Best Colorado Climbing Shop

Wilderness Exchange to the max!!!!!!!!!!!!

richard magill wrote:I like REI best.

Can't go wrong with their return policy!

Mostly good attitudes at Neptune's, only came across a bad one once, and I think that guy's gone now.

richard magill wrote:I like REI best.

Can't go wrong with their return policy!

Mostly good attitudes at Neptune's, only came across a bad one once, and I think that guy's gone now.

I dunno if I have a favorite.

I do a lot of 'commodity shopping' at Wilderness Exchange because their prices are usually the best, if they have exactly what I want. The blems shelf is also great for bargain hunting. The staff is 90% helpful.
I've had a couple of wise-@ss punk kids in there giving me the high nose and BS advice once though, while at the same time talking down about the shop owner. Stupid F^%rs didn't know I know the owner. Whoops! I think both problems got taken care of.

I've been to Bent Gate a few times and I've got 100% premium service. Their prices are lower than retail on many items, constantly. I had some over-seas pals visiting from out of town looking for 1/2 dozen items. They shopped around for price. They mostly ended up buying at Bent Gate. IT is noteworthy that Neptune's matched a price for them on a particular item when they pointed out the price difference.

As for Neptune's... well, what can I say. They are always there, they always have the this and that items I get day to day, and they always treat me well. Then again, I'm somewhat a local fixture, so perhaps I'm getting better service than other folks. I don't know but they are not snobby to me and that's all I can say for sure.

Neptune's does contribute to the community by hosting events, holding slide-shows, etc... and they let you bring in your beer and clean up after you all after the fun is over. That's worth noting. They are a public house for the climbing community, be it an Access Fund event, a local climber's show, or a traveler who comes through and gives out schwag from a sponsor at their shows.

I'd also like to mention here, and I think it is VERY worth mentioning... that when a particular Charity project was being organized, ALL THREE of the above listed stores jumped at the chance to participate with no benefit to themselves other than to know they've helped. They are going to carry a new guidebook at no profit to themselves as a benefit item. Gary Neptune was on board with the idea first and when asked if he'd participate jumped in with a "Of course. Tell me what and how I can make it easiest for you."
Not all Colorado shops were as interested as the 3 above. Some said they wouldn't carry the book, and others only agreed after some outside pressure made them look bad if they didn't.

So an on-line retailer can be the best price and selection and etc... but are they acting as a community member? Not generally... I think more than just shopping prices are to be considered here.

I love Bent Gate! Many years ago before I started climbing myself, I wanted to give my husband a new pair of climbing shoes for his birthday. This was a risky proposition since climbing shoe choice is highly personal!

The staff at Bent Gate was so helpful, did not look down on me for being completely clueless, asked me what areas he was climbing at mostly - we were living in Canada at the time, and set me up with some shoes that turned out to be perfect for him.

They earned my continued business that day for sure, and I have never had anything but positive experiences with them since. The only downside is they are closed on Sat, but we manage to work around that just fine.

I agree with others - Neptune is a mixed bag. Have had great service there and have also been made to feel like I wasn't worthy to be breathing the air in the shop. Funny, since my credit card seems to always go through! ;)

Indeed the Neptune slideshows and BG's community nights are both solid contributions to the community. Between the 3 shops, we do have an embarrassment of riches. Some entire *states* don't have even one shop as good as the three we have within a 30 mile radius!

I usually head to Neptune's because they have a huge selection and their BYOB slide shows rock. Plus Gary Neptune himself showed up for Lumpy trail days this year.

still using my $15 limited edition demo scarpas I got from Wilderness EXchange... one of the best climbing stores in CO for sure... and check out the gear swaps!!

Monty, I seriously cannot pick a best for this state; I've had good experiences all over the place. As Kev said, we're spoiled.

Most the time the best discussions are with experienced people who happen to be in the store that also know people working at the store; then ideas can be shared about products. I think at that point climbing gets to be fun without the bringing in that newbie feeling in that sometimes not everyone knows everything about everything (yes, this totally makes sense).

And not that there are right & wrong ways to try some things, but some ideas work better than others. The shop that does these intangibles, priceless; along with carrying good quality inventory.

The one's I visit the most -- I like the Bent Gate; they have done a great job for all around stuff. Ouray; I wonder if I buy the ice park membership in person there just to have an excuse to go into the shop and browse and chat. Though haven't needed their magnet, they gave me a wrench I lost for my tool to switch out picks & adze/hammer (ended up saving my ass on a climb); but then there is that Irish Pub in close proximity which seems to always have my number.

man, I wish I weren't studying my ass off right now

Neptunes.

My vote is definitely for Bent Gate. Super laid back, knowledgable staff and great climbing gear selection, prices, and sales.

-1 for Neptunes for the Neptude (several 1st person experiences) and the prices are generally just high.

Ouray Mountain Sports takes the cake. All the lastest high tech gear with homely, friendly small town atmosphere. No need to worry about getting the "right" salesperson. Small enough to ALWAYS have a expert available (Bill and Trisha got ya covered). Nothing against the Denver/Boulder stores but you can't fake that "small town vibe".

Rock and Ice before the magazine
RIP and not even close to Colorado.

