REI Store Rochester

[Lawdwaz]

Saturday evening my wife and I stopped at the new (opened in August last year) REI store in Rochester.  I had never been in one of there stores and had been mildly interested in seeing what they had to offer. 

I've been wanting to try a pair of Lowa Renegade GTX boots because I really like the Lowa Tibets I got a while ago and REI had them in my size, in stock according to their web site.  Well they had them but one shoe just was a smidge too tight, damn I was disappointed.  I wanted them to work, but no way were they going to.

The associate that helped me (Cam) went out of his way and couldn't have been nicer.  He grabbed some other boots that were similar and one pair fit great; Vasque St Elias.  I had a $100 Visa gift card that had been burning a hole in my pocket since xmas.....no more.

The rest of the store was interesting but we didn't buy anything else.  I did pay the $20 co-op price and got a $20 gift card and will get 10% of the $200 purchase price back next spring, I believe.  Nice store but of course they all look nice at your first visit.  I wish them well and hope they open one in Buffalo as we miss Eastern Mountain Sports.

I'll use the gift card online soon as it expires July 26 I think.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Lawdwaz

[bugsNbows]

Been to the REI in Whorelando... nothing to write home about.

[Dinsdale]

Geeze don't be mentioning this on 24hr.......you'll be labelled as a greeney tree hugger. LOL

I go to one in Hartford and hoped they'd put one in Albany.

Swear by their brand of pants for function and fit for hiking and warm weather hunting; and they'll stand behind they're product 100%. Been a member for a long time.

Been itching to try out one of their trips they run through their travel operation, they get terrific reviews.

 

I miss that old EMS store on Niagara Falls Blvd in the old days.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Dinsdale

[Jdubs]

EMS has been my go-to retailer simply because that's what we have in the Albany/Saratoga area.  Too bad there isn't a REI nearby to check out.

I actually picked up the same boots from EMS for hiking the ADK High Peaks.  Pros: Good looking, durable, great ankle support, waterproof (bomber with Nikwax) and great traction on rock scrambles.  In fact, these "Pros" are all rock solid features proven on the trails to me.  Cons: narrow toe box, cheap laces and a bit hot for warmer weather.  

I really want to love these boots, but after the last 14 miler, they may be relegated to casual wear in fall/winter.  The toe area when it flexes (this happens constantly on rough trails) creates a crease than rubs hard on my pinky toe knuckles.  This gave me some nasty blisters last time out.  The hikes before that were OK, no blisters, but I was up in the air about comfort "for me".  Maybe I needed to go a full size up (I went up a 1/2) and get the wide version for best fit?  Or, they simply don't work for me and I need something else.  Shoes/boots are always a personal fit thing anyway and mine get used hard.

Edited June 22, 2018 by Jdubs

[Lawdwaz]

13 hours ago, Dinsdale said:

Geeze don't be mentioning this on 24hr.......you'll be labelled as a greeney tree hugger. LOL

I go to one in Hartford and hoped they'd put one in Albany.

Swear by their brand of pants for function and fit for hiking and warm weather hunting; and they'll stand behind they're product 100%. Been a member for a long time.

Been itching to try out one of their trips they run through their travel operation, they get terrific reviews.

 

I miss that old EMS store on Niagara Falls Blvd in the old days.

Interesting on the trips.......they must be pretty good for you to be interested.

I also shopped the EMS store on the Blvd, right across from the mall.  I still have down bag from them that was very well made.  Think I got that in 1990??

[Dinsdale]

35 minutes ago, Lawdwaz said:

Interesting on the trips.......they must be pretty good for you to be interested.

I also shopped the EMS store on the Blvd, right across from the mall.  I still have down bag from them that was very well made.  Think I got that in 1990??

I have my day pack that I used for UB as a book bag....1983.....still going strong from that store. Often used as truck bag to leave extra's and DSLR on hunts.

Gal that works in Hartford involved with a trip they do in Nepal hiking to Everest base camp. My back has been a bit dodgy this year and if I can get that working better and get back into shape I think I can handle it. Cold (0*-35*F) hike at altitude(18,000ft)  makes for awesome views but tough on physical side. Sort of a bucket list if I get there type thing.

Edited June 23, 2018 by Dinsdale