04/29/09

Great store for quality information!

by JeannaMac

Went there today to look for a sleeping bag and tent. The staff was super friendly and extremely helpful. Attentive to our needs and price range. Thanks Next Adventure, Team Madison Girls!!!

• Pros: Great advice.

10/27/08

Be ready to Haggle if you are trading in gear

by LKK2008

Recently went in to trade a pair of brand-new condition Garmont boots. Was really surprised when offered only $15 store credit but agreed because I trusted them and figured that's they would sell them for less than I had thought they could, maybe 3 times that -$45 or $50. I'd always had decent experiences at Next Adventure and I guess I fell for their good-guy ad campaign and didn't think they would just rip me off. But, after agreeing, unfortunately, checked out the used boots and saw a horribly dirty and poor condition identical version of mine going for $65! I'm sure mine will sell for at least $90 since they were in perfect shape. The buyer didn't explain the process at all and how he came up with the offer (unusual for trade-in place, in my experience). I don't know if the guy just wanted to buy them for himself or what his deal was, but I will never be back. It's really a pity because I had always liked having a more local down to earth place than REI but I guess that image just doesn't hold up in reality. Just be careful if you are trading in your beloved gear and expect NA staff to be trustworthy.

• Pros: Local
• Cons: Rip off

09/07/08

unorganized chaos.

by wallflower08

After hearing several recommendations about the snowboard gear at Next Adventure, I decided to make a trip there to check it out. To begin, not a single employee offered to help me find my way through the unorganized madness. Secondly, the snowboard selection was not impressive and was displayed in a chaotic pile leaving me very little desire to search through the equipment. Most of it looked like junk anyways, so I didn't waste my time. Don't waste your time here either.

• Cons: customer service. unorganized.

11/26/07

Helpful staff, good deals

by phoogoo

I am not a hard core outdoor person so it helps to go to a place where the staff is willing to take the time educating the customers in a friendly, down to earth way. I have gone in several times (for snowboard gear, backpacking gear) and each the staff is very nice and patient with my dumb questions and doesn't condescend. I don't know the going rate for the items I bought but it seems far reasonable than the exorbant prices I've seen at Outdoor store and REI. Joes is cheap, but good luck finding anyone to help you.

They may not have every brand you're looking for, but I think it's a fun, friendly store to go to.

• Pros: Friendly. helpful staff, good deals, fun atmosphere
• Cons: A bit cluttered, parking

Competitive pricing and huge inventory make this sporting goods store a fave for adventurers in the know.

by Contributor

In Short
This sporting goods store carries both new and used equipment for every imaginable outdoor activity. In particular, there's a huge selection of backpacks and tents, as well as everything for skiers and snowboarders. Because it concentrates on buying closeouts, the store undersells most of its competitors. Shoppers willing to purchase slightly older merchandise can probably find a deal.

08/28/06

Best outdoor shop in Portland

by gorger

This shop has all the top brands, the reviewer below should check his/her product knowledge. The best camping gear, ski gear etc is all there. The staff are all helpful and polite, it seems to be a happy shop unlike others. Have a friendly talk with the staff and they will get you the best deal they can and spend as much time as it takes to give you the right gear for your trip. You can't ask for more than that.

• Pros: Great staff
• Cons: Parking on weekends

02/21/06

Great ski selection

by fuskies

After checking out REI and a couple of other local specialty ski shops, I finally decided to check out Next Adventure. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was the huge inventory of skis, truly amazing. They have a large quantity of new skis and a lot of used skis as well. Compared to the other shops I visited, their selection was by far the best. And their prices are great. Their ski packages give you a lot of boot/ski options; you have the freedom to choose whatever youd like. And the staff was incredibly knowledgeable and willing to take the time to help you. I learned more from them than I did from all the research I did online. And they were able to mount my bindings in a half hour. Overall my shopping experience was great!

• Pros: large ski selection, awesome prices, helpful staff

02/20/06

Messy

by obfuscator

I agree with everything people have said thus far concerning the staff, they are young, knowlegable, fun, and relaxed. However, the store is cluttered to the point where I can't find things, or I have to dig through bins to find it. My other complaint is that they don't have the selection that other stores have. They are missing, what in my opinion, are key brands. I do have to say that it nice to see some of the lesser promoted brands get some floor space. I need to also add they are the only place in the area that carries Sea To Summit (such a great company), so kudos to them for that. Overall it's a cool place to go and browse, but if you're looking for something specific you might want to give yourself some time there, and maybe flag down a helpful employee for some assitance.

• Pros: Customer Service, Lesser known brands
• Cons: Organization

11/13/05

Deek & Brian have lost me

by insearchofthebest

I was a big fan of Next Adventure --- only ned to look at my camping gear; I bought a lot of it there. But the place has changed in the last couple of years. The prices are not the lowest anymore. I go in for a new lumbar pack and there are only two to choose from, and they are on "sale" at this already supposedly low price place and it's more than other places I could have gone. You can't shop online here either -- so to make the trip over there only to find regular retail-level prices and anything from no to a lot of choices...it's just not worth it to me anymore.

• Pros: cool staff, geat premise
• Cons: high prices, hit or miss inventory, smelly store

04/08/05

One of the best in the NW

by metrion

Everytime I walk in to look for something, I'm amazed at the level of experience the young people have in there. Seems like all these people are VERY active in outdoor stuff, and will gladly share their experience with the equipment you're asking about. Even have used stuff for super low prices, it's like stealing! If it's outdoors, make this your first stop!