Northwoods Review

This a wickedly cool shop and outfitter. I would be here often if it weren't far away. Good quality gear and lots of other interesting local-ish items.

Simply amazing. They take care of you. Everything we could have thought about they prepared for. So Tim was incredibly friendly and eager to offer suggestions. Look no further!

Excellent service and rental equipment. Made our BWCA trip seamless.

Great selection of quality outdoor gear. Friendly knowledgeable staff.

Very helpful and knowledgeable with developing a complete bwca trip

Great outdoor outfitters. Great folks to answer your questions. Top rate outfitters for BWCA. Also great canoe and kayak sales.

This is one of two stores in Ely that are specific to the area. More expensive stuff but well worth the quality. Much similar selection to places like REI or gander mountain (RIP). Definitely worth stopping and checking out on your way through Ely before you enter the boundary waters proper. Also worth getting a couple unique souvenirs that you won't find anywhere else. Still hoping to get the battle ax behind the counter, one day.

Wonderful outfitter in Ely with a great selection of equipment, gear, and paddling options.

Great outfitter for trips into the north woods, boundary waters, and Quetico, etc.. They will provide as much or as little gear and supplies as you need for a very reasonable price. Drew, Adam, and Tom were very knowledgeable and accommodating.

Great selection of a full range of clothing, books, and outdoor gear, and knowledgeable, friendly staff.

You can not get better customer service. When my shipping address was changed by Paypal and my boots where sent to the wrong address Elli made it right. They went way above and beyond to make sure I got my order in time for a big trip. The error had nothing to do with Piragis but they made sure I got my order. Thank you Piragis Northwoods Company!!! Far and away the best customer service I have ever had.

Great service from Steve Piragis, I requested some information and advice from Steve and he responded immediately. Thanks Steve.
Fred Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona

Outfitter of choice for our BWCA trips.
Fantastic shop with anything you may have forgotten.

If you're planning to enter the BWCA this store and it's skilled staff are a must

Great equipment and very helpful advice in navigating the Boundary Waters.

Really nice store and the prices were surprisingly reasonable.

Classic jumping off point for BWCA adventures. The store is a bit expensive, but they have everything you need and then some for a great canoe trip. Piragis really shines when it comes to outfitting. I've rented canoes and winter camping gear from them for several different trips. The gear is always high quality and well maintained. You can tell that the outfitting staff enjoy the BWCA themselves, as they are always able to offer great tips on route selection, campsites, and fishing. Love this place!

I rented a canoe from Piragis for 3 days this week. As a first time visitor to the BWCA and a first time canoe-er, the experience/process could not have been better. I paid for the canoe in advance and when I showed up, the staff walked me through how to strap the canoe to the top of my car, which way the oar should face when paddling, and which lakes would be best for day trips. They also answered a lot of other "first timer" questions and were patient throughout the entire process. Their store is filled to the brim with anything you could possibly need and if you outfit with them, you receive 10% of all merchandise purchased in store. I will definitely use them on my next trip and highly recommend! A professional team of passionate folks.

Been here a few times over the years and always find an interesting book to buy upstairs. Great selection of outdoor clothes, tools, etc. but a bit over the top trendy.

Full service outfitters for BWCA, we only rented canoes and a large screen tent, but I was very impressed with their stock of gear, it would be easy to take friends or my scout who didn't have their own gear. They were flexible and informative when our group changed sizes unexpectedly.

Amazing local selection of outdoors apparel, equipment, and toys! Literally everything you need for a BWCA trip is available. Excellent helpful staff and a good price on rentals as well. Don't miss this shop when you're cruising down Ely's main street.

Amazing gear, clothing and supplies. Cute little book nook upstairs. Anything you could need and everything you may have forgotten.

A nice selection of high quality goods including gear and supplies, apparel, souvenirs, gifts, and books. Like most shops in town, though, it is, generally speaking, rather expensive. If you're planning a trip to the boundary waters, make sure you're equipped before you arrive...or otherwise bring deep pockets.

These guys outfit us every year for the last decade. We show up on the busiest Friday of the year and not only do they get us out fast, but they get us the permit (never disappointed either....and each entry is allowed limited #s) and everything else we need. Theres a reason I believe Northern Minnesota is one of the most beautiful places in the world, and these guys help maintain that.

I guess it was pretty cool. But gets low marks for not having any trekking poles in stock. Still probably best outfitter in town.

I recently stopped by Piragis to pick up a new Wenonah canoe. Tom worked with me from the initial phone call, and couldn't have been more helpful. He gave honest opinions on a lifelong investment, and was willing to take the time to make sure I received the best service. He was willing to come in on his day off simply to make sure the transaction went smoothly. A genuinely honest person, who made me a lifetime customer for any and all of my outfitting needs.

Customer service over the top! Found us exactly what we needed! Fyi, the bookstore upstairs is filled with local books along with history books, and classics! Just great!

