Had great help finding a good pair of shoes for my job! A girl named Sarah helped me and directed me to some good socks for them as well! Will definitely be coming to REI for all my needs! read more

REI - Amazing shoes! - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Ordered a bike for curbside pickup. Bike was assembled in store. Curbside pickup took less than 3 minutes of waiting, included loading the bike into the car and a quick, but more than sufficient, demo of some new features to me. Overall, great team, great response. Very happy with this experience. read more

I love this store for all my camping and hiking needs. Great selection. Excellent customer service. The people know there stuff. Prices r a little high but for what u get, not really. The store brand is excellent too. Good quality stuff. read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

This REI is a joke. REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.) at this location seems to focus more on mediocre functional clothing that looks good so that young and middle aged professionals in the area can give the appearance that they are Joe/Jane Outdoors. There seems to be very little actual equipment in the store and what there is seems to be designed for "bling factor" rather than usability. There is a selection of bikes & kayaks in the store but, you are pretty out of luck if you hike or camp. Unless of course you just want to look pretty out there or load up on useless gadgets. Swimmers... forget it. However, there are certainly racks upon racks (literally about 80% of the floor space) of the latest, overpriced, beautiful, apparel guaranteed to make like minded "posers" ooo & ahh over how outdoorsy you look. read more

I have absolutely no idea what REI was thinking with this store. Wait...yes...I do... and I think it went something like this: "Hey, since we can only get this relatively small amount of square footage for our store and it's in this overall area, how about we cut back on the camping, hiking, backing, and other areas in favor of a whole bunch of the most expensive clothing items our chain carries. Good, right?" Not good. This REI is not only wee compared to all the others I've been to across the country (and that's over two dozen at this point) but the products they have in stock are insanely skewed. I understand when you go to an REI near the boundary waters and they have a lot of canoes, kayaks, paddles, etc. and have taken out a bit of the cycling area. That makes sense, you're catering to the clientele where that store is. What doesn't make sense to me is when you take pieces out of all your outdoors departments to make room for more clothing. This REI has the largest clothing section in relation to overall square footage I've ever seen. Not only that, but the clothing isn't long underwear, gloves, reasonably priced caps, and the lot. The clothing is virtually all top dollar brands without being top of the line in terms of quality. Not only that, but due to it taking up so much space they don't have nearly as much clothing for the person who does actually go out, beat the crap out of their gear, and then require a new jacket or whatnot. All of this results in a somewhat weary staff who appears to have been told to just direct the customer to whatever costs the most. "No, I don't want a hundred dollar battery-powered UV light for my water purification needs. I want some iodine tablets!" Aside from that, a lot of the time the staff will be forced into directing you into ordering things off the website as they don't have them in stock and are unwilling to store order them for you. I don't know about anybody else out there, but I like to try on a pair of hiking boots before I buy them. If nothing else this just saves me the hassle of returning them later. To sum this up: If you're an REI member like me and you feel any sort of loyalty to their chain of stores, spend the extra twenty minutes and drive to their store on Carlin Springs Road. Heck, make a day out of it. They have plenty of stuff to look at over there. read more

Review #5 Yeah, an awesome REI staff member came along & asked if I needed help. Jackie, who works there was incredibly knowledgeable & answered all my questions & even gave me more info I didn't think to ask about bikes, helmets, bike locks, etc... I give Jackie an additional 6-star for her customer service. read more

Love this place!! I can find cycle shoes, outdoor wears, workout clothes, hiking boots, socks and so much more. If you sign up for membership you earn points and at the end of the year you earn cash. There's time that I earn up to $50 or more and it's nice when you are purchasing Hammer bars and the cashier ask "would you like to use your cash reward?" Saved over $26 on my total. :) read more

REI - Vegan recovery bar....good to have around for emergency in case you run out of protein powder!! Tasty bar. - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Fairfax, Virginia

Oh REI. You clothe me, you feed me, you have an arterial line to my credit card. You get me great items, no matter I am. Over the ocean, or across the street from me. How I love thee. read more

