Navigating Our Favorite Idaho Outdoor Equipment Retailers
By Lettie Stratton, Photography by Cy Gilbert
Spring has definitely sprung in Eagle, and that means it’s time to grab your gear and hit the trail, river, or wherever you go to enjoy the outdoors. But being prepared is essential to enjoying a good outdoor adventure. This gear guide is here to help. Whether you need a new tent, sturdy hiking boots, a spiffy new bike, or sunglasses to protect your eyes from damaging UV rays, Eagle has you covered.
Backcountry Pursuit
1545 E Iron Eagle Drive, Suite 106
The one downfall of outdoor gear is that it’s usually pretty pricey. But Backcountry Pursuit solves that problem by offering top end gear on consignment. Specializing in selling any gear used to pursue the backcountry and the great outdoors, they offer high quality used bikes, parts, camping gear, whitewater equipment, and outdoor clothing.
If you need a different type of tent, they can provide that as well. You can go home with a bivy sack, a $30 tent for car camping, or a $400 light-weight mountaineering tent. Tents at Backcountry Pursuit sell quickly, so don’t wait. With a purchase from Backcountry Pursuit, you can feel good about saving money, buying used, and supporting the local economy. Go see them in Eagle or check out their new Boise location at 671 S. Capitol Boulevard.
Ridgeline Specialty Sports
3116 East State Street #160
Ridgeline Specialty Sports has a bike for everyone. From kids’ bikes starting at $142 all the way up to top of the line cruisers, road bikes, and mountain bikes for as much as $10,000, there’s something for all ages, abilities, and terrains.
Owner Mark Miller is especially excited about the Giant Defy road bike. Priced at $3550, it features a new frame design and hydraulic disc brakes. These provide more controlled and powerful braking, an unusual feature for road bikes, which usually have rim brakes.
If a high end bike like the Giant Defy isn’t quite your speed, there are plenty of other options for a test ride at Ridgeline Specialty Sports.
Ridgeline is also a fully stocked ski shop, so be sure to visit them if you’re gearing up for next season or already feeling nostalgic for winter. Ridgeline Specialty Sports is open Monday through Friday 10-7 and Saturday 9-7.
Eagle Vision One
408 S. Eagle Road, Suite 100, Forum One Building
Eagle Vision One is the one stop shop for all things eye-related, so what better place to buy your sunglasses for the season? Eagle Vision One offers both prescription and nonprescription eyewear from a range of brands. Ray Ban, Oakley, and Maui Jim are their three key sport brands, and they also carry fashion collections from Prada, Gucci, Coach, and more. There really is a style for everyone. Frames cost as little as $80 and can range up to $450 depending on make and model.
Eagle Vision One suggests Maui Jim sunglasses because everything they produce is polarized, which reduces glare while improving comfort and visibility. They also feature back end reflective coating, which eliminates glare from sunlight reflecting into your eyes from the back of the lenses. Maui Jim sunglasses range from $200-$450, and each pair comes with a mirror.
On Your Marks
228 East Plaza Drive
On your mark, get set…go to On Your Marks for all your outdoor footwear needs. The Eagle store offers shoes for all types of outdoor activity
—walking, road running, trail running, hiking, and more. They even do fittings on a pressure platform to see where you place the most pressure when you walk or run. They can tell you how high or low your arches are and if you pronate (roll your foot inward) or supinate (roll your foot outward) when moving.
On Your Marks offers high quality and respected footwear brands such as Keen, Salomon, Saucony, Asics, Brooks, New Balance, Dansko, and more. Their Keen hiking boot is popular, or if you’re looking for a trail running shoe, they have new Salomon models in stock, ranging from $110-120. Road running shoes from Asics, Saucony, Brooks, New Balance, and more are just $100. Be sure to stop in for a custom fitting.
Three Rivers Ranch (TRR) Outfitters
60 S. Eagle Road
When you’re itching to get out on the water and catch some fish, Three Rivers Ranch fly fishing outfitters should be your first stop. They have everything you need to get set up for the season, whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro.
TRR’s fly rod outfits come with a rod, reel, fly line, and backing—all you’ll need is a fly, and you’ll be ready to fish. If you’re just starting out, you can take a free Fly Fishing 101 course at TRR, and you’ll get a free set up as well if you buy a fly rod outfit. Prices range from $250-$1500, and all include a warranty of at least 25 years; some have a lifetime warranty, depending on price.
TRR staff says the biggest difference in low end versus high end fly rods are that high end rods are made of better materials, are often made in the USA, are generally better looking, lighter, and often more accurate because of how they’re made. Such differences may be too subtle for an entry-level fisherman or woman to discern, so the staff is there to help match the customer with an appropriate outfit. Tuesday through Friday from 5-6pm, head over to TRR to get started and learn fly fishing basics.
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What are you waiting for? Idaho’s great outdoors awaits you and your new gear. Now all you have to do is get out there and use it.
