Mountain Equipment Co-op (MEC) Review

This was the first time I have been to their new location since they moved. What an absolute disaster. The layout of the store is so convoluted with no clear sections. It's an open concept so it should be easier to see an area but it's just the opposite. It's like someone took everything MEC has put it in a box and dumped it on the ground. It also looks like they are moving towards being a clothing store instead of a place to buy your outdoor gear. Every area seems smaller than the old store. I'm not going to even comment on the fact that they are out of everything. I could not even find a water bottle for my bike. It's a shame that this once great store is driving it customers to shop online.

The new retail store is probably one of the most comfortable and beautifully designed retail spaces in Vancouver. This is Vancouver's outdoor mecca!

Most complete store for the outdoor enthusiast hands down. Self branded product is also very good quality generally.

Very good selection. Helpful staff. Lots of competing stores in the area if you want to shop around. My favorite outdoor/active store though the smaller North Van location had better parking. Also amazing MEC return policy. Bring your own bag and it is a coop so $5 membership if you don't already have one.

Mountain Equipment Coop has all the outdoor and indoor sporting goods you could ever need. This location is nicely located near a train station. It also has a huge parking lot on the roof which rarely fills up.

For a Co-op, you're prices are a little too high. I only go to MEC now for the hiking food. Other than that, I can search the same products online for less.

Great store! Very large, lots of good quality material, at reasonable price! The staff have good advice.

Great service, top quality products, good selection

Wish there were more dedicated staff but where else can you go for all this stuff !!

Has lots of merchandise to chose of. BUT you are forced to become member if you want to buy. If you don t want to pay 5$ in order to have the honour to buy from there, it is a waste of shopping time.

MEC is and has been going downhill. They have stopped carrying good outdoor brands in favour of urban clothing lines. Not a store for the avid adventurer anymore. Customer service is also terrible. I ordered a product shipped to their store for pick up. They are supposed to hang on to it for up to 21 days... but if was refunded without my knowledge 6 days later. I asked them to locate it for me, and they couldn't. I had to order it a second time! Absolutely no compensation or apologies were given for this terrible service. I would just recommend ordering online from retailers instead of MEC.

One stop shop for all outdoor stuff you need. Friendly and helpful staff. They have good equipment rentals too.

Good for outdoor equipment. Large range, can be pricey though.

I have being shopping here for almost 3 years and I always had a good time shopping or talking to the crew.
All employee are super trained on each area of sport, in fact, a lot of them actually do a lot of sports like climbing, running, day hiking, kayaking, etc...

Some products are pricey but I still have all jackets, shirts, shorts, and shoes doing great! All MEC products brand.

I am getting a membership this weekend because of the decision to not support the NRA and companies! Great choice I'll be sure to spend here

Best for a reason. I picked up some socks for $10 clearance and they rang me up at $20 at the register, I told then there must be an error and the staff walked to the aisle to check, it was and they gave me it for the $10! Great customer service and long lasting fantastic products.

This a great store and I've been shopping here for years for good quality gear at a fair price. They have everything you need and it's well sourced. I got an awesome pair of hikers there, the staff is knowledgeable and they offer good workshops. My reason for giving 4 instead of 5 stars (I would dock more if I could), is the bike shop was really, really disappointing. I took my bike there for a tune up a couple years back and they sold me an unnecessary new front brake system, instead of bleeding the hydraulic fluid, costing me quite a bit extra, and they didn't take care of things during the tune up they should have. Got a much better job done elsewhere for half the price.

The line outside and inside is too long. 1-2 hours. There are only two cashiers or less. That is very ridiculous. I won't shop there again. It is not worth time.

How is it that the staff no nothing?? Drives me nuts..

Best place to buy good durable item. I still have a backpack from college and now my little son use it.

good place to get any camping or out doors equipment, the bike lock i got there was only 30 bucks i would have paid over 100 at a bike store for it.

Join and support. Excellent prices, service, found trail running shoes here that feel so great, got me back into distance running. First pair had manufacturer defect, exchange was effortless.

Fantastic selection of products. Knowledgeable staff. Highly recommended it.

I've been a member at MEC for over 10 years now. Sadly, MEC is now a husk of its former self. I am constantly finding it under-staffed and associates always seem stressed and overworked. It shouldn't take 15 friggen minutes just to wait for a sales associate to cut some cord for you. The shoe section is almost constantly a cluster-f****; it's hard to get advice when there's only one or two staff trying to service 8+ people. Quality has also taken a hit. I had a 2011 MEC brand Goretex jacket last almost 5 years. My 2016 MEC brand Goretex jacket barely lasted 2 years and I wore that one less often and washed it more frequently.

I have frequently voted board of directors election and always always always their "recommended" candidates get elected even though they're not people who I believe actually carry MEC's core values (people who don't even live the outdoor life or are aware of current issues).

Advice to MEC: Actually hire upper management that live the outdoor life and care about ongoing issues in the environment such as access issues and product sustainability (product durability is part of that). Hire more floor staff so that they're not constantly overworked and so that members can actually get good service and good advice. Be true to your core values and stop trying to be the next Canadian Tire.

Consistently very knowledgable and helpful staff - Almost to a fault. I feel bad getting so much help when others are waiting. Partly because I've been there.

This is a great place to get all your gear for the bike hike!

The place is huge and there is a huge variety of wares. There's even a climbing wall to try out climbing shoes on. They carry products of their own brand as well as other brands.

Busy place, enjoyed my visit.forgot to get membership#

Adventure candy store. Fair trade, fair prices, awesome staff.

Great store with wonderful customer service!

I go to MEC regularly to purchase backpacking food and hiking gear, as well as for recommendations from the staff. In addition, I had a parking issue with the EasyPark and worked with one of the managers, Cory, to find a solution. Wonderful store!

The service is okay but there was not many items in stock. There were many empty shelves. That's the only reason I tasted it three stars.