Profile

Like other shops along Broadway, the window displays at Eastern Mountain Sports show sleek mannequins in the latest trends. The jarring difference here, however, is that the mannequins are sporting the latest for high altitude, not high fashion. Clearly divided by activity (Biking, Hiking, Orienteering, etc.), EMS has a comprehensive range of basic outdoor equipment and clothing that would satisfy any expert. In the winter, insulated pants, polar fleece, and down-feather coats from The North Face, Patagonia, and K2 replace the lighter gear of the spring, like zip-away pants and soft-shell jackets from Helly Hansen and Marmot. Sleeping bags and tents on the lower level hang from the ceiling like cocoons, while the walls are filled with rock climbing harnesses, footwear, and backpacks. For excursions beyond the tri-state area, there are dehydrated meals and a glass case filled with GPS gadgets. And for the urban tundra of winter sidewalks, there are plenty of wool socks and, in case it gets really bad, ice climbing poles. — Kate Klonick

Once a month there’s a sale all over the store, twice a year there’s an “Upgrade Your Gear” sale.

Related Stories

Featured In

• Market Research: Testing the Newest Men's Briefs (1/7/08)