Head to Easton Outdoor Company for all your hiking, biking and beyond needs! Read on to learn about their offerings and discover what the team is excited about this fall.
How does Easton Outdoor's selection differ from big-box stores?
A common misconception is that big-box stores have a larger selection than independent retailers. Big-box stores try to be everything to everyone, so while they have a lot of inventory, they may not have a good selection in certain categories. We focus on hiking, camping, rock climbing, trail running and casual endeavors so that we can provide a good selection that has been curated over time. The time and experience we have with these categories allows us to sift through all the noise and offer what we think is the most appropriate for our market.
How does your team assist various levels of outdoor enthusiasts, ranging from novice to expert?
Our approach is to listen to the customer first. We need to understand how each person plans on using the equipment, footwear or apparel before we can point them to the appropriate product that will suit their end use. For example, we don't try to sell a fully supportive, backpacking hiking boot to a person that will only use the footwear for day hikes and light hiking.
What types of activities and excursions is Easton Outdoor the ideal retail destination for?
We carry apparel, footwear and equipment for hiking, camping, rock climbing, trail running and travel. We offer things as technical as climbing gear and as casual as dresses and warm winter jackets.
Tell us about some of the brands that you carry.
We've made a conscious choice to offer high-quality brands. While these brands may cost a bit more than some of the big-box price-point brands, they are much more reliable and durable. We look at these products as investments. It's better to pay a little more now and not have to replace it later. Most of the brands we carry have a quality guarantee, so if anything goes wrong, they will fix it or replace it free of cost to the consumer. Some of the brands we carry include Patagonia, The North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Sherpa, TenTree, Royal Robbins, Osprey, Deuter, Cotopaxi, Vasque, Salomon, Oboz, Teva, Mammut, Smartwool, Darn Tough and many others.
How does your staff stay up to date on trends and remain knowledgeable about the store's inventory?
We are always looking for new brands and styles to keep things fresh. There are so many brands out there doing the same thing, so it's exciting when we find a brand doing things differently! Some of these come to us through customer suggestions, like the brand Goodr sunglasses. Some come to us through the sales reps that sell existing brands that we carry and have a new brand they think would be a good fit for our store, like Cotopaxi and TenTree. The sales reps are key to the education process as well. They educate our staff about the products so that we can intelligently speak to the customer.
Is there a new item, gadget or trend that you're particularly excited about for this fall?
We're really excited about Goodr sunglasses! Goodr is a really fun company that makes sunglasses built for running. Their no-slip, no-bounce design with polarized lenses in a ton of fun colors for only $25 is why we're having trouble keeping them in stock. We're also really excited about a company called BioLite. They make solar-powered lights that allow you to charge your phone, tablet or laptop. Combine that with their portable wood-fueled stoves that charge electronics while cooking food and you're ready for your next camping/glamping adventure!
Tell us about some of the events that Easton Outdoor hosts.
Every year, on the third weekend in May, we organize the Jacobsburg 5- and 10-Mile Trail Race at Jacobsburg State Park. We have been organizing this race for six years. There are not many trail races in the Lehigh Valley, so we wanted to give those that love running the trails a fun event. As an added bonus, we hide gnomes along the course and if you find a gnome and finish with your gnome then you win a prize!
What do you love most about being based in the Lehigh Valley? Tell us about the community of enthusiasts and outdoor opportunities here.
The Lehigh Valley has so much to offer in outdoor activities! We have a large community of people taking advantage of the unique environment in which we are placed. Whether you're hiking, camping, running, cycling, mountain biking or boating, the Lehigh Valley has what you need. We have rivers and creeks that allow people to explore our waterways. We have opportunities for hiking, camping, running and mountain biking in the various preserves and state parks, in addition to the Appalachian Trail, which is just north of us. Explore what's outside your back door and you'll see a wealth of outdoor opportunities!
230 Northampton St., Easton | 610.829.1000 | eastonoutdoorcompany.com