THIS REVIEW IS FOR THE BIKE SHOP ONLY. My initial review of this bike shop was written right after I purchased a new bike. The gentleman at the bike shop asked if I could write a Yelp review if I was happy. I was. So I did. Three days later, the pedal on my brand new $1800 Cannondale started coming loose. I took it back immediately. The person in the shop took it apart, said that it must not have been put together at the factory very well, fixed it and all was good. Even if he was right, however, does REI not inspect their bikes before selling them? Whatever. Then five days later, I was out with friends riding some moderate single-track trails. Within 20 minutes, my front wheel was bent. Seriously???? I've owned quite a few bikes and three Cannondales and I have NEVER bent a wheel. There is NO reason these wheels should have bent given the intensity at which I was riding. Could that one wheel have been faulty? Perhaps. Or was it because the spokes weren't tensioned properly and, again, not inspected before sale. That's where my money is. So, back to REI I went and I demanded my money back. To their credit, the return and refund were painless. I will continue to shop at REI because it's a great store with a great selection of products. However, I will NEVER buy a bike from them again, especially this one. Very poor quality of service. read more

Outdoor equipment is expensive and we outdoorsmen beat the crap out of our gear and expect it to hold up. REI says "If it doesn't hold up or if you don't like it anymore, bring it back for a full refund, no questions asked!" The best part of this policy is the attic sale. If you don't know what it is, too bad! Fewer people to fight with over a Osprey Baby carrier. read more

I just went in to purchase a pair of watersport shoes. The shoe associate was kind and very attentive. She did mention the REI membership and gave me the normal spiel. "I'm not interested, thank you." The only reason I gave my experience 2 stars instead of 1 is due to the shoe associates - both were great. Unfortunately, the end of my experience at REI, checking out, is what left a horrible taste in my mouth. I go to check out and the cashier, David, asks if I want to get the membership. "No thank you." "You sure? Spiel #2 about benefits of membership......" I tell him, again, no thanks. I ask that one item of my purchase be separate and if I can get a gift receipt. The cashier asks, "does this person have an REI membership?" I simply say, "no he does not." The cashier then keeps pushing, "are you sure the person doesn't have an REI membership?? If he/she does, then it is much easier to look up returns and ....". I say again, "no, I am sure my brother doesn't have an REI membership". The cashier doesn't speak to me the rest of the transaction, other than to ask me for my DL. No, "thanks", no "have a nice day". He has a stoic look - the moment I said no to the membership. I'm just done with REI pushing the membership down my throat. I don't want it and REI continuing to bring up the benefits is just annoying and wasting my time. The checkout would have been much faster and 10x more pleasant if a simple "no" would be treated as "no." Obviously, they have a certain quota of memberships they are trying to sell each day (hence the sign up cards with their names on it) and if you don't purchase it - then you are useless to them. read more

This is the 4th time that I've gone to that store, and had the same treatment. I have noticed that REI is a place that is for someone who already knows what he/she is looking for. For someone who needs assistance, then it's better to head some place else. Today, I headed there to get mountain bikes for my daughter and myself. After looking around for ten minutes and seeing tons of attendants standing around, I headed to one and asked to get some help in the biking area. He said he'd call someone, and he did. We waited around for 15 minutes, and no one ever came. When I looked around for the attendants who were there before standing around, they were gone. I was really annoyed because the bike shop I usually go to went out of business, and I never had this issue. I usually get helped right away, and I don't have to wait around for almost 30 minutes for anyone to acknowledge my presence. I left. I now know that if I know what I want and there is a huge sale, then I will venture there. Other than that, I will drive a little further, and go to Spokes where I got my son's bike. read more

Have shopped here for many years. The quality of their products is very good. The selection is very good too. What stands out to me is that the staff knows what they are talking about and are very helpful. The only downside is that items here can be a little costly. You should look for a sale. read more

When you need to gear up for your weekend warrior outings, REI comes to the rescue. My mission was a new kayak, and they had everything on hand - from the kayak itself, to the dizzying array of paddles (carbon fiber - $250 saves me .04 ounces. Umm, that would be a NO), to the rack attachments for my car to carry the whole mess. Note to self ... why the hell don't I just rent like the rest of the world?!? Anyway, being a member here actually does have its privileges. 10% the paddles when you buy a kayak. Hey, it all adds up - that's what I keep telling myself anyway. read more

