In 1938 Mary and Lloyd Anderson founded REI to help other outdoor enthusiasts find the specialty equipment they needed to make the best of their excursions. REI has since broadened its stock to serve nature lovers of all levels. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for an ice axe to help you take a bite out of Mt. Rainier or for a new butane stove for car camping; when you walk into REI you can rest assured you’ll find it (as well as a few things you probably didn’t know you were looking for). It even has a ranger station right in the store so you can purchase your Discover Pass as well as all the pertinent topographical maps for your next outing. 222 Yale Ave. N., 223-1944

First runner-up: Filson

Second runner-up: Second Ascent

Honorable mention: Big 5, Outdoor Research

Read about the rest of the Best of Seattle Reader Poll winners here. If you didn’t get a chance to vote this go-round, make sure your voice is heard next year. Email us at bestofseattle@seattleweekly.com and we will let you know when nominations open for BoS 2017.