Store is clean and usually has something I want or need. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Most seeem to be outdoor enthusiasts themselves so it's not like someone is just there to sell you something but a fellow Hiker or climber is able to advise you and sell you something. Mostly what you will find here are high end brands and the Rei brand is of good quality but if you're on a budget there is very little to be had here. With that said, I get a lot of use out of the clothing I purchase so it's more of a buy once cry once situation. A lot of places are moving to a smaller footprint and more online shopping. This doesn't really work well for me but it is kinda the way the world is turning. Most average size people will be able to find something here but if you are on the smaller side or for kids there is a very limited selection read more

Since the branch in Westchester closed years back, the NJ and this branch are my go to places for outdoor needs. Merchandise are presented in a well organized and neat way. I always have good interaction with the knowledgeable staffs whenever I am not familiar with some stuffs. I have been here numerous times and it was always a pleasant to visit. If item is not available in store they will help you order one online and ship to your home. Keep up the good work! =) read more

I visited this REI in hopes to find wool socks, waterproof gloves, and snow pants for an upcoming trip. The store is giant and laid out well. There's plenty of space to browse through the endless amount of merchandise. I can't review based on customer service because there was none. No one greeted us or asked us if we needed help (which personally, I don't like to be bothered while shopping and will look for assistance if needed). The reason for 4 stars is because REI is extremely expensive...I can't justify spending $400 on a pair of ski pants or $100 on a pair of gloves. I know quality is more expensive but REI is definitely price gouging, it seems. It's good to look around and get an idea of what you need/want but I do recommend going elsewhere just in case. read more

What an excellent experience. I ordered two kayaks to the store, and called in to see if they could help me pick out my roof rack system. The fellow on the phone was patient, verbose in his explanations, outgoing and knowledgeable. They ended up holding most of the system for me. I came in today, and the rep at the service desk, Jane, was even more helpful and patient. She helped me select further options, assembled everything for me, then assembled everything *again* when the first product was a few inches off. She was friendly, knowledgeable and thorough, making what could have been a very long and involved process a lot of fun. The whole crew was crazy friendly, and the experience was what I've come to expect from this cult-worthy institution. Thanks a lot, Norwalk REI friends! See y'all again soon! read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

I've been REI member and customer for years but my experience yesterday was so frustrating I need to share it. As you can tell by my profile I barely ever send a bad review. It was small business Saturday but I felt like I should go into a store instead of shopping online so I could support the local REI. I called ahead to see if they had back country ski boots. The woman said yes so I ventured to the store. When I got there I couldn't find the backcountry ski area and was told to sit down so I could be fitted. I waited while three Employees stood to my left talking and laughing. After no one came to help me I approach them and ask them for help. They got on the microphone and asked another employee to come help who was too busy and would make me wait longer. None of them offered to help me at all. After the drive to get there I felt like I would just go home and order online. Not what I would expect from REI. read more

This was my very first experience with REI, trying to get advice and guidance on purchasing hiking boots for an upcoming hiking trip. The individual I consulted was so helpful, patient, accommodating and all around awesome. He thoroughly answered all of my questions--from what socks/pants to wear and why. I have since worn these boots(and pants and socks) hiking and had nothing but a positive experience. I am extremely grateful and most pleased!!!!! Prices high---but the overall experience for me was worth it. read more

I'm always amazed how every visit to this store makes me want to come back for more. The staff here are INCREDIBLE at what they do and their customer service is top-notch. As far as running/trail running goes, this is definitely the place you want to go to get your shoes and feet measured; though they don't have a treadmill. They always carry the best brands like Altra, Hoka, Brooks, etc. and have always been priced much lower every time I went in-store. This is also paired with a terrific return policy that allows you to return anything within in a year if you're not 100% satisfied with your product. Huge shout out to Nicole for her incredibly energetic and positive attitude, as well as her terrific knowledge and insight on all of the products. read more

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First, let me say the staff was helpful and courteous. BUT compared to say, the REI's I'm used to (in CO and outside Boston), what a disappointment. A lot of "small stuff", very little inventory and sizes for women's outerwear, and laid out more like a department store. AND pricey! read more

