Went in looking for shoes to take to Costa Rica to do some Canyoning. And called the store spoke with Gavin, what an asset this young man is to REI, he held the shoes for me & then upon my arrival and conversation learned of other items I might need & although it appeared they may not have the items he continued looking & lo & behold we found what I needed! He Defly went the ~Extra Mile! This I Call Extraordinary Customer Service! read more

What, no ponchos?!!! I can't believe that REI does not stock emergency, cheap ponchos! I was heading out to a World Cup game in Seattle and stopped by REI to pick up 4 ponchos. None! Do I really have to call stores in advance to see if they stock what they should? Really disappointed. read more

Dropped by REI to check out some shoes for my wife and find some gift swag for my daughter... What a pleasant surprise! The two staff at the counter greeted me as I walked in... the apparel had been nicely organized and merchandised like REI can! I had a couple questions about gear and again j their staff was super helpful. We got the shoes we wanted and some great National Park Swag for our daughter. Super pleasant conversation at checkout! This was the REI experience we have come to expect. read more

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If you love to stay active and explore the outdoors, REI is the store for you! For those of you who have never heard of REI, this is a national brand store that specializes on everything outdoor. From hiking gear, to camping material, running equipment, bikes and much more! This store truly has it all. My husband and I are currently planning a trip to Arizona and needed some new hiking shoes so immediately thought of coming to REI. They had a wide variety of hiking shoes from all brands. They were also having a labor day sales which was super convenient and got a great discount on my shoes. Also they have a membership which is free to join and you get a lot of perks. One of my favorite is their annual sale just for members which is absolutely amazing. Last but not least, the staff here is always amazing and very knowledgable about all the brands that they carry. I highly recommend taking advantage of their knowledge and asking as many questions as you can before purchasing anything. read more

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Honestly my favorite store...ever! We went to check out the sale and I noticed howuch outdoor stuff I already own. To make the most out of your purchases at REI you gotta go on sale days or keep your eyes peeled for Outlet or Garage Sales...stuff is pricey. However, everytime I go there I am inspired about the outdoors. Getting outside and enjoying the world we live in. The goods at REI are all useful, and the staff at REI are super friendly. The vibe carries over into their clientele as well. All good spirits. Today, shout-outs go to Stacy (from Brazil at the counter), Ms. Laurie (helping out in footwear), and Lydia (stocking stuff all over). They are all great people. Super inspired, happy about where they work and happy to help the REI customer. Love this place. read more

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Five stars is never enough for REI. They are the best option for top quality gear when you get into backpacking, camping, and even biking or running. You really can't go wrong here. The store having a strong selection of top quality brands means that this is an expensive place to shop. You'll easily spend $50 on a shirt low end, but that shirt will last forever. Ironically, having too many top items means you won't find many budget friendly midrange options. As far as REIs go, this isn't a very big store. You're actually better off shopping on the REI website for their more obscure brands and to really explore their selection. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and kind so don't be afraid to ask questions. They're genuinely helpful. As they're all outdoor enthusiastic, it's fun to share stories and know you can trust their recommendations from experience and not a corporate sales goal. I can't recommend this store enough. read more

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One has to absolutely marvel at the business model of major corporations where they teach their customer service drones to constantly avoid eye contact when it is apparent you are seeking help. Especially when you are in a shoe department. I guess my money isn't green enough for the girls who work REI shoe department in San Antonio, TX. It took one of the managers stopping us as we were leaving to actually get some help. While o am still here watching the shoe department girls avoid everyone's eyes unless they walk in flashing their economic status. I've decided that I might still purchase from REI, it'll be catalog sales from online and refuse to spend money in a store where the staff (except for Andrew, thank you Sir) doesn't want my kind polluting their environment. read more

My family visited REI today as a sale was going on and our son was interested in buying a sturdy backpack for hiking Mt Rainer. The sales associate who assisted him was very knowledgable and took a lot of time showing him how the backpack worked , helping him try it on and measuring him to get the right fit. I am blocking on her name, she was excellent at her job. read more

As always, the good rain jackets are $400, and the REI brand is under $100. Clearance racks are spread throughout the store so it's a bit of an expedition to see everything, but it's REI, right? I get the feeling that people who drive Jeeps and Subaru's are the target audience. read more