It was our first trip to Boundary Waters and we tried a day trip with Piragis and it was a great choice. It was a great experience canoeing on the Hegman lake. Our guide Lynn was very friendly and helped us understand the flora and fauna of the area. We opted for the lunch that Piragis provided. Being vegetarian, they had a lot of options to choose from too.

They are very efficient. But sometime the value is not there. Particularly with e the rental canoe seats.

The food, the gear, the process, the people, were all fantastic. Would recommend to anyone.

Got beautiful, warm shirts and yoga-type long johns for keeping warm. Expensive but the quality is very high. Got compliments on the shirts right away.

If you want high-priced - top of the line gear this is the place to get it. I have met their guides and customers in BWCA. They will probably be the most expensive but you will have top-notch gear, food and guides.

Piragis Outfitters is an excellent choice as you prepare for your BWCA excursion. The staff was very knowledgeable and easy to work with. They made great recommendations and walked us through each step of how to prepare our gear for a successful trip. They even drove through town to find us having breakfast after we got back to return some items we had forgotten there. I would highly recommend this outfitter.

Staff are friendly and helpful (esp Eric) and they carry anything you need for camping, hiking and outdoors.

Outstanding merchandise and staff, great covid safety.

A must stop on way to Boundary Waters. A bit pricey though.

Great BWCAW attire available here. Some hoodies can get pricey, but they're super comfortable and will last forever.

This team has helped me out purchasing a used canoe and even arranged to have it brought all the way from Ely down to the Twin Cities! Outstanding group!

Great service, good supply stop, helpful information. Only complaint is we couldn't find the steering wheel on that dang canoe--the 14 mile round trip journey turned into a 30 mile saga as we shot from one side of the lake to the other and back again. Seemed to be missing brakes too. I don't know how they get off with renting such shoddy equipment.

I have been using Piragis as my primary outfitter for two years now. Or group switched because they have great prices, their equipment is in great condition, their staff is very knowledgeable (and helpful).

I called them to discuss permits, dates, and equipment. By the end of my call they had the permits and equipment reserved and I had a confirmation email on my inbox. When our group arrived they helped us put the canoes on the roof and made sure we had all the right gear, knew what we were doing and reiterated the importance of respecting the BWCA lands

When we got back into town they were ready. Our gear was unloaded quickly and we were able to get a hot shower for only a few dollars. They even provided a clean towel and soap.

I would honestly recommend this place to anyone who stops in Ely!

Wonderful staff, especially in outfitting. Ask for Adam or Drew!

Great service and staff! Tim B was really helpful. He gave us wonderful opinions regarding campsites, fishing, and gear.

It was such a wonderful adventure. Great Company and our guide was awesome. They have everything that you would need and always answer question. Yes, we would love to go back.

Rented skis from there as a beginner. They were very helpful getting me the right setup for my ability. All of the employees were super friendly

Great products and service for our trip to the BWCA. The staff was very friendly and helpful. Would highly recommend them.

I love coming here when I'm in Ely. Lots of nice clothes and shoes, and books upstairs.

Honestly, I couldn't be more happy with my experience at Piragis. The outfitters were very helpful and fun to talk to. The gear supplied was also top of the line. Special thx to Wade! The store has a great atmosphere. The best and most current items on the market. Employees are all fun to talk with and swap stories with. Spent a good chunk of time just kinda hangin' out...Lol! Highlight of my trip was signing Dave & Amy's boat.

Equipment was ready when we arrived and the van was waiting for us at pick up. The $5 shower after a week in the wilderness was nice, but made great with fresh towels and variety of soaps!

I've been shopping here since I was a small kid, lots of great gear for all your needs, knowledgeable staff and great books!

Always friendly service! Best quality clothing, outdoor gear, and gifts (like candles, stuffed animals for the kids even..)

Always enjoy stopping each year. Quality items, friendly staff, signed up for loyalty points.

I ve been camping in the boundary waters for 20 years and can confirm that there s no better outfitter in Ely than Piragis. Not only do they have the largest selection of modern equipment, but you can also count on the experience of Adam Macht and Drew Brockett to steer you to the right outfitting decisions and campsites with confidence. Steve Piragis is a gem, supporting the industry on multiple levels with the long view in mind. You ll be happy you chose them.

Lots of great merchandise for the outdoors people (like me) and the tourists. Great staff that can help you buy a canoe or kayak, outfit your trip, or rent you equipment for paddling trip

Super supportive staff & a large selection of merchandise.

Great spot to get the essential items before canoeing

I picked up my BWCA permit and arranged a shuttle through Piragis. Followed their van, with my gear, loaded to EP 32, dropped my pickup off, and then rode with the shuttle to EP 35. Very friendly driver, great service!
Also I have purchased a fair amount of my gear, including my Prism canoe on their used gear sale at the end of the season. Really good prices on gear that looks close to new.

Ordered a canoe cover. Friendly service -- super fast delivery.
Very pleased with their service.
Greg
Fayetteville, NC

Great place pick up last minute gear or grab a souvenir.

Always friendly. Have all the gear you might have forgotten. I keep going back to them.

Must stop in. Unique clothes, amazing bookstore and a whole lot more!