Excellent shopping experience for new walking shoes. Department manager Ray (?) was thoughtful, deliberate and careful in measuring both feet and understanding what kind of walking I do. The guy really knows his inventory and could speak to each pairs' attributes. COVID precautions were best I've seen in retail: masks, social distancing, sanitation. Couldn't ask for more. REI is run as a co-op but I sure hope their sales guys work on commission. This guy earned it! read more

What a strange experience. Having been to other sporting goods stores, malls, and others during this difficult time I was quite surprised and disappointed in my experience today at REI. Product selections were extremely limited and while staff were friendly and knowledgeable as ever, the COVID policies and practices seem inconsistent at best. The shoe department, for example. While every product In the rest of the store can be touched and handled, the shoes on display are cordoned off. You cannot touch them to see the prices or look more closely. I understand this is to prevent the spread of germs, but then perhaps display the prices? Additionally, there should be more than one person working in the shoe department, especially when people cannot check prices or properly check out shoes themselves. While we waited for the one associate to locate shoes for our daughter, my husband gave up in his quest for sneakers, and two other customers left. One said, I can definitely live without REI. He left, and the store will live without his business. As we exited the store, we were loudly reprimanded by an associate and told to stop with no explanation. Apparently, another associate was spraying the final exit doors with cleaner. While a good practice for certain, no need to scream and scold your customers. Speak calmly and kindly and say, just sanitIzing our exits! Honestly, my husband, daughter and I will probably not return. A shame as other stores are getting it right and thriving during this time. read more

I really love it when you spend $300 on clothing and then they tell you ( with a big smile) " we are bag free!" . So ridiculous! Go woke, go broke. Now - I will be shopping online. But let me just add, the reason why it was really inconvenient: Have you considered that maybe some people's cars are not so clean in the winter, with kids muddy shoes, a dog, etc. Sure would have been nice to have an REI paper bag to put my newly purchased items in. Also, what happens if you are buying a Christmas gift or stocking stuffer (as I was) and now you have nothing to hide it in ( oh wait I forgot to bring my own large bag and get my car detailed before coming). Also, the girl who folded up my clothes so nicely, put the eye glass croakies IN BETWEEN the sweaters , so I totally forgot I had them until days later at which point I wasn't sure if they were lost in the parking lot on the way out or they were in my car somewhere. I found them in my car after Christmas, so I couldn't use them as a stocking stuffer. But thank you, it was a really great experience! Each of your employees and managers should try it! read more

took my bike there in june to have hydraulic brakes recalibrated (back brake lost pressure). picked up a week later and my shifters didnt work (the wires werent plugged into transition box correctly and i fixed myself) and my disc brakes were compromised by new leakage issue. was told that the bike was checked before i picked it up - which it obviously wasnt. when i took it back, they fixed most of the issue and charged me as if this was a whole new job - they botched the initial simple recal on brakes and tried to charge me again? i balked and the best they could do was meet me half way - I paid $68.06. so, i ended up paying for a full botch job + half of a fix. by far the worst bike repair experience i've ever had and will never take anything there again. ticket # 02389151 read more

Went shopping today because my mom has been looking for a winter coat for years!!! We came to rei in Norwalk and had such a pleasant experience. Beverly was a huge help, very friendly and very knowledgeable. Doug was just a delight while checking out too! We walked out with a jacket, vest, and two hats! 10/10 customer service! read more

This store is a lot of fun! Today Surprisingly was super busy almost as if it was Xmas eve shopping! It's Labor Day but the weather didn't cooperate so it looks as if families are shopping even in the rain & that hasn't stopped anyone! Only beach goers ! (Us) LOL !! Well In the last few days we have been to several sporting good stores and REI is packed full of fun stuff ! But there's no room for a quick bike (test) ride in the store I didn't ask if we can take the bike outside but I assume u should be able to. A kid can test ride a bike in here but that's about it. Loads of everything is sold in here from camping gear paper maps to bike trails -Clothing if it's a sport more than likely sold here! Maybe not a lot of fishing gear but yes waterproof socks Incase u were wondering! Cool store !! read more

