Next Adventure

I really hate to be the kind of person who leaves negative review at next adventure because I like this place and what it’s about. But damn the red head dude with the mustache has given awful customer service too many times. He’s aggressive and snide. I’ve been in multiple times this past month and he has been really rude and each time.

My friend and I recently got new cross country ski gear from Ryan their Winter sports manager. He really knows his stuff and quickly was able to locate the correct sizes and fit for excellent gear at close out rock bottom prices. Outstanding service!
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Kudos to the Outdoor School folks! True affordable beginner classes from the store to the location and back with equipment rental included in the price. Expert knowledge of the particular sport and geo area (Backpack camping, Snowshoe, and XC Ski for me). Go at your own pace with no pressure to perform (have fun while learning). Also good company from other likeminded folks taking the class. The helpful explanations, tips and shortcut tricks that come from their experience are worth the price of admission! For me the varied experiences (what makes an adventure) gave me the perfect sampler to learn how to enjoy the particular activity in different conditions (weather and terrain) — my preferred way to lean. And at no time have I ever felt unsafe or that any of the guide staff did not keep everyone’s safety and reasonable comfort in mind.
In the store, I have found helpful knowledgeable sales staff when needed. The sales are great making buying stuff on a budget affordable.

My LAST ADVENTURE to this business.
Good for some things (used, if you know what you are looking for) but TERRIBLE FOR NEW SKI EQUIPMENT
This is a business I have supported through the years and have had very inconsistent experiences with. Some of the folks who work there are super helpful and friendly, but many others are just plain obnoxious, and many not very knowledgeable. While I like that I can sell my used gear and sometimes pick up a bargain on outdoor clothes, used and new,
what I don’t like (a huge DON’T (!) is their lack of willingness to stand by the gear they sell, and the lack of expertise in those salespeople I have encountered selling it.
I bought a new X-​country ski package there a few years ago. I used the skis less than five times in several years when the bottoms separated from the skis. The skis were stored in a dry location with consistent temperatures. At that point I did not have my receipt anymore. When I brought them in that time, the person in the shop reglued them for free, which I thought was kind (he recognized that this was a ski they sell in those packages and was happy to help).
A year later, after not having used them since the repair, I found that both skis had completely delaminated once again. When I brought them in this time, I was rudely told by the person in the shop that «We don’t guarantee our gear and we can’t help you without a receipt» His attitude was that I was trying to take advantage of them, and he refused to do anything to help solve the problem, other than to charge me full price to reglue them.
This follows two separate times that I bought new downhill ski boots at this business, with the supposedly «knowledgabe“guidance of the salesperson. I am an intermediate recreational skier. Both pairs hurt my feet so badly when I skied with them that I was unable to use them again. When I showed them to a ski racer friend, he informed me I had been sold racing boots which are much stiffer and not appropriate for a recreational skier. Not only that, they are of pretty low quality. He and many other friends in Portland who are avid outdoor athletes highly recommended staying away from this business when purchasing new equipment as they get most of it on closeout, much of which is on closeout for a good reason (low quality, or problematic gear).
I have many local friends who are experienced, serious, skiers, both downhill and x-​country, and all of them strongly advise staying away from this store when it comes to ski equipment. They all highly recommend the Mountain Shop, and the U.S. Outdoor store, as they have experienced salespeople who are highly skilled in fitting boots and other equipment. I had been going to the Next Adventure in the hope of paying less, but these businesses are where I will be taking my ski purchases from now on. Cheap equipment isn’t really cheap if you can’t use it.
By the way… The Mountain Shop has cheaper rentals and they do not charge you for the day you pick up or drop off, which is not true of The Next Adventure. I rented some x-​country skis there and loved them. I then bought the same skis new from them when I returned. They even took the cost of the rental off the price of the skis! SO happy with my purchase, and happy to find another local business I can go to for my outdoor gear.

