Best Outdoor/Adventure Store '96

Best Outdoor/Adventure Store

Bob's Bargain Barn
2230 N. Country Club Road

READERS' PICK AND STAFF PICK: There's so much good feelin', gettin-back-to-nature stuff at Bob's Bargain Barn that it doesn't even fit into one building. Set your course for the main storefront just south of the intersection of Grant and Country Club roads and face down the urge to chuck everything you own, lace up some boots, grab a pack crammed full of freeze-dried goodies, map and compass and head for the Mogollon. Bob's has always catered to a mixed crowd. Fishermen, hunters, climbers, backpackers, college students, survivalists and mountain bikers all find their way here for the latest in outdoor apparel and conversation. Back-country esoterics have been known to enter and spend half the day just tinkering, bleary-eyed, over shelves fecund with every half-pound stove on the market. Gore Tex raingear, topo maps, tents, climbing shoes, harnesses, ropes, tents, water filters, tents, packs, and even some rather curious Army-Navy surplus items all find their way into the inventory. They've recently added a full-service cycle shop specializing in mountain bikes. Finally, seminars and workshops are seasonally offered for all levels and inclinations of the outdoor temperament.

READERS' POLL RUNNER-UP: Summit Hut, 5045 E. Speedway, has been in business for 28 years under the ownership of Dave Baker. All that time and he's still not sitting back on his laurels. Dave has always brought high-quality stuff to consumers, with brands like Black Diamond, Patagonia, North Face, Osprey, and Dana Designs (exclusive carrier in Tucson). Dave's always had a liberal return policy and been willing to be the go-between in returning stuff to the manufacturer, making it easy to cash in on those lifetime guarantees. Dave's always had outdoors-oriented people working in his stores. So what's new? Well, how about evolving? Boot fitting has evolved to an art. Eighteen measurements per foot, and don't come in unless you've got at least an hour to spend. Dave says there's a lot of unspoken foot pain out there in the world of boots and adventuring. He's trying to address that need. And keep an eye peeled for Desert Skies, the thrice-annual publication put out by Summit Hut. Far from an ad in disguise, even experienced, multi-sport outdoors people find something of use in each issue, including news and views on environmental concerns.

1998 Winner: Summit Hut
1997 Winner: Bob's Bargain Barn
1995 Winner: Bob's Bargain Barn