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I want to thank Bev for her time any attention today. She went above and beyond helping us to find the perfect boot. It was an amazing experience. She has the knowledge, she shows that enjoys what she does, she is patient and really care about the costumers. Thank you, Bev! You are the best! read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

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I've been to the store only about four times so far I did become a club member. I think the store is a nine out of 10 as for cleanliness and organization. I do see groups of employees talking to each other instead of helping customers such as myself as I had to look around, and actually ask other people for help. read more

An excellent store, such a friendly crew that went out of their way to ensure our experience was great. Purchased skis and boots and then went there a couple of days later to pick them up once setup. They took care of the details, provided excellent information, they found out what our expectations were and tried to exceed them every step of the way. Both my wife and I were left feeling good about the experience for days after... I am shopping there first in the future! read more

I dare you to find a place more safe than REI actually adheres to a strict Covid protocol and cares for the safety but not only their customers but also their employees. Nothing drives me more crazy than people wearing a mask with their nose hanging out, or stores that don't enforce mask wearing. These guys get it and I'm so happy to have a place where I can shop and feel safe. read more

Their selection is good and overall attentive, except for the cashier who tried to force me into their memebership and once I told her I didn't want it she wasn't treating me very nicely and almost if I was stupid. What am I missing here? Do you have to become a member? read more

I received EXCELLENT service from Claire when I called about placing an order and resolving my membership close to store closing. I sincerely appreciated her patience and working hard to resolve my case! She definitely deserves 5++ stars! :-) My only reason for not giving 5-stars is because when I went to the store in-person two days ago, there was only ONE person working in the shoe department. Yes, ONE person on one of the busiest shopping days EVER (the parking lot was PACKED, even with all of the COVID-19 stuff going on right now). The associate tried to be as helpful as she could given the limitations of her capacity, however, I definitely felt rushed, unimportant, and that my questions about what shoes to get were annoying. :-( I would love to update this review to the full 5-stars if they adjust their support in the shoe department and encourage associates to give a positive experience to customers willing to trek to the store amidst this pandemic. read more

Probably the unfriendliest REI I've ever been to. The only employee who acknowledged us was this tall semi-bearded guy with Blundstone boots in the shoe department. Too bad he was helping two gals simultaneously while we waited over 30 minutes before we had to leave. This other guy with a half pony tail who also knew we had been waiting for help - looked at us - then awkwardly looked down at his phone and walked away. I mean we couldn't have made it any more clear that we needed assistance. Holding a shoe while standing in the middle of the shoe section staring down every employee is a sign of 'hey, I need help over here' for anyone that doesn't know. Flare signals and sirens aren't needed. Same goes for a gal who said she'd be right back but we ended up seeing her in some other section of the store as we were walking out. My son ended up not wanting the shoe anymore. Not sure if they thought we couldn't afford them but that's how we left feeling. read more

For all things active, REI is the go-to place. For all things cycling, "Ty" (or however you spell it) is your go-to guy. Not only does he know EVERYTHING about cycling, he is one of the most helpful, funniest and helpful people you will come across. He walked me through EVERY pair of cycling clipless pedals, the pros and cons of each, then recommended what he considered to be the best. I also needed clipless shoes, no problem for Master Ty to teach this young Padawan a thing or two about clipless shoes. I would up going with a Shimano SPD mountain bike clip with Shimano velcro shoes, which he said were a million times easier to walk in, stiff like the road-specific shoes, same functionality, and just all around better. He installed everything for me, gave me the tricks of the trade on clicking in and out in normal and emergency situations, tips on how to practice this (he said to mount bike in doorway and pedal backwards, practicing to click in and out while pedaling - great advice!) and more. All in all, a great store is nothing but a box with stuff without the proper employees with the proper knowledge to walk the customers through their use and recommendations. Employees like Ty make this place great. read more

