Great selection and friendly, helpful staff. They had clothing from OR that I couldnt even find at the OR store! And some of it was on sale! It was a good day.

I ordered the Osprey Atmos AG 65 back in June and when I received it there was a hole in one of the mesh pockets, unfortunate but these things happen. I contacted Ascent Outdoors and spoke with someone named Jake asked to have it replaced, which he very kindly agreed to do.This whole process took 3 weeks and today (July 31st) I finally got the Atmos AG 65 and guess what? There is a hole in the exact same spot! I genuinely believe they just sent me the same pack again, like I wouldn’t notice? Who does this? Even the plastic bag they wrap the backpack in had a tear in the same location!Jake claimed he would send the other pack back to Osprey to claim warranty on it and send me a new one but clearly that was a lie. The shoulder strap adjustments are even in the same position as where I left them when returning it! Absolutely unbelievable.

Its so great to have a neighborhood outdoor shop that isnt REI. Long live Ascent and everyone who works there!

Love this place. Great customer service and expert insights. Good deals and a nice selection of used gear.

Please support this local store. What a treat it is to have an REI alternative right here in Ballard. Theyve got a little of everything. Good map selection, food, fuel, skiing, clothes, trail park passes too. Come on in!!

Great store! They have a large selection of outdoor gear for whatever you need. The prices are fair, some are even cheaper then REI! The team is friendly and helpful. Great place for gear.

I had a great experience getting fitted for a mountaineering harness. Brandon went above and beyond to find one for me that had the right fit, weight, and features. I will definitely check this place out again next time Im in Seattle.

Great collection of rock climbing gear and rock shoes. Helpful staff

All of the employees were super helpful! They helped me find the perfect pair of climbing shoes.

Absolutely incredible place! I went in looking for a mountain boot with no idea what I was doing and Burke worked with me for almost two hours trying different brands, styles and teaching me lacing techniques. This is now my first stop for anything I need before hitting the box stores! I was just blown away by the atmosphere of the shop, and the sincerity and knowledge of the staff. Totally worth the drive from the Eastside every time!

Very cool shop, they do a pretty good job of having a bit of everything even in such a small shop.Stopped by again to to ask an expert about my skins and possibly buy some new ones or repair them. The guy gave me some super good advice on everything from helping them last another few runs to technique while on them. Didnt even try to push me on buying anything.Good form guys 🤘

Love supporting local but not when stringent store policy comes before good service. Great product selection but don’t even expect any accommodation once your rentals are booked like you might with other businesses. Plenty of other local shops in town are willing to accommodate customer needs- will not be a repeat customer at Ascent.

Amazing staff!! Brandon is incredibly knowledgeable and helped me find the perfect pack. If you’re in the market for anything outdoors, stop in!

My fiance and I went shopping here for our mountaineering course and had the best customer service! Alec was super nice and helped us finding boots suitable for our feet, Karl was also super nice and helped us with mountaineering clothes. Staff here are pretty knowledgeable and can assist you with what you need. This has been our store for a while and it will continue to be.

4 stars now as we have not shopped through the store yet but yes the broad selection was apparently there we came in to pick up a pair of la sportiva climbers shoes good recommendations from staff helped us

I moved to Ballard about 6 months ago and I find myself in Ascent just about every weekend renting Skis/Snow Shoes for adventuring! I have found so many great used pieces of gear as well, the most notable of which was an INCREDIBLY nice Mammut hard shell that has been my favorite purchase so far!!!Love this place, the rental process is so easy, everyone is so nice, and its a very low pressure sales environment where you can get friendly advice without feeling pressured to buy anything!

I order a Nemo Tensor Insulated Long/Wide pad online. Its Friday 06-25-2021 and it arrived by UPS today. My order is #25215. And I inflated the pad immediately and have a fast leak on a brand new pad.As promised, I have a update on the issue. Ascent Outdoors had responded. And the issue is resolved. Full refund. They were very responsive and run a solid customer service.

