Hello and welcome to The Trailhead! This is a new weekly column in the Clarion that conveys various outdoorsy advice to DU students. From hiking to biking to skiing and snowboarding, it’s going to cover all the information necessary to fully experience Colorado. So, without further adieu, here is the first installment: Best Outdoor Gear Shops in Denver.
Before any adventure starts, big or small, gathering the right gear comes first. Deciding where to buy this gear is a crucial financial decision that can take a while to figure out. A lot of places, especially near college campuses, jack up the prices to take advantage of students. So, instead of being continuously disappointed shop after shop, stick to these three spots for whatever your outdoorsy hearts desire. Find maps to each location at DUclarion.com
Wilderness Exchange Unlimited
(7 miles from DU)
Imagine going through a thrift shop and finding everything you need for any adventure. Sounds like a dream come true, right? Well that’s exactly what you’ll find at WEU. Ironically located right by outdoor monopolizer REI, WEU has top-of-the-line products for crazy-low prices.
A good majority of what you’ll find is second hand, but the store also reels in a lot of new items that were either overstocked at their original location or have very small cosmetic flaws. Outdoor gear doesn’t have to look pretty, so any of these options should suffice. Everything is in great shape, however, and the store is certainly picky when it comes to filling their shelves. No matter what, you’ll find what you’re looking for at the cheapest place possible while simultaneously supporting a rad local business.
Upcyclery Bike Shop
(1 mile from DU)
Campus Cycles on Evans Avenue seems to be the only bike shop DU students know of, but just the same distance away on Downing and Wesley is the superior Upcyclery Bike Shop. It’s a small and simple space that doesn’t look like much at first sight, but you’ll quickly find it’s the absolute best option for any biking-related needs.
Their repair prices are cheaper than Campus Cycles’, the service is consistently fast and sincere from the two guys who run the place and there’s an affordable variety of both new and used bikes. They also make their own furniture from old bike parts instead of scrapping like other shops, so make sure to peek around for some decor.
Colorado Ski and Golf
(5.5 miles from DU)
Ski and Snowboard gear is unavoidably expensive, and it takes a lot of research to find the right place to purchase it all. This makes it pretty much mandatory to go out of the city where shops won’t take advantage of urbanites. The mountains are obviously a wise choice, but, for busy college students with not much time or gas money for that, look no further than Colorado Ski and Golf in Aurora.
After the easy fifteen minute drive from DU, the first thing you’ll notice is the store is absolutely massive; something that simply can’t be found in Denver. This size allows for a huge selection of gear, and given, that the store is also part of a large chain (the only chain business on this list), prices are low as they can be. Additionally, there are a lot of people working the floor at all times who are willing to help out with all your needs, covering everything from ski and snowboard sizing to boot fitting and binding mounting.
They even sell Epic Passes, so you can kill two birds with one stone on the trip and get totally set up for the winter. Yes, it is only September, but prices are only going to rise so the time to buy is now.
Though it is exciting, investing in gear is always a pain. Among the many college-related expenses, good and bad, it’s expensive stuff that really puts a dent in your wallet. So, stick to these stores, skip the trouble of price-hunting around town and that dent will be forgotten in no time.
