Whether you’re embarking on a backcountry expedition or taking the family on an afternoon hike, the right equipment makes all the difference. Say goodbye to those blistering boots, upgrade your base camp set-up and maybe even add a new activity to your summer agenda.
With easy access to mountain adventures, Denver is a major hub for many outdoor retailers. Get the latest gear from Colorado-based brands, industry innovators, secondhand stores and more. This guide spotlights thirty outfitters for every type of enthusiast.
Arc'teryx
Multiple locations
Based in the Coast Mountains of British Columbia, this Canadian brand specializes in technical climbing gear and minimalist, performance-driven apparel for various climbing disciplines, as well as trail running, hiking and snow sports. Its Veilance collection rounds out the selection with urban streetwear-inspired designs. Find Arc'teryx locations in RiNo, Cherry Creek and Boulder.
Bentgate Mountaineering
1313 Washington Avenue, Golden
This locally owned downtown Golden retailer stocks popular outdoor apparel brands, as well as gear related to climbing, mountaineering, camping, hiking, cycling and snow sports. Get a tune-up from its full-service ski shop and check out Bentgate’s rental and demo department, which offers skis and splitboards, backcountry safety equipment, snowshoes and more.
Black Diamond x Wilderness Exchange Unlimited
2401 15th Street
Long known for its affordable, gently used gear, local retailer Wilderness Exchange recently partnered with big-name manufacturer Black Diamond out of Salt Lake City. Despite the rebrand, the secondhand selection remains while the second level now houses new climbing, hiking and snow sports equipment — largely from Black Diamond, but also other brands.
Burton
2649 Walnut Street
Founded in Vermont by Jake Burton Carpenter in the late ‘70s, this pioneering brand is synonymous with snowboard culture and technical, innovative designs. Shop for snowboards, splitboards, bindings and boots, plus year-round apparel and accessories at its Denver flagship store in RiNo.
Christy Sports
Multiple locations
This homegrown chain was founded in Lakewood in 1958 and now boasts more than sixty stores across the Western United States, with metro area outposts in Cherry Creek, Englewood, Littleton, Lakewood, Arvada and Boulder. In addition to selling snow sports, hiking and cycling gear, Christy Sports offers ski, snowboard and bike rentals at select locations.
Confluence Kayak & Ski
2301 7th Street
For thirty years, Confluence Kayak & Ski has supplied downtown Denver with snow sports equipment and water sports gear, including stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, rafts and a range of accessories. Take advantage of its winter and summer rentals which include inflatable tubes — great for use at one of several tubing spots near Denver.
Cotopaxi
1410 Larimer Street
1102 Pearl Street, Boulder
Based in Salt Lake City, Cotopaxi creates colorful outdoor gear with a social and environmental mission. It’s a certified B Corporation that donates 1 percent of its revenue to the Cotopaxi Foundation, which supports nonprofits aimed at alleviating poverty worldwide. Support a good cause while shopping for vibrant, durably-built packs, accessories and apparel.
Danner
1435 16th Street Mall
Best known for its hiking boots, Danner is one of several outdoor retailers within Market Station’s Basecamp collective. Lace up a new pair and browse its selection of other footwear styles, including trail runners, hunting boots, water shoes and everyday designs. The Portland-based brand also offers technical socks and other accessories, plus outdoor apparel.
Denver Ski Company
1350 South Broadway
Awarded for having the best bargains on new skis and snowboards, Denver Ski Company specializes in clearance inventory, including manufacturers’ overstock and last season’s models. Buy from big-name brands at a fraction of the price at this local retailer, which just opened on South Broadway this past December. It also offers rentals and tuning services.
Duer
2621 Larimer Street
Clothing from Duer easily transitions from the bike lane to the office, followed by happy hour at the brewery. This Vancouver-based brand’s fashionable, adventure-ready designs incorporate natural fabrics, offering more stretch, comfort and breathability than traditional denim or canvas. Its timeless styles are also versatile, perfect for travel and those seeking a minimalist wardrobe.
Eddie Bauer
Multiple locations
Founded in Seattle in 1920, Eddie Bauer is a household name in outdoor recreation. Its catalog includes performance outerwear, apparel, footwear and accessories, as well as gear related to hiking and camping. More than two hundred retail stores are stationed worldwide, with outposts in Littleton, Lone Tree and Broomfield, plus outlets in Lakewood and Castle Rock.
Epic Mountain Gear
Multiple locations
Still debating an Epic versus Ikon pass this year? Note that the former includes 20 percent off ski and snowboard rentals at Epic Mountain Gear, which has six locations across the Front Range, plus its original store in Frisco. In addition to rentals, the retailer sells snow sports and cycling gear. Currently, Colorado residents can get $450 off an e-bike with proof of residency.
Evo
860 North Broadway
Voted the best ski store by Westword readers, Evo was founded in Seattle in 2021 and has since grown to eight global locations. Stop into its Denver store for snow sports gear, as well as surfboards, wakeboards, skateboards and cycling equipment. It also offers repair services and rentals, including bikes and easy access to the street art-covered Cherry Creek Trail.
Feral
3936 Tennyson Street
Peruse new and secondhand outdoor apparel at Feral (which was recently featured in a Visa commercial with Peyton Manning), along with backpacking, camping, climbing and cycling equipment from recognized brands. This independent local shop on Tennyson Street is constantly rotating its selection. Bring in and sell your gently used gear, with 40 percent of the item’s selling price given in cash or 60 percent offered as an in-store credit.