Customer service here is top notch! My boyfriend and I came here around 8:30 pm on a Saturday night. Fifteen minutes later, we hear an announcement that the store will be closing at 9:00 pm. Then at 9:00 pm, we hear the announcement that the store is closed. Amazingly, no one rushed us out, and one associate even offered to help, asking if we needed anything when we were looking at camping backpacks. I originally came here to return a few items. True to its motto, 100% satisfaction guaranteed, the cashier took my items and asked no questions. I then proceeded to look in the women's section where Aaron asked if I was hot in all the clothes I was wearing. I told him I had just come from a day out in Shenandoah and was still trying to warm up. We then started talking about camping and the appropriate gear and attire to get. He was incredibly helpful and even showed me where to get more information in the store regarding local events and parks. Another gentleman helped my boyfriend and I when we were looking for a hydration pack. Seriously, the customer service is awesome at REI. Whether we were looking for apparel, backpacks, camp gear, there was always someone willing to spend at least a few minutes to talk with us and help us understand what to look for based on our needs. They don't push the products on you; rather, they genuinely want you to be prepared and have fun. I didn't think the store was huge, but they did have everything - bikes, winter apparel, camp gear, climbing gear, etc. All stores should model their customer service after REI. read more

Always great service at this REI. Sales people are polite and take the time to find you the right shoe. Great return policy also.

This location is HUGE! For this reason, this location is always packed on the weekends. The staff is always very helpful even when it's super busy. They go out of their way to help you find exactly what you need. The most awesome aspect of buying from REI is that you can return anything at anytime, even if it is used. They stand behind the products they sell and if we don't like it, we can just return it. I think that speaks for their customer service. read more

I'm not much of a hiker, and don't have that much time to explore the outdoors, but I am addicted to REI. The employees there are knowledgeable about their gear and are friendly, too. It's a pleasure to shop there. I've been a member of REI for years, so I get 10 percent of the money I spent in the store back at the end of the year. It's always nice to get that dividend check...then go spend it on something totally geeky, like binoculars or that waterproof jacket with the fleece lining that you just couldn't possibly live without. Their gear is high quality, but the best thing about the store is that every purchase is 100 percent guaranteed. So if the thing breaks or rips or shrinks or spontaneously combusts, you can bring it back for a full refund, no questions asked. Now, that's service! read more

Great place to get all of your outdoor gear. I get a lot of my camping and hiking gear here. They also have a great selection of clothes from Columbia and North Face. They also have a lot of great high end cycling accessories. The one thing I didn't like about this location is that they had 2 registers open and the line was to the middle of the store. The line didn't move for almost 5 minutes, so I put my one item back and left. read more

This was my first time ever to any REI store. I am going on vacation soon to South America and needed some hiking pants. The place is huge with a lot of different selection for anyone outdoor needs. I ended up grabbing two pairs of pants and also a clearance sports bra. It seems it would be easy to spend money here. They do suggest you buy into the membership but I wasn't having it. If I come here more I would consider it. read more

Insanely overpriced!!! I've been a loyal REI member for awhile now (with my favorite store being the flagship store in Washington, DC). I was a bit shell-shocked when visiting the Fairfax location and their exorbitant prices. Upon comparison to the REI website-- the items in this store are unreasonable and looking to take advantage of the customers. I had just gone to Cabella's and found the same exact items (brand, make, etc) being sold for double the price here! The options are also extremely limited. They only sell the highest sticker items with an upcharge it seems for taking up valuable floor space. I.e. the only foldable lounge chair was going for a whopping $176. It's less money for the same exact make/model online, and with WAY more options. Customer service staff noted that it's priced so high because of how light weight it is, and that it's hard to find. Went online today and am utterly shocked by how false and misleading that statement is! I also think it's a bit unreasonable to sell a completely broken items at half off for the member garage "sale". Guy at the front door manning the long line was super friendly though! read more

