Best online stores for outdoor and camping in the US
35 buying questions · the United States · 2 assistants
| # | Store | Named | Recommended |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
REI rei.com |
26 / 35 +26 | 21 |
| 2 |
Backcountry backcountry.com |
25 / 35 +25 | 6 |
| 3 |
GarageGrownGear garagegrowngear.com |
9 / 35 +9 | 4 |
| 4 |
Cabela’s cabelas.com |
11 / 35 +11 | 3 |
| 5 |
Outdoor Gear Exchange outdoorgearexchange.com |
11 / 35 +11 | 3 |
| 6 |
Campmor campmor.com |
10 / 35 +10 | 3 |
| 7 |
Mountain Gear mountaingear.com |
3 / 35 +3 | 2 |
| 8 |
Moosejaw moosejaw.com |
9 / 35 +9 | 1 |
| 9 |
CampSaver campsaver.com |
6 / 35 +6 | 1 |
| 10 |
Enwild enwild.com |
3 / 35 +3 | 1 |
| 11 |
Bass Pro Shops basspro.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 1 |
| 12 |
Frontgate frontgate.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 1 |
| 13 |
Mountain Laurel Designs mountainlaureldesigns.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 1 |
| 14 |
Outdoor Research outdoorresearch.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 1 |
| 15 |
Outer outer.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 1 |
| 16 |
POLYWOOD polywood.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 1 |
| 17 |
Camping World campingworld.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 18 |
Feathered Friends featheredfriends.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 19 |
Litesmith litesmith.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
| 20 |
Yardbird yardbird.com |
1 / 35 +1 | 0 |
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Category median: named in 0 of 35 questions (the middle store of all 44 stores we measured; +n is how many questions a store is above it).
Named means the store appeared in the answer. Recommended means the assistant clearly advised it. Being in a list is not the same as being advised, so we count them separately. The other 24 stores were named in none of these questions.
This ranking covers the 44 stores we measure in this category. That is not every store in the market.
The top 10, real questions with who AI named, the sites AI cites and how it describes #1. Free, by email.
Named is not recommended
Each dot is a store. Further right: named in more buying questions. Higher: recommended more often. Stores low on the right are known to AI but rarely the tip. That gap is what most stores can close.
Where AI sends shoppers
Review sites, comparison sites, marketplaces and communities that ChatGPT and Gemini mention in their answers in this category. Stores that are present and well reviewed there are easier for AI to recommend.
| Amazon Marketplace |
30 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Selling there too, or being clearly better on your own site, both help. |
| Geartrade Platform |
12 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| Facebook Community |
7 of 70 | Be present there with useful posts or answers; AI repeats what people say. |
| eBay Platform |
7 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| Facebook Marketplace Platform |
5 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
| Instagram Community |
3 of 70 | Be present there with useful posts or answers; AI repeats what people say. |
| Reddit Community |
3 of 70 | Be present there with useful posts or answers; AI repeats what people say. |
| Poshmark Platform |
2 of 70 | AI sends shoppers there. Check whether you can be listed. |
The questions we asked
Only the questions that could really name a store, because only those count. They are in the language of the market, because that is how shoppers there ask them.
- I don't want to buy camping gear from a big general retailer, which specialized US outdoor store should I try instead?
AI named: REI Co-op, Amazon, Walmart - are there any smaller American online stores for hiking gear besides the giant marketplaces?
AI named: Garage Grown Gear, Enwild, Backcountry Gear - what American website has the easiest return policy for outdoor equipment?
AI named: REI, Costco, L.L.Bean - what US online store is best for families looking to buy camping equipment together?
AI named: REI, Walmart, Bass Pro Shops - what US website ships backpacking gear the quickest?
AI named: REI, Backcountry, Amazon - what's a reputable American online store to buy a hammock from?
AI named: REI, ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters), Warbonnet Outdoors - what's a trustworthy US online store for buying sleeping bags?
AI named: REI Co-op, Backcountry, Moosejaw - what's a well-known and reliable US webshop for trail running shoes?
AI named: REI, Running Warehouse, Fleet Feet - what's the best American website to buy camping gear from?
AI named: REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw - what's the most budget-friendly American website for buying camping cookware?
AI named: Walmart.com, Amazon.com, Campmor.com - where can I buy a good quality tent online in the US?
AI named: REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw - where can I buy a tent online in the US and return it easily if it doesn't work out?
AI named: REI, L.L.Bean, Backcountry - where can I buy backpacking gear online in America?
AI named: REI, Backcountry, Outdoor Gear Exchange - where can I find the cheapest hiking backpacks online in the US?
AI named: Walmart, Target, Decathlon - where can I shop online for kayaking equipment and know I'm getting a legit store?
AI named: NRS, REI, LL.Bean - where do most outdoor enthusiasts in America buy their gear online?
AI named: Amazon, REI, Patagonia - where in the US can I buy sleeping bags online at a low price?
AI named: Walmart, Target, Dick’s Sporting Goods - where should I buy outdoor gear online if I'm shopping for young kids who love camping?
AI named: REI Co-op, L.L.Bean, Decathlon - where should I shop online for hiking boots in the United States?
AI named: REI, Backcountry, Zappos - which American online store has the best deals on kayaks and canoes?
AI named: Walmart.com, REI Outlet, Dick’s Sporting Goods - which American outdoor store keeps the best stock of camping supplies year round?
AI named: REI, Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops - which American webshop caters specifically to survivalists and preppers looking for outdoor gear?
AI named: Survival Frog, REI, Self Reliance Outfitters - which American webshop sells reliable camping equipment?
AI named: REI Co-op, CampSaver, Backcountry - which American website can I trust when buying a high-quality sleeping pad?
AI named: REI Co-op, Therm-a-Rest, NEMO Equipment - which American website sells affordable camping tents without sacrificing quality?
AI named: REI, Campmor, Kelty - which American website specializes in gear for serious mountaineers and backcountry hikers?
AI named: Mountain Gear, Outdoor Gear Exchange, Backcountry - which US online retailer has a good reputation for selling climbing gear?
AI named: REI, Backcountry, Moosejaw - which US online store delivers camping gear the fastest?
AI named: Amazon, Walmart, REI - which US outdoor webshop is best for total beginners who are just getting into camping?
AI named: REI, Campmor, Backcountry - which US webshop focuses purely on outdoor and camping equipment instead of selling everything?
AI named: Campmor, REI, Backcountry - which US webshop gives you the best value for money on outdoor gear?
AI named: REI Co-op, Sierra, Decathlon - which US webshop has the best warranty on hiking gear?
AI named: REI, Patagonia, Osprey - which US website can I trust for buying outdoor cooking gear?
AI named: REI, Camp Chef, Coleman - which US website is the best place to buy outdoor furniture?
AI named: Costco, POLYWOOD, Wayfair - which online store in the US has the best customer service for outdoor gear purchases?
AI named: REI Co-op, L.L.Bean, Backcountry
How to read this
This is a snapshot
AI assistants change their answers. This list is what came out on the date measured, not a judgement about the stores. We measure again every month.
What is not in it
No paid positions. A store cannot buy its way in, and the order follows from the answers alone.
Why not every question counts
If someone asks about a brand or for general information, no store appears in the answer, not even the best one. Those questions are left out of the count. How we measure.
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