While we don't verify specific claims because reviewers' opinions are their own, we may label reviews as "Verified" when we can confirm a business interaction took place. Read more

To protect platform integrity, every review on our platform—verified or not—is screened by our 24/7 automated software. This technology is designed to identify and remove content that breaches our guidelines, including reviews that are not based on a genuine experience. We recognise we may not catch everything, and you can flag anything you think we may have missed. Read more

Review summary

Created with AI, based on recent reviews

Looking at 72 reviews, most reviewers were unhappy with their experience overall. Many people found customer service to be unhelpful, robotic, and difficult to reach, often struggling to resolve issues with orders or returns. Consumers frequently expressed dissatisfaction with the pricing, describing products as outrageously expensive and often double the expected cost. Additionally, numerous customers reported significant problems with their orders, including items not arriving, being cancelled without clear reasons, or receiving incorrect and used products instead of new ones. However, some people mentioned positive interactions with staff, describing certain employees as knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely helpful in guiding them to suitable products. A few other people also felt that the company offers top-quality merchandise and a great selection of durable and reliable gear.

What people talk about most

Product

Customers consistently note ambiguous experiences with product, with some praising the selection and quality... See more

Staff

Customers had ambiguous experiences with staff, with many reviewers reporting negative interactions. Some... See more

Customer service

Clients share negative opinions on customer service, with many reviewers reporting rude, dismissive, and... See more

Price

Reviewers highlight negative aspects of price, with many finding products to be very expensive and... See more

Order

Reviewers mention ambiguous feedback about order, with many experiencing cancellations without clear reasons... See more

Reviews shaping this summary

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Ordered an Ebike on 11/6/2025, that showed in stock and estimated for delivery to local store on 11/19/2025. First week showed they were preparing bike for shipment. On 11/18, checked status. No lon... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

There are several REI stores in my Orange County, CA shopping area. None are well-stocked. All are stuffed with clothing at the ends of the size spectrum, but almost completely lacking in the most pop... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Tried to order 2 rain jackets which were on sale. Delivery did not happen. Tried to call Customer service 3 times, each time they made excuses, just wait. It will come. Now its 3 weeks and assuredly... See more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

I tried to return two items I purchased online—one received the day before with a receipt, and one received two days earlier without a receipt. Both didn’t fit and felt used upon arrival. At the stor... See more


Company details

  1. Sporting Goods Store
  2. Activewear Store
  3. Camping Store
  4. Clothing Store
  5. Outdoor Clothing and Equipment Shop
  6. Outdoor Sports Store

Information provided by various external sources

REI is the world's premier outdoor gear store. Find everything you need for outdoor adventure right here. We offer a tremendous selection of equipment and clothing for camping and hiking, cycling, climbing, kayaking, skiing and many more outdoor activities. All products sold by REI are backed by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.


Contact info

2.0

Poor

TrustScore 2 out of 5

457 reviews

5-star
4-star
3-star
2-star
1-star

No history of asking for reviews

This company hasn't invited their customers, so reviews may not be representative

How this company uses Trustpilot

See how their reviews and ratings are sourced, scored, and moderated.

2.0

All reviews

(457)

71 reviews in the last 12 months

Write a review
Companies on Trustpilot aren't allowed to offer incentives or pay to hide reviews. Reviews are the opinions of individual users and not of Trustpilot. Read more

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

REI Returns = Not Good Experience

Amazon = Free Returns
REI = $5.99
Amazon = Returns Credited Within Hours
REI = Returns Credited (hopefully) 2 Weeks Later
Amazon = Return UPS, Whole Fds, Khols
REI = Post Office
Amazon = No box needed
REI = Box, Tape, Print, Label Yourself

February 29, 2024
Unprompted review
Advertisement
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

No shipment

Do not buy from these guys. They take forever to ship a simple item. Ordered my item on the 3/5. It is now 3/11 with still no shipping confirmation. Garbage company.

March 11, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

DONT by a snowboard from REI

Bought a brand new Jones board from REI that blew out its side wall on the 4th ride without any significant impact. REI is an authorized dealer for jones but refused to get me in touch with them even though that is the only way to address what I felt was a defective board. Most frustrating experience of my life!

March 1, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Should have bought Columbia.

