Sierra Trading Post: The Off