was amazing. I learned a lot and walked out $150 less than I had. The guy who checked me out was helpful as well and friendly. And despite the fact that I was one of those assholes who is there after closing, everyone was out of their way friendly. The reason i actually am taking the time to write this is because despite my glorious time, I didn't even look at their names. Are they just empty, helpful shells? No they're people who deserve respect and timeliness so thanks for being so nice when I came in so late. read more

I was happy when I originally heard that an REI store was opening in Cincinnati. I had been to one before while out west but never had one that was close enough to visit again. I have a lot of outdoor gear that I have collected over the years so I didn't need to visit REI immediately for any particular reason. My wife and i stopped in to grab a pair of water shoes for her since we were planning on getting some paddling done and she didn't have water shoes or sandals. We ended up finding a nice pair of Teva shoes that are more enclosed than standard sandals but still have lots of ventilation and drainage. They were on sale too, which was a plus. We had been renting kayaks wherever we went and finally decided to purchase one of our own. I researched different brands and stores and found one that I liked on the REI website. I was able to get it at a 15% discount because they were having a sale. That's a good discount on a boat saving me $150. Plus, I didn't have to pay for shipping if I had it delivered to the store. I went ahead and ordered everything I needed for the kayak including PFDs, paddles, car top kayak carrier, gloves, dry bag, and a water proof electronic device protector. I have been very satisfied with everything I received and the for the most part the ordering process went smoothly. There was a mix-up when the items were shipped out and some went to the wrong store, but an employee at the store were able to look up exactly what happened and tell when they would arrive. After I got home, one paddle was not the length I ordered but they had the correct length in the store and easily exchanged it for me with no hassle. One of the PFDs I ordered did not fit my wife and I was also able to easily exchange it for another brand and size at the store. When I picked up the kayak an employee helped me to lift onto my car, although he couldn't help me tie it down due to liablilty issues which is totally understandable. He also helped carry the boxes of ordered items out to my car. I have found that every employee I interacted with was very helpful and polite. They did their best to answer any questions I had and easily resolved any issues. The membership is a one time charge of $20 and with it at the end of the year you recieve 10% back on full price purchases in the form of a gift card. I will continue to shop at REI due to the large selection of items between the store and the website and the ease with which my orders have been handled. read more

I went to REI for calf sleeves and was impressed with their selection. They also had a decent array of socks, but they were geared more toward hiking than running in general. REI seems to have everything needed for outdoor activities including clothing, equipment, and nourishment. The staff are super knowledgeable and helpful. They are on the pricey side; I am not sure if this is because they are a co op or not, but in general they seem to have at least a 10% mark up over running stores. read more

I am so disappointed by my experience here. This was my first time REI, and I will not be back. I came in today because I needed a pair of hiking shoes. I know nothing about hiking shoes or any type of hiking equipment. Upon entering, someone said "welcome" to me. I wandered around, tried to find the shoes myself. People who worked there never approached me to see if I needed help finding something. Once I did find the shoes, I was clearly interested in the products, picking them up and trying to figure them out. The man working in the shoe section never once acknowledge my presence. He was helping another customer, but never told me he would be right with me or anything. After 5 or 10 minutes of waiting for someone to offer their assistance, I decided that if I am going to spend around $150 on a pair of shoes, it should be spent somewhere that cares about my business. So I turned around and walked right out of there and no one even said goodbye to me. Rude rude rude. The store was mostly empty and I saw at least 8 employees while I was there. To be fair, I don't look like I have money to spend and I definitely don't look like someone who is into hiking or sports of any nature. So maybe they thought they couldn't get a sale out of me. I drove straight over to Sun and Ski in Kenwood and they exceeded my expectations, and I got my hiking shoes there. And they were happy to help me. read more

Worst bike shop I've ever been too. It's hard to believe how much they actually destroyed trying to tune, replace a chain, and replace hydraulic brake seals and fluid. After several attempts to fix the issues, they actually opened the register and gave me cash to go somewhere else! My hydraulic breaks were destroyed and had to be replaced. They actually tried to tell me that my chain ring and shifters weren't compatible and that was why I wasn't able to get into all the gears! A visit to Element Bicycles and $90 later everything is back in working order. They had never seen a bike so badly tuned. The chain had been cut too short and had to be replaced, the shift cables had been damaged and had to be replaced, the adjustment screws had been damaged and had to be replaced. If you value your bike, go somewhere else... read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Cincinnati, Ohio

I've been to a number of REI stores in places like Oregon and Colorado, and I was curious how REI would fit into Cincinnati. I was pleasantly surprised to find that our local REI store had less "extreme sports" gear-- like one might need in Denver-- and more cold weather gear, hiking gear, camping gear, etc... all the kinds of things you can actually use in Ohio. Fewer kayaks, more running clothes. read more

