REI is a place of GOOD gear. They sell things that work. I have walked into that store many times, the scent of new fabric and rubber sharp in the air, and found what I needed to survive. The boots will take you through rain and mud and snow. They're made to take you somewhere. Somewhere rough. Somewhere real. The tents hold up in wind, but you will hear the wind whistle through the seams if the storm is strong enough, because Mother Nature will never bow to man's interventions. You pay a price for that. The press sings songs about REI like it's the holy land for outdoor men and women, and maybe that's true in parts. But you don't go there for ceremony, you go for the tools. They make good tools. You don't want to trust your life to something flimsy when you are out there, far from the roads and the towns, when your survival depends on gear. REI has it, in its clean rows, with its well-meaning salespeople, and its prices that sting a little but still make sense. It is the day-to-day, too. The jacket for the morning walk. The pack for the hike with your daughter. The water bottle that won't quit, no matter how many miles you pour through it. It holds up for the small things and the big. It holds up for life. It isn't perfect, but neither are you. Still, you trust it. read more

REI by the capital Mall is basically most disappointing bike shop ever!! I appreciate they installed my odyessy u brake system but how they adjusted it is the worst there basically either lazy or don't even know about high end bmx I ask them the break is acting up they just shrugged and tell me try adjusting the lever read more

I took my 30-year-old Giant ATX 760, an entry-level hardtail mountain bike, to REI at the Olympia Capital Mall and it needed a lot of work. Considering that I hadn't had the bike serviced in 12 years, and MANY dried up parts had to be replaced, the service wasn't terribly expensive, as REI gave me discounts. I paid $500 for that bike in 1995, which amounts to about $1,100 today, and the service cost about a third of that $1,100, reasonably low-ish also because I'm a member. Now I'll transport that bike on our new Kuat Sherpa 2.0 bike carrier, also purchased earlier at this store. I'm a happy camper. read more

Hands down the worst after purchase care , A disabled senior citizen , bought a pair of HOKA shoes which are becoming delaminated ....the sole the sides and I get a well ...not much we can do ...you already bought them so....but you can bring them in and we'll take a peek .....I have vans and Nikes that I have had for 8 plus years and you can see they were very skimpy on the glue on the soles....never going back here read more

I'm in the process of getting supplies together for a camping trip and wanted to buy a tent. Walking into REI wound up being the worst customer service experiences that I've ever had. https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/rei-antiracist-multicultural-fully-inclusive-commitment This no longer applies at this location apparently. It's rare when I notice being the only non white person somewhere. The staff made my daughter and I feel unwelcome by constantly following us but not asking if we needed assistance with anything. The final employee that followed us was the only one to speak but she was incredibly rude. It's not a hard decision to avoid this place in the future. read more

I had a great experience purchasing climbing shoes at this REI location yesterday. Christopher was extremely knowledgeable and helpful. I have been struggling to find a pair that suits my climbing level and fits my feet well. Chris recommended a couple good options and even taught me a few nifty lacing techniques (such as windowpaning) that could help relieve some pressure on a sore toe I have while the shoe stretches with use. read more

Staff members are always helpful, funny, and very well informed! Have shopped with them since Berkeley back in the 70's! I buy all my outdoor products through them, I trust their testing process and love how they back their products! Will be a lifer for sure! read more

While the snow was hitting Olympia on January 8 and most stores closed REI stood prepared in the winter wonder land. Prices are a bit steep but that is to expected for a REI store. At least you can go there when it snows out side! read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Olympia, Washington

So glad I didn't have to travel to Tacoma to visit this place! The staff greeted us when we walked in and I noticed the store was very neat and tidy. Items were easily found & accessible and within 5 minutes 2 sales associates asked us if needed any help. We were helped by another worker and he even gave us his personal assistance with choosing items for our event. Found out that there was an upstairs floor! Those folks upstairs were just as friendly as the downstairs folks! Great store! I'll be back for more! read more

