I’m a huge fan of REI.I probably spend too much money at the store. I need to start out with that confession.I came in here because I know that REI has been been doing a smaller garage sale during COVID-19. I came in expecting to find some rad deals like I do in my local REI. But did not find what I was looking for. I did find a good pair of socks though!The staff in the store was very kind and friendly. There was a staff member who did a check in and gave us some rundown before coming into the building.The store is laid out very nice and clean. The store actually seems a little smaller than some of the other REI stores and I’ve been in. They obviously had a great selection and the shelves are stocked. There were some items on clearance and that’s always a good deal.

I have always had a great experience here. Their return policy is the best especially when you are trying to find comfortable hiking shoes. I have also purchased things from REI online and have had them shipped to the store for free shipping. The employees have always been friendly and helpful and the return process is painless.

Madison is a store manager. She is the rudest retail person I’ve ever encountered. I came to the store to buy backpacks for me and my son. A very nice salesperson helped me with mine but said my son should accompany me for his. I left to get him, and told her I’d return in an hour. After I returned, the manager shut the store down two hours early. Note on door: inventory management. The manager saw me reading the sign. She unlocked the door to reiterate the store closed early. I explained what happened. “Too bad for you.” “I really don’t care.” I was so surprised by her rudeness. I had my son with me and was so courteous. The salesperson who’d kindly helped me earlier came to the door. I asked the manager to confirm. “That doesn’t matter.” I realize employees are hard to find, but REI is losing customers in the store. I just bought my son a backpack on Amazon instead.

Thank you! We were in a rush to get an umbrella for a wedding and everyone was very attentive and helpful - we wish we could have stayed longer. Thanks to everyone who helped us 🤗

Sam, at the Action Sports counter was so fun to work with and he answered all the questions my boyfriend and I had regarding a new mountain bike purchase. We waked away as happy customers and well informed regarding our new purchase. Also Daniel who helpled me purchase quicker, by directing me to pay at the Action Sports counter was also very helpful. Thanks ya’ll.

I like this REI. Lots of selection and very helpful staff.

Went looking for pants for backpacking trip. Im a mens 40 waist 32 length. There was nothing in my size. Ended up buying online from a different vendor. Still bought a sleeping bag. Excited to try it out

I rarely give 5 star reviews; I reserve the highest rating for not just very good but outstanding businesses and places. Ive gotten really into camping the past 2 years, and most recently backpacking for the first time. Ive done a lot of shopping at REI, both in-store and online and used curbside pickup during the Covid-19 restrictions. Ive consistently received friendly and helpful service from REI. When I went in to purchase a backpack for my first overnight hiking trip the salesperson was extremely patient answering all my various questions and helped me properly fit the backpack I selected. I like the store layout, which has a great selection yet is uncluttered and very organized. I also appreciate all the educational and informative articles and videos the company produces. These days I buy a lot of things online, but this is one store I like to go to in person to see and feel the products and receive outstanding customer service. Im so glad REI finally came to San Luis Obispo!

As always, REI provides great customer service and a wide array of high quality outdoor products. Took advantage of their 30% sale on rain wear.

Love this REI! The bike shop staff is so helpful. Im a loyal REI customer because their staff always knows which direction to point me in.

I visited this REI quite a few times this past spring, and staff were always helpful and kind!

Fabulous selection of outdoor gear and clothing. Very friendly personnel. At least 500 people waiting for the doors to open and more looking for parking spaces.

Terrible experience. I attempted to return a faulty product and the cashier laughed at me and told me that it was not faulty. I will never buy from any REI again.

Thank you for helping me pick a pair of hiking boots! Your explanation, tips, and patience were much appreciated 😁.

The man who helped us in the shoe department was awesome.

Great store! The only reason Im giving it 4 instead of 5 stars is because they dont carry any womens plus size clothing. I really think they should have even a small corner section to show inclusion.Otherwise staff was very friendly and helpful.