We just had superb customer service from Isaac and Hayden in the downstairs used equipment area…
They scoured the area with us In search of a replacement buckle… And helped us make necessary custom modifications to resurrect a favorite old snowboard binding.
Come here for the best service in the galaxy

It’s a great local business if you know what you are looking for! The bargain basement is where I go for all non-​essentials from my first pair of climbing shoes to cooking stoves. I had a great time trying on new climbing shoes with Ed the other day and he was super helpful– I think Next Adventure has the best selection of new climbing shoes in town. The return policy is not as good as REI, but their selection of gear is much wider– and there are obvious pros and cons to that. If you’re discerning and know what you want, then go for it! If you’re still figuring things out and want to wear it outside a few times before returning it then go to rei and be wil lining to compromise on smaller selection and less knowledgeable staff.

Used gear in the basement, not the easiest to navigate but you can find some stellar deals.
Nice staff, good selection. I have found great deals on their site and had them set to be picked up at the store.
Also 10% off for Circuit Bouldering Gym annual members.

Me, «Where do I rent snowshoes?»
2^nd floor sales, «I will tell you for one high five and a good joke if you know any.»
:enthusiastic high five:
«I don’t know any good jokes.»
«OK. Well you go downst – „
“Wait. What’s brown and sticky?“
„…um…“
“A stick.»
«That. Is a spectacular joke.»
:more high fives:
I had a great experience renting showshoes here. My copilot called last week to find out the procedure. Renting Friday night means returning Sunday which is nice. Prices seemed fair. Staff were helpful and enthusiastic. Plus they appreciate my joke.
If snowshoeing sticks, I’ll be back to shop. And I’ll probably rent again from there. It’s easy and on my commute.

I can’t say enough good things about Next Adventure! Discounted outdoor items, a friendly staff… this place is awesome. I feel like a kid in a candy story when I come in here. I could spend hours in the Bargain Basement. It’s just a great place for anything you may need at affordable prices. Totally love it!

I went here looking for my first pair of climbing shoes and left really disappointed. The clerks in the climbing area were kind of snobby and seemed to only know how to fit high-​end performance shoes because they were convinced that if the shoe wasn’t crushing my foot it was too big. I appreciated that they at least tried and didn’t let me walk off the floor with any old pair but their advice was still bad for a newbie looking for a beginner shoe. The selection was also pretty lousy. They have a wall full of different kinds of shoes, but they had almost nothing in stock in my size, and I am a very average, common size. Their test wall was also kind of lousy and didn’t really have a helpful variety of holds to try.
In short, if you’re looking for climbing gear and aren’t a snobby expert yourself, there are WAY better options in town.

Customer service was horrible. Guy behind the counter in the basement barely registered me before walking away. Upstairs, three employees stood behind the counter talking amongst themselves when I went to pay. It felt like they could barely wait for me to leave. I’m seriously disappointed in the way employees seem to be too cool for school at this Portland institution.

Andy and Bax (half a block away) is my go-​to outdoor fun-​but-​unnecessary-​stuff store. Next Adventure is where I go to buy, or at least window shop for more functional equipment.
If you want huge savings, the bargain basement (or cave, whatever they call it) is where it’s at. I’ve never had to buy new winter gear because of this place. They even have some (barely) functional but funky old outdoor gear, perhaps more suited as collectibles than utilitarian objects. Once I found what appeared to be a hand-​forged/​welded ice axe that was full of rust and weighed a ton. Maybe I wouldn’t haul that beast up Mt. Hood, but I’d sure as hell keep it with me when the zombie apocalypse hits.
Speaking of climbing, the basement also rents climbing boots, crampons, helmets and ice axes for a pittance, so you don’t need a bourgeois pocket book in order to indulge in bourgeois leisure pursuits. I for one, am very thankful this option exists. The gear they rent is modern and serviceable.
And it all comes with homing beacons, so if you fall down a crevasse and die (and are thus, sadly, unable to return your rented gear) they can send a helicopter with Portland Mountain Rescue Commandos to rappel down into your anonymous, forlorn icy tomb and get the boots off of your frozen corpse and bring them back so that the next (would-​be) adventurer can do the same thing, for their «next adventure.»
It’s the circle of life.
Just be sure to scrawl your credit card number on the back of your climbing permit along with your brief goodbye message to your family, so Next Adventure can charge your account if there are any scuffs from your plunge into the abyss.
I jest, of course. But seriously, even the slightly cheesy-​smelling backpacking packs down there are often a far better deal than the new ones upstairs.
Speaking of upstairs, I’ve not seen many good deals to be had, although there is a wide assortment of gear, I bought a pack here once and it was total junk, a complete waste. Next time I think I will look up reviews on line, go in and get sized and then get a far better deal on Amazon. I do my bit to support local business, but as I alluded to earlier, it can be hard to afford the outdoor gear you need to do the things you love – especially if you don’t find it in the basement.