This is the best place for hiking equipment hands down. The staff is well trained to answer your every question and many of them are passionate about hiking because they do it themselves (including some thru hikers!). When getting a backpack it's imperative that it is fitted correctly while weighted and this is the best place for that. Their boot selection is too natch as well, paired with a good wool sock, I've NEVER GOTTEN A BLISTER! They have a decent selection of hiking foods including hydration gels and supplements. It's also good for day hikers and trail runners. I got my 3L hydration pack here and I love it for my day hikes. If you've never been, it's a must see :) read more

Matthew store manager decided to discriminate against a disabled person who cannot wear a mask. 8-23-21 How was it discriminating? The disabled person was in the store today wanting to shop and spend money like they did earlier inside the rest of the Olympia shopping mall where he was not discriminated or called out for not wear king a mask. Disabled person with inside store witnesses asked why aren't you asking his four year old child with no mask to Leave or claim they were trespassing as well? His answer was children are allowed by the state with no mask to enter businesses under a certain age, but no matter if your a protected class and disabled and exempt by the same state mandates which are not Laws, adults who cannot wear a mask cannot enter the store to physically shop and purchase things and discriminated against the disabled person and not other customers and their children. Then when the Customer claimed he's protected like a child from not wearing a mask in a public opened business, and yea this REI does not own the building, property or parking lot, the Olympia mall does, Matthew claimed the disabled person is criminally trespassing and called the police. I assume local city police department but after waiting around outside to file formal police report against Matthew and REI and or the Olympia mall, they never showed.. don't blame them.. Mall security showed up asa witness and in agreement the disabled mask exempt person was not criminally trespassing and Matthew does not have the power or authority to make that decision.. Will file complaint with REI ASAP, ADA, STATE AND FEDERAL BUSINESS PRACTICES OR LICENSING AND THEN A LEGAL REPRESENTATIVE.. Do not shop at REI and do not give them the time of day. Funny REI via website on 8-23-21 claims although recommended vaccinated customers can still enter business without a mask???? So why was the disabled person exempt from wearing a mask singled out? Asked to leave? Argued then threatened with trespassing???? https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/may-2020-health-and-safety-fact-sheet According to new WA state mandate people are exempt from masks if they have medical conditions that interfere with mask wearing or facial blockage: https://www.doh.wa.gov/Portals/1/Documents/1600/coronavirus/Secretary_of_Health_Order_20-03_Statewide_Face_Coverings.pdf Therefore REI is not above the law for state or federal health orders or mandates, and since the disabled person in this scenario like his child are exempt from wearing anything on the face in a public setting and in a business open to the public, Matthew who represents REI was totally in the wrong! So all evidence points to direct calling out and discrimination from Matthew the store manager of REI Olympia mall location on 8-23-21. He is not a doctor, lawyer, attorney, security guard, law enforcement, etc... he's a higher than minimum wage employee which I hope gets reprimanded very soon!! He claimed children are exempt in agreement with state new mask updated mandate but a disabled person with health conditions that also makes them exempt, he personally didn't agree with... and tried bullying, harassing, and threatening to falsely get law enforcement involved and have the disabled person removed from business for trespassing??? Lying to law enforcement is a criminal offense!! read more

Great outdoor gear and clothes. The benefits of membership gives rewards for future purchases.

Super excited about our gear haul! I was able to retroactively get the sale price on a sleeping bag I bought at the Seattle location because I purchased it less than 14 days ago. My husband found a brand new sleeping bag in the garage sale section, highly discounted. A huge thank you to Cassie who checked us out. She did the discount on the previous purchase, set my husband up with a membership, updated my address in the system, and was friendly and efficient. read more

Very nice, knowledgable and helpful sales people. 5 stars for them. However, it boggles my mind at the prices for outdoor equipment sold here. REI was established in the 1950's as a people's co-op to get mountaineering and hiking equipment at reasonable prices. Such equipment seems to have become a fashion statement rather than a utilitarian tool for outdoors recreation. Thorstein Veblen was right ! read more

Constantly disappointed with REI. Spend 30 minutes looking for an item and am told it was on sale plus the huge red sign above says 30% off . Then cashier won't honor it. Like a restaurant they should have $$$$ for the high prices and lack of options. read more

They prioritize the safety of all. Very helpful and happy staff! I will be returning!

