Alpine Start Outfitters (Online-Only)

As stated in some other reviews, horribly inaccurate number displayed of in stock items. Ordered a stove from here only to receive an email saying it’s not in stock and won’t be processed. I’ve had other stores ask me if I was willing to wait, want a refund or showed similar stoves like it. Not very impressed.

Ordered Meindl boots on boxing day and was pleased to receive the item two days later. I had such a positive experience with the prompt shipping, item as described, and price that I place a second order immediately. I received my first pair of Meindl boots eons ago as a gift and they lasted for over fifteen years travelling with me to Asia, Hawaii, and Europe multiple times not to mention backcountry here in BC. Please don't stop selling Meindl boots although they really need to be fitted in person.

Inaccurate stock quantities on their website and failure to fulfill orders. After 4 days of waiting for a shipping update, I reached out to see what the delay was and was only told then that my order would be cancelled. Very disappointing

I had been searching for boots at 3 different stores. Found shoes that fit well, but wasn’t quite satisfied. I finally stopped in at Alpine Start and right when I entered the door was offered help to find shoes that not only fit right but would be perfect for the situation I was purchasing for. I’m not sure her name but a wonderful woman with a knee brace was of amazing help! We found great Meindl shoes that fit like a glove!! Thank you for your amazing help! The personalized service and knowledge from the staff separate this store from the rest! 10/10 recommend. I won’t be buying shoes or equipment anywhere else in BC! Big thanks!

Terrible customer service! First, the shipping was delayed even though they promised to ship it within 48hours. Now, they are ignoring multiple requests for a return shipping label for over a week now. Submitted multiple return requests online on their website, emails, tried contacting them multiple times in online chat on the website, even through Shop app (where they’ve been responding me previously)- no response whatsoever! Irresponsible seller, DON’T waste your time and never purchase anything from this store online!

I don't write too many reviews online but my experience at Alpine Start was definitely worth taking 5 minutes out of my day. All three of the staff I talked with in there were great. They knew their products inside-out and got the perfect balance between helping me out and leaving me alone to browse. I felt no pressure in there and as a result walked out a happy customer with exactly what i was looking for. Thanks and see you again!

I bought a pair of Meindl boots from this store that I paid nearly $600 for. The purchase and the boots fitting were made under the recommendations from staff. I took them back for fitting twice within the 14 day period and was ensured the boots would fit with more insoles added. I took them on a few hikes ranging from 15-20km. I have owned several pairs of stiff hiking boots and have never had extreme blistering and skin loss like this. The boots just did not fit! The store’s return policy is only 14 days in which the boots would have to be in perfect condition for and they don’t give store credit outside of that. I spoke with a manager that was not willing to do anything other than try again to make them fit. The staff are not trained well enough, nor did I see equipment to properly fit these high end boots. Sadly this is the only Meindl dealer in town. If you buy a pair of boots from this store that do not fit you will be stuck with them. I recommend that you go to a store like MEC where you will end up leaving with a pair of boots that fit one way or the other. Update: Not wanting to be stuck with $600 boots that don’t fit due to the store’s negligence and trying to get this dealt with for nearly 14 months, finally a conclusion. I contacted Meindl Germany 5 months ago telling them about the situation. Meindl arranged an appointment with an expert boot fitter (who was a not only an expert but a fantastic guy) for me who agreed that the original advise I received was terrible and ordered me in new boots. The new boots recommended/ordered were a different model all together. Nearly 5 months after the fitting I get the call that they’re in and to come pick them up. They ordered the wrong boots…..The expert boot fitter happened to be at the shop when I was and was almost as unimpressed with the shop as I was. They finally just refunded me and well after 14 months I have no boots. This place is an absolute customer service nightmare!!

I have a 12 year old pair of Meindl boots from AJ Brooks needing a sole repair, Alpine Start sent them to the factory. After the original timeline passed I had to call them every few weeks for an update, the last time I called they said my boots had been sent back unrepairable (a few months past the expected timeline). I went to the shop to pick them up and there was no explanation from the factory or the staff. Given the factory said the boots were unrepairable I expected staff to try selling me a new pair, but they didn't offer anything. I was surprised that they didn't try showing me new boots to replace them. I found a repair shop in the BC interior who repaired my boots and I expect a few more years out of them. Not happy with the customer service or salesmanship, I like Meindls but I would find another shop next time.

