Gear Rental Guide

The choices are rich in Snohomish County, but whether you’re car camping, skiing, paddling or climbing, your adventures will be oh-so-improved with the right gear and provisions.

Depending on your recreation plans and experience, you can consider options to buy or rent what you need.

Ready? Let’s do this.

CAMPING & HIKING

Retail options abound. Pick up basic camping or fishing supplies at Target or Wal-Mart or head to specialty stores for higher-end gear and knowledgeable staff to guide you, according to your needs.

While not located within Snohomish County, you have rental options, too, if you plan ahead.

Informed by years of personal experience, the folks at Back 40 offer rentals in pre-made kits for backpacking, car camping and concert camping. They can also create custom-made kits. Reserve well in advance, especially for outdoor concerts; pick up locations are in the greater Seattle area.

Back 40 Outfitters (no physical store; pickup points in Seattle) (206) 414-8407

back40outfitters.co

Phoenix-based Lower Gear has been renting gear to outdoor adventurers for more than 15 years. Go online to choose what you need; they’ll pack it up and ship it to your jumping-off point. If you’re not sure what you need, a live person can assist you by phone. The details: you don't pay rent during the shipping transit time; delivery should be scheduled for the day before you plan to depart; you re-box and ship the rental gear back on the first business day upon your return.

Lower Gear (Phoenix, AZ based) lowergear.com (480) 348-8917

lowergear.com/camping-packages

REI rents camping and mountaineering gear, including stoves, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents, from its Seattle flagship store only; call ahead to check availability and rates. Gear must be picked up from and returned to the store.

REI 222 Yale Avenue N, Seattle (206) 223-1944 rei.com

BIKES

Arlington Velo Bikes, located less than a block away from the Centennial Trail, rents bikes for half day (4 hours) or full day (24 hours), including a helmet.

Arlington Velo Sport, 401 N. Olympic Ave, Arlington (360) 629-6415 arlingtonvelosport.com

Bicycle Centres Snohomish is located right on the Centennial Trail and offer rentals in addition to sales and service. Riders can take advantage of on-site parking plus an outdoor fireplace and seating area. Rental packages will include a helmet; inquire for current pricing and to reserve.

Bicycle Centers Snohomish, 707 Pine Avenue, 105B, Snohomish (360) 862-8300

Bicycle Centers also offers sales and service in Everett at 4704-A Evergreen Way, (425) 252-1441 and 13027 Bothell-Everett Highway, (425) 337-3509

SNOWSPORTS

Play It Again Sports offers affordable ski and snowboard rentals. Call a day ahead to inquire.

16929 Highway 99, Suite 110, Lynnwood (425) 670-1184

playitagainsports.com

Stevens Pass Snowboard Shop in Gold Bar, can set you up with snowshoes, skis or a snowboard (for purchase or rent). Experienced staff all ride regularly and are familiar with the gear. You can even rent the clothing you need!

Stevens Pass Snowboard Shop, 617 Croft Avenue, Gold Bar (360) 793-0221

stevenspasssnowboardsh...

REI rents snowshoes from its Lynnwood location. Call in to reserve or stop by the store in person (no online reservations accepted). Members receive a discounted rate.

Single day rates apply for pick Friday/return by close on Sunday.

BASIC PROVISIONS

Of course, when you’re recreating in the great outdoors, you need to fuel up! Easy-prep or pre-made food like chili, soup, sausages and mac and cheese, along with trail mix, jerky, sandwich and s’mores makings are must haves. Trying to pack lightly? Purchase freeze-dried meals at Cabela’s in Tulalip or Walmart or REI in Lynnwood; if you have a large group or want to stock up, Costco sells boxed dehydrated meal assortments. Don’t forget to pick up batteries, matches or lighters, stove fuel, sunscreen, bug spray, first aid and other consumable supplies that you may need. And remember, even if your destination has a water supply, it’s always a good idea to bring backup. An average adult needs two liters per day – and much more when you’re active.

Of course, you can purchase ice at most grocery stores and gas stations; for the best prices, stop in at Grocery Outlet (locations in Arlington, Everett, Lake Stevens, and Lynnwood) or Smart Foodservice (formerly Cash & Carry) locations in Lynnwood, Bothell, and Everett.

Cabela’s, 9810 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip (360) 474-4880 cabelas.com

Costco Wholesale, 10200 19th Avenue SE, Everett (425) 370-7451; 18109 33rd Avenue W, Lynnwood (425) 697-1062; 16616 Twin Lakes Avenue, Marysville (360) 652-4532; 9210 24th St SE, Lake Stevens (425) 367-6422 costco.com

Grocery Outlet, 123 E. Burke Avenue, Arlington (360) 322-6172; 19800 44th Avenue W, Lynnwood (425) 5209 Evergreen Way, Everett (425) 512-9282; 710 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett (425) 353-6224; 303 91st Ave NE, Lake Stevens (425) 322-4539 groceryoutlet.com

REI, 19500 Alderwood Mall Pkwy, Lynnwood (425) 640-6200 rei.com

Smart Foodservice, 2917 Cedar Street, Everett (425) 339-2628; 6412 204th Street SW, Lynnwood (425) 672-1886; 18438 120th Ave NE, Bothell #506 (425) 398-4170 smartfoodservice.com

Walmart, 1400 164th Street SW Lynnwood (425) 741-9445; 1605 SE Everett Mall Way, Everett (425) 789-3361; 8713 64th St NE, Marysville (360) 386-3004; 8924 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip (360) 657-1192; 19191 N Kelsey St, Monroe (360) 365-4033; 4010 172nd St NE, Arlington (360) 386-4608; walmart.com

FIREWOOD

Before purchasing firewood, be sure to check the rules and conditions at your destination. Burn bans or restrictions are common in the dry summer months. To avoid unknowingly bringing in pests and disease on your firewood, purchase it locally; at your campground if available, or within a ten-mile range if possible. Refer to sites such as recreation.gov for detailed campground information. If your destination campground doesn’t sell firewood, check home improvement, hardware, and grocery stores. Don’t forget a hatchet, firestarter, and a bucket and shovel (to extinguish your flames safely).