Excellent service today. I have had a pair of Merrell waterproof walking boots for a few months and only realized one boot let in water today after all the heavy rain. REI exchanged them quickly today - much appreciated!

Carolina helped Mr out with a grill and set me up with the co-op and I ended up saving 4 bucks at the same time. I thought rei was expensive which they have pricy stuff but some of it was affordable.

Very Good Store. VEry nice store wth the stuff I was wanttting to look for. Thank you REI.

Matt was super helpful with us while looking for a new pair of hiking boots!

It’s Rei. Can it be bad?

Great rei store with friendly knowledge of the bikes i wanted to order. Thank you

They scam you on a $20 membership.They trick you into thinking its a beneficial membership though it only applies to merchandise purchased at full price which is overpriced anyway. So if you spend $200 on a full-priced backpack you can get a store credit for 10% which is really a scam because the backback is overpriced by $100, so they cheat you out of $100 and give you $20 store credit. Its disheartening that they would go out of their way to scam customers but thats the San Luis Obispo community these days -- either unfriendly or snobs.

Best place for bike repairs. Knowledgeable and friendly staff. Sam is amazing helping me reinforce my bike tires :)

I live outside, you guys have been awesome! Thank you!

A little pricey but great quality

I will never shop here again, very unfriendly staff

Absolutely terrible customer service. Rude and not helpful at all

Real awesome staff. Beautiful setup and great spot to handle/try-on high quality and expensive gear without going through the hassle of shipping and returns. Havent signed up for the member dividend, but its a great value too.

Staff was extremely disinterested in helping, staff did not appear to be knowledgeable about the scents and products

Great experience! Im new to SLO and this was my first time to this REI. They are very safe during covid restrictions. Fairly strict but they were nice about it. All the staff was friendly. I went in looking for hiking shoes and Charlene was very knowledgeable and helpful. Let me try several on and gave advice to find the perfect shoe. The cashier Vanessa was very friendly too. I look forward to shopping here again soon. High quality products and great customer service is a win for me!

The staff are overwhelmingly kind. I was very touched by everyone’s kindness.

I will never go here again. horrible service.

The guys ack in the bike shop seam to know there stuff. They seam to be up on the other bikes, brands, components are out there. Along with their years of experience never felt pressured to buy anything. Highly recommend.

Best store to buy just about anything

Outdoorsman paradise. A little overpriced, but a gorgeous store with lots of choices.

Love REI- this review is for the mask overbearing-ness. Both my son and I were properly wearing our masks during our time in the store. At the register- the girl checking us out told me to pull it up over my nose.... there wasn’t much I could do- it was over my nose. It’s kind of like they are looking for ways to be nit-picky. Didn’t appreciate it.

We love being owner members of a coop, plus this company has the best stuff for outdoorsy people. Going into this store is inspiring - to get outside and enjoy life! Very friendly staff who love to show off the products they have.

We were able to attend the Pre-Grand Opening Party. It was an awesome experience. The food, snacks and beverages were excellent.The store is well-organized, the Store Manager Michael and his staff were most accommodating. I am thrilled that we no longer have to drive to Manhattan Beach, Marina or even Santa Barbara to enjoy the benefits of our REI Co-op membership.

The staff here are great. I went in looking for a backpack, and got much more help than I was expecting. The store was very clean and fun, and checkout was lightning fast even though there was a line around the corner.

We came to this store to spend quite a fair amount of $ on packing gear. We were denied entry because of the mask issue. I have a heart problem and i cannot afford to have another heart attack because my stress level went up and oxygen level went down. The lady out front was quite rude. I dont recommend shopping at this store.

Dont trust them i am so disappointed

Went in last minute with my boyfriend on our way up to Big Sur. We needed little things for our trip, but mostly stopped in to talk to the staff and get suggestions for places to camp. Jon at frontline immediately made an effort to assist us, showing us a map of the area, pointing out campsites hed been to, and giving us great tips and ideas since we were short on time in getting up there. We ended doing a short hike into a perfect campsite based on his recommendation and couldnt have been happier! REI sells great stuff, but its the staff and their experiences, insights, and love for the outdoors that make it a great place to shop!

