• Eastern Mountain Sports

  530 Broadway, nr. Spring St.; 212-966-8730

  EMS almost tripled its floor space when it opened this sprawling new store last spring, meaning there’s now ample room to display the kayaks, ice picks, tents, and backpacks that promise outdoor adventure. But it’s certainly not the only outfitter in town—Paragon has breadth of gear, while Patagonia has high-tech clothes. What distinguishes EMS is the passion and expertise of its staff, all avid outdoorspeople. You need a water filter for a camping trip? They’ll ask about the details of the trip, then walk you through the merits of each one and never try to up-sell you. Chances are they’ve already hiked/biked/camped wherever you’re going, so you might want to get some tips before you check out.

From the 2010 Best of New York issue of New York Magazine