I was already a fan on REI for their ample supply of outdoor gear. But I wanted to write a review on the service I received on my bike. My friend and I were biking to Fairfax Corner to catch a movie but my tire got a flat. Thankfully, REI was in the same shopping center so we stopped by with confidence that they had some type of bike repair service. I walked in and was greeted by a few employees conversing in the bike section. I asked if they do bike service and could change a flat tire. One of the employees stepped up and brought my bike over to the service area at the side of the store. Once he figured out what size tube I needed, he explained the service and costs to me, and even schooled me on some bike anatomy knowledge (I had no idea it goes wheel, tube, THEN tired - my tube was what would be replaced). The staff was very friendly and knowledgeable and they let me keep my bike there while I went to the movies and lunch with my friends. Checking out was fairly simple but required going to the bike service area to check out, taking my ticket to the register, then back to the bike service area to get my bike. Not a big deal but maybe it'd help streamline the process if they had a register at the bike area. They also pumped up both tires (not just the one that needed fixing) so my ride home felt great with a well tuned bike. Thanks REI! I'm glad to know that REI provides servicing and it only cost me about $15 for the new tube and labor. Not bad! read more

I give them five stars because every employee I interacted with was helpful, friendly, knowledgeable, and quick. I did have to look around for employee assistance, but as soon as I did, everything went over very smoothly. The employee answered all of my questions thoroughly and patiently. The cashier was very knowledgeable about their in house loyalty program or credit card. I don't remember because I sort of shut it out, but he was very good at selling it. Really enthusiastic without being fake, in fact almost a little monotonous, but in a more funny, clever way. Either way, kudos to them for being knowledgeable and actually making an effort to sell something, and genuinely doing so, too. read more

I just had my first bad experience with REI .. ever. I was hit by a car while riding my bike and while the damage was minor, I needed a formal estimate to claim it on the driver's insurance. I took the bike to REI as they have always done a good job with any other gear I've needed and 2 friends had positive interactions with the bike shop. They had my bike for over 5 weeks ... and each time I called gave me a different story as to what had been done and what needed to be done. Worst of all.. after picking up the bike, the one thing I really needed done (and was told they could do when I dropped the bike off) wasn't actually done... they didn't assess the frame for structural integrity (it's a carbon fiber bike). I was charged maximum rates ("senior tech" for simple repairs & grossly inflated time) for the repairs they did do. The work estimate they provided to the insurance company didn't include sales tax.. so now I have to submit a new claim for that... in addition to finding another shop to assess the frame. Turns out they did the relatively simple repairs at the end of the first week.. and have just been sitting on the bike for a month. I complained to the lead tech and the store manager .. and the only thing they could say was "we're sorry for the miscommunication". I won't be using this bike shop ever again nor will I purchase any bike accessories from this REI. read more

I've always wanted to get my outdoor stuff from the locals but REI's customer service is just so good. Their divdend policy at the end of the year isn't the best as Hudson Trail gives it to you anytime, but it's still quite good. Recently, I swapped a pair of socks I bought five months ago for a brand new pair due to the fact that I picked up the wrong size and thought they shrunk. They looked me up and swapped them - no questions asked! read more

If you're reading this, my assumption is you've never shopped at an REI before. Reason why? Because everyone that has shopped at an REI or this one specifically know that the level of knowledge and service you get from the staff is amazing! I've been a co-op member for quite some time now but never really used Yelp til this year so I figure I need to do them a solid for a many years of exceptional customer service! I've bought camping gear, bike equipment, roof racks and roof racks and roof racks. I know... I have this problem with getting a new car every few months, but hey step one to recovery is admitting you have a problem first ;) but I digress.. Their customer service return policy for co-op members is on point, for example I bought a pair of snowboard pants one year and they were too big! So I ended up making due on the trip (used a regular pants belt and rolled the pants over the belt) and immediately after my friends annual trip I had to leave for a work trip for a few months. I came back prepped to plead my case about the situation and after I explained it was too big on me they said by a problem and let me exchange it out for another pair!!! Amazing I know!! So for you outdoor people like me, make sure you use REI for all your needs! if that sounded like a jingle, I swear it was an accident read more