Anything you can think of that you need for the outdoors is here ! I definitely recommend this place to beginners and to experienced people. Clothes,shoes, tents, workout wear ...you name it ! They got it ! Everyone was very ecstatic about the business and about helping the customers! The manager on the floor was great at informing us about the company and what they do! There is a membership to get deals on certain areas of the store...although I did not get one that moment ...I definitely plan on going back! They do a lot and the story behind the business &how it has come along the way is amazing. read more

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The environment is friendly but the prices are high! Like all the reviews the prices are crazy but I will say they have some pretty cool stuff. The man who helped me with some running shoes was super friendly but aside from that I would much rather order my stuff online for a fraction of the price! If you're local to San Antonio and need true hiking gear this is the place to go! Just be ready to spend a pretty penny! read more

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These guys never disappoint. The one year warranty on all their stuff makes up for paying a bit more. Great staff and quality gear. read more

I just wanted to share my recent experience with REI customer services. I purchased five pairs of Wright socks from REI, but unfortunately, they turned out to be defective and did not last from regular use at home. In addition to this, I also bought three pairs of REI socks that did not meet the label descriptions, which was quite frustrating. When I contacted the customer service representative, they refused to show me any refund/return policy required by law, and without any valid reason, only their own opinion. Moreover, the representative even refused to give me a new bag for my new purchase, citing the reason that I already had one. I was quite disappointed with the customer service I received from REI, and I wanted to bring this to everyone's attention. I believe that a company like REI should stand behind the quality of their products and have a clear and fair refund/return policy for their customers. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I hope that this post will serve as a warning to anyone considering purchasing from REI in the future. read more

Plummeting Customer Service - After a few incidences I feel compelled to leave my first ever review. The quality of customer service at the San Antonio REI is shockingly abysmal. I am a former REI employee and a long term customer, I am well acquainted with the policies, and understand the culture of the company so after being treated so poorly on multiple occasions I am left feeling angry and a little bit surprised/confused. On one occasion I was attempting to purchase a dress, size - 'medium,' for my partner and noticed that a 'small' of the same dress (same sku) was a lower price, it hadn't been discounted, or marked down, just simply a lower price - this was confirmed by an employee. When the manager (I think his name is Ryan) was brought in to rectify the situation he made comments suggesting that if my partner was smaller then perhaps she would get a better price but because she required the larger size would be required to pay the higher price. Never, have I ever, been more appalled at how blatantly disrespectful this man was. Commenting on someone's weight shouldn't be tolerated by anyone but specially not someone managing a retail business. The second incident, again involving my partner, and this guy. We were attempting to return some shoes, if you're familiar with REI, you know they offer a great return policy, or so they say. We had the shoes for about a month before taking a long trip out of the country for another three months - so my partner was only able to use them for about a month but owned them for four. Upon our return, she stated using them again and noticed they were hurting her feet a lot, we tried inserts, different lacing techniques, ran the whole gamut - no luck. So we went to return them. Same manager gets brought in. He fought us for 30 minutes on the return. suggesting I was lying about working at rei in the past and that I was unfamiliar with the policy, and ultimately saying the shoes weren't within 'his' standards of a return. Which confused me, because anyone can look up the very forgiving return policy online. Additionally, I myself, a former footwear specialist can recall receiving many a dirty, dusty, worn in shoe that ended up on the garage sale rack or even was damaged out during my time at rei. Which the shoes we were returning were not by any standard, weathered. The biggest issue is how time and time again this particular employee continues to handle situations with a lack of respect and empathy. As someone who spends a lot of money investing in outdoor equipment, I will be taking my business elsewhere from here on out - and I suggest you do as well. I'd be happy to even leave some suggestion for businesses in SA where one might go instead of REI. thanks for reading. read more

I have been hiking for a few months and finally decided to break down and get a pair of REAL hiking boots. I had no idea this store even existed until I attended an #OptOutside hike on Black Friday. So, I went in today totally uneducated about hiking boots and what I wanted, but the sales associate was very friendly and knowledgeable about the products. He didn't push the most expensive ones, instead he listened to the areas I hiked in and what I felt I needed and Bada Bing! I walked out with what I needed. The ones I liked were waterproof, but I don't hike a lot of areas with water, so I was concerned the boots wouldn't breathe well. He told me to walk around the store in them for about 15 minutes and see how my feet felt. He also told me I had a year to exchange them if I decided I didn't want them. WHAT WHAT??? That is incredible! I ended up settling on the Salomon Quest 4d 2 GTX which were on sale for $171.99. They might be cheaper online, but I really needed to try them on and get educated on what I needed, and REI did exactly that. Another cool thing about REI is that they are a CO-OP. If you pay a one-time fee of $20, you get annual dividends, based on what you have purchased. This is a ONE-TIME fee. As a member, you get access to the dividends, as well as access to what they call "Garage Sale" events where you can purchase returned items at discounted prices. You also get access to free training workshops on hiking, kayaking, camping, etc. Yes, they might be more expensive than Academy, but their selection, quality, and knowledge is far superior. read more

