- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Coffee & Tea |
- All
Mountain Equipment Co-op
Category: Shopping Sporting Goods Sporting Goods [Edit]
303 Portage AveWinnipeg, MB R3B 2B4
(204) 943-4202
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
6 reviews for Mountain Equipment Co-op
6 reviews in English
-
Review from Aurelle S.
Winnipeg, MB
1/9/2012
This store is great. I went here to shop for a picky person for Christmas and a sales girl was on me right away asking if I needed help. She walked with me around the whole store talking to me about every product I asked about and answered every question with a smile. Their products are great and durable!! Service is great and the products they sell you last!
-
Review from Candace C.
9/20/2010
I love coming to this store. Despite the lack of parking around the area, it's definitely worth the trip down here to stock up on gear.
In my travels, I've certainly had my uses for my small shoulder bag (under $25)- it carries all the bare essentials and can be looped around a chair in case you`re worried about theft. Or you can just wear the bag in reverse so you can keep an eye on it. My husband always gets stopped at work often because people just love his little black bag. They`re always bummed out that you can only get it in Canada.
The clothes are perfect - durable, portable and affordable. I`ve purchased at least two skirts here and they look great! Pants and fleece fit nicely too.
Backpack and sleeping bag purchasing is a breeze with all the great help around. All of the employees are seasoned campers and outdoor enthusiasts and have tried most of the products. They`re a great help when you`re not sure what looking for.
My only complaint about this store is the selection. Compared to the outlets in Vancouver and Calgary, they definitely stock less merchandise than the other stores. Still, it`s great that they have a outlet in Winnipeg. -
Review from Andrew C.
11/4/2010
Is MEC one of the greatest stores on the planet? Probably yes.
Travelling with something from MEC, marks you as a smart person that knows how to locate decent kit at a great price. I have had conversations started with Czechs with uncles in Canada because of the MEC tag on my Adventurer backpack.
BTW Adventurer backpacks last ten years of heavy daily use. I am on my third in three decades.
You have to buy a five dollar membership but that card is a mark of honour - I knew friends who would use their parents card since the membership number was in the low hundreds nad was viewed as a mark of prestige. My membership number is only in the five digit range. When you get a co-op membership - it is not a loyalty card, it is you stating that you care about the Canadian Wild Places and want to be part of a group that does something about it.
This place not only sells socks to keep feet warm (really good socks) - it does projects to improve your karma and make your soul better. What other store improves your Karma?
It is located in a tricky part of Winnipeg for parking and such. If you head down the street next to it their is a carpark. Ask at the tills and they will give you a free parking voucher. Better Karma and Free Parking - do you get where I am going with this?
So, I challenge you - go to MEC and do not buy anything. Try and leave with picking up something. I doubt you can. If you live in any place that requires you to wear clothes - MEC can outfit you properly. And if you do live in this naked paradise - they will have guides to tell you where to go where clothes are required.
Finally the staff are great. Knowledgable people, who do things that you are buying kit for. The guy selling climbing gear most definitely climbs - in MANITOBA. Do you know how dedicated you have to be to climb in Manitoba. The kid has to find a bloody hill first!
So go - get stuff - come back here and thank me. -
Review from Laura C.
Toronto, ON
6/2/2010
I came here to select a birthday gift for my boyfriend. I had no idea what I was going to get him, but thought that by browsing MEC I would have an idea.
The staff were EXTREMELY helpful. The minute they saw me cluelessly walk around, I was asked if I needed help. I told her that I was looking for a gift for boyfriend who likes camping, and I was thinking about something gadgety, but useful for camping. She thought carefully, and showed me one of the strap on head lamps which she explained to me how it would be useful when camping.
It was affordable and super useful!
Next I went upstairs, where the same thing happened, and someone was there to help me right away. I told them, again this is a gift, but I dont want to buy any regular old t-shirt. Something that is unique, and useful, and practical that no other store would have. Her first instinct was to show me the 100% merino wool shirt and explained to me why it's good.
After a couple of jackets and shells, I settled on the shirt.
I was really happy leaving store because I came him not expecting anything, and came out with awesome gifts!
I would say MEC is also another one of those trap stores that everything you see could be cool and useful. Especially if you're new to the sport or activity, and want new gear! -
Review from DineoutGal A.
Winnipeg, MB
1/1/2010
Great place to find clothes, packs, travel gear, accessories for camping, general travel, sports etc. The staff are really friendly and helpful especially the staff in the packs section. They help you figure out the best pack for your body size, usage, etc...and they fit you too.
I found that their travel accessories are definitely cheaper than other travel shops around the city. Also, a decent bike accessory section. They generally carry their own MEC clothing line so you won't likely find the more recognizable outdoor brand names here.
Since it's a co-op, you just need to sign up as a member for $5 (lifetime membership) but like most places you can just use your phone number instead of carrying their card around.
The one thing that sucks about this place is the lack of parking! It's located on Portage and Donald so it's only limited to street (meter) parking. And there's no street parking allowed in that area between 3:30 pm and 5:30 pm weekdays. I saw a banner that allows free 1 hour parking if you buy more than $10 worth of stuff at an Impark lot somewhere on Smith. Not sure which lot that is but obviously I didn't spot that sign until after I circled this place for 10 mins! -
Review from John r.
Winnipeg, MB
12/24/2010
Have quite a bit of my camping gear from here, it is good stuff. We also have our coffee mugs from here and they are good at keeping it warm. Speaking of keeping warm have brought some of the cross country ski winter wear here, what a difference proper gear makes. Will be going back to get more.
