Our Favorite Portland Outdoor Stores

Where to gear up before you head out

Andy and Bax

324 SE Grand Ave., 503-234-7538, andyandbax.com.

Mostly a military surplus store, Andy and Bax carries a wide array of camping staples such as flashlights, stoves, tarps and rucksacks, plus urbanist gear like Ortlieb bike bags and an astounding selection of wool-blend socks.

Arc'teryx

605 NW 23rd Ave., 503-808-1859, arcteryx.com.

This is a high-dollar technical outfitter with pristine racks of alpine gear. Go for the thermolaminated daypacks, stay for the trendy e-journal on celebrity climbers and waterproof-seam construction.

Related: The Best Hikes Along the Northern Oregon Coast

Columbia Sportswear

911 SW Broadway, 503-226-6800, columbia.com.

Ever heard of a Columbia zipper breaking? Neither have we. Portland's homegrown midmarket alternative to North Face may not be as flashy, but it sells famously reliable stuff at half the price.

Evo Portland

200 SE Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 503-972-5850, evo.com/portland.aspx.

Its roots are as a Seattle ski shop, but Evo sells surfboards, skateboards, bikes and clothing at its chic Portland store.

Filson

526 NW 13th Ave., 503-246-0900, filson.com.

Going for a weekend in the tasteful environs of Cannon Beach or Bandon Dunes Golf Resort? Outfit yourself with classic, double-reinforced attire from Filson. It's like Pendleton, but for hunters.

Next Adventure

426 SE Grand Ave., 503-233-0706, nextadventure.net.

The top two floors have a wealth of new gear, but look for us in the basement of used gear—some nearly new, some maybe salvageable. If you're shopping around, it's a must-visit given the encyclopedic collection of goods—there might be a heavily discounted sample from Arc'teryx in your size right now.

Ollie Damon's

10240 NE Halsey St., 503-232-3193, olliedamons.com.

Ollie Damon's is a 71-year-old hunting and fishing shop that has an almost unseemly wealth of weights, floaters and lures.

Poler

413 SW 10th Ave., 503-432-8120, polerstuff.com.

This brand's flagship store isn't so much about going outdoors as it is the idea of going outdoors—consider this homegrown brand the official outfitter of Instagramable beach parties.

Portland Outdoor Store

304 SW 3rd Ave., 503-222-1051, portlandoutdoorstore.us.

If your idea of "the outdoors" looks like a midcentury Marlboro ad, saddle up—this store carries Pendleton, Woolrich, Wrangler and other brands preferred by cowboys and lumbersexuals.

REI

1405 NW Johnson St., 503-221-1938, rei.com.

REI operates shiny, family-friendly stores for the omni-outdoorsperson.

U.S. Outdoor Store

219 SW Broadway, 503-223-5937, usoutdoor.com.

This is a palace of gear and equipment, but the knowledgeable, friendly staff is the biggest draw.

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