From hiking in the Alberta Badlands and horseback riding in the foothills to rock climbing in the mountains, Calgarians have access to a crazy array of summer outdoor activities. Get the gear for the recreational activity of your choice at these well-stocked shops.
At this outdoor department store you’ll find recreational gear for most endeavors as well as very knowledgeable and outdoorsy staff. The main floor features ample aisles of camping gear, tents and sleeping bags. Also find commuter and mountain bikes, climbing equipment and paddling paraphernalia. Upstairs, try on shoes, boots clothing and hats built for exercise in the elements.
One of three Calgary locations, Atmosphere in Signal Hill Centre carries brand-name outdoor gear by all the biggest names, but the focus is clothing and footwear. Find outdoor garb from shoes and boots by Timberland, Ecco and The North Face to jackets by McKinley, Columbia and Mountain Hardwear. Also shop for tents, sleeping bags, backpacks and kayaks.
Located on MacLeod Trail and 71st Avenue Southeast, Campers Village offers all the major outerwear, footwear and active-wear brands for outdoor adventurers including The North Face, Columbia, Icebreaker, Eagle Creek, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear and Sorel. The shop’s extensive selection of gear includes all the accoutrements for RV camping.
Downtown on Stephen Avenue Walk, Patagonia is attractively situated on the main floor of the ancient Alberta Hotel Building. Focusing in stylish house-brand clothes and outerwear (including threads for kids and babies), accessories such as hats and socks as well as footwear, the outdoor-gear chain carries packs and travel bags as well. Also ask about swimwear.
This outdoor gear store occupies the corner spot on the main floor of the handsome, sandstone Alberta Hotel Building on Stephen Avenue Walk. Discerning adventurers will find outdoor apparel and accessories by the likes of Arc’teryx, The North Face and Marmot plus footwear by Montrail, Salomon and Smartwool. Also inspect a robust range of backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads and sunglasses. Bargain-conscious sports folk take note: the Out There Gearhead Rewards program accrues five per cent of each purchase total as store credit.
For outdoor equipment that’s priced to move, you can’t go wrong with Army & Navy. Check out its large main-floor selection of tents from one-man to multi-family. Also explore its aisles for a variety of recreational and camping gear such as knives, camp chairs and portable stoves as well as a good selection of fishing gear that includes rods, reels and lures.
Located in Calgary’s deep southeast just north of Ikea on Heritage Meadows Way, this outdoor gear warehouse is well supplied with hunting, fishing and camping gear. If you’re spending quality time with Mother Nature this summer, Wholesale Sports Outdoor Outfitters carries every big and small thing you’ll need to eat, sleep and navigate wild style. Camping necessities include tents, sleeping bags and backpacks as well as first aid kits, navigation devices, flashlights, camp stoves and coolers.
A monster outdoor-gear mart just north of Calgary in the CrossIron Mills shopping centre, Bass Pro Shops carries every conceivable hunting, fishing and camping device and doodad. Outdoor garb, raingear, camp stoves, meat smokers, kayaks, canoes, power-boating equipment and a whole lot more awaits your discovery in its seemingly endless aisles. Make sure to visit the store’s fish-filled freshwater aquarium and pond and admire its bountiful taxidermy.
Located at Eighth Street and 17th Avenue Southwest, Wild Mountain sells premium outerwear and footwear that pulls double-duty as everyday city wear. The boutique stocks a carefully curated selection of quality clothing, footwear and accessories by labels including The North Face, UGG, Merrell and more.
This Beltline outdoor shop carries jackets and outerwear, tents and sleeping bags locally made by Spirit West, as well as a serious selection of climbing gear. This is the place to find field guides detailing local hiking, climbing and paddling adventures as well as maps. Ask about repair services for outdoor clothing, footwear and camping equipment.