100 Best Shops
13 Great Places to Shop for Outdoor Gear (That Aren't REI)
These retailers of rugged wares get you geared up for any adventure on the trail, waves, or, sure, pavement.
Inside Kavu in Ballard.
Image: Courtesy Kavu
Outdoor Research
Tricked-Out Trek Gear
Are you all about that mountain life? Is your Instagram a photographic humblebrag of conquered trails and rivers crossed? Get yourself to this SoDo store, a destination full of gear for all outdoor occasions. 2203 First Ave, SoDo, 206-971-1496; outdoorresearch.com
Feathered Friends
Shorty, Get Down…Jackets
More than just a pile of duck feathers, the sleeping bags, coats, and vests nesting inside this flagship store are world class. The colder months mean donning the down, and you may as well be cloaked in the best. 119 Yale Ave N, Downtown, 206-292-2210; featheredfriends.com
Black Market Skate Shop
Hitting the Pavement
Blink and you might miss this black-and-red mini tower on Denny Way. This humble hut is packed with everything you need—decks, board hardware, wheels, hoodies—to grind and hill bomb your way across the city. 2404 Seventh Ave, Downtown, 206-462-1343; blackmarketskates.com
Wave Hounds
Sick Waves, Dude
A crop of water sport lovers span the city, even in Fremont where owner Todd Welter—who’s been surfing the Pacific coast since his teen years—peddles longboards, wet suits, and surf flicks. 4033 Aurora Ave N, Fremont, 206-632-7750; wavehoundssurf.com
Ascent Outdoors
Backcountry Commodities
The store formerly known as Second Ascent still hawks gently used goods as it’s done since 1996, but now Ascent ups the gear game by supplying, even more new necessities of all sorts, among them: snowshoes, skis, trekking poles, daypacks. 5209 Ballard Ave NW, Ballard, 206-545-8810; ascentoutdoors.com
Urban Surf
Swell Stuff
Despite being at least a three-hour drive from waves breaking off the Pacific coastline, this surf shop nestled just off Lake Union deals in boards of all sorts, including paddleboards—yup, the ones you see skimming across Lake Union all year round. 2100 N Northlake Way, Wallingford, 206-545-9463; urbansurf.com
Do you SUP? Urban Surf has what you need.
Image: Amber Fouts
Alive and Well
The Sartorially Conscious Skate Shop
From George Otto and Marcus Lalario, the man behind Li’l Woody’s Burgers and Ciudad, comes an entirely non-food-related venture: a skate shop of high-end wheels and decks, plus the store’s own line of street wear. 705 E Pike St, Capitol Hill, 206-453-4705; aliveandwellsea.com
Good Weather
Ride, Rain or Shine
What was once a second--story bike shop above a bar now resides in Chophouse Row. To keep you in the saddle, Good Weather repairs your ride; meanwhile, dig into a smattering of sandwiches, beer, cider, and wine—you don’t always have to be on the go after all. 1424 11th Ave, Capitol Hill, 206-552-9864; goodweatherinseattle.com
Velo Bike Shop
Two-Wheeler Emporium
A shop by name, but more like a warehouse. Nearly 50 years in business have made Velo into one of the most trusted names in bike sales and full-service repair. It’s a bastion of knowledge with a large stock of bikes and parts. 2151 Sixth Ave S, Belltown, 206-325-3292; velobikeshop.com
Wright Brothers Cycle Works
The Cyclist’s Workshop
However you ride—urban commute, off-road, race—the team at Wright Brothers can put the wrench to work. The Fremont shop also acts as a co-op workshop for classes and do-it-yourself tinkering. 219 N 36th St, Fremont, 206-633-5132; wrightbrotherscycleworks.com
Kavu
Clothed in Adventure
Born from founder Barry Barr’s need for a hat that could withstand tempestuous fishing expeditions, this shop has been going as strong as the Alaska winds since 1993. Now, it’s a venerable shop full of apparel for the whole outdoorsy fam. 5419 Ballard Ave NW, Ballard, 206-783-0060; kavu.com
Métier Racing and Coffee
Bikes and Brunch
What other Seattle bike shop serves waffles, let alone some of the best waffles in the city? Métier’s mix of cyclist retail, race training, classes, and grub make it a vital community spot for serious riders (and/or brunchgoers). 1017 E Union St, Capitol Hill, 206-816-3436; metierseattle.com
Electric Lady Bicycles
Powered Pedals
Owner Alex Kostelnik’s “Puget-powered” bikes combine human pedaling with an electric motor to help ascend Seattle’s many steep hills. Electric Lady builds these custom rides for lugging cargo, long-distance riding, or just weekend leisure. 2207 E Union St, Central District, 206-504-7655; electricladybicycles.com