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Really Expensive Inventory! Har! This place is pricey, but you get some of the top quality stuff you're gonna find, unless you go for super specialty stuff. This stuff is not so much made for the weekend warrior, as someone who takes camping and outdoorsy stuff a bit more serious than going to the park. They have a full range of camping equipment, all of which is at least good quality. They have everything you'd need for hot or cold camping, whether you're backpacking it in, riding, sailing, whatevs. They offer a membership here, and I believe that the membership is good indefinitely. From there, you get an extra little discount, and access to some of the really good sales. They have a few good ones throughout the year. My favorite part of this store is the clearance items, where you'll never know what you'll find. I look for bike stuff. Speaking of- we bought a bike here, they did a great job of informing when it arrived, and made sure that everything was shipshape before sending it out with us. When we discovered that we'd brought the wrong vehicle for transporting the new bike, they gladly came out with a tool and helped us lay the bike flat by loosening the handlebars so it'd fit. Much appreciated. The clothing here is always real nice, where you can look only slightly dorky while camping out. Their stuff has extra loops and buckles and pockets so it looks tactical or ready to traverse the South Pole. However, it seems that more of their equipment is geared towards colder weather outdoorsy stuff, when it's always hot in the outdoors down here in S. Texas, it seems. Parking is easy, and it's a fun shop to browse. The clerks are always attentive, and willing to answer questions. read more

I just went to the store for the first time and bought two pair of shoes. The service was fantastic! Joe and the shoe department really knows about the products and was outstanding. I will never go back to Academy and buy shoes again. I initially bought a pair online and it did not fit and this was the only store that had a good selection of Keen shoes. I was very happy with the broad selection and wound up finding another brand that fit me much better. It was great to have several brands of hiking shoes to select from! read more

We had a great experience here. A package got lost in the mail and it was handled immediately. I appreciated the prompt response as the package contained a gift. I will always shop REI because of the wonderful customer service. read more

Great place to shop. Their sales staff are very knowledgeable. I was very impressed with shoe department!! Great place to shop when planning a trip to Alaska. read more

I like REI a lot. It's your run of the mill sporting goods store with better than average environmental politics; REI donates millions to conservation efforts every year. You can buy just about anything in this store that you'd find elsewhere, however, their prices tend to be higher but not by much. I think they just have different, but high quality & pricey, brands like Patagonia, Arc'teryx, Marmont, North Face, etc., that focus on outdoor sports. That said they do have their in-house REI brand that'll save you money and it's decent quality. The main reason I shop here is for the occasional piece of running gear that I might need right away. For example, because of all the rain that has plagued SA this fall, I wanted a light-weight running shell. I bought a Patagonia Houdini--it was the same price everywhere, so no markup by REI which was great and I had it that same day for my daily run. It's a co-op and they have a lifetime membership for $20. The co-op part in that bargain means you get a dividend check in the mail since the members are the owners of REI, not shareholders. It's a pretty sweet deal if you shop there enough to spend $200 over your lifetime. They also have garage sales where you can really snag a good deal, especially with your dividend. The employees are super helpful and friendly. If you need help with outdoor camping stuff, they'll be able to help you out. So, yeah, if you've never been to an REI check it out. It's nothing special, but in a world corporations often have terrible environmental track records, I think it's important that places like REI exist. While they may not be perfect, they do make a conscious effort toward conserveration. read more

I was there a bit early on a cold day. So me and Rose my service animal walked around the parking lot and waited for the store to open the time came and went for opening about five minutes late the manager came to the door and said to me as she opened it oh I forgot to open it. I would never say that to a customer. I ordered a product online for MC2 compass. I told the manager as I came in that I had a package waiting for me. But I wanted to look further for some other items such as books and another compass. I went to check out and the gentleman across the way checking me out told me that I could not buy the MC2 compass off the shelf because I ordered one on line and he would have to charge my card twice and return one. No. REI lost a $200 sale because they did not want to sell me something they said was in the store and I would not get a receipt and tell her I went to the store. Worst experience at an REI ever! read more