Long standing favorite of mine for the combo of all the best new gear, excellent used gear scores, plus knowledgeable, friendly staff.

My favorite climbing shop around. Helpful staff and a great curation of equipment bring me here before the big retail chains.

The folks at Ascent couldnt have been better. My first visit I was looking for some used climbing shoes but had no luck. Still, Brandon was more than eager to help analyze my foot size and type to provide recommendations for me despite me not purchasing anything there during that visit. I returned a second time with my original pair of mountaineering boots (purchased elsewhere) that completely tore my feet up. Brandon stayed well past closing time to ensure we found the right boot and insoles for my otherwise wonky foot shape. I finally got to properly use the new boots in the mountains and they worked perfectly for me. I very, VERY rarely post reviews but the customer service and overall experience was so good for me not to write a review (and hopefully it serves as a recommendation to other potential/future shoppers). Thanks Ascent, and thanks Brandon!

Nice gear store with friendly staff who will leave you alone if you want or are more than happy to help when you need it.Brandon was very helpful in pointing me in the right direction for a new pair of crampons

Friendly helpful and knowledgeable staff! Love this store

Love this friendly neighborhood outdoor store! I love supporting local when I can and I will definitely be back to ascent!! Super friendly, knowledgeable staff who got me set up with a touring set just hours before I was supposed to leave. Everyone is fun and kind!! Great selection of gear! Thanks Ascent!

Ive made a point of going to ascent outdoors for years. Their crew is always friendly and knowledgeable. Usually I find what I need and then some. It feels like a place that you want to be and caries anything you want to do in the mountains.

One if the best tried and true alpine stores in Seattle. Best staff ever!

We rented cross country skate skis from Ascent and the process was great! The quality of the skis was excellent, the prices were very reasonable, and the staff members were incredibly helpful, they even allowed us to drop off the next morning with no late fee when we were stuck in terrible traffic in the mountains trying to get back to return them before closing. Ascent is the best!

Great place to rent gear like bear boxes for camping!

This is our favourite outdoor store. The staff are SO friendly and knowledge and make sure to check in on you without being intrusive. Although we live in Vancouver, we make a point to come to Ascent every time were in Seattle because we love digging through the second hand clothing and shoes. Weve both picked up some killer deals on some really good quality pieces. Vancouver has nothing on this store! We cant wait to be able to come down again. But maybe when Washington and the States has Covid under better control...

After new ownership, theyve lost the mom-and-pop vibe. I am truly disappointed in their customer service. They used to be reasonable but now they nickel and dime you every chance they get. Instead of seeing the potential worth of a loyal customer they rather make you pay a fee. Also I didnt appreciate the dirty looks and the attitude I got from the women at the rental shop. Thanks for nothing Ascent Outdoors.

The old used stuff is gone..not nearly as interesting as in the past

Great customer service. Item priced matched within a minute and shipped same day. Received on time and enjoying it already!

Kelly was super awesome and spent time with me to find the right fit climbing shoes. She actually recommended womens shoes as they would fit my heal better. Way better customer service than REI and the price was actually less than REI.

I recently purchased a pair of snowshoes because they were one of the few stores that had them available. After the order was placed I received an email from a store associate named Jake to inform me that because of an online glitch the snowshoes were in fact not available. I explained to Jake that the whole reason I ordered them through their store is because of their availability most of the other stores I searched were all on backorder. Jake informed me that they were supposed to be receiving another order from the manufacturer within a week and because of the inconvenience and the glitch that they would priority mail them to me as soon as they showed up. The shipment ended up coming early to the store and Jake emailed me and told me they would be in the mail by the afternoon. One day and a half later I am picking them up from the post office. Thank you very much Jake for your prompt service and quick emails. PS- I live on the complete other side of the country.

Had a great experience getting a pair of mountaineering boots fit and heat molded. Burke took excellent care of me and went over and above to make sure my boots would be properly fit!