REI used to be a great place to purchase high end equipment. You also paid a high end price, but you used to get what you paid for. They used to stand by their products no matter what. Now if you're even a little out of warranty you are SOL. The associates are smug and think highly of themselves. It's really too bad. REI used to be a great place to get great equipment. From now on Columbia will get my business.

February 17, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Associates think themselves very cool

Rei has terrible customer service. I have been to both of the SLC stores asking about bike racks. I received such a blah attitude from both associates.
Scheels now gets my business. They are polite and engaged and clearly want to make the sale.
See ya later REI!

February 16, 2024
Unprompted review
Advertisement
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Scammers, they took my money and item never arrived!

I ordered Tidle Longline hooded puffer coat £39.99 in November. I emailed in December l got a reply tosay my item was on the way.

I emailed in January and got a reply they will refund my money.

I emailed again week ago, no reply.

This website is a scam! I do not recommend and l repeat l do not recoment!

November 22, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Ignored

I had contacted company for a manufacturing idea & received a generic response. Frustrating when an individual tries to make a better product design & companies "blow you off"

February 8, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

REI refuses to honor their one of your…

REI refuses to honor their one year return policy even though that’s what they push you every time you go to their store to become a member because you get a 1-return policy.

I bought two high-end shorts but the size was too small. I was deployed and when I came back, I tried to return it and they refused to accept it even though it’s only worn once.

They said it’s been six months and they wouldn’t take it back. Sorry I was deployed for work and the size is too small!

It looks like REI is going out of business as they are laying off their employees and they’re refusing to honor what they promote as a one-year 365 day moneyback guarantee.

I shop at REI and paid them three times the price of something that I can buy on Amazon is to know that I can get a one year return policy, and they’re not gonna be the honor their return policy anymore. I’ll just shop on Amazon and save money versus giving REI the money 3x more

January 31, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

The only reason I gave 1 star is…

The only reason I gave 1 star is because there isn’t a “no star” option.
REI charges a return shipping fee for items ordered that do not fit right. Any company needs to realize with shoe sizing, it’s not an exact. Offer free returns on exchanges of the same style or at least 1 free return. REI doesn’t offer this.
Essentially, it’s $5.99 to try on their shoes based on described sizing if you have to return them. It’s a risk, buy from someone who will back their product and take care of their customers.

January 27, 2024
Unprompted review
Advertisement
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Great in person and online

Great in person and online. I'm not super outdoorsy, although I usually train for at least a couple of half marathons each year, and occasionally go hiking. I've found high-quality merchandise here every time, and often at sale prices lower than what I can find elsewhere. I recently found a pair of shoes I'd been considering on clearance, and they arrived right on time and in perfect condition.

January 18, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Now worth the inflation price

I bought a new pair of $150 Altra sneakers with my membership because they had the 1-year exchange. Buying them and shopping there was very pleasant. The shoes have gotten holes in them and the tread wore out very quickly. I went to return them and was told that I could not because they are worn down. That is exactly why I wanted to return them. I typically buy a pair of shoes for $50-$60 and they last a year and then become my junk shoes. I figured if I was spending $150 on a pair, I would at least get a year, but instead, they only lasted 6 months. I can buy the same pair of sneakers on Amazon for less than $80. Why would I spend more at REI if they don't honor their 1-year return? I will never buy an overpriced pair from them again.

January 18, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

REI online will cause you hours of strife

While the company stocks quality products, their transactional capabilities are borderline fraudulent.

Store pick-up items were delayed 20 min: at the counter I'm told my amex card has canceled half my order. I had to call AmEx on the spot to discover that some bizarre intermediary that REI uses had refunded half of it! And now, in the store, they wanted it back. The clerk told me this happens all the time 😜

2 days later they email and cancel my other purchased two items due to "inventory changes".

January 12, 2024
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Shameful business model. Refuse to exchange defective products

Off-season I bought my wife a REI brand "organic clothing elwy bib snow pants" online for her birthday in April. This winter on our first ski trip we realized that it was defective (the zipper was put on wrong). We took it to the hingham MA store and they agreed it was made wrong and could not be fixed but refused to exchange because we didn't pay to be members and it was more than three months after purchasing. Of course its more than three months, it was summer time and these ski pants for the winter! This is the most shameful business model: "We don't stand by our products because they suck, therefore you should pay us more and buy a membership for the honor of returning the defective trash products we sell you". I will never shop here again!