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Want an expensive, overpriced pair of $20.00+ "hiking" socks that wear out after walking through a grocery store run? This is the place for you! Usually come here to try boots, shoes, sandals, and water related shoes. The staff are friendly! It's fun to explore and get lost, or learn more about the outdoors. My advice? Wait for sales. read more

Staffs in the bike shop are knowledgeable and extremely helpful. I had a new bike shipped to me and I was not able to put back the front wheel due to hydraulic disk brake pump was stuck. All the staffs, especially Christian took time to fine tune the bike. Very happy with how bike performs at this time. Highly recommend this REI. read more

Came in to get some final things for my first solo primitive campout. MJ was so incredibly patient with me and explained so much. He is knowledgeable on things from sleeping bags to knives to hiking socks. I interacted with three other employees there and each had a genuine care and happy spirit about them. I walked in feeling timid and walked out with confidence and all the things I had come looking for. Big shoutout to the team there. You're doing an amazing job. Store was clean, well stocked, had a variety of options and price points. read more

I just came on here to say how good of an experience I had at REI San Antonio and it was all thanks to Kaitlyn! She took the time to set up an entire tent for us, helped us pick out the perfect camping gear and gave us some knowledgeable camping tips. The whole family agrees that Miss Kaitlyn should get a raise and she is the quality kind of person that keep people coming back to REI! read more

I went to these people in my time of need. I walked right up to the hiking boots section of the store told them my situation: "I have flat, wide feet, and I'm doing an 8 hour hike to an elevation of 9,000 ft TOMORROW, so I don't have time to break the boots in. Whatcha got for me?" And let me tell you something; those people DELIVERED. Not only were they not judgmental of me buying boots the day before a hike, but they had the expertise to provide me with THE PERFECT boot. My hike was yesterday, and the boots were perfect: no blisters, super comfortable, perfect level of arch support for me. Yes, this place is a little pricey, but the customer service is impeccable, and the employees are super knowledgeable. read more

REI is a great sports store. They are a bit pricey but their items are top quality. I have been a member for years and everything I have bought is still like new. Nothing wears out. I give REI gift cards to my family because I know they will get what they want and need. I signed up for membership , so when they have a special sale, it is for members only. Their special sales are incredible. The selection covers everything you could want for whatever sports you are into. All the staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the different products and they all seem to be sports enthusiasts. read more

Yesterday I was looking to buy camping cookware, The employee who helped me on the floor and offered to look in the back for an item I was searching for was amazing and very helpful. However an employee named Andrew who checked me out at the register was quite the opposite. First he rolled his eyes as I informed him his co worker was bringing something from the back, then Andrew harassed me about applying for some card. Saying things like "I would do it it's the only smart thing to do" insinuating I was dumb after I had repeatedly stated I did not want to apply for anything. Then I politely asked at the end of the transaction for a bag as I had some big items to carry completely by myself. In a snarky tone and once again insinuating I was dumb stated they were a bag free store. Other than Andrew at checkout my first visit was great, just might not go back anytime soon lol. read more

What a great experience with fantastic customer support today. We found and were able to order the exact bags we wanted and Stacy at the front counter went above and beyond to ensure we got what we wanted on time. She multi- tasked through a couple calls, but never left us hanging. That's an employee you want to hang on to. Thanks so much! My new favorite store. Well done REI! read more

Staff was so friendly and helpful, they got my family and I squared away with everything we needed. Highly recommend them for all your outdoor needs. read more

Salesman are a bunch of snakes here, especially Chris who is apparently a manager.. they will lie to you to make their sale and make their commissions read more

I always love coming to this store because they have great selections. They have name brands in addition to their own store brand which is affordable and priced well. They also have a program where you can join as a member and enjoy things like their annual garage sale along with dividend payment at the end of the month. It's a co-op, so you are treated like a shareholder and given back a portion of what you spend in the store (it's very small unless you buy a lot of outdoor things!). They also have monthly classes along with hiking trips. I respect this store and what they provide the outdoors community! read more

