MEC (Mountain Equipment Co-op)
MEC is Canada's premier outdoor gear retailer, offering everything from camping equipment to cycling gear and technical apparel. A co-op with over 5 million members, it's the definitive Canadian alternative to REI, Bass Pro Shops, and Cabela's.
Why Switch?
REI is an American co-op based in Seattle, and Bass Pro Shops and Cabela's are both American chains now owned by the same US company. MEC has been a Canadian outdoor institution since 1971, owned by over 5 million Canadian members, with stores from Victoria to Halifax. Their MEC-brand gear is designed for Canadian conditions — from Rocky Mountain alpine to northern Ontario canoe routes — and their member dividends and community programs stay in Canada. For any outdoor purchase from a tent to a bike to a rain jacket, MEC is the obvious Canadian choice.
Canadian outdoor enthusiasts who want gear designed for Canadian conditions, with the purchasing power of a national co-op and stores coast to coast.
Replaces
Where to Buy in Canada
How It Compares
| Feature | Canadian Option | American Alternative |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | Vancouver, BC 1971 | REI: Seattle, WA 1938 |
| Ownership | Member-owned Canadian co-op | REI: US member co-op / Bass Pro: private US |
| Canadian-specific gear | Designed for Canadian climate and terrain | Designed for American market |
| Store presence | 22+ stores across Canada | US stores only |
Why we list this
Canadian co-op headquartered in Vancouver, BC. Owned by its members.
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