REI

REI is the best place for outdoor equipment, bar none. I know I can get in cheaper off of Amazon. I just don’t want to. There are actualy, legitimate, dyed-​in-​the-​wool experts at REI. Do I really know what thickness of hiking sock I need? No, of course not, I sit in a chair for a living, that’s why I want to hike. REI connects you with the experts you need (who happen to be real friendly :)) to make the most of the equipment.
Oh, and they sponsor really cool nature clean ups :) Did one of those a few weeks back, REI catered lunch and gave everyone a tee, I thought it was a real cute touch.

I mean no ill will by this review as I love rei and what they offer but it needs to come to their attention that perhaps for the holiday season they need more sales help. Versus the usual warm greeting, I walked in and everyone, busy yes, ignored me. I stood in apparently the wrong line as a pile of several guests formed another line to the left of me. No one Acknowledged me until it was finally my turn. Rei, I love you but please get your s#it together. I’m a person with places to be and things to get done too.

Just starting to think about getting into climbing. I went in just wanting to cut a couple of trees & be safe; just in case I fell.
I was greeted be a very nice middle age lady; I can’t seem to remember her name. But she was good with an, «every day kinda person walking in.»
She helped me with the general idea;
about how climbing is for different people. Kept it basic, showed how some of the things worked.
I could tell she had to do something, so she handed me off to Peter.
Now Peter is a PRO!
If you need to get into the «real extreme» climbing stuff; he is your guy!
He LOVES bacon. So he told me. Lol
He was a big time climber in the past; was an instructor. Went into Dams & bridges; crazy attitudes.
When show some of the products, he went into a lot of spic stuff, about ropes & other things a can’t remember. Kinda confused me a little. A lot of the stuff went over my head. I had to remind him a couple of times that I’m just cutting trees for right now.
BUT, if you need professional help & have the time to talk to him about shop. HE IS YOUR GUY. *** bring some bacon chips. Lol.
Then,
Mike the store manager helped out near the end. He was a life saver!!!
Kept everything straight as a arrow. Asked the right questions. Got right to the point & got me the stuff I needed. If you are just getting into climbing and don’t have much experience in climbing. & want to be in and out quick! Go see Mike. He was great! Kept everything into prospective. Gave great feed back on what to expect & what I need to know. How to use the product & when to use it.
He can relate to the normal guy that’s looking for simple solutions. And he helped me keep everything under $ 150.
Thanks to everyone that helped out!
I’m glad to hear REI is closing Black Friday. Made me want to shop here even more.
#optoutside.

When in looking for a good set of hiking boots at the Schaumburg store and my man Carter helped me out! Great service fantastic store for the outdoors!
You could buy gear anywhere, but why would you go anywhere else. Pac coast trail here I come. !!

I’ve gone to other REI’s and the sales associates have been really great. But something about this location, and I’m pretty sure it’s the same woman over and over, but she’s always acting ridiculously on edge. I don’t know what there is to be on edge about, you work at REI. I’ll go out of my way to find a different sales associate any time I see her. She’s rude and short. Even now I just called and she happened to answer, and I asked a question about the return policy and she made me feel ridiculous for wanting to know. Who knows, man. What a work of art.

They have a great selection here for all your outdoor needs. I came here looking for a pack to use and I didn’t see any out on the floor. I asked a employee and they checked the back room and found exactly what I was looking for. The employees were super friendly and helpful and will make sure you get what you are looking for. The prices are expensive but it’s the same price as if you were to buy form the retailers directly.

I was about to give this REI 4 stars, but, then I realized, it deserves 5! I have purchased a few items here, from a hiking backpack, to some camping supplies, packaged foods, and more. There is always someone there to help! Now, some people may find this a little irritating, cus it seems like a worker is always watching me, as if I might steal something. But, I don’t think that is really what is going on. They are just very helpful, and they have a lot of workers usually in here. Which is good, because with the products they sell, customers often do have lots of questions.
When I purchased my backpack, it took 2 visits. Both times, working with different sales people, I was helped loading up the bag, testing it out, they gave me suggestions and helped me get the right fit. Sorry I don’t remember their names, but they were both amazing and helping me decide on a bag. This was probably 6 months ago, and I have used the bag many times, works great for my purposes!
Their checkout line has been fast enough every time I was there as well, and their cashiers cheerful and helpful.
Great place to find outdoor/​active gear!

