In this post, we share some of the places we go to pick up outdoor gear for our backcountry trips. From storefronts in Winnipeg to online shops that ship across Canada, these are the resources we have found useful along the way. Our hope is that this list helps fellow hikers and campers track down the supplies they need for their own adventures. Note: At this time, none of these links are affiliate links. We are simply sharing resources we have personally found helpful.
Storefront Locations in Winnipeg
As we are now Winnipeg locals, we are on the lookout for places to stock up on gear and supplies for our hikes. The city has several solid options for outdoor enthusiasts. These are the storefronts we have found most useful so far. If you know of others, we would love to hear about them.
| Store | Location / Address | What They Specialize In / Strengths | What to Expect / Caveats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilderness Supply Co. Ltd. | 50 Isabel Street, Winnipeg | Big local outfitter. They carry camping, hiking, paddling, travel gear, boats (canoes, kayaks) and rentals/repairs. | It’s a great stop for specialty items you can’t always find at big box. They have a great supply of pre-made meals. |
| Prairie Summit Shop | Unit 1B – 675 Empress Street, Winnipeg | They stock brands like The North Face and are good for jackets, clothing, technical layering. We found the Smartwool clothing we were looking for here and on sale! | Less stock of tents, stoves, etc., but good supplement to a bigger outfitter. We arrived within 15 minutes of closing. They were very helpful and even though they had packed their meals away for the season, they brought them out for us. |
| MEC (Mountain Equipment Company) | 303 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg | Classic outdoor/outfitter store. Good selection of backpacks, clothing, tents, footwear, accessories. | Prices can be premium. Being downtown, you will need to pay for parking. |
| Cabela’s / Bass Pro Shops | 580 Sterling Lyon Parkway, Winnipeg | Big box outdoor / hunting / fishing store with a large footprint. Good for heavier gear, general outdoor supply, optics, tents, etc. | Skew toward hunting/fishing/outdoor lifestyle but do carry camping/hiking gear. Will not have the ultra-light tech gear that specialty shops do. |
| Atmosphere | Various locations | More of a sports / outdoor apparel / recreation gear store. Good for clothing, mid-range hiking gear, accessories. | Atmosphere doesn’t carry the same amount of gear it used to. Look for backpacks, thermarest sleeping pads and what food they may still carry in stock. |
| Mountain Warehouse | At Outlet Collection Winnipeg shopping centre | More of mainstream outdoor / clothing / walking / general gear at accessible prices. | Good for finding warm hiking layers. Watch clothing weight if planning distance hikes. |
Online Wilderness Gear Stores for Backcountry Camping
If you are not able to find what you need in Winnipeg, there are many Canadian and North American online shops that carry a wide range of gear. Some focus on ultralight equipment, while others are great for clearance and discount deals.
| Store | Website | What They’re Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Durston Gear | durstongear.com | Canadian ultralight company (BC). Tents, backpacks & trekking poles designed specifically for backcountry conditions. We use their tents and backpacks on our hikes. |
| GearTrade (.ca) | geartrade.ca | This online marketplace for used & discounted outdoor gear is based out of Okotoks, Alberta. Great way to save money or find discontinued items. We have bought many items through this company. They are fast! |
| Little Shop of Hammocks | littleshopofhammocks.com | Based in Saskatchewan, this small Canadian company hand-makes ultralight hammocks, quilts, tarps, and accessories. We both have quilts made by Little Shop of Hammocks. You can customize your colours! |
| Outdoor Research | outdoorresearch.com | A Seattle-based company known for high-quality technical clothing and accessories like jackets, gloves, and gaiters. While not Canada-based, they ship here and their gear is well-suited to the variable weather you’ll face on backcountry trails. |
| Garage Grown Gear | garagegrowngear.com | US-based but ships to Canada. Specializes in small, cottage-industry ultralight brands (packs, shelters, accessories). Great for unique gear. |
| Decathlon | decathlon.ca | Large sporting goods retailer with affordable camping and hiking gear. Their in-house brands (like Quechua) are great value for beginners. Consider this site for accessories such as underwear and gloves. |
| The Last Hunt | thelasthunt.com | A Canadain online outlet dedicated to discounted outdoor gear and apparel. It offers a selection of overstock and past-season items. |
| reSAIL | resail.sail.ca | A Canadian online resale platform, focused on second-hand outdoor gear. Everything from clothes and boots to packs and tents. |
| Altitude Sports | altitude-sports.com | Montreal-based, free shipping/returns in Canada. Excellent for clothing and technical outdoor gear. Look for Merino wool. |
| La Cordée | lacordee.com | Quebec outfitter with a great online shop. Known for mountaineering, hiking, and ultralight options. |
Do you know of other great spots to find outdoor gear? Share your recommendations in the comments. We’d love to add them to our list.