12/28/08

Nice job Pete, getting the 4 of us ready for the hills!!!!!

by canadianoutback

Great service and great selection!!!!

Prior to going to US outdoor we read the reviews and were very "pessimistic" when going. We had tried REI first and their selection and prices did not seem to be too "GREAT". So going to gear-up 2 kids and 2 adults for downhill skiing equipment was going to be a pricy experience, but should be pleasant. Pete was the sales person that helped us get it all done in record time and price!!! He was knowledgeable, friendly and so fair... he did not try to sell us the most expensive boots/skies, he truly helped us find the perfect fit in the budget we wanted. The negative reviews did not at all reflect our experience and we will certainly recommend and go back. Thanks again Pete!!!!

• Pros: Service/Selection/Price
• Cons: No complaints at this time, they met all our needs!!!!

10/16/08

If you can't find it here, you probably don't need it.

by outandaboutinpdx

In a city that embraces the outdoor lifestyle and all that entails, US Outdoor stands out as the largest non-corporate gear retailer in town, not to mention the way it sticks out amongst its downtown Broadway neighbors, with low key staff and comfortable atmosphere. Compared to REI, USO has a stronger selection of upper end product within the various categories, and prices are competitive with other gear shops, and certainly better than at the brand showcase stores around town. Upon visiting the store, it's hard not to be taken back by the sheer volume of product in those 3 floors; the snowboard department recently expanded and moved the second floor to handle the incredible amount of boards, boots, and enough jackets and schwag to sink a ship. The website is thorough, and a solid way to pre-game before dropping into the store, as you can see everything available and in stock, and be prepared to find what you're looking for when you arrive. Alternatively, you can go in blind, and one of the local outdoor experts will be more than happy to offer their opinion on gear, not to mention the best breaks on the coast, the best times of year to head to the mountain, and what nights to visit the climbing walls. Oh, and given the current economy, I should mention the sales annex on the second floor, which is chock-a-block with solid deals on last year's gear, which, unless you're a steez-obsessed snowboarder, should work fine.

• Pros: Great selection of both mid range and high end product
• Cons: Parking - Take the streetcar / max

09/27/08

Poor sales staff and merchandising

by ocdc

I went in ready to buy a new snowboard setup but didn't want to interupt the staff from their eating and joking on the sales floor. While looking at all the boards there were probably 3 or 4 employees( friends?) standing back with no interest in offering assitance or advice. I have purchased gear from them in the past so I knew how the business operates but my most recent experience was completely unacceptable. I always believe in supporting a local business before looking elsewhere but I will not return to US Outdoor.

• Pros: Selection
• Cons: Buying experience

09/18/08

Most Handsome Snowboard Staff in PDX

by ILoveDudes

I know nothing about snowboards, but I know alot about dudes. And the dudes in the US Outdoor store snowboard department are handsome. So handsome and so helpful. I went into Outdoor to buy a new board the other day and was blown away at how knowledgable the staff was about every product in the snowboard department (Especially that hunk George). The only problem I had was that I was a little distracted by the staff's handsome-ness. But overall I would say that the snowboard department staff is incredibly helpful. They even sold me a new pair of snowboard pants when I was attempting to pick George up. I think they miss understood when I said "I'm looking to get into your pants." But that's okay because the pants fit great and I love my new K2 snowboard.

Handsome, friendly and helpful. I wish I had more men like this in my life. Preferrably underneath me. Thanks and I love you George and Adam.

• Pros: Handsome Staff, large selection of both product and handsome staff
• Cons: Handsome-ness of some staff is distracting at times

09/03/08

Convenient, Local, and Friendly

by adam251

When I moved to Portland this was the first place I went to for my snowboarding gear needs, and I have never felt the need to shop anywhere else. They had everything I was looking for, and the staff were able to answer all my questions without any trouble. It's easy to tell that the people selling you the gear are up on the mountain on the weekends, or out at smith rock climbing, or surfing at the coast....you get the idea. Everything seems reasonably priced, and they always have last years stuff on sale so you can find some great deals. The thing I didn't find out for a while is that they have a website that is live with their inventory in store, so now I always check to see what new stuff they get in and then go down to the store to check it out. I would recommend this place for the three reasons listed in the title of my review.

08/24/08

Friendly Service and Great Selection

by shondon

I shop here often and have a good experience everytime. You are greeted as soon as you step foot into the store and the staff is very knowledgable and friendly. You never have to hunt someone down for help since they usually check up on you to see if you need any help. The return process is very easy, if you even need to return anything, (10 days for unused gear) and it's an all around fun experience. They have an awesome selection for women's clothing and it's all great quality. I highly recommend this place.

• Pros: Customer Service, Location, Quality, Atmosphere

05/20/08

Bad Service

by Solipcist

The US Outdoor store can be summed up quite easily: Good selection of gear, average prices, bad employees. I recommend AVOIDING the joint. There are plenty of other good local companies with MUCH better service (Sublimity Snow and Skate and TruSnow/Portland Boarding Company and Exit Real World just to name a few).

• Pros: Availability of Goods
• Cons: Employees

04/29/08

Great selection/prices - terrible service.

by foofoo23

My experiences at this store vary: if you want to buy a coat or long-johns, then this is good as far as selection and pricing. But if you are buying equipment, the sales staff is severely lacking. I feel as if these people don't care if they make a sale or not, just whatever gets them to their next smoke break. Don't buy your gear here, especially if you need any sort of follow up service, best go to REI or some other box store, you'll get at least the same service. Lame at best.

• Pros: Nice selection of clothes, the bargain attic is nice
• Cons: Service is lame, no follow up, they don't care

04/17/08

Not worth your time or wallet.

by weespears

Over priced and rude. The staff is obviously not taken care of because they don't give a damn about a sale. I went in wanting to buy new skis, boots, bindings, and poles. It took them forever to get some one to talk to me because they were all talking to their friends over coffee at the counter. I was recommended the wrong ski for my level and then told they didn't have all that much, as he walked away. I understand it is the end of the season and gear is low, but I felt like a total inconvenience for even asking?! So I took my money else where and got ALL the stuff I wanted including Rossignol skis. All of my new equipment was $97.00 more than the skis alone at us outdoor.

• Pros: They have stuff to sell.
• Cons: Lame and rude staff, overprices.

04/03/08

Good selection, horrible people, except for the owner.

by duckalum

The selection usually is pretty good but you do pay for it. Its a pretty pricy place, but a lot of the time I can find things there I cant find anywhere else. The employees are a ridiculous excuse for a staff. Dont even go downstairs unless George is working, they seem to think that working for minimum wage with no benis makes them too cool. One day a piece of garbage at the counter wouldnt let me, a 15 year returning customer exchange a stupid beanie. I should've beat his back end because he treated me, an accomplished professional, like I was a bumb trying to make a buck. Their return policy sux and most all their staff has their heads up their backsides. My ball hair knows more about gear than these guys/gals.Leave your punk attitudes on the hill bra. Go hike the pipe.

• Pros: Selection, and the owner is really cool.
• Cons: Ten thumbs down for the staff