Maggie H.
Yelp
My Hubby and I are "outdoorsy" people; we ski, trail ride, hike, he camps (ugh! I like hotels), and I used to work a rockwall-so REI is right up our ally. In addition, last year I started adventure racing, so I was in need of some new gear. If you are already familair with REI this may not be too helpful, but if you are not-read on.
REI is one of few places in the area that carries all of our outdoor staples. They have a very good selection on hiking/rafting shoes (e.g. keen, merrell, & fivefingers), which can be very hard to find. If you do not own a pair of Keen Newports, I highly recommend them; I use them for rafting, canoeing, and other activities where I need a ventilated waterproof shoe. Second, they carry North Face, Columbia, Under Armour, Marmot, Patagonia, and the REI brand of clothing is quality. Third, they have a great assortment of skiing, hiking, biking, and other outdoor gear. They really do have a wide assortment.
I have also taken advantage of REIs classes in the past, which can be really helpful if you are trying to get started in a new outdoor activity. Finally, you can join the REI co-op and get 10% back yearly on your purchases.
On the negative side, their instock levels leave me wanting sometimes. For example, last November I went in to get spikes for my December adventure race and they were all sold out. Also, their products are expensive, but the lines they carry are more expensive to begin with and I don't believe their pricing is that far off base from others.