Backwoods

Great place! It’s surprising what a good selection of gear they have for a relatively small location, and the staff simply can’t be beat. They were knowledgeable and very welcoming, which makes this shop really stand out against the competition. I’m a casual climber and backpacker, and I didn’t feel at all looked down upon for my numerous inquiries about equipment. The positive vibes, great selection, and warm staff really set this place apart. Whether a camping newbie or a seasoned backpacking vet, this is a great place to stock up on some gear.
Product Quality & Selection: ⁴⁄₅
Service: ⁵⁄₅
Cleanliness: ⁵⁄₅
Décor & Style: ⁴⁄₅

I went to so many places today.
This place looks like a really good one if you do things outside and want to be properly clothed and geared up. I saw some really cute and functional items such as slim-​fit sky blue plaid button down shirts for women that have sun-​protection. Those shirts are pretty slick. Teaching shirts? If I taught outside, I would. (omg, why can’t I teach outside?!). I actually went there because my new bestie, a hair goddess, told me they had a small selection of prAna clothing. Yes, I might have been a bit of a fish out of water exploring a land quite technical and foreign, but what a chic oasis this would be if I did things like camp in the elements — all the clothes are tres cute.
I ended up purchasing a warm, knitted Northface beanie that makes it look like I’m wearing a strawberry on my head (score). Well, this is all just a super great place for people who climb, camp, fish, and yogi’s who can afford prAna at full price.

Scaling the crags of the snow-​laden Himalayas; trekking the Indochinese jungles by elephant; creeping through the forest floors of Mesoamerica in search of Olmec ruins; plumbing the unexplored depths of ancient Egyptian pyramids…
I have done none of those things.
I do, however, love to travel, but I prefer my jungles made of concrete, glass and steel. To me, nothing beats observing feral humans in their natural environment: cities. Regardless, cities vary greatly depending on their climates, and appropriate clothing and accessories are necessary. I happened upon Backwoods a few weeks ago while killing time and went in to see what they had.
A lot of what they sold was good for the great outdoors. However, I was seeing what they had in stock that could be used for urban travel, as I have an upcoming trip to southeast Asia. The last time I went to a similar climate was Rio de Janeiro, and there were places I went in which I had to swat Jurassic bugs off my skin. The climate there was hot and muggy, so I needed to keep cool, but shorts and T-​shirts allowed for bug bites. With that in mind (plus the fact that some places I want to visit in Vietnam require people to cover up) I was looking for special clothing. The salesman there was very helpful and recommended these pants that can convert to shorts, but are quite breathable and suited for hot climates. They also had a lot of potent insect repellent, which I still need to buy. I was amazed by their selection of goods, even for urban travel, though most of their stuff is suited for outdoorsy activities.
Whether you’re going to the sharp, rocky canyons of the Badlands or those of Manhattan, this store has what you need.

In the Midwest, especially outside of a market the size of Dallas, you don’t get too many options for a outdoor gear store. Luckily, we do have Backwoods. As a small chain of stores, I can’t say much for the others Backwoods stores, but I’d rather shop Backwoods than any of the big chains I’ve frequented in Colorado and Washington. The staff are just as knowledgable as any other good outdoor outfitter, but they are also down to earth, unpretentious, and incredibly helpful. They don’t carry every gizmo out there, but they carry the top branded essentials *and* they’ll take the time to make sure it’s what you need. My best experience with Backwoods? My first backpack purchase in 20 years… I received over an hour of personalized attention, multiple fittings, and lots of advice.