January 4, 2024
Unprompted review
Advertisement
Rated 2 out of 5 stars

Purchased a gift pair of Men’s joggers…

Purchased a gift pair of Men’s joggers from discount rack, along with 2nd pair. Went to pay. Cashier rings up over $62. I asked if they were not on sale. She says no. Okay I pay go back to the rack and find the same pants for $19.96 including tax! Big difference.Go back to cashier and explain to a different person. Now the original cashier says . “ I put in a different code”.. yes major mistake . What if there had not been a second pair?
Then I have to return both pairs because didn’t fit my husband. I purchased a very expensive pair of joggers. Went to exchange and they never credited me back the tax. Ya can’t win. I should have checked my bill, but honestly after being in the store for over 90min, I was negligent. Just check your bill.. can’t expect anyone to do their job properly these days.. as far as the quality of the Patagonia joggers, they are superb.

December 20, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

no communication about late item

Same old story everywhere! Order promised by Dec 29 (7 day delivery) and no item delivered and NO updates online. Still says Dec 29. Have to call to get "oh, now coming on Jan 3" Too bad we are skiing on Jan 1 and NEED item.

December 30, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

REI - Buyer beware!!

I don’t frequent REI because of their prices, but every once in a while I do go there to buy items such as shoes or winter clothing because of assumed quality. At the end of August I purchased a pair of On running shoes for my teen, who wears them pretty much daily. I believe I paid about $160 or $170 for them. About two weeks ago, in October, he showed me that the soles are falling apart. I went to REI today to exchange them. I was told that their effective life has expired and that because they are running shoes, they should only last 400 miles, I asked the manager how I’m supposed to measure that and to please show me where I can find that information, of course he didn’t. Also, he told me I can call the manufacturer, but REI would not exchange them. Two and a half months, that’s how long they lasted. I guess I should attach my son to an odometer so I can figure out how many miles he walks/runs. I’ve purchased $60 running shoes that lasted 1-2 years!! I will never buy On’s again and I will never buy from REI again since I now know that they don’t stand behind the product they sell!! Calling tomorrow to cancel my 20-year membership.

December 17, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Sahara Convertible Pants - sattisfied

I have ordered and received successfully the "Sahara Convertible Pants", which you can turn into shorts without taking your shoes off. Lightweigt and still reliable, as for now. I have no claims so far.

October 18, 2023
Unprompted review
Advertisement
Rated 1 out of 5 stars

Crooked practises

Bought in June 1000 dollars if sneakers to rotate I'm 66 In Nov bought another Saucony speed . One of my Saucony sneakers ripped manager said couldn't do any thing since 3 months are the average age. When asked about 1 yr she ignored me and said only if sneakers was still in pristine condition Been with. Them 39 yrs never returned When said I'd return everything she said she wouldn't accept them. I said fine I'd return new sneakers only 3 days old and quite unquote I'm not taking anything from you. Funny never returned or had problems She was rude and walked away while talking REI com said they'd do something needed to send them. I can't trust them the employees were super nice Manager was nasty when I said REI was a fraud for saying 1 yr satisfaction.just sent all my sneakers back online AND got full refund. Nothing was wrong and I had no history in 39 yrs of returning. Interesting bought 3 days a sneaker and told refund not happening. Took photo contacted credit company and REI said sneakers were excellent.They lost a customer for the rudeness and false advertising SAD

November 22, 2023
Unprompted review
Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I am in LOVE!

Availability, the staff, the quality. I no longer shop in malls……..only REI. In fact my closets resemble REI STORES!!! This has been ongoing for a good long time.

They want me to pick a date below but it is in fact 365 days per year! THIS IS NOT A JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!! I also do online REI shopping! No doubt my numerous REI experiences have all been genuine.

November 10, 2023
Unprompted review

Is this your company?

Claim your profile to access Trustpilot’s free business tools and connect with customers.

Get free account

The Trustpilot Experience

Anyone can write a Trustpilot review. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and they’ll be displayed as long as an account is active.

We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. Find out how we combat fake reviews.

Learn about Trustpilot’s review process.

Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews.

Verification can help ensure real people are writing the reviews you read on Trustpilot.

Offering incentives for reviews or asking for them selectively can bias the TrustScore, which goes against our guidelines.

Take a closer look