GREAT EXPERIENCE SELECTION: I've been a REI member for years now and have shopped at many locations throughout the United States. Even though this location isn't one of the larger branches it was well stocked. They have a variety of several items I use and plan on using in the future. SALE ITEMS: This branch had a lot of sales going on, I saw multiple racks of marked down items and was even able to find some things in my size! The interesting thing is that the marked down items weren't necessarily out of season either. STAFF: My wife and I came in to do some research on the bikes and biking gear offered at this establishment and within minutes of our arrival we had a representative giving us guidance. As it turned out this wasn't limited to a "single department" either. Each of the areas we ventured into we were asked by a number of associates if we needed help with anything, they seemed genuinely interested in helping and more than willing to pass along their copious amounts knowledge. It wasn't an annoyance like some places can be. OVERALL: It was Saturday afternoon so the store was buzzing yet the members made sure to make sure all customers were helped; I was so pleased that I asked to see the manager. I wanted to make certain that the manager knew about how my overall experience. I feel comfortable saying your experience would be the same when you visit this location. NOTES: It's nice to feel like a valued customer and it's even nicer to come home happy with or without buying something. My experience with REI as a company has been a great so far (I've been a member for approximately 6yrs) and can honestly say I don't foresee it changing either. They offer quality gear and the staff is knowledgable and straight with you. This has been my experience throughout the company and this place is no exception. read more

The best source for outdoor gear. As a Boy Scout leader I'm here every few months buying something additional. Best advice. Fair prices. 10% annual rebate. No annual membership fee. 'nuff said. read more

I have only bought things from REI online and picked them up from here and the process couldn't be easier. The online sales are usually really great around the end of seasons and the shipping to store is free. The store looks really large from the outside in my opinion but isn't too big inside; they do have everything you would be looking for but are oddly short on tents. You have to flip through a book to look at the ones that are available for order. Dicks in Market Commons may have better selection on some things. read more

I am shocked that there are other reviews on here about poor customer service. I have only had great experiences with the employees. So far, three people from the bicycle section, one from the car rack, and two from skiing sections have helped me. Every one of them has been very knowledgeable about the sport and what is required. I can never remember his name, but the older gentleman with white hair pulled back into a pony tail is incredibly smart. The REI rewards program is also very useful. You pay $20 upfront and you get 10% back as a dividend at the end of the year. I ended up buying a $200 jacket at REI so I made all of it back right away. There are a few other perks, but this is definitely the reason to buy it. The $20 is a one-time buy. read more

Other reviews have mentioned customer service at this store so I will jump on the band wagon and say they are correct. I just bought a Cannondale hybrid bike from them last week. I am new to biking and didn't have a clue what I was looking for. Mike in the bike shop was awesome! He prepared 3 or 4 different bikes for me to test ride out in the parking lot. He made sure I found exactly what I was looking for and then made sure everything was set to my specifications. You wont find any pushy sales people here just people eager to help. If you plan on making a big purchase or shopping here often then sign up for REI's membership club. Its $20 but you get 10% back on your purchases on the year. You also get discounts on rentals through REI as well. So well worth the money in my case. read more

We have shopped at REI for many years, but lately I've noticed the quality and warranties are not as good as past years. I purchased a pair of REI brand gaiters over a year ago. The label began to deteriorate and has become excessively sticky...obviously a manufacturing fail! REI in Fairfax would not allow me to return or exchange this item...less than $20...seriously? What happened to their 100% satisfaction? I guess that doesn't apply to customers. BTW...we are members! read more

I've been a fan of REI since I caught the running but back in 2011. I've been able to meet my garmin/GPS etc.. Needs all online since I've never lived close to an actual store. We just moved to the burbs, and cue my freak out at a brick and mortar location nearby! Upon walking in, I was greeted by camping/hiking/everything but the running gear I was looking for! The actual brick and mortar store was quite sad in the running department. I needed some new running shoes since my foot grew during pregnancy (womp womp womp), and the guy at REI tried to sell me on minimalist trail running shoes, when I told him I was looking for newtons with lugs. Anyone who knows Newtons and lugs, know that they absorb impact before your foot strikes. So, pretty much the opposite of minimalist shoes. Especially, as I'm just getting back into running postpartum. No thanks, bruh. read more

