With the hardest section of the Appalachian Trail and hundreds of incredible mountains scattered across the state, Maine is one of the best destinations to hike. Mainers especially love to get outside and enjoy Mother Nature, which means we have plenty of great places to buy all the hiking gear you need from socks to boots to packs. Here are seven unbeatable retailers to get all your hiking gear in Maine.
Portland Gear Hub is a unique non-profit bike and outdoor gear shop. You won’t find any new gear here. Instead, all the gear is donated by the community and sold to support the activities of Camp Ketcha, a non-profit youth outdoor organization based in Scarborough. You’ll find used outdoor gear like hiking backpacks, boots, apparel, snowshoes, and more.
L.L. Bean is the ultimate outdoor gear store in Maine. With a long Maine history and a lifetime guarantee, there is no question why L.L. Bean is one of the top outdoor retailers in the world. In Freeport, you’ll find their flagship store and an outlet store where you can buy everything like backpacks, clothing, boots, snacks, and more. You can even buy a backpack for your dog!
The North Face has a large outlet store across the street from L.L. Bean in Freeport where you can find an array of things from clothing, jackets, sleeping bags, and more for both men and women. While inventory can vary, all the gear available is sold at outlet prices. Check back frequently as items change daily!
Eastern Mountain Sports has been a longtime staple in the Bayside neighborhood of Portland. Their small store is jam-packed with hiking, camping, rock climbing, cycling, and paddling gear. EMS has their own line of clothing as well as carries inventory from Black Diamond, the North Face, Mountain Hardwear, Fjall Raven, and more.
Maine Sport Outfitters is the MidCoast’s largest outdoor retailer with a location in Rockport and Camden. For over 30 years, the store has been selling top brands to locals and tourists alike. Their knowledgeable staff will help you purchase all your hiking gear and tell you the difference between Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, and Patagonia.
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Named as one of the “Top 100 Outdoor Specialty Retailers” by Outdoor USA Magazine, Cadillac Mountain Sports is Downeast Maine’s premier outdoor retailers. With multiple locations in Bar Harbor and Ellsworth, you won’t have to go far to find what you need for your next Acadia National Park trip. The shop carries top brands like Patagonia and the North Face, among others.
Nestled in the western mountains of Maine, True North Adventureware is devoted to carrying all the best brands for all your outdoor adventure needs. From hiking to camping to survival gear, you’ll find everything you need to hike Old Speck or Mount Everest. You’ll find loads of backpacks from Osprey, Leki hiking poles, SmartWool socks, and more at this locally-owned shop.