Great products incredible people. Got a patch kit that worked and odor eater that ate my shoe smell like they said.. Honestly and knowledge are two things I expect at the places I shop. They have both in spades... Oh expensive(cheap falls of the cliff) but worthwhile(worth my time)investments pay off.

This store has long been one of my favorite outdoor gear shops, and I am so glad that the wide range of quality merchandise and friendly and helpful staff is still part of the store even after the transition in 2019. While physically smaller then some outdoor gear shops (e.g., REI), they manage to stock the best/highest value items consistently, so I never have to endure a shopping odyssey to find what I want. An especial thanks to Burke and Alex for saving my ski trip next week after an unfortunate gear issue arose at the last minute. I wish I could give y’all 10 stars!

Love this place. New, used, closeouts, all kinds of gear. And the best working staff around, all very knowledgeable and helpful.

Shout out to Brennan! Helped me dial in the fit on a pair of La Sportiva approach shoes, spending some time working on them in the back of the store with some boot fitting equipment and gave my toes some more room and and they went from a good fit to amazing. They have some shoe fitting expertise here like no where else in the city. These guys fit you to a pair of shoes and everyone else just sells you shoes. Go here for great help

Incredibly helpful customer service. Went in looking for darn tough socks for an upcoming backcountry excursion. Ascents team gave me their personal advice and steered me in the right direction on other products as well.Quality brands, competitive prices, positive experience!

My favorite outdoor shop in the PNW! The customer service is phenomenal (yes, better than REI!) At one point, we had nearly every employee in the shop running around helping us get set up for a last minute back ski tour.We were backcountry skiing for the first time, and they went above any beyond to prepare us. They made sure we got the right length ski, walked us through how to step in, switch between walk and ski mode, and gave us all the tips and tricks youd probably learn from a guide. They also helped up compare prices and got us an awesome deal some avalanche gear wed been looking at for a while. Thanks for the help, Burke, Brenden and Brandon!

Perfect outdoor gear, bouldering and climbing shop, with caring and educated staff.

Great local ski shop with excellent selection, knowledgeable staff, and fair pricing.

Love this place. Friendly, knowledgeable staff.

Really attentive, friendly staff who will go above-and-beyond to give honest recommendations. Great selection of outdoor clothing/ equipment, however they specialize in backcountry skiing and have a limited ski selection for groomed trails.

Place is great. Friendly knowledgeable staff to help you find what you need.

These folks have great gear at great prices - but wait till you experience their customer service. It’s awesome! A public thanks for the personalized service!

It is nice shopping local and from a store where you are helped by someone who more than knows the products and also listen and do their best to meet your needs. You can never get this online so remember price is not all that matters and especially if you do not get what you really need.

They have everything you need and help you get the right stuff. Can’t say enough nice things about this shop. In from out of town to hike the Enchantments and the gentleman helping our group of four actually talked us into buying something LESS expensive because he said it really what we needed, and now that we have completed the hike I can confirm he was right! Saved us from misery!

Good selection, fantastic service

It’s like a small REI but better!

Great local shop! Ive sold plenty of gear here on consignment, and picked up some great deals on used gear as well. If you need a map or fuel canister for a trip, its the place to go. Knowledgeable staff, from shoes to sleeping bags. Great experience renting gear here too (but the deposit can be pricy, and their price for ski rentals is way too high).

I always watch when I go in a store how long it takes to get acknowledged by a sales clerk. Im a large guy, hard to not notice. Ive been standing in the middle of the shoe section MORE THAN LONG ENOUGH to get a compulsory Ill be with you in a moment from the clerk. Typed all if this standing here .... nothing. Still nothing. Still nothing. Still nothing. Still nothing. Still nothing. Still nothing. It wasnt like this when it was Second Ascent. Still ignored. Still nothing. Still nothing. Im leaving.

Friendly and helpful staff. Good selection of gear, bags, and clothing.

A small local shop full of outdoor enthusiasts! The staff here are incredibly helpful, Andrew and Liz have both taken time to help me outfit for various adventures. I really appreciate their expertise and advice!Dont fight the crowds at REI, shop at Ascent!