I stopped in here on a whim last week, looking for some paracord for a project I'm working on. I first looked for surplus stores, but it seems I missed the Surplusocalypse. So, before shopping online (and paying too much for shipping), I thought I'd see what REI had in the way of cordage. Quite a bit, it seems. I expected the climbing supplies, of course, but they also had a nice selection of non-climbing-rated cord, including some 330lb-test, 1/8" paracord. I didn't see any of the standard 550lb cord, but this was a lot closer than I'd found anywhere else. The staff was just a bit overbearing... I started in the camping section, looking at LED flashlights and such, and within about 5 minutes, a slightly-strained staffer was offering help. He took my refusal with what seemed just a bit of gratitude. As I was trying to compare two Gerber lights (one showed output in lumens, the other did not), he made an honest effort to help me out, even digging up what specs they had (more than I expected, but still no resolution). And when I was done there, he helped me find the non-climbing cord. After I had what I'd come for, I decided to poke around for a pair of gloves, and maybe a hat for the approaching winter. I cruised the store, just poking around on a Friday night. It was pretty quiet, and apparently over-staffed, because every time I stood still for more than about 45 seconds, someone new would ask if I needed any help. They were always gentle, and always took my no thankses with grace, but after the fifth or sixth time, I was honestly starting to get a touch irked. I'm sure they were making their manager happy, at least. Over all, it wasn't the outdoor candy-land I was hoping for. Maybe I'm spoled by the Dick's in Gaithursburg, and the HTO in Rockville, but I thought this was just a little small. No real complaints, though, and I'd definitely go back again. read more

I'm mostly writing this review for the service I received. Obviously REI has a great selection, and I did find out that I can custom order a bike that I'm looking at. I have been in several times over the past few weeks, and after staying in the store for 30-45 minutes, I have yet to be approached by a sales associate. I noticed that they help the people who hover over them as they are helping someone else. I have ended up having to wait in the checkout line to talk with the person there, and while they have been more than happy to answer my questions, the was no consistency in their answers. Unfortunately, they are the only ones close to me who carry my Electra Pink Betty. read more

I have been faithful to REI for over 20 years. I used to recommend to everyone I knew. Return policy was excellent, customer service excellent. Not so much anymore. The customer service is still excellent, product quality has decreased by a lot and items are overpriced. When I returned items due to quality I was sent a menacing letter that I'm returning too many items ordered online. This was surprising- never have I received such an interesting letter about needing to return items - especially when the quality was shoddy and the returns were within a few days of purchase. My resolve has been to shop elsewhere. I found that Mountain Warehouse has far better pricing and quality is on par with some of REI's products depending on what you're looking for (clothing is on par for the most part). Also, I've found better items online comparing with various competitive brands and reading reviews (gear). I do miss the old REI I knew. Maybe with time and customer reviews they will get back to improving their product quality and competitive pricing that used to be part of their company staple. read more

REI has something for everyone if you are looking for outdoor gear. We dropped in to get some rope for a tubing trip we're going on in a few weeks - there's 15 of us and we're going to tie our tubes together to leisurely float down the river without getting separated. They reorganized the store so it took me some time to find the rope by the foot section. I asked one of the employees where it was and instead of directing me to the area, he walked me there which was nice - I actually never would have found it since it was so small. There was another associate there who answered my question, "This will hold 15 tubes together floating down a river right?" so I ordered 60 feet. He took my order and said he would go cut it in the back and find me in the store. While I was waiting for my rope to get cut, I started shopping for a rain jacket - again employee helpfulness shined. I wanted something lightweight and waterproof - this is easier said than done. Do I want to prioritize lightweight or waterproofness was the question I was asked...waterproofness for sure. So the guy explained the different fabrics that make up rain coats - some are permeable and will eventually leak through while others are made of a membrane that will protect from the elements. I tried on some options - the one I wanted wasn't in stock (Arc Tery'x Beta AR Hybrid) so I tried on another one in the size I needed (large). Will likely order it online because it was NIIIIIIICE. I've been a member of REI for a while and will continue shopping there for all my outdoor needs. read more

I would give this place 3.5 stars. The one thing that it does have going for it, is its convenient if you live on or towards the western fringe of No Va. And they have a pretty decent selection of goods. The reason it didn't get ranked higher is the lack of assistance in trying to find things that you need. Also many of the folks at the registers are pretty unfriendly too, although there have been a few nice folks sprinkled throughout. Generally I order most of my REI stuff on line and then pick up at the store. read more

Really one of the few great outdoor equipment sellers in this state. Good prices for real quality items. Plus they often have great sales and member benefits - it really pays to be a member! Always very friendly and helpful. My only complaint is that I wish they had rentals. I guess that's only a west coast thing, west coast is the best coast! read more

If you're not willing to pay extra money to get good service in the form of a membership, expect to be treated like a second class citizen. They'll spend 2 seconds telling you they can't help you then another 5 to get you to become a member. read more