Tons of camping stuff. Lots of souvenirs too. Store was really clean and was a lot bigger than we thought once we got inside. We bought some souvenirs to take home with us from here.

Great knowledgeable staff who have personal experience to share in helping determine what is best for your outdoor purchases. Reasonable prices, huge selection.

Friendly staff, quality gear. Would definitely rent from them again!

We stopped at this place in the morning and again on our way out of Ely in the evening. They were super fun people to talk to and they had an amazing array if gifts. We got t shirts, balsam incense, and some mugs for sticking stuffers. This was a great place to cap off our Ely adventure.

I wish I could buy the whole store. Rented some cross country equipment with ease. Staff was super friendly and very helpful. Love this place!

Piragis outfitted my son and I for a 5 day, 4 night boundary waters excursion. We have no gear and went with the full outfitting package. It was a bit more expensive than some of the other outfitters we checked out - but you get what you pay for. We went early in the season May 18 - 22 and the equipment we received was BRAND NEW!

The only complaint I have, if you can call it that, is that with brand new equipment you feel a little apprehensive using it fully. It was like getting a brand new car and trying to not give it it's first scratch, which is inevitable.

The staff was very knowledgeable and very helpful - particularly since we were new to this. They explained everything fully and were very patient with our questions. Check out and check in were very quick and efficient.

One thing I found interesting is the amount of food they sent with us. My 12 year old son and I were never hungry and the food was very good, but there was twice as much as we needed. Maybe people eat more when they are outside and they probably want to send too much than too little.

Overall, I had a fantastic experience with Piragis and would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a 1st rate trip. Again, they are a little more expensive than their competition (not a lot), but you get what you pay for.

Consistently good service, they are friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable about what to bring and where to go based on experience/wants. Been going here for 2 years and have enjoyed all of my BWCA trips with them.

Helpful and friendly staff, noce selection of giftsl.

They always have the gear I need. Even some I don't.

We just returned from our 14th trip to the BWCA, and we selected these guys to provide us guidance and gear. We chose a short, 2 night trip to Birth Lake. Once we arrived at the drop off point, the towboat operator told us that we had been issued the wrong maps. He was concerned to see us enter the park without adequate way-finding. On the last day out, we got lost and paddled longer than we needed to. Once we finally got back to the outfitters, one of the employees approached us and heard that we had been given the wrong maps. We fully anticipated that he would attempt to make things right, as he didn't deny it. Instead, he started with a monolog about how we should get maps "next time." No apology for us getting lost. Didn't ask us how the trip went. No reference to the outfitting side of the company not in communication with the retail side when outfitting sends someone their way. He did what I call taking "anti-ownership" of the problem.
I spoke to a local whom I have known for 30 years who reiterated that my experience was not unique and that once this outfitter gets your money, customer service comes to a halt.

The other person with me on the trip is a customer service guru, and he wanted to suggest that could have picked one of three options:
1) So sorry. How can we make things right?
2) Can we give you the correct map, instead?
3) I am sorry that we put you are risk and played a role in you getting lost.

Nothing.

Go find an outfitter who cares about customers. These guys are not it.

Exceeded our expectations. First time using Piragis as our outfitter and the staff, gear and direction they provided us was top notch. We went out well equipped, informed and ate like kings. They have a pretty great store there as well.

Staff were very helpful and got me just what I needed, thanks!

Planned a trip with Piragis for our Boy Scout troop. We needed partial outfitting and everything we used was great. They were very accommodating and easy to work with. It was out first time to the BWCA but not our last. Will use them again!

This store had so many beautiful, fun, and helpful items for enjoying your time up north

First time visiting the BWCA. My wife and I did the full outfitting not knowing what to expect and they did an excellent job. We had a 12 hour drive up and just didn't want to worry too much about details, it allowed us to get on the water and enjoy the short time we had without the anxiety of forgetting anything or going in too heavy.

A lot of interesting stuff, but a bit spend for me personally.

Wow, simply the best experience one could ask of an outfitter.

Updated for Boundary Waters Catalog:
Piragis' online outlet is also top-notch. They offer an excellent selection of Minnesota and BWCA specific gear. Shipping is prompt and they process returns reasonably quickly. Bonus: most items I've ordered have arrived at my home in the Twin Cities next day with standard shipping.

A few friends and I rented boats and packs for a weekend paddle last season. The staff was great and got us everyhting we needed with some good pointers (it was our first BWCA experience). Cool store too.

Great outfitter for the Boundary Waters. They have everything you need. The staff is very friendly.

Maybe I'm biased because a lot of friends work here. If you want the best gear money can rent this is your outfitter.All the employees know there job !!

Great selection, reasonable prices. Althought they did have a $400 "tarp" :/

Drew, Adam and Jaime at Piragis outfitters are truly knowledgable. Trust their advice!

These guys were fantastic. We ordered canoes and permits for portaging and were in town for a wedding.

They drove the permit to the lake for us. The staff really goes above and beyond here.

Definitely recommend this place for all your outfitting needs.