I traded in a lot of gear with them, accumulated about $500 worth of credit. Then they filed for bankruptcy and told me I could no longer use the store credit to buy things. I could only use it for 50% off their MSRP prices...As you know you can basically get 20-30% off anything at basically anytime online. So I traded in a ton of great gear for an extra 20% off coupon code... And I have to buy it at their store. Not cool.

Great store - super helpful to a first time Alpinist. Helpful staff, with great gear knowledge and good stories. Strong suggestions on the right equipment, not always the most expensive. Knowledgeable and the staff climb, hike and backcountry so they know they’re stuff.

Tent was shipped in a plastic bag, which was received with small tears in it, probably due to its size. I guess I get to hope my tent doesnt have small tears or holes? I suspect I was shipped a return/open box item that was not labeled as such.

Great small outdoors store. Good mix of new and used gear.

Stand-up people with exceptional communication and customer service. Had a problem with a Garmin Varia delivery and they were proactive in making everything go smoothly. I would not hesitate to purchase from Ascent Outdoors in the future. Highly recommended.

Colleen at Ascent Outdoors was so helpful and an awesome sales person who made my experience in the store amazing! Thank you!

The staff really knows outdoor footwear!

Great customer service. Knowledgeable staff and a small selection of very good gear. There is always someone there to take your questions. Its obvious the staff uses the gear they sell so you get informed answers. I stopped shopping at the giant outdoor stores and come here now. Its a much more pleasant experience.

Great price on Oboz hiking boots! Fast shipping and order was perfect!

Great local spot to grab gear! Quality used goods and knowledgeable friendly staff. Ill be back!

Support your local shop they also carry backcountry ski maps!

Love this shop, I cant stay away. Customer service is 10/10 (had an issue where i needed a refund, the process was simple and quick), employee knowledge is very high, and overall selection of used and new gear is impressive.THE place to get gear in Ballard.

We went in here today looking for snow boots for our 4 year old and snow pants for us. We had no clue what to get and were only looking for things to wear to take our daughter sledding/snow tubing.The staff was very friendly and helpful! We were not pressured to buy anything we didnt need. Although we dont find used snow pants for me, we ended up buying wool kids socks and a pair of used snow pants for my husband.The store has an excellent selection of mens and womens outdoor gear. They even have rentals!Highly recommended!

This place has great customer service, friendly employees, and the they really know their stuff when it comes to their products. Came in looking for some hiking shoes and socks and got some great help from a knowledgeable employee. He even stretched out my chosen pair to fit my feet better using a special tool. This place has great prices and a wonderful selection. And who doesnt love an excuse to spend some time in Ballard! Definitely need to check this place out for any camping or outdoor needs.

Ascent outdoors rules (will always be second ascent to me). the employees know what they are talking about and are very friendly and accommodating. love the ease of which they can give you in store credit, sure you can make more doing ebay, but not if you count all the hassle of posting, shipping, etc! quick and easy! also they basically only have the cream of the crop selected items available for purchase that have proven designs. cant go wrong!

The employees here are super friendly and knowledgeable. They have done a ton for me, always going above and beyond. Couldnt recommend them more for your skiing, climbing and backcountry needs. Also, the used gear selection is sweet, there are always some deals to be found

Excellent selection of hiking and climbing gear. We were looking at ultralight packs. We had one very knowledgeable employee who worked with us for about 45 minutes. Ended up buying two packs at a very fair price. Definitely recommend Ascent Outdoors for hiking gear.

A finely curated selection, only the better brands are sold here. The used section was what I came for. Although it was smaller than I had hoped, the selection was all in great condition and more concurrent than I expected. For the most part, good pricing.

Great local shop in Ballard. Ive been shopping there for over 10 years. The staff is friendly and makes an effort to help you out without being overly attentive. They have what I like and need for backpacking and various forms big Nordic skiing. Ive also sold some of my old gear there.

