I must admit that I do LIKE REI. Ok this is a shameless plug for you to support this site by clicking on the banner link below.
I like the fact that all their products are good quality. They are not cheap but there are times it’s worth paying for quality. When you are out on the trail, you want items that will do the task and not break on you when you need it most, so pay the extra money and get a quality item. Whether it’s clothing, utensils, equipment, maps, or books, REI has it all.
One big benefit is that if you are a member, which I highly recommend, then you get dividends which let you buy more REI stuff. The other big benefit of shopping at REI is their return policy. They take it back, no questions asked if you feel it didn’t perform the way you thought it would or it just didn’t fit right or heck, even if the color wasn’t cool. I don’t take advantage of them. I don’t return a product I have used for over a year on a regular basis but, even then, I’ve occasionally had a REI associate ask if I wanted to return it. My latest return was a pair of hiking shoes that caught my ankle as I climbed hills. It was ok on the flat but the hills caused my feet pain, let alone chest pain. So after 4 months I returned them and got another pair that more suited my needs. So shop REI for a worry free experience and know that what you depend on in the wilderness will work for you.