Fjällräven
1510 Platte Street
1048 Pearl Street, Boulder
This longstanding Swedish brand, pronounced as f-yahll-rah-ven, specializes in sustainably made apparel and accessories for hiking, mountaineering, snow sports and cycling. Fjällräven also creates a wide selection of packs and travel luggage, camping gear such as tents and sleeping bags, plus biking accessories within its Hoja collection.
Halfdays
2609 Walnut Street
Fashion, function and fit form the ethos of Halfdays, a woman-focused outdoor apparel brand that was co-founded by a former Olympian in Colorado. Its year-round outerwear, apparel and accessories are constructed from recycled, technical materials, and are now available from its first-ever flagship store which recently debuted in RiNo. The summer collection is on racks now.
JAX
Multiple locations
Headquartered in Colorado, this family and employee-owned chain began as a military surplus store. Through the decades, its selection has expanded to include all manner of outdoor gear, from winter and water sports to camping, fishing and hunting. This big-box store also sells backyard essentials, garden tools, ranching equipment — you name it, JAX likely has it in stock.
Larson's Ski & Sport
4715 Kipling Street, Wheat Ridge
In addition to tuning services and rentals, Larson's sells snow sports equipment and hosts seasonal gear swaps with unbeatable prices. This locally-owned mainstay also features stand-up paddleboards, plus kite sailing, kayaking and windsurfing gear. The next time you’re traveling along I-70, take a quick detour and exit onto Kipling to browse the selection.
L.L.Bean
8525 Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree
Founded by Leon Leonwood Bean and family-owned since 1912, L.L.Bean is an industry icon known for its quality-driven outerwear, apparel and accessories, including bags and footwear. The Maine-based brand also sells a wide range of outdoor sporting equipment from its Park Meadows location, which is one of 95 retail stores worldwide.
The North Face
Multiple locations
Since 1966, The North Face has grown into a world-renowned brand within the Denver-based VF Corporation portfolio. Shop for year-round outerwear, technical apparel, sleek accessories and footwear, including its latest Offtrail Hike collection. Retailers also stock athlete-tested gear made for alpine expeditions, skiing and snowboarding, climbing, trail running and more.
Orvis
2770 East 2nd Avenue
8433 Park Meadows Center Drive, Lone Tree
A legacy fly-fishing and wingshooting brand, Orvis was established in Vermont in 1856 and now operates more than eighty retailers, including those in Cherry Creek and Park Meadows. Peruse fishing and hunting gear, technical apparel, accessories including packs and even pet care products. The retailer also offers fishing and shooting schools, guided trips and more.
Patagonia
2600 Walnut Street
1630 Pearl Street, Boulder
Founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973, Patagonia is celebrated as a leader in outdoor apparel and environmental activism. The Ventura-based brand pledges 1 percent for the planet and offers recycled products, a secondhand program and more. Support its activism and shop for clothing designed for climbing, fly fishing, surfing, mountain biking, trail running and snow sports.
Rab
1551 Platte Street
After occupying 1550 Platte Street for ten years, this carbon-neutral brand is moving to an adjacent space with double the footprint to fulfill increasing demand. While temporarily closed for construction, United Kingdom-based Rab will soon debut expanded offerings including technical clothing and equipment for mountaineering, trekking, snow sports and more.
REI
Multiple locations
With 25 million members, REI is the nation’s largest consumer co-op and a one-stop shop for all things outdoors. Browse new and secondhand gear for a range of sports, reserve rentals and attend classes and events. Headquartered near Seattle, the chain operates more than 180 stores nationwide with locations in Denver, Greenwood Village, Lakewood and Boulder.
Sierra
Multiple locations
Owned by Massachusetts-based TJX, this outdoor equipment and apparel store follows the same retail model as sister brands TJ Maxx and Marshalls. By buying overstock, closeouts and last season’s models, consumers can purchase brand-name products at up to 60 percent off standard pricing. Find seven locations across the Front Range.
Thule
1651 Market Street
Since 1942, this Sweden-based brand has helped recreators transport gear to the backcountry. Shop for racks and carriers made for skis, bikes, surfboards, kayaks and more. In recent years, Thule has expanded its offerings to include technical packs and travel bags, as well as rooftop tents for various sized vehicles — perfect for use at campsites near Denver and beyond.
Toad&Co
1213 Washington Avenue, Golden
Established in Telluride in 1991 and now based in Santa Barbara, Toad&Co offers versatile, eco-friendly clothing that caters to an active lifestyle. All of its apparel is made from at least 80 percent sustainable fibers; a clothing take-back and resale program is also available. Find this 1% for the Planet member in downtown Golden, one of many locally-owned partner stores.
Topo Designs
2500 Larimer Street
1641 Market Street
Best known for its durable, versatile and sustainable bags and packs, Topo Designs was founded in Fort Collins in 2008. Since then, the brand’s patterned and color-blocked styles have become nationally renowned. Its RiNo flagship store and location within Market Station’s Basecamp also stock apparel, accessories and ready-made kits for a range of adventures.
Wheat Ridge Cyclery
7085 West 38th Avenue, Wheat Ridge
12402 West Ken Caryl Avenue, Littleton
Since 1973, this local bike shop has expanded its footprint fortyfold with its 30,000-square-foot space housing a massive inventory. Browse mountain, gravel, road and electric models, along with bike parts, apparel and accessories. Wheat Ridge Cyclery is also a full-service bike shop offering tune-ups, suspension maintenance, fittings and more.
Yeti
3030 East 2nd Avenue
The founders of Yeti first developed its coolers in 2006 to support anglers in the Texas heat. Now, the Austin-based brand’s flagship product, which keeps ice frozen for days, is sold alongside drinkware and outdoor kitchen essentials, bags designed for sports and travel, outdoor apparel and more. Peruse the selection at its retail location within Cherry Creek North.