Loaded with adventure. I could browse here for hours. Same idea as REI, but with a lot more stuff, more unique ideas and much more selection and price point choices.
The basement is used gear for excellent prices.
They sell gear from skiing to camping to climbing to clothing to you name it.

The store has a great selection, brands such as Mt. hardwear, Prana, Marmot, etc… they also have alot of really cheap stuff from China. They do charge full retail for almost everything. They have a bargin basement with a decent selection but again high prices for dirty worn out stuff.
The real reason I am giving one star is because of their workers, most of them just have a shitty, rude attitude, especially in the bargin basement!
High prices + bad customer service=go somewhere else, there are plenty of other local outdoor shops who want you in their store and value your business!

I stopped by looking for another pair for climbing shoes and a harness and Jay was extremely knowledgeable and honest. They have a bunch of specials going on now and they have a wall where you can test out shoes before buying, which made a huge different. Lucky for me, I have child-​sized feet so I actually ended up scooping up a pair of Mad Rocks in the bargain basement (used gear) for $ 35 and found a harness that fit. On top of that, Circuit Gym members get 10% off everything!

This is a great little place. Having been a long time fan of REI and Patagonia it was nice to see a smaller independent outdoor retailer do things right.
The bargain basement where you can purchase gear really makes this place stand out. No waiting for a monthly sale and having to stand in line all morning like at REI where half the good stuff it taken by the employees before you get a chance to even buy it.
Take note REI!

Way above and beyond!!!
I went looking for camping gear about a week ago with my 4 year old son. Two ladies from the office voluntarily entertained him while I shopped. They absolutely made my day… and his. Meanwhile, I was able to ask a million low level dummy questions and the guy helping me did a fantastic job of leading be to the right gear at the right price.
This is the kind of service and experience that separates Next Adventure from chain retailers. You guys earned a lifetime customer.

NOT CHILD/​KID FRIENDLY. I was in the bargain basement and there was music on where the singer was clearly dropping the f-​bomb. Another lady and I looked at each other horrified and confused. They changed the music but I am appalled that anyone thought that was appropriate in a retail environment. Not to mention there was a little girl, about 10 years old, down there with her dad.
Not the best selection upstairs nor downstairs. They don’t have much cycling gear and a couple salespeople recommended a bike shop down the road. There were a lot of salespeople on the floor upstairs but they seemed to busy chatting with each other to offer any help. I doubt I’ll be back.

Yep.
It’s going to be no surprise to any local outdoors enthusiast when I agree with the choir and state that Next Adventure kicks ass. While the selection might not be as huge as an REI, it’s certainly close and has more options than one could ever need. The friendly customer service and human scale of the business are just the cherries on top.
Seeing as I moved to Portland not owning a single piece of waterproof clothing, by now I’ve visited Next Adventure a number of times. Every single employee has been incredibly helpful, and collectively they’ve assisted in getting me outfitted in equipment I like at as low a price as possible.
Today I went shopping for headlamps. The woman who assisted me was able to intelligently discuss the variables between a large number of options, weighing out the pros and cons. She had personal experience with a couple of them, and really made my shopping decision quite easy. This is pretty typical of the employees I’ve found at Next Adventure. They’re good eggs.
I plan on getting all up inside the Pacific Northwest, which means there will be more and more things I need. I’ll do my best to get them from Next Adventure!

On a trip up to Portland I walked into this store called Next Adventure and started getting a little tight in the chest-​area…
BARGAIN BASEMENT?!!
and
NO SALES TAX?
I nearly keeled over. A discount camping store that has ridiculous deals and no tax. So you know I over-​spent on everything from dishware to waterproof shoes to a vintage Pendleton Wool Flannel for $ 16. SIXTEEN DOLLARS! Sorry, I’m from LA, aka price-​gauge central on vintage items.
I only wish I lived in Portland so I could get all of my camping gear here for less.