First let me clarify that this is solely a review of my experience on the phone with REI Norwalk. I love REI, am a member and have consistently shopped for almost all outdoor needs at REI for the last 7 years. The customer service was just plain awful. The first time I called I didn't have the item number only the FULL name of the product, which apparently wasn't enough for the guy, who also proceeded to tell me WITHOUT looking that REI doesn't stock that company's gear after I looked it up this morning. Then when I called back with the number, I got someone else with just as much attitude. Apparently wanting to call in advance to make sure that something is actually in stock for avoid an hour trip each way is too much to ask (REI online inventory has never worked out for me before--"Trust me it's always right," is the response I got the last time too). Looks like I will be frequenting another outdoor store, or only using REI online, from now on. I would give it one star, but my overall affinity for REI doesn't allow me to do this. read more

I have lived away from an REI for so long, it's nice to be back. Although, after having spent time in Canada, shopping in MEC and Sail (the two chains in Canada that compare,) there are a couple of things that REI could improve in, such as having slightly larger clothing selections. Of course, REI does have larger sizes and more variety online, but I still really prefer to go into the store to get things. Anyhow. This REI is a little bit smaller than the one I used to go to in Virginia, so that could be why they don't have as much variety in things. Their backpack section is smaller, with fewer selections. Overall though, the customer service here is really nice and friendly, I was asked multiple times if I needed help. One thing REI really kicks butt on is their maps and books section. This is something that is really lacking at other outdoor stores, something you often have to go online to get, which isn't really that fun. Overall, this store could maybe have a redo to be a little bit more organized, but it's definitely a place I plan on spending more time at in the future, as the weather warms up and more hiking and biking is in my agenda. read more

First time in a while I visited this store on account of it being a bit of a drive for me. Really not impressed with the customer service here. Sales reps may know where something is but have a limited knowledge of what they're selling. The cashier's clerk was particularly rude. I tried to check out while she was busy doing something the computer and wouldn't give me the time of day. One of my most awkward encounters in retail to date. Finally I managed to lock eye contact and was waved on to pay a whopping $31 for a store branded T-shirt. I'm sorry but REI is in the business of selling $70 running shorts, I expect the service to be a bit more than what it is. Lastly, the store layout is really confusing. There's hardly even a divide between men's and women's. Trying to find a pair of running shorts? Look in 4 different places. I would not recommend. Someone else will be getting my business when it comes to outdoor equipment and apparel. read more

I came into REI today because I recently started spin classes at Equinox and needed proper shoes. I had no idea what I needed, but Justin was able to help me. He was so friendly and knowledgeable, he even set up the clips for me and told me how to get the shoes on and off the bikes. The store itself was super clean and every worker I encountered was super friendly. People even said goodbye, have a good day when we left. You don't really get that often anymore. If I ever need any other sporting equipment I will definitely come here first. Plus the prices on the shoes were great, normally 120 down to 89! read more

As REI opened up so many shops on easy coast lately, I noticed many lack the true REI spirit, and This location is one of them. Staff isn't as knowledgeable and seemed annoyed with customers trying on gear (hey, if I'm about to shell out my hard earned cash, I sure want to be sure it fits and works!) REI used to be my wet dream and always looking forward visiting. Nowadays it's just a chore. read more

REI has come a long way since it's roots way back when I lived in Berkeley, CA. The opening of the Norwalk store now provides a competitive option to the Outdoor Sports Store in Wilton, CT with a "Big Business" approach that likely will draw a good sized outdoor enthusiasts crowd. This will likely serve much more than just the Norwalk, Connecticut area as they're stocking some of the top brands of gear and clothing for camping, climbing, cycling, fitness, hiking, skiing, snowboarding and more. They even have a bike shop, offering a professional bike services. They have ski & snowboard shop with services as well. See what I mean by the "be all end all" approach? Well worth the option for those seeking to get outside, not many more options around! read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

I expect better when patronizing a store. Upon immediately entering the store, the first employee that I passed made a remark to me about how I was wearing my mask. The private companies such as REI should focus on helping customers find what we are looking for instead of judging us. That employee doesn't know what me reasons are for doing what's best for me. Not to mention masks are essentially pointless having no scientific data to backup the claim they stop the spread of the virus. This was the first experience I had with an REI store and I will not be going back to one. read more