Making a trip to REI is always a treat. I go in looking for one thing, and it never fails; I leave with three or four more items and maybe what I originally came in for. Going into REI is a reminder to me to live my life as I was intended: outdoors, unattached to all my gadgets, and to test my limits. The staff are incredible. Whether I am looking to buy new hiking shoes or a new sleeping bag or even cycling equipment, their always seems to be a friendly staff member on hand who is very knowledgeable and able to provide great information and help me determine what is most suitable for my needs. Also, there are so many free or inexpensive classes that are offered, from beginning hiking to cycling clinics, they offer classes that will help you safely embark on a new adventure! I do wish they had a great variety of ski apparel and equipment --- I know Indiana is not the skiing capital of North America, but it would be great to be able to try on gear locally instead of purchasing from an online retailer and hoping it will fit. read more

Snowboard waxing and sharpening is just $25 here for members! They do a great job and it's one of the most affordable and fast places to have your board/skis maintained. read more

It is wonderful now to have an REI in Cincinnati. I had the pleasure of being there on the first day of their Grand Opening. The employees were very friendly and enthusiastic. The store manager Darren is extremely professional also. I have lived in Denver, CO and Portland, OR so I enjoy the outdoors and adventure sports and REI is the place to go for all the gear. read more

I went in today looking to buy my first ever pair of chaco sandals. I left frustrated due to lack of help and attention. I had to hunt the sales woman down to get the sandals to try on and she NEVER in the 20 minutes sitting trying them on came back to ask how they worked or if I needed help with them. They can be tricky to get on and I was left to just figure it out. While I know REI is the expert in outdoors I wish they would be helpful to those still learning. I will go elsewhere to give my business to when spending $100+ on sandals. The sales woman didn't even know I left because in all honesty she didn't care. read more

This place has it all when it comes down to outdoor gear. I come here for my hiking boots, backpacks, tents, and sleeping bags. My first tent I bought here unfortunately ripped as soon as I got home. I returned it and they honored my return and gave me a brand new one. They offer great deals if you sign up to be a loyal member. They also offer some great clearance items during the off seasons! read more

I love this store. I went to purchase some hiking gear recently for the first time. After looking at some different items and shoes and having no idea what I needed, I was approached by an REI worker who saw me floundering. Naturally this REI worker goes hiking with her boyfriend on a regular basis and had personal experience. She ended up recommending some hiking shoes, socks, and a few hiking shirts that they like to use. I got everything she recommended and couldn't be more satisfied with the products. I am now recommending the same gear to my friends and family. That is what I love about this store. I was able to speak with someone who actually hikes all the time when getting information on different products. This is invaluable. Obviously they have great products and fair prices too but it's the people that makes the difference here!!! read more

On my first visit to RIE, I purchased a pair North Face ski pants and jacket. It was pretty pricey, but the sales associate explained that I could purchase a small portion of stock, and then I would get a dividend at the end of the year. At the end of last year, I received a dividend check in the mail. I went to REI and picked up a $35 umbrella - Free of Charge, Thank You! The merchandise is a bit pricey, but they do sell high end products. Therefore, discounts like this make all the difference. I'm sold - Call me (part) Owner! read more

They had knowledgeable and helpful sales staff and a nice return policy, but they sold me a self-inflating sleeping pad that (I didn't realize till later) had an obvious hole in it that somebody had obviously tried to repair...as if someone had returned the pad because of the hole and they tried to fix it and re-sell it (for full price). read more

This store has EVERYTHING you would need for any outdoor adventure. As someone who has loved the outdoors since I was a kid, this place is like a playground! I went recently to get supplies for a back county camping for a few days and needed food, among other supplies. I was so excited that they had all sorts of freeze dried food, a huge selection compared to other stores. They also cater to vegan diets, something I have only seen online. I checked before I went and they had a sale going on, which saved me almost 25%! I do have to say that though they have a wide selection, they are extremely pricey. Compared to online competitors, they have a larger selection bu that comes with a price jump of 10-15%. The camping equipment section is also high end, so be prepared to spend more money but in my opinion, you are getting a high quality product that will last for years and years to come. read more

REI Bike department is awesome!! Chris is great, knowledgeable and funny. Went there to upgrade an existing bike but wasn't able to. But with some great advice from Chris I was able to buy a bike with the features I wanted. ( Sorry not at REI ) I had a certain budget and I couldn't find anything there. But I went back with my new bike because they truly helped me. Brought it in and Chris checked the whole bike out and gave me a thumbs up and got me going on my way. So if your looking for quality help check theses guys out you won't be disappointed. I gave them 5 stars but really the deserve 10. Angel read more

Very large REI store. For those unaware, REI is a large outdoor gear (camping/hiking/backpacking/etc) franchise that has one of the best warranty programs in the industry. If you're a member and you buy it there it's got a 100% satisfaction guarantee through the store. Pretty rad! read more

I love this place! It is SO EXPENSIVE but the service is great and the store is so nice - every time I go in there I want to buy the whole store so they must be doing something right. I think a lot of the stuff you see there and like you can go find online for cheaper, but overall I still enjoy shopping here for outdoors stuff the most. read more