Awesome little shop for climbing gear and clothing. Gives our climbing club members a discount! Decent selection and knowledgeable staff. The only thing that sucks about this place sometimes is trying to find parking! 😅

AMAZING customer service. I work retail and I was really blown away by this place. Professional. Courteous. Knowledgable. Everything you need for a camping trip + an awesome used goods section of gear. We came from Minnesota and started a three week adventure here. Forgot a couple essentials and this place was across from our hotel. So glad we stopped. Thanks Ascent!

Always a wonderful place - Im so glad they re-opened! It really is the local gear shop and best place to go for used gear and good advice.

My go-to for a local outfitters. The staff are very knowledgeable and happy to help! They have a great consignment section- full of high-quality gear. Also, the store is dog-friendly!

So grateful the new ownership has honored store credit. Super helpful staff! Very kind and personable.

Great small outdoor store. Mostly new stuff, but also have a nice selection of lightly used gear. Brennan is the guy to talk to in Seattle about boots.

I spent an hour with a sales associate here who spent quality time making sure I understood and tried out every piece of equipment I bought. Superb service and quality suggestions from all the employees here.Im a beginning climber and needed to get a harness and shoes. Landed on the perfect size and fit for both and Im extremely happy with my purchases.Quality equipment at standard retail price, EXCELLENT customer service.

This is just a little thing, but I gave these people a call asking about a certain jacket and the person I talked to was super helpful, knowledgeable, and genuine. Not over-the-top friendly, but straightforward and accurate. I really got a good impression of the place. Anyway, just a small thing, but small things still matter.

Great shop. Small but it has a good selection of clothing and various other outdoor gear (camping, ski, cycling etc..). They also have a decent selection of used gear for really good prices. If you are in the area, it is well worth stopping in.

The shop formerly known as Second Scent will always be my go to gear shop in Seattle! There is a new attention to detail in their buying that keeps me excited to go back an check out their space ever time Im in town and they are open.Support these guys because they support the local outdoor community too through their events and sponsorship.

Great Local Shop! Good variety of ski and mountain gear

Fantastic place with all sorts of gear for practically everything you need to get outdoors! Katie helped me find the perfect everyday use bag to take on my trip year long travels!

Incredible customer service Andrew was great answered all my questions with ease and me too tier advice on mountaineering

Very helpful. Great gear for AT

Helpful, knowledgeable staff have always found me the perfect equipment. When I had a warranty issue, staff went out of their way to expedite in time for a big hike. Selling gear was straightforward and I was happy with the price.

Really helpful staff. These guys went above and beyond to help us pick our some awesome hiking shoes. No pressure, just good advice and info. Even hooked us up with an early sale they were starting. Thanks!

Great place to get shoes, boots, all foot gear.They have an expert boot fitter. Also great local climbing shop where employees know their stuff and are very helpful.

Experienced, knowledgeable staff and good inventory of climbing, mountaineering and Nordic and Alpine ski gear. The used gear and clothing is fun to look through, too.

Very helpful staff in shoe area. However, they specialize in serious hiking & trail running shoes. I need wider urban running & walking shoes. I received good advice & they didnt try to sell me shoes that wouldnt have been right for me.

I got great 1 on 1 help with a level of attention that I never received at REI or the like. I wish I was able to find used hiking boots instead of new, but I understand availability is not something Ascent controls.

Friendly and helpful staff!

A wonderful local shop, with incredibly knowledgeable, friendly staff.

Great gear selection. Amazing staff.

Great selection of new and used gear. Im pretty sure some of the people that work here are super human.

I went in to get equipped as a new rock climber, without knowing too much about what I was looking for. Collin was incredibly helpful and knowledgeable, got me set up with gear that I feel comfortable and safe in!

Awesome place to get real advice on everything needed for the outdoors. The prices are great and help is first rate. Shout out to jerry and everyone else that works there at Ascent Outdoors.

Great local shop with a good selection of gear, knowledgeable & helpful folks