Outdoor Stores in Boulder

heyy, I'm looking for some good outdoor (camping, climbing, backpacking, etc.) in the Boulder area. Recommendations?

Thanks!

Neptune Mountaineering
MontBell
REI
Anyone know if Boulder Mountaineering is still open?

A bit further:
Bent Gate (Golden)
Wilderness Exchange (Denver)

fossana wrote:Neptune Mountaineering MontBell REI Anyone know if Boulder Mountaineering is still open? A bit further: Bent Gate (Golden) Wilderness Exchange (Denver)

The above posters really run the gamut of the stores you should consider in the Boulder area and the major ones outside, but I'd like to add this:

I think it really depends on what "good" means. I think there's some fuss about "local" versus "corporate" versus "big box" anywhere you go, but it appears (at least to me) to be a bit pronounced in Boulder. I have my own preferences about this as does most everyone, but here's my take, as objectively as possible.

So, if good == best possible price first and foremost and more flexible return/exchange/refund policy (although anyone is going to look at you weird returning climbing gear) and you're not looking for horribly specialized or very high-end gear, you can't beat REI (assuming those are your only criteria of "good").

But, if good means the shiniest, awesomest, most-elite gear from the top of the industry, you'll be sorely disappointed at REI's selection, too. Also, if good means a prejudice against bigger companies (for better or for worse, not looking to fan any flames here), then you, too, will be disappointed at REI (but, it is worth noting, REI is a co-op albeit the largest or one of the largest retailers in their segment). Then, you really should check out Neptune, Bent Gate (Golden), and Wilderness Exchange (Denver, they have a great used gear program here).

Mont Bell is nice, but really is a clothing store for the Mont Bell brand FIRST and *then* a gear store, although their new location at 29th St has a lot more room for gear, the selection is not what you will see at other places, but respectable.

Like I said, depends on what you're looking for and what "good" means :).

Andrea Leigh Jaramillo wrote:heyy, I'm looking for some good outdoor (camping, climbing, backpacking, etc.) in the Boulder area. Recommendations? Thanks!

Definately check out Bent Gate Mountaineering in Golden. Definately the best gear shop on the front range. Army/Navy store on Pearl would also get a thumbs up.

Two other places that come to mind are Boulder Sports Recycler (Broadway in the industrial park north of Leehill Rd.), and Play it Again Sports (same shopping mall as Neptune)... Play it Again has a small selection of overpriced used backpacks and a few pairs of overpriced used climbing shoes, but the BSR has used climbing, hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking and camping stuff, and the staff has decent knowledge about it.

Wilderness Exchange in Denver has really good deals all the time!