Mountain Equipment Co-op
Mountain Equipment Co-op
3.5
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
Though the flagship location of this Vancouver-born brand on West Broadway will be replaced by a new structure, co-op members can still choose from a great selection of outdoor gear and clothing.
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: East Vancouver
How to get there
- Main St–Science World[e] • 6 min walk
- Pacific Central Station • 7 min walk
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,459 within 3 miles
Attractions
492 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
3.5
47 reviews
Excellent
20
Very good
9
Average
4
Poor
5
Terrible
9
BHJR1
Vancouver, Canada33 contributions
Sep 2019
MEC always stocks quality gear. It does seem very expensive these days, especially considering that the place is a co-op (with tax advantages). Occasionally I find a helpful staff member, but they're often inattentive, and way too cool to be helpful. That's definitely a change, unwelcome, over the past dozen years or so. Inventory management's definitely not their strong point.
Written October 26, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
WandererOnTheRoad
North Vancouver, Canada452 contributions
Sep 2014 • Solo
It's hard not to compare it with REI, its closest US counterpart. At REI (particularly at the Seattle flagship store), you can choose from a huge selection of gear, plus an entire floor devoted just to clothing. You can even get something to eat or drink, or try out climbing gear on the indoor climbing wall. MEC is the downsized, sensible, version of this. The clothing is much less interesting, and there's much less selection. There seems to be a bias against larger women, since women's XL is often not stocked, even when the manufacturer makes it. Larger men, on the other hand, are well-served, since men's XL and XXL is always ordered in such amounts that you can find them in abundance on the clearance racks. In recent years, MEC's own clothing lines often mix recycled polyester in with the natural fabrics; since I try not to buy plastic clothing that must eventually end up in a landfill, I now have to avoid much of MEC's clothing. The staff have actually gotten better, since the attitude used to range between passive unhelpfulness and outright hostility (I think they thought that anyone who was shopping when they could be out climbing or kayaking was a poseur). And if you can find what you're looking for, it will probably be cheaper here than elsewhere.
Written September 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
xaghy
Vancouver, Canada11 contributions
Me and my wife just moved to vancouver, and its her first time to experience the north american winter. According to her she was never warm until she got the necessary gear from MEC. For me i enjoyed the variety of the gear, especially since i go camping a lot. They should make a jacket with a tie in fleece though, it helps in winter camping.
Written December 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Jean E
1 contribution
Nov 2020
MEC has gone so downhill this year.to start with they have had a big problem keeping stock in the store so you must always order online.we went out of our way to shop local this year.i ordered darn tough socks for my girls in November. almost two months later i am still waiting and yet MEC refuses to file the service ticket required so that Canada post can investigate.i was told finally by a supervisor that tifg i did not receive the item in the next week i could call and they would put it through .i called today to be told no they still would not do it.as well i called a couple of weeks ago nd a call person just cut me off put me on hok,d and never came back. these socks were available on Amazon and would have been here way before Christmas but we were loyal to MEC sadly they were not loyal back. plenty of other good outdoor stores many with better sale and service and stock on hand
Written January 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
pilar s
3 contributions
Oct 2020
A classic store in Vancouver that needs to take a bad turn correction. The new Flagship store is an architect's achievement! Bravo. The store needs to re-focus on hi tech, hi quality outdoor equipment. Lately, the last several years, has items or sizes always out of stock. Trying to be the Urban fashion boutique store. It seems to me that In Vancouver we hardly need a MEC mountain and road bike store, MEC ski and board store, MEC kayak store. The individual staff in the return and shoe departments very helpful. Personally, I'm very sad to see my favourite local store going belly up but from my experience for a good reason.
Written October 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Nicholas S
Vancouver, Canada7 contributions
Aug 2020
We tried the new MEC store in Vancouver on W. 2nd Ave. today. We have bought lots of things from them over the years. They have only just moved to the new location and it shows. Limited goods in stock (we were looking for a Swiss Army knife - they didn't have one), prices not shown on many items and confusing signage to the different areas, now on 2 floors. Add to that the fact that the changing rooms and washrooms are closed - really there does seem much point in shopping there when there are more customer-friendly competitors that could benefit from some extra business.
Written August 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Lisa N
Waterdown, Canada134 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
I have shopped at the Toronto and Burlington stores and frequently found that stock was somewhat limited by the space. Had a chance to hit the Vancouver store and my jaw hit the floor....absolute nirvana for a toy geek! A bit out of my way, but well worth the trip to shop here. They have everything that you could ever want for outdoor lifestyle.
Written July 9, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Scumgy
Kundabung, Australia146 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
Do not bother shopping anywhere else for your gear. The variety is huge and affordable, very affordable. you can spend an easy two hours shopping here. very good quality gear.
Written February 6, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
C_faye24
15 contributions
Dec 2021 • Solo
I bought a travel bag with lifetime warranty… when I brought it in a few years later, I was told lifetime warranty is 3-4 years! It doesn’t make sense and is a bit comical! It’s my last purchase with MEC after the horrible customer service received!
Written March 22, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
fearjac
91 contributions
Sep 2019
I have never NOT found something I was looking for here. It's a place I could spend hours in just checking out all the cool gadgets and gear. Don't forget to hit the sale/clearance bins. I've found some smoking deals here.
Great return policy, knowledgeable staff and prices are always competitive. They rent gear too and have annual sales of their rental stock.
Great return policy, knowledgeable staff and prices are always competitive. They rent gear too and have annual sales of their rental stock.
Written September 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Mountain Equipment Co-op (Vancouver) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Mountain Equipment Co-op
- Mountain Equipment Co-op is open:
- Tue - Sun 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Mountain Equipment Co-op:
- (0.21 mi) D21 - Junior one bedroom in Olympic Village
- (0.80 mi) YWCA Hotel Vancouver
- (1.03 mi) L'Hermitage Hotel
- (0.84 mi) Hotel BLU
- (0.70 mi) JW Marriott Parq Vancouver
- Restaurants near Mountain Equipment Co-op:
- (0.04 mi) Earnest Ice Cream
- (0.09 mi) Nuba
- (0.08 mi) Mario's Gelati Ltd
- (0.06 mi) Swiss Bakery
- (0.04 mi) Tractor - Olympic Village