The only reason that this review gets four stars instead of five is that R.E.I. can be expensive depending on what you buy. However, it is not to say that you are not paying for quality, because you are. The store has great quality items that may seem expensive when you're buying it initially, but I have been R.E.I. customer for years and a lot of what I have bought in the past is still going strong today. R.E.I. carries a variety of brands to fit various outdoor and adventure needs. The staff is friendly and most associates are knowledgeable. I am a member of this co-op, and the member benefits really pay off. Every year, you get a rebate based on how much you have spent in the store the previous year; the rebate is in the form of a dividend that you can spend at R.E.I. Also, R.E.I. offers classes that one can take; classes vary on topics. Just the other day, I attended a class on "international and adventure travel". Burk taught the class and it was quite interesting. I will be signing up for more classes soon. read more

REI - Educational classes - free for members - Outdoor Gear Near Me - San Antonio, Texas

I enjoy this place. But have yet to purchase anything. The store is laid out well. The sizes of clothes cover a true variety of customers. I was drawn in today to use a 20% off one item coupon, and take advantage of the sale on returned items as a member ($20 one time fee). Only to find out that canoes and kayaks don't often get returned, and are not eligible for coupon savings. The sale itself was a bit reminiscent of a bad Black Friday experience. I saw no rush to pay full price today for what I wanted. read more

I had just gotten into biking and it was a bit nerve wrecking with the different types of bikes. I remember just getting a bike and riding but it is a different experience when great people like those that work here explain and really find out what tou are looking to do and what experiences you want. I was able to ask questions and get answers i didnt even know that there were. I got everything i needed and felt good about myself and choices. I recommend coming here and to this location to get all your outdoor needs.I also get my bike serviced here which is the only place i will go. Must go read more

I love this place! If they don't have something they will tell you were you can get it. So they are not just a store that wants to sell you things. The last time I got some climbing gear they didn't had it but they told me were in town I could find it. I didn't need it that day so I asked them to order it for me for store pickup. Was there the next day, so no problem with that. There return policy worked fine with me, and in general I don't have things that needs to be returned. Also they know what they are talking about, so if you need help with something, this would be the place to go. read more

Took my bikes in for some new tires. They did a great job fixing things as always but it literally took 30 minutes to check out. I had ordered a tire online and for some reason they could not finalize the sale in the store. I suggested about 5 minutes in that they just void the online order and just charge me in store for the tire like a new purchase. For some reason they did not like that idea. It took 3 staff members to get this fixed and the ultimate solution was what I had suggested early in the process which had been ignored. 2 minute check out took 30 minutes so 5 stars for the repair and service. 1 Star for the checkout process. Usually not this bad so I am optimistic for the future but disappointed at all the unnecessary wasted time. read more

Always stopping in at REI's across the USA, and this is a nice looking, nicely formatted store with everything easy to find on one level. Staff were friendly and helpful. Once again I enjoyed using my dividend check and bought things I just needed to have. If you have never shopped at an REI, check one out. I love their products, their return policy, the dividend check and the staff wherever I have been. read more

OK, let's get something straight. I do like REI. I rather enjoy their selection and it is a fantastic way to keep abreast of stylish outdoor gear. Functionality is a completely different story when it comes to the price. Well I am an avid believer in a good army navy surplus store, I have come to appreciate some of the items that are not necessarily as well utilized as those in the military. This my friends, would definitely be the place. Cons: Way overpriced, way to many activities and small items to get customers to grab on their way out the door, way to commercial and did I mention way overpriced. If you are looking for maximum gear functionality - look elsewhere. Pros: REI has a good selection of gear, they have a garage outlet online that can save you big bucks, if you are into looking fashionable while camping or doing any outdoor sport-you'll fit right in. Overall, a great place to kill time while waiting for another event and to get some ideas in your own. Other than that, style and brand is abundantly prevalent. read more

Decided to brave the crazy Black Friday shoppers at REI at noonish and there were none (insert sarcasm)! The worst part about our experience was the drive. Being tourists in San Antonio, we didn't realize the exit Google maps give us would fail to mention the exit did not exist. We ended up taking a very roundabout trip to REI and our 10min drive turned into 30min! But, not REIs fault, but beware of you are unfamiliar with the area like us. We went in mostly for a gift card and decided to walk around since there is no REI in Hawaii (we need one!). The store was not the biggest by met all our needs. It was easy to find different sections and we browsed the store as the workers on the floor would check in to see if we needed help finding anything. Overall, very happy at REI and we even left with some Black Friday specials along with our gift card LOL read more

REI - Right off the I-10 - Outdoor Gear Near Me - San Antonio, Texas