All your camping, biking, and backpacking needs here. NorthFace, Patagonia, Columbia, and more. Good shoe selection. read more

REI - Wilson! - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Olympia, Washington

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I came here to purchase a cargo carrier for the roof of my Dodge Durango. less than a minute I was greeted by an employee and led me directly to the display. They provided a tech to answer all my questions and a garage bay to help me install the cargo carrier at the store. I'm very satisfied with the customer service and my purchase. read more

I really like this store. All the staff are really helpful and knowledgeable. (Their classes are fantastic - especially the NWAC avalanche awareness class.) It's definitely my go-to for outdoor gear. For people balking at the prices- yeah, premium outdoor gear is expensive. REI is no different than other outdoor stores like EMS. They have decent sales and their online outlet is great. read more

Expensive but high quality store. I went there looking for specific boots but they didn't have it. The salesperson could've been more helpful. Wish there was an entrance door from the inside of the mall. read more

Excellent products for outdoor activities. A bit stressed currently due to a surge in outdoor activities due to COVID-19 pandemic. I just picked up the last items of food ordered on July 14 for a Wonderland Trail backpack trip July 21-29. Thanks REI Co-op for getting me all that I ordered as timely as was possible. Charles R. Olympia, WA read more

There's an impressive selection of gear to be found at this smaller (well, smaller compared to the Seattle REI, Cabela's, Sportco, and other sporting goods warehouse stores) REI-- but the real score here is the employee assistance. REI stocks a variety of high quality outdoor gear, especially for climbing, hiking, cycling, paddling, skiing/snowboarding, etc. (you won't find any hunting or fishing equipment here, however). This location is compact but seems to be well organized, with gear grouped by sport on the ground floor and clothing/footwear on the upper floor. When I was shopping here recently, I was approached and offered assistance by an employee in just about every section that I browsed. When I *did* need some help with selecting and fitting a new overnight pack, the employee who assisted me spent the better part of an hour fitting, making adjustments, going over the features of various packs, and adding weights to fill out the packs for trial 'hikes' around the store. I wound up needing a pack with a shorter frame for head clearance but a longer hip belt-- a non-standard combination that I would not have been able to find 'off the rack'. Due to this being a busy sale weekend, it was also a combination that the Olympia REI store was unable to fulfill at that moment. One of the great things about REI, though, is that they can (and will!) order anything the company stocks and have it delivered to whichever location you want at no additional cost. Less than a week later, I received notification that my new pack had arrived in Tacoma. Joy! The prices at REI are definitely in the higher end for sporting goods, but with that you get one of the best customer satisfaction/return policies around and some great service at the store. The employees are a healthy mix of fresh, young faces eager to please and older, seasoned outdoor types that actually have a lot of experience with the type of gear sold here. Be sure to sign up for a membership if you haven't already-- the 10% annual dividend on full-priced goods and semi-annual 20% off coupons will more than make up for the one time cost. read more

This was my first experience with REI. I took my electric bike in to be assembled. First thing he did was open the box and proceed to tell me, in so many words, that the parts were cheap and might not work. I can see someone saying that as a disclosure kind of thing, but then he seemed to want me to ship it back and tried to sell me one of their more expensive "higher quality" bikes. Do they work on commission? They did a good job with the assembly and it was quick, but I don't think it's good customer service to try to make a customer regret their purchase and then try to upsell them. Seemed self-serving and left me with a bad impression of the store. My friend took his bike there too (and recommended them to me), and he didn't have that experience. Makes me wonder if it's because I'm a woman who knows nothing about bikes. read more

