Bob

I'd say nice, but I wouldn't necessarily say it's cheap, nor decent.

MsElui

if you want stuff for kids - The childrens place has padded pants and similar kinds if stuff in their online store - it was really cheap last time i looked.
i wouldnt want to pay a lot for kids winter stuff as they outgrow it so quickly.

S Folinsky

REI

They have an on-line presence. They are a co-op so members get a rebate at the end of the year. ( We use elder daughter's number,).


Just looked and they have a brick and mortar presence around Philadelphia.

kimilseung

REIs 10% rebate is a help, a bit like the BMA 10% saving in the UK, except it's only at one store chain.

Rockgurl

Dicks, REI and Sports Authority are great. REI is more high end/expensive and REI has some really nice/different stuff although also pricey. Sports Authority sell some great Columbia brand gear which is less expensive and actually really nice. I bought my ski pants there on sale for half price and my North Face ski jacket which has lasted many years. I bought some awesome North Face snow boots on Amazon which I got in the sale for less than $100. I brought my other North Face jacket from England which I've had since 2000 because they're so well made they just don't wear out. Gloves and hats I mostly buy in Dick's or on Amazon. Don't tell the wife but she's getting heated gloves fro Christmas....from Amazon.

Octang Frye

REI also has a great return policy.

Bob

Sports Authority? They don't exist anymore do they? Not around here at least.

OldJuddian

Strange. Last time I was in REI the person in front of me was trying to make a return but was turned away for some spurious reason. At the time it made me think how different it was to Costco which really has a good returns policy.

I shop in REI for sports stuff for my wife & I as they tend to have good quality gear that will last for years. For my kids who will grow out of everything in 6-12 months it tends to be Big5 or Dicks.

Yesterday was my first ski of the season and everything from helmet to skis was bought from REI. It helps that my employer gives a generous allowance each year to buy fitness gear, which allows me to focus on quality and not cost.

kimilseung

What reasons?
A few years ago they cut back on their returns to within a year of purchase, from a no time limit policy.

Rockgurl

Yeah I think they've mostly closed now, unfortunately, although I think there's one left in my state. I had one a mile from me that was always having sales and they had tons of great gear. I always loved shopping there. It's a shame. The same happened with Bob's Stores....one of my favorite places to shop.

Hiro11

IMO, for adult men:
Eddie Bauer makes the my favorite insulated jackets for the money. I especially like Eddie Bauer's "First Ascent" sub-brand which is their top tier stuff and well worth the premium.
Marmot, Mountain Hardware and Patagonia all make really good outdoorsy stuff. The North Face was the best 20 years ago but they're not as good now.
Spyder makes great ski jackets, especially at outlet prices. Most Premium Outlet centers have a Spyder store.
Filson is likely my favorite clothing brand. They make excellent, well made outerwear if you're looking for a less technical, more rustic and traditional look. Not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Heirloom quality stuff.
LL Bean has the best customer service, reasonable prices and great quality. Their clothes generally don't fit me, unfortunately.
Sorel makes terrific pack boots for a reasonable price.
Swany makes great gloves.
Everything I've ever bought from Smartwool is top quality and durable.