I love this REI location. The staff are all 5 stars, informed & super friendly. I love everything about REI, EXCEPT for the fact that 99% of REI’s merchandise is produced in China, a country actively engaged in Genocide in Tibet, & organ harvesting of it’s political prisoners. Time to step into the new millennium REI, we expect more of you! A large volume of REI customers are conscious, socially active, & concerned about global human rights, so REI should be too! Stock some merchandise made in the USA & I will give you 5 stars.

Great store, large selection, frequent sales. The only issue that I have is that it is sometimes difficult to get help, but then sometimes not. It’s a little spotty in that regard. However, the selection is huge, and you can usually find a few bargains. All in all, I highly recommend it.

Wow been shopping here since they opened years ago. Never had a problem until today came in to buy some keen sandals no one in the shoe department waited several minutes I finally flagged down a guy who didn’t seem to shoot to help. Asked for a sandal in 9 ½ he left and came back I was sitting and he pretty much drops the box on the floor on the other side of me out of reach and walks away? What an attitude! So they worked out I also got a pair of workout gloves So I went to purchase and I have a dividend check with 28 dollars on it and a 20 percent off coupon they sent me with it. The girl at the counter said it was expired. I just got it? She said sorry, rings up the sandals gives me the receipt Doesn’t ask if I’d like a bag I ask where were the workout gloves I purchase she says there int the box. Very unfriendly service I’m not sure of il shop here again. Erehwon in deer park so much friendlier!

The staff was friendly and went above and beyond to be helpful. The store was out of stock of many common sizes.

I stopped in here this past weekend with my boyfriend to find hiking boots. I’ve never been to REI before, never shopped for hiking boots, and overall my experience turned out great.
The staff were extremely attentive and knowledgeable for people that don’t work on commission! They are a LITTLE pushy with selling but if you’re in there for a serious purchase, then they’re going to help you find exactly what you need and nothing extraneous.
I left with a pair of fantastic purple hiking boots and lined $ 15 dollar socks (I’ve never purchased socks over $ 4 bucks before, lol). Even the bf purchased socks after seeing their selection, and he went in with hopes of buying a Frisbee.
I’ll be back, REI!

Great selection. Friendly knowledgable staff. I buy lots of gear from them, and they have a solid return policy if you aren’t satisfied with the actual field test.
I often order things online and have it shipped for free to the store.
Full disclosure: I shop at several REI stores in the Chicago area, and this rating applies to ALL of them.

Stopped in to get a water bottle & amber one of the employees was nice enough to share with me 2 things that would greatly help with my problem of spilling on myself and transporting my water bottles! A «splashguard» that sits nicely on top of the bottle & «black diamond clip» for easy transportation, thanks again for all your hard work! I truly hope she gets the recognition she deserves

Once I step into an REI I want to buy everything! I love the outdoors and all the activities that go with being outside. The staff has always been helpful and knowledgeable about questions I’ve had.
I usually know what I’m heading into the store for and end up with more than the list says. I love their selection of «fuel» for any kind of outdoor adventure whether it be for cycling, hiking, or anything else. They have a deal if you buy enough, 10 or 12, if I remember correctly to get 10% off of the food products.
I am not sure if this store has it, but I printed off a topographic map at a different REI that is on my bucket list of places to go hiking. This was a really neat feature that allowed you to select basically any place and get a map of it… I love technology!
REI has a great return policy, especially if you’re a member. I’ve been bombarded just like anyone else who walks through the door about joining for $ 20. I haven’t caved yet, but I’m sure it is just a matter of time.

