Don't get me wrong, I love REI as much as any other NW-erner outdoor enthusiast, but Backpacker Supply definitely has a cool factor going for it. Lots of great supplies for skiing (esp. nordic), hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, etc., along w/ rentals. Their "sister business" Tahoma Outdoor Pursuits (or something like that) does kayak classes and tours, so that's kind of a cool thing to have right there in the store. Be sure to check out the "bargain" area and see if there's any good stuff there. Cool place to browse and buy outdoor clothing and equipment, and its nice to support the local guy every so often. (Though I believe they are affiliated w/ Marmot, fwiw)
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