Looking for a certain guide book Bent Gate was the least friendly. The guy seamed offended that I did not want the really outdated one they carried.
I hit REI WildX and Neptune’s as well.
All other times in the store they were fine.
I try to support all non box type stores.

Neptune's is the best. Hands down. For almost 40 years Gary Neptune has done more for the climbing community than any other climbing store. Fundraisers for hurt and damaged customers. He's done much for the Boulder climbing community.
Reinhold Messner, Chris Bonnington etc slide shows. Best gear selection on the planet.

Regarding their attitude.......well,, every store at some time has it. It depends largly on the staff at the time. I've walked in and out of Bent Gate and REI without anyone even saying "hello" and I've also had great ski advice given to me by the owner, Greg. I've also seen the staff at BG be really rude.....REI has an unbeatable customer satisfaction guarantee but in my experience no one there has much outdoor experience. Lots of gear selection though.

Neptune's is the best. Hands down. For almost 40 years Gary Neptune has done more for the climbing community than any other climbing store. Fundraisers for hurt and damaged customers. He's done much for the Boulder climbing community.
Reinhold Messner, Chris Bonnington etc slide shows. Best gear selection on the planet.

Regarding their attitude.......well,, every store at some time has it. It depends largly on the staff at the time. I've walked in and out of Bent Gate and REI without anyone even saying "hello" and I've also had great ski advice given to me by the owner, Greg. I've also seen the staff at BG be really rude.....REI has an unbeatable customer satisfaction guarantee but in my experience no one there has much outdoor experience. Lots of gear selection though.

JAX in Ft. Collins is pretty good. . . in fact I like it a lot. They have a good enough selection, great CS, there is never a line, and they can ring you out right there. Hell, they can ring out your guns, ammo, fishing gear, boots, knife, sleeping bag, box of mRE's (mmmm) and yer $9. booney hat along with your BD cams, trangos, ice tools, stove and hangers! Your one-stop 3rd Flatiron ascension shop!

But it's hard to beat REI, man. However, I could care less if the "climbing department employee" doesn't know the difference between a fifi and a toucan or a 1/2 rope and a 70. . . just open the damn cabinet and step back buddy! The fact is usually REI CS is prety darn good, and they always back everything. . . very cool.

Neptune's is OK, but they seem pricey and like most have already said, conceited. Also, they're in Boulder, and they don't sell ammo. . . .

Edit: Come to think of it, the last few times I was at Neptune's I was the one acting kinda conceited. . . . They guy and the gal at the register said hello, and I just said "hey", without even coming close to looking at them, and continued on to my objective. . . which was ammo, and they didn't have any, so I left.
I think I still have a bad taste in my mouth from many previous trips to Neptune's where there was bad CS and conceited 'tudes. This said, it has my new approval, so you can feel free to shop there now.

Neptunes

No other shop has a museum mixed in with the new gear, and some of the museum pieces have prices on them! Seems like I'm in Boulder so often now I end up buying slings and carabiners there. Not too cheap, but what I needed.

Wilderness Exchange

Best prices hands down. It looks like they have the NNN BC ski boot I want at a discount, so I'll be buying there. Got my used skis there for $75 years back and tons of great blem Camelots. Worked there for a short time, too...and that didn't sour me! Ha. Great store.

jack roberts wrote:REI has an unbeatable customer satisfaction guarantee but in my experience no one there has much outdoor experience. Lots of gear selection though.

the REI co-op deal is rad but i agree with the outdoor experience factor. i have had a lot of great conversations with some of the more "seasoned" employess but ive over heard a lot of bad advice thrown around in there as well

at one point i overheard an employee talking about how he took a factor 2 fall onto a small cam (keep in mind this was a single pitch route) and apparently the cam failed...where the other gear was i dont know, shortly after he was telling somebody how to place cams and he was telling them to place it horizontally in vertical cracks (aka not in the proper direction of loading if one were to fall)...no wonder his cam failed

I was in Neptunes today and the first guy stopped to ask if I needed any help before I'd even really started looking and was super helpful. Then I stood at the gear counter for probably 30 minutes while they shot the shit across the store. It really is hit and miss. They pretty much always seem to have at least one cute girl working there so that's a plus. I never go to REI anymore since they don't know shit. They need to get back to their roots. WildyX and Bent Gate are killer though, even though WildyX's clothing selection never has anything I'm interested in.. Oh well.

Definitely experienced the Neptude on certain occasions. Remember one time I was looking for a PAS to replace my old daisy. They didn't have it in stock and the guy couldn't seem to understand why I would want one. When I explained I used my old daisy to clip into rap stations, sport anchors, etc. he proceeded lecture me that draws and slings were plenty good enough for that purpose and acted exasperated when I told him it was simply a personal preference of mine. Just a few weeks ago I was in there the guy at the front desk didn't know about the new petzl tools this season.

Bentgate has always given me top-rate service and their prices and selection can rarely be beat. I gladly throw my money their way when I can.

WildyX had a bit of a slow spell before moving to the new store but the people in there now are great. Super friendly and fun to talk to with the least hint of pretension.

Kevin is right about an embarassment of riches for Front Range gear aficionados. I've found one gear store within two hundred miles of NYC worth going to (Rock and Snow - a great little store near the Gunks).