Best Of Tucson®

Best Outdoor Recreation Store

Summit Hut

Summit Hut was born way back in 1967, when two 15-year-old kids decided to go into business for themselves by ordering backpacking and mountaineering gear for folks in Tucson. They kept the inventory under their beds. It's 43 years later, and the Summit Hut's two stores and online business are still going strong. Sure, REI just came to town, but Summit Hut's seen a lot of competition come and go over the years; don't count them out. There simply isn't a better place in town to go for backpacking and climbing gear, clothing for the outdoors and rock-solid outdoor advice. And they sell some pretty cool toys, too.

Runners up:

2. REI

160 W. Wetmore Road

887-1938; www.rei.com

3. Sportsman's Warehouse

3945 W. Costco Drive

877-4500; sportsmanswarehouse.com