Received an REI kingdom 6 tent for my birthday. Awesome tent, however the 3rd time I used it (in less than a year) one of the poles snapped. Just putting it together like normal. Took it in to REI and they turned me away. It was a gift and because the gift giver (my mother in law) wasn't an REI member, they refused to warranty their own product. What a crock. To add insult to injury the lady had to have an attitude about it and treat me like I had purposely broken my tent in front of a crowd of people. Embarassing. Last time I ever shop at an REI, or accept one of their products as a gift. Per the REI policy stated on their website "If your item has a manufacturing defect in its materials or workmanship, you can return it at any time." I would definitely call a pole breaking on the 3rd use, "defective". read more

REI has very high quality gear, much of which is very affordable for what it is. This is a place to get things that will last, not things that a cheap and will break within a year. I have looked both here and at Cabella's for similar items, and always REI had the better selection and quality. Become a member and you will get money back to use at REI. This store is of course much smaller than their Seattle store, but they have an impressive amount crammed in here. They do NOT have an "as-is" section for members, as they do in the basement of the Seattle store, which is disappointing. They have a fantastic clothes selection upstairs - a wide variety to choose from, and good selection of clearance items as well. All in all, if you need something for being outdoors, go here. read more

REI - Outdoor Gear Near Me - Olympia, Washington

I ordered and paid for a 7 liter dry bag to be picked up in store. I got the email to pick it up Wednesday March 3st, it said I had until AprIl 13th to pick it up.Today, April 7th I go in to pick it up and find out it's been given to someone else. Hallie was very nice and tried valiantly to find a replacement but was unsuccessful. My problem is this, 95% of my purchases are over the internet, if I can't trust REI to hold my purchases like they say they will I can't shop there. If I can't shop there I don't need my membership. I'm so frustrated as I'm a new member and thought that's what I was paying for when I paid for my membership. read more

I went into the store tonight looking to buy my first pair of hiking boots. Harry helped me and was super knowledgeable. He didn't act like a hiking snob (pretty sure that's a thing) and answered any and all questions I had. He went out of his way to look in a few different places in the store to see if there were any more boots in my size. He also helped me pick out hiking socks. I left happy with a new pair of boots and two pairs of socks. read more

Review of bike shop. I have taken both my wife's and my bike in for service here. Super helpful staff. No condescension that we don't have top shelf bikes or that we are not gearheads. Great service and communication. Very happy. read more

Was ignored by three people working in the shoe department for 15 minutes, when I was finally helped the salesman was condescending, and gave me the pair of shoes I requested after trying to tell me they wouldn't work for my trip (wrangells, Alaska, the shoe was suggested by someone who lives and works there and I'm guessing knows more about mountaineering than this salesman). After I insisted more, he then reluctantly let me try on the shoes. He asked me how steep my hike is going to be, I responded and said it varies and he laughed and said "oh so you don't know." He then gave me another pair and told me to just try them on "for comparison" and because they are "cuter", and while I was trying them on he gave the pair that I intended to buy to another customer and it turns out it was the last pair in my size left. The pair he had me try on for comparison didn't even fit the specifications I provided, AND it wasn't my size. He then disappeared and I waited another 15 minutes for another sales person, no one helped and finally after I approached another salesman he told me to just order them online. They all assumed I didn't know anything and wouldn't listen to my specifications, trying to undermine me and make me feel like I didn't know what I was talking about. No help, so solutions, and extremely rude and condescending customer service from men. I would suggest going to a different location if you are planning to spend a lot of money here and want to be treated like a real human being. I will not be back. read more

Great selection of what ever you will need to hike in the PNW. Most of the staff is very helpful and seem to have a good time. Become a member, get your rewards and enjoy. Great return/exchange policy. I really like the store, this would be a 5 star review, but the last 5 times I've gone in with my wife this guy who I will call "the dude" from the backpack area makes a bee-line right at us starts talking us up about what-ever and we loose an hour of our life....can't tell if it's the AXE for men or her hottness... need more intel... read more