I would give this REI 5 stars if they had even one tent which was not made in China. Exclusively selling products made in countries which have long range nuclear weapons directed at us, & a horrific human rights record is completely uncool.
I basically live outdoors most of the year, often at altitude & I have returned every leaky Chinese tent I have purchased here over the last 5 years.
That said, i am still an REI member, & have not found a better place to shop.
Staff, service, variety of great gear = 5stars. Absolutely nothing made in USA (except the energy bars) = zero stars.

Great place for all of your outdoor needs. I went there to pick up a few outdoor supplies, including a pocket knife. It was here that I met a guy who loves pocket knives more than most people love their children. I’m sure he could tell you how a specific knife performs on a rainy day, with winds going Northwest, and lightning striking at intervals of 14 seconds; he knows this because he has done this, probably with every knife model at the store, which I am lead to believe he owns. So, if you have a question about a pocket knife, this is your place. The other stuff seemed pretty good too.

Came here to buy my Vibram FiveFinger shoes because they’re the only place nearby that carries them. I was researching and searching for them for months and finally landed on REI Schaumburg — They had my size and my color! The staff was really great. I called ahead to make sure that what they said online about having them was accurate and they said they’d put them on hold for me. Great!
I get there, try them on, wobble around in them for a bit, and make my purchase. The whole experience was quick and convenient. A few days later after wearing them around, I realized that size wasn’t going to work for me. I was able to return them with no questions asked and exchange for a better size.
I even brought my friend back to purchase the same kind. They were just as friendly to her (and didn’t argue as she RAN around the store for a few LAPS in the shoes, lol).
If I ever need any other hard-​to-​find sporting gear or equipment, I’m sure they’ll have it, and I’m sure I’ll be back.

Who Me? Outdoorsy? Pffffft.
I mean, sometimes I do end up outside, but belonging there is entirely different story.
I can’t ride a bike.
I’m a pain in the ass when it comes to camping.
Pack light? What’s the hell does that mean?
Campfire cooking? Uhm… I’d rather take a bite of ramen and hold in in my mouth till it warms to 98.6 and then swallow.
Spiders. NO!
Ugly shoes.
Fugly toe shoes.
What’s with outdoors-​y people and those God-​awful things?
BUGS ARE BITING ME.
You want me to poop where? And then do what?
And those are a jiffy’s worth of my thoughts of outdoor ish, yet somehow, I’m obsessed with REI. It challenges me to do things I normally would not do. Somthing about walking in here puts a spell on me and makes me think I need 2-​dozen sporks, a mess kit, 3-​Camelbacks, a $ 1200 bike, really frumpy sportswear, a $ 500 jacket, snow pants, Indian Jones hat, a kayak, dehydrated everything, cots, a raincoat for the dog I don’t have, gummies that supposedly give you an energy boost and taste like Lysol, sleeping bags, toe curling climbing shoes, biking helmet in made to look like a purple cat, a canoe… or two, etc.
I think they pump fresh mountain air in so you get all high on life and feel all Motown and ish. Ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough… you get the picture.
And the staff here are really good sports and always seem to be having the best day ever. They’re helpful and tolerant of my in-​store antics and need to try on as many different clearance coats as I can all at the same time and then walk around the store to find my BF and show him how stupid I am.
Speaking of clearance racks… they’ve usually got quite a selection, especially during their holiday sales (specifically labor day) and any of their sidewalk sales, which are magical.
I probably could have gone my whole life without ever going in REI and been happy, but now that I no that I’ve tasted the lifestyle of the savvy outdoors-​man, I just can’t keep myself out of here.

Store Review:
North face and patagonia! Thsi is the store for fleece lovers and outdoor folk. You can find loads of North face gear which is perfect. Otherwise you can find all the gear you need for your next camping trip. I was able to buy a BPA nalgene here that I could not find at any other local store. Staff is friendly and helpful. Prices are okay, a bit expensive if you buy regular price items.
Pros– Lots of North face and camping gear
Cons– expensive
Hidden deals– Sign up for the online email to save 15% off rei regular price item. Join the REI club for 20 dollars (life time membership) to get 10% off all regular price item. You also become eligible to sign up for the credit card which by ¹²⁄₃₁ you get 100 dollars back. Special member only sale. Also great classes for free, check the schedule!