How Boulder hikers find gear that fits their next trip
Most people who find us online are planning something: a first overnight in Rocky Mountain National Park, a longer trip on the Colorado Trail or a family camping weekend. They are not searching for a product number. They want to know which pack fits, which tent handles summer storms and what to bring, and our website answers those questions the way our staff would on the shop floor. Gear advice comes first, products second.
Every guide links to the gear we actually recommend. Products, checkout and payments run on our BigCommerce store, and the website connects to it so the cart carries over. Rentals and pack fittings have their own request forms that land in our dashboard.
Fit before everything
A pack that does not fit ruins a trip. Our fitting guide explains torso length, hip belts and load lifters, and invites people in for a free fitting with weighted packs. Many customers read the guide, book a fitting and leave with a pack that suits them instead of returning one bought blind. Fittings take about half an hour and need no appointment on weekdays.
Advice from people who carry it
Our staff spend their weekends on the trails we write about. Guides on choosing a tent, picking a sleeping bag rating and planning a first trip come from that experience. They bring in hikers early in their research, and the gear linked from each guide is what we would recommend in person. Each guide notes when it was last updated for the season.
Renting before buying
Beginners often want to try backpacking before spending on gear. The rental page lists packs, tents and sleeping systems with dates, and reservation requests arrive in our dashboard for pickup. A good first trip on rental gear often turns into a purchase from us later. Renters can apply part of the rental toward buying the same gear.
Seasons in the Front Range
Summer is busy and the shoulder seasons are quiet. Guides on fall camping, snowshoe rentals and gear care keep people visiting all year. Seasonal reminders to past renters and customers help fill the slower weeks and keep the shop connected to the local hiking community. We also post trail condition notes after big storms.
Outdoor Gear Store marketing questions we get asked
Is a pack fitting really free?
Yes. Book a time or walk in, and a staff member will measure your torso, adjust a few packs with weight in them and walk you around the shop until one feels right.
Can I rent gear for a weekend trip?
Yes. Reserve packs, tents and sleeping bags online with your dates, then pick them up the day before your trip. Everything is cleaned and checked between rentals.
Where does checkout happen?
Checkout runs on our BigCommerce store, which handles payments, shipping and order emails. The website connects to it so your cart carries over and you check out in one place.
What temperature rating should my sleeping bag be?
For summer trips in the Colorado high country we recommend a bag rated to around twenty degrees, because nights above treeline get cold. Our guide explains ratings for each season.
Do you price match online stores?
We match the price of authorized online retailers on identical items in stock. Ask at the counter or mention it when you order, and we will check the listing for you.
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