I went here for the first time today after reading the Yelp reviews, which were mostly positive. I found the staff's assistance to be very good, even thorough. They didn't rush or pressure me. Prices seemed about average/reasonable. There were some items on sale. I would recommend this establishment to others. Well done staff members, it's hard to find good service these days!

Travel underwear is awesome. You wash 'em in the sink and they're good to go the next day. But if you discover that you didn't pack another pair immediately following said washing, well, you might be in trouble. I mean, yeah there's a Sears a decent stroll from the hotel but no grimy cotton skivvies will do. Never, my tender bits require advanced textile technology! So through the miracle combination of Yelp, Google whatever you guys call your transit stuff I make the trek from Robson to Broadway to Hillsound. Okay, there were a few other stops of places that didn't have what I needed. The point is I DID end up at Hillsound where as dude put it, there's a wall of my preferred make of wicky knickers, saving my [redacted] from all that humidity.

This outdoor clothing shop "Hillsound Mountain Equipment" sits a couple blocks from MEC.... It carries a good selection of hard to find but well crafted products. Its been around for 1.5 yrs and is a small version of MEC with memberships & partnerships but sort of more upper end with its labels..

Stocking up for outdoor adventures can be almost as exhausting as a 4-day backpacking trip. A new foray into winter backpacking has led to a lot of shopping recently. And thankfully, the folks at Alpine Start, specifically Leon, are here to help. My outdoor adventure partner and I came here in the summer and Leon was a huge help finding sizes for my guy, and gave lots of advice when it came to waterproof jackets. We returned this weekend in search of waterproof pants. And once again Leon was there to help. He's also very friendly and fun to chat with as you shop. The service here, as mentioned, has been great. But it is never pushy. Which would drive me out of the store (Eco Sports down the road is a good example). The prices are decent on most things, and while they don't have as big of a selection as MEC, they do have some brands you can't find at MEC, like North Face, Westcomb and Marmot. All are good brands. They carry a small selection of other items as well, like footwear, compasses, camping accessories for cooking, gloves, hydration systems, poles, etc. And they carry a selection of Canada Goose parkas, which apparently are really popular. I'll be happily returning to this shop when I'm in need of some good outerwear or technical clothing.

Wehhhllllll, I am conflicted with this review. This store does have some selection. Including a few brands which are hard to find around Vancouver. In the search for high quality winter wear, I finally found this store which carried such brands as Ibex and Mammut. The first time I went to Alpine Start, a young woman working there was super helpful and well spoken. I was there another couple of times, once during a sale. It was expected that they would be less attentive. I aim to go back if I am in need of such gear again. It's the luck of the draw if you get a great staff member or simply a teenager on an iphone.

Went there this morning to buy an ENO double nest hammock. AS is one of the only places in Vancouver that sells this amazing product. They surprised me with an extra 20% off; they are having a sale on camping equipment. So glad I decided to shop local.. Their price is the same as amazon but I got a nice discount and a lifetime guarantee.

I came in here to try and look for some snow pants for a UYE tomorrow. The guy at the til was super helpful is some decent mid range options for something that I would only use less than once. It was a modest $195 which is closer to my range, however, not there just yet. I did, however, pick up a set of tread chains that were on sale for $10 blow out sample sale, therefore, it was still a productive shopping experience.

Very disappointed in their customer service. Be careful with very tight, not well communicated return policies. They could learn something from the likes of amazon and Nordstrom's and other stores who put customers first. Wont get new business from me.

Went in today to buy stuff for my trip to Peru and the guy that worked there was super nice and super informative. I was going in just to kind of look around because I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for but when I explained my trip, he showed me exactly what I needed and gave me info to help with packing for my trip. There were other shops that I went into on West Broadway and this was one of the only stores that actually said hi to me, asked me what I was looking for, and found EXACTLY what I needed, which I purchased. He also told me of some items that would be useful for my trip that they did not sell. Awesome job! Love this store!

A very nice store with selected gear of good quality brands that you can't find at other stores. Got some slackline and barefoot shoes very nice! Also, the people are friendly and helpful.