This location seems very disorganized. Before I travelled two towns over- I checked online to see that they had the item I wanted in store. I get there and the sales associate cannot find the item. It ends up taking 3+ associates almost a half hour to track down the item! When I finally got to checkout, they didn't even offer me a discount to make up for the terrible experience I had. Any other store would have offered at least a small discount to make thing right. Definitely won't be coming back to this location. read more

Terribly disappointed. Full disclosure, I'm 6'3", not average by any means, but not NBA height either. I was in the neighborhood and was looking to replace some old "base layers", formerly known as long underwear. Barely a selection of XL and absolutely NO XXL. Sorry all you shop local fans, it looks like it may have to the internet for me. I will try another local store before the game on Sunday. Oh and it's not just my size. Given the amount of outerwear, the amount of underwear in this store is minute. read more

A little upset with my first shopping experience here. Bummed because I wanted to give it a shot as my new snow shop (since every other place keeps closing) but the service I experienced was a little less than pleasant. read more

Everyone at this location is absolutely phenomenal. My husband and I are avid outdoor adventurers and come here for hiking, biking, camping, yoga, touring, etc. Every time we come in (which is often) one of the sales people always comes over to help us out (but not in a pushy way), and I am always astonished at how much personal knowledge they have about the all the gear and a myriad of different activities. They're incredibly helpful and personable, and that's why we love supporting our local store instead of buying some of this equipment online. You just can't beat the in store experience! read more

Selection is good albeit over priced. But you will most likely find what you need there. They are very friendly when they are asking you to pay 20 bucks for their membership. After I declined and left I realised I forgot to pick up a towel that was labeled 16 dollars. I drove back (I was half way home) to get it and it was 30 bucks instead. I wasn't happy but they did nothing. I wouldn't go back if I don't have to. read more

The manager of REI really came through for me in a pinch. I had to leave for a family trip the next day and discovered at the last minute that our new SUV didn't come with the cross bars for our overhead Thule storage container like our previous one did. It was five minutes to closing when I realized this, but the manager found the items and had them ready for me so that I could swing by and pick it up and they stayed open a few minutes after closing. Family summer vacation saved! Thanks so much! read more

The most organized, kind, and thoughtful shopping experience at this time - all things considered. Ray was incredibly helpful and assisted me in picking out some hiking boots that were to my liking after allowing me to try on several pairs during busy hours. Will definitely be returning for more outdoor goods! read more

Great products, relatively knowable staff, and close to home. Also no riff faff so it's not an unpleasant experience. Always something new to find or something to replace Overall, best place in town for outdoors equipment! read more

Going cross country in a few days. My husband needed a sturdy platform bike rack for the back of our long bed pick up truck. Thule mfg. was his choice. This is more about the excellent service he received from Connor the floor salesperson and Jane the bike mechanic on duty. He had numerous issues with the receiver hitch on my truck. Connor answered every question , problem solved the fitting of the rack and spent as much time as I needed to get me fitted for the correct bike rack. Jane the bike mechanic at the store assembled, fitted and spent as much time with me as needed to make sure the rack was suitable for my cross country needs. I thought in error the days of dedicated customer service and attention to detail might have been attributes of the past. Connor and Jane's professionalism and knowledge was superior. REI is lucky to have them read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Norwalk, Connecticut

Ray and Matt took extra good care of my daughter and me a couple Thursdays ago when we arrived near closing time looking for hiking boots. In spite of the late hour, they went the extra mile to find my daughter the right shoes... which meant that she was able to go the extra 5 miles when she used them the following week in Arizona! As I'm writing this, I'm seeing other glowing reviews on the same subject. So clearly this is not a one-off for this store. They know what they are doing, and are generous with their knowledge and time. read more

This place has awesome stuff. However, when I walked in, I wasn't greeted. I walked around the store looking for some things and the workers did not even acknowledge me. I don't think I will come back here. EMS does not treat people this way. read more