Nice staff and great chain to compliment the local favorite: Mountain Air!

Just became a member should have been a member long time ago every encounter thus far has been a 5-star Plus.

Customer service was killer. Everyone there was incredibly helpful, friendly and knowledgeable. If REI sells what you want, get it there.

I will never shop here again after listening to the lady out front reprehend a customer for not wearing a face mask high enough and telling us all we’d be kicked out of the store for not wearing it correctly. REI really went next level psycho. Byeeee

Did not have a pleasant first time (and now last time) experience.My boyfriend and I went to the store because my boyfriend received a gift card. He was trying on clothes while I was trying on rain jackets. I found one I liked so I went to go look for him. I got some ugly looks and was told I cant try on jackets in the fitting room. I was walking towards the fitting room to see if my boyfriend was still in there trying on clothes. I told the lady who approached me that I already tried on the jacket by the jacket rack and I was only looking for my boyfriend. But the employee didnt even approach me kindly or asked if I wanted to try on the rain jacket. She assumed I wanted to try it on in the fitting rooms.I put the jacket back because I did not want to spend my hard earned $100 dollars if I was going to be treated that way.So my boyfriend bought an item to use his gift card and the cashier older lady was very pushy and aggressive about purchasing the $20 dollar membership. My boyfriend told her 3xs no thank you and then she said no worries. If it was no worries then why were you so aggressive with him?Not going back. Very rude, aggressive and presumptuous attitudes here.

Super disappointed with the selection available here. We love REI and made the trip over to check it. There was no paddle/water sport items or accessories which was a huge bummer. Very clean store but not nearly as nice as a standard REI.

Very Poor quality and stuff also :D

Wayyyyyyy too overbearing with the mask issue. Done shopping there, canceling my membership as well.

Just, I will never shop here again

So glad we finally have REI here! Best outdoor gear l

I only come in for the in store pick up and occasional odd end like a fuel canister. Sort of sorry to see a bigger company step in to compete with other local businesses but have found REIs customer service/warranty processing to be more consistent.

I cant find whatever I need.

Friendly and knowledgeable staffs

The go to place for almost anything outdoors, friendly helpful folks.

The private pre opening event was well attended, obviously SLO has been in need of this store. For those of you who have never been to an REI, you owe it to yourself to visit the store that covers all your outdoor needs. REI prides itself for carrying the tiny things such as EDC gadgets to sophisticated climbing gear, bicycles and everything in between. I highly recommend getting the membership as it automatically makes you a “shareholder” where you get 5% of your purchases paid back to you by check. It’s beautiful. It’s clean. The staff are helpful. Go today and explore this new gem here on the Central Coast.

Theyve got rude customer service

Went to REI in San Luis Obispo today to buy a pack and they insisted on me wearing a face covering, I told them I could not for medical reasons and they refused to let me shop. I will no longer shop at REI on line or in store. SHAME ON YOU REI!!! Update Mountain Air did let us shop and we spent close to $4000 dollars there 🙂 go Mountain Air!

Ive been to quite a few REI stores, and this was the worst experience I have ever had in one. I practically had to beg for help, and then staff was trying to get me to look at something I didnt want because they didnt want to go in the back to get what I wanted. I would not recommend this store, but go north and stop at any of the others and you will probably be quite pleased. Very upsetting since I was looking forward to this store.

Great store, helpful staff, and fair prices.

Prices and stuff arent affordable

I am so disappointed

New Covid guidelines and rules makes the experience of visiting the store unpleasant.

Very Poor Quality

Horrible service, horrible stuff ...

Horrible experience :/

The selection is low

Coleman was so helpful

This was my last visit

Horrible Service

Staff is so unfriendly

0 star

Love love love REI