This local institution for outdoor equipment is my favorite outfitter, period. They sell only quality gear, and they are knowledgeable about what they sell. The experience of trying something on, seeing it with your own eyes, and getting expert advice beats any online shopping experience.Sadly, they are slated to close their doors this year, so check them out soon and take advantage of some really great deals on high-end clothing and equipment. They offer gear for everything from climbing, camping, hiking, paddling, snowshoeing, skiing, and the list goes on. Support a local business! You wont regret it.

One of the owners, Bill, was the most helpful and pleasant person to work with! I bought a kayak just last week (during the pandemic). He wore his mask, kept his distance, and even showed me how to load and strap my kayak to my car. Then the next day I was driving a long distance and asked them to double check my straps, and Bill came right out and checked them happily. Adjusted them where he needed. I recommend this place to anyone and everyone. Please support local. The pricing was competitive, and the service was much better than you’d get at a box store.

Staff here is very knowledgeable and super friendly (and helpful!). In an online world its great to be able to pick up, try on, get the feel of products. Its also good to get the inside scoop on stuff from employees who know the products well. Prices seem to run fairly competitive with other places and online.

Having been in the area for quite some time I have visited New England Backpacker numerous times. They are always knowledgeable always friendly. More stores like this need to be supported. Thank God theyre still in business. If youre an outdoors person and you want to trade local great place to spend your money.

One of the only gear shops around! The staff are always friendly and experienced, and have never steered me wrong in a gear selection.

Bought things here many times over 40 year period. Sad to see that they are closing.

This is a great place for packs, clothing, and backpacking gear. They discount for Boy Scouts, and they will help fit a pack for you. They are local and independent. The staff know what theyre talking about and use the gear. If youll actually be using the gear more than once, come here and get the right stuff at reasonable prices.

Friendly staff. Helped me find exactly what I was looking for, came out to my car to show me how to use the product and also gave me helpful information. Definitely will continue to shop here. Old fashion customer service.

Small from the outside but I was impressed with the amount of product present inside. Great map selection, nice selection of gloves and socks; Patagonia kuhl north face clothing. The standard boot selection was a little disappointing as I have been looking for a retailer that carries a larger selection of trail runners or higher end brands like Danner, but it still offers a number of options freem Keen OBoz and Merrell that meets anyones needs. Awesome selection of snowshoes! All the small necessities that you should carry. And finally I will probably going here for a new Kayak.

Employees were very polite and full of helpful advice. Very knowledgeable of the outdoors. Good prices, good equipment. Will be coming here again

I have been going to this store for a few decades now and cant say enough about it. Dont let the outside footprint fool you, the place is packed with products. Ive bought various products here from camping, to climbing, to kayaking. Great shop

Such friendly staff here. We go here for my sons cub scout gear and theyre always so helpful. I got some ice cleats for myself here too and the nice girl who works there helped me make a decision on which product.

Just bought my Vapor 10 Angler from here and the service was great. They helped me find the right boat for me because of my bad knee. Price was also 50 dollars cheaper then any where else and they had the color no one else had. Definitely recommend!

These guys were extremely helpful in advising me on kayaks and roof racks, convincing me to spend LESS then I intended. They showed me how to use everything and spent a ridiculous amount time answering my questions and making sure I understood the answers. Im happy to have supported a local business like this, and will definitely buy through them in the future.

Ive been shopping here for almost 20 years, it is my favorite outdoors equipment supplier. The owner and staff are always very friendly knowledgeable and helpful. It is a small shop but they have wide variety of equipment. They help fill your needs not what they have in stock and will order what you need if they dont have it in their shop. And for you scouts they offer a 10% discount on non-scout supplies.

Great place! Staff very knowledgeable.

One of my favorite places for outdoor gear. Great combination of quality stuff and helpful service .

By far the most knowledgeable backpacking/hiking/climbing store around. I try to purchase all my gear here and support a local business. One of the few stores I truely enjoy going too and spending my hard earned money.

As always Bill is always ready and willing to share knowledge which is much appreciated.

