I don't often review chain stores on Yelp, preferring to focus on local independent vendors who lack the market share & hefty advertising budget of a billion dollar+ sales giant like Recreational Equipment, Inc. REI is in 30 states already and growing at a rate of a couple of new stores a year. But, as it's a Pacific NW company (Kent, WA is about 400 miles from Missoula); since it's still a co-op that pays annual dividends to members; and since it has a good record of green energy use and employee benefits, I decided to make an exception.
Many REI customers order on-line, which is convenient but kind of defeats the purpose of getting outdoor gear advice from, in essence, your neighbors who work at REI and are often heavy users of the products you'll see in the showroom. Talking to them while checking out gear is a great way to learn about interesting places in the area to hike, ski, bike, or float, and they aren't shy about recommending a less expensive item (regardless of brand) if it's something they have personal experience with.
Like a lot of Yelpers, I do my share of on-line research and read reviews (surprise), but I have to admit that there's no direct equivalent to talking with someone face-to-face while testing the weight of an ice axe, comparing two sizes of backpacks, or exchanging tips on the best spots to go camping. Often you'll end up choosing something that wasn't on your list but that is either less money or a better match for your interests and abilities.
I went discount ski shopping to take advantage of a 20% off sale and ended up spending 30 minutes or so with an employee who was a nordic skier himself and knew the products from first-hand experience. He steered me away from a 175 cm length of the touring xcountry ski I wanted (Rossignol EVO Glade), reminding me that with a pack and boots on I would exceed the recommended 150 lb. weight limit. So I moved up to the next size (which was same price). He also helped me get an inexpensive set of poles and some boots (by Fischer) that worked well with my set-up. Needless to say that without Patrick's input, I would have ended up with something different and probably would have had to exchange the skis, boots, or poles for a better fit.
The upside of all of this, of course, is that I gave my new purchase a rigorous field testing the next day, on a challenging 15 mile loop in the Bitterroot Mountains: a combo snowmobile/ungrommed ski trail that, on the day I visited, was empty (except for me) and covered (and I do mean covered!) in a thick blanket of falling snow. As I plowed through deep, wet powder while climbing up and down the ridges, I appreciated the added width and stability of the EVOs, which are designed for mixed in-track/out-of-track use. The longer poles and insulated boots kept me moving steadily, until I finally reached the more moderate last 4 miles at Packer Meadows, where a lone snowmobile track had packed the trail down enough for me to glide all the way back to Lolo Pass visitor center 5 hours after I started. I was soaked to the bone, since the snow had fallen steadily the whole time - often horizontally, and more often than not directly into my face. But the skis did splendidly. They allowed me to connect with this gorgeous and silent winter landscape in a whole new and immersive way.
Three stars for the store, and one for Patrick.
The late February snows at Lolo Pass did the rest. read more
