Outdoor, Sport shopping in North America
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A
Mountain Equipment Co-op
MEC is the place to get your outdoor kit sorted before heading into the hills. It has a huge selection of outdoor equipment, travel gear, active clothing and books.
reviewed
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B
North Face
A well-respected Berkeley-based brand of outdoor gear a few blocks west of San Pablo Ave.
reviewed
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C
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D
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E
LL Bean Store
In 1911 Leon Leonwood Bean invented the Maine Hunting Shoe, now known as the ‘Bean Boot.’ In addition to the quality and practicality of the boot’s construction, it was accompanied by a lifetime offer of replacement or repair if outdoorsmen found the item in any way unsatisfactory. Other items for the outdoors were added, notably the often-imitated LL Bean Field Coat in 1924, popular for its rugged quality and craftsmanship. These days Bean sells over one billion dollars’ worth of clothing, outdoor gear and home furnishings. And the guarantee of no questions asked and 100% satisfaction is still honored. While the merchant’s successful start began through mail order, an ad…
reviewed
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F
New Balance Factory Store
The New Balance Factory Store sells the most comfortable, supportive running shoes at discounted prices. Runners rejoice over these shoes, but regular people wear them too. This warehouse of a place also carries factory seconds and overruns of fleece jackets and synthetic clothing made by New Balance. You may have to search for your size, but you can easily save 25% to 50% off any given item. Look for the automatic 20% reduction when you trade in an old pair of sneakers of any brand. This place is not so easy to get to: take bus 64 from Central Sq (about 20 minutes).
reviewed
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G
Niketown
Covering some 9000 sq ft, this palatial footwear emporium is more of a destination than a store. Gone are the days when the shoe salesperson disappears into the backroom to look for your size. Here, they plug the numbers into the computer, and your shoe arrives via shoe-tube. While Niketown is a sight to see, you'll pay top dollar for your sneakers here, so there is no point in buying unless you have your heart set on Nike's newest styles. It's worth stopping by around Patriot's Day to check out the tribute to the Boston Marathon.
reviewed
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H
Itsu's Fishing Supplies
No visit to Hilo is complete without a stop at Itsu's Fishing Supplies - yes, a fishing-supply store! - which sells Hilo's best ice shave (note: Hilo folks call it 'ice shave', not 'shave ice'). The ice shave is hand-cranked off an ice block, scooped into a cone and topped with your choice of sweet syrups - double your pleasure and add ice cream in the middle. The hardworking owners offer a popular, fresh lunch buffet as well.
reviewed
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Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World
Keep an eye on the handcrafted wildlife chandeliers at this redneck superstore adjacent to the Silverton casino resort. Paradise for fishers and hunters, Bass Pro stakes its claim on a ginormous showroom with a rock-climbing wall, an indoor archery range, a 40,000-gallon aquarium and a meandering stream stocked with native Nevada species.
reviewed
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I
Tongass Trading Company
Ketchikan serves as the base for some of the best kayaking in Southeast. Possibilities include anything from an easy paddle around the waterfront to a weeklong trip in Misty Fiords National Monument. Pick up outdoor supplies from Tongass Trading Company, across from the Gilmore Hotel.
reviewed
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J
REI
This 'cathedral to outdoor gear' has finally moved to a central location, making it easier to stock up on everything from wool socks to speed-dry underwear, rolling backpacks to Everest-capable sleeping bags. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. REI also rents camping equipment.
reviewed
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K
PD's Hot Shop
PD's sells its own Skull Skates brand of skateboards, snowboards, skimboards, BMX bikes and clothing. The company has been around forever and remains the place for the boarding scene, with resources like a skatepark directory and tidal pool charts for skimboarding.
reviewed
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L
San Miguel Surf Shop
Drop in here for surf boards, gear and - depending on who's behind the counter - information on the local surf scene. The owner, Eduardo Echegaray, has been shaping surfboards (long and short) for some twenty years, and his prices are lower than equivalent boards in the USA.
reviewed
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M
Beaver Sports
This is the place for outdoor gear in Fairbanks, with mountain bikes, mountaineering boots and mountains of every other species of wilderness equipment. Also, there's a handy message board for exchanging info with fellow adventurers or securing used gear.
reviewed
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Desert Rock Sports
Run by climbers, this outdoor-adventure shop rents bouldering crash pads and carries all-weather apparel and brand-name hiking, rock-climbing, camping and backpacking equipment. The indoor Red Rock Climbing Center is next door.
reviewed
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N
Oshima
Locals joke that there is nothing you can't find at Oshima, making it a good family-run alternative to the big box stores in Kailua-Kona. It stocks everything from groceries and pharmaceuticals to snorkel gear and surf wear.
reviewed
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O
Foggy Mountain Shop
For packs, outdoorwear, USGS topo maps and anything else you need for backcountry trips stop at Foggy Mountain Shop. This is the only outdoor shop in town with top-of-the-line equipment and the prices reflect that.
reviewed
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Running Room
This Alberta-based chain sells running shoes and accessories but also has free group runs led by an employee. Just meet at the store. It also has fantastic route maps that you can download from its website.
reviewed
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Q
Sangre de Cristo Mountain Works
When you're not wearing cowboy boots, you should be wearing biking or hiking shoes to make an impression in Santa Fe. Shop here for anything high-end outdoorsy - you know, a GPS unit, Gore-Tex and fleece.
reviewed
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Kittery Trading Post
Of all the stores in Kittery, the Kittery Trading Post is the most interesting retail spot. Opened in 1926, this was the town's original outpost and still sells a wide range of outdoor clothing and gear.
reviewed
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R
Backdoor
The Hanalei Surf Company's sister is similar in youthful vibe, but carries skateboards and a wider selection of alternative street clothes by brands including Luci Love, Volcom, Paul Frank and Billabong.
reviewed
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Progressive Expressions
Established in 1972, this was the South Shore's first surf shop. Original owners Marty and Joe Kuala sold the shop to the Hanalei Surf Company in 2005 but Joe still designs and crafts boards sold here.
reviewed
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S
Desert Outfitters
Eccentric shop for hard-to-find topographic maps of the Nevada desert; books about ghost towns, gem fossicking and the Old West; and metal detectors, rock tumblers and DIY prospecting equipment.
reviewed
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Magellan's
This brick-and-mortar version of the popular mail-order store has a huge assortment of clothing, accessories, books, maps, games and whatever else you need for a pleasant trip.
reviewed
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U
Hilo Surplus Store
This vintage army surplus store is the place for jungle-grade machetes or a bolt of camouflage Gore-tex. Campers will find rain gear, tents and authentic mess kits.
reviewed