Just found this place by accident. EXCELLENT selection of gear and very reasonable prices.Variety of items and brands shows that these guys are right on top of the latest trends and proven workhorses. Some of the items I looked at are the same price I got from Amazon. This place is going to get all of my business from now on.

Small store with great prices and a friendly atmosphere. The selection is smaller than EMS or REI but you can tell they chose quality over quantity. Staff was knowledgeable and friendly.

Great customer service, awesome deal on Kayak rentals. We got 2 kayaks for 2 days for $60! which came out to be $15/day each kayak. That is the best deal around seeing as many other local places charge $30-$45 for an hour or two only. NEB will also equip your vehicle with safe transportation of the kayaks & provide paddles and lifevests too. This allowed us to take them where we wanted to go vs other rental places that require you to stay on their body of water. NEB was even okay with us returning them a little late after being stuck in traffic on our way back. Great service & amazing deals!

I found everything i needed there. Prices on many items even better than on internet.

Full selection of outdoor hiking gear, good service, regular sales to save some dough.

Great staff. Very knowledgeable.

The only place to buy your outdoor gear!!! Top notch place!

Best place in Central MA for all hiking, paddling gear and knowledge. My go to.

Not the cheapest, but the level of service and the knowledge is worth the extra cost. Good place to go to get useful tips.

Great prices on rentals, very friendly and helpful staff.

Nice place. Been here since I was a kid. Friendly staff, quality products.

I love this place for all of my winter and camping needs. I dont have to drive out to Framingham for REI for the most part. Great place, great people, and there is almost always a discount.

They are excellent! Just rented 2 kayaks for an up coming weekend. Great rate.

Great store for hikers, kayakers, and other outdoor enthusiast. Prices are good, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Make sure you tell them youre a member of the AMC or military BEFORE they ring you up. Parking is small, but Ive never had an issue.

The seem to have all the necessary widgits and accessories and supplies for a fun safe kayaking experience.. looks small on the outside but inside is two levels of all you need..

Great store with everything you might expect to need and some stuff you might not expect!

They have a little bit of everything outdoors wise, considering its small size.

Great atmosphere and well equipped with Boy Scout gear. Great prices on great gear

Great service in small place with lots of backpacking, hiking, kayaking stuff

Our local stop for backpacking and camping supplies, with the added bonus of an experienced staff!

Always so helpful and have alot of experience to share with you.

Service, knowledge and friendliness is the reason that New England Backpacker has been bringing the best gear and clothing to Central Massachusetts for DECADES!It is easy to feel good about supporting local businesses with folks like these.

These guys are awesome. We must support local businesses like this one

Fantastic outdoor gear store--great staff that are very knowledgable. I formerly worked at a store called Whole Earth Provision Co. in Austin, Tx and this store is very similar to that and REI, but without the Big Box feel.

Best place to get gear

They are a small outdoor shop with a big sum of experience. Quite friendly and very helpful.

Cool sporting goods store. Very friendly and helpful staff.

This is a great outdoor shop with knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Really neat store just about everything you need

Always find stuff needed by my son for his scouts

Nice store, lots of neat stuff, a little pricey

Great service for all your scouting and outdoor adventure needs

Allways have what I need and good advice!

The guys that work there are helpful friendly and knowledgeable

Good place to get camping gear

I have bought hiking gear, snowshoes, and cross country skis from them.Always helpful, and as others have noted their prices are very competitive with online retailers.

Great local place to pick up all the essentials.

Always a great place to deal with, paddle board is awesome

Always great deals on the botton floor!

Helpful and honest team.

I bought a pair of roller skis from the store. Good folks, good products, good service.

They have great knowledge of their products as they test them themselves in the outdoors and in bad weather.

Great service, knowledgeable help.

True backpacker establishment! The staff is knowledgeable and helpful

Favorite spot for anything outdoors

Honest and helpful

Great local shop

Nicee

My go to every time.

Great service!

Nice, local, knowledgeable associated

Friendly staff