The place is big and it had everything from head lamps to hand warmers.. it has fishing tackle to rain gear.. everything you would need to live off the grid for a long time. The employee are very helpful and friendly. But it seems to me that they need to relax and have fun ... read more

It's REI, of course it's as good as it gets. Okay, the prices could be a little better and many times you can find a better price on line, but you have to wait for it to come and you can't see, feel or try it on first. Here you can. They have a very good selection of gear for the size of the store. They do have two stories so be sure to go up stairs. read more

What's the point of ordering and paying online if you still have to wait in line for 15 minutes? When the line is 6 people deep, it's time to call for backup. read more

Place is Racist!!! I went in to find a North Face jacket and as soon as I get through the front door 2 employees start following me around but don't greet me or even say anything. They do this for about 5 mins. I can't find the North face jackets so I finally I ask one them where I can find it. His response those cost a good amount of money and they are located upstairs. I said ok can you show me where upstairs those may be. He tells me verbally where they are as I start walking upstairs he radios up in his headset to inform who's up there that I'm on my way up. I get half way up the stairs and some women is waiting for me just staring at me I see where the Northfaces are located at and am immediately followed by this woman she doesn't say anything just awkward staring and silence. There are other people shopping in the store but I notice they aren't getting the same treatment as me. I asked her if they had one of the jackets that I was interested in a different color her response is what you see is what we have. Smh never going here again read more

This REI location is wonderful. They really do have some of the most friendly and knowledgeable employees I have ever encountered in a retail store. It is obvious to me that they all really love their jobs and the company they work for which is a huge plus for my experience as a shopper. The store itself is always clean and well maintained and there is always a staff member nearby to answer any questions or give assistance. My husband is an avid outdoorsman and he was elated when they finally opened an REI in Olympia. Now we don't have to drive all the way to Seattle to spend our money! read more

I always find everything I need but there is just one reason why I am giving 3 stars... I don't know how I manage to meet the most grumpy and unfriendly cashiers...maybe being a cashier is not a good job...I guess read more

Clean store walked in was greeted and after that walked around store looking for a nice pullover sweater and not a person asked if I needed help. Stood right next to a associate never asked a question I guess I looked to old to buy from them well kids you lost me. read more

I've had two excellent experiences at this REI recently. I just bought some road cycling gear and Jared was extremely helpful in getting me the right stuff and explaining everything. It was great. Plus, I found out it was his first day on the floor! I also had great help in choosing a backpack, the girl was very nice and very helpful. This REI is nothing but awesome. read more

In the store for the third time since moving to Olympia. Today I needed to replace my hikers with something more waterproof and a new pair of work shoes. I entered the store and got a quick bit friendly drive by greeting. Walked upstairs to shoes and was ignored for 11 minutes by 2 employees in the shoe area. Now the gentleman was helping someone but did not even acknowledge me. The woman was chatting with another customer about shoes and shots for I am guessing a foot pain issue. Not sure if the woman was shopping or just waiting for the other customer? She did go over and it seems the customers were shopping together. The sales woman continued to ignore me despite me looking at shoes and picking them up right in front of her. I was going to say something to her but she just kept opening some packages and not acknowledging me at all. By now I decided if I can't be acknowledged I wasn't going to give them 300 dollars for shoes today. As I was leaving another woman working in apparel didn't look up and say anything and the cashier as I was exiting empty handed just sort of stared but said nothing. The store was not busy as it was only about 10:15 a.m. I have shopped REI for a long time (mostly in Denver) and always had excellent service until my 3 attempts to shop in Olympia. read more

REI is awesome. My family goes here often and I love their return policy. I know that even if the product I get doesn't function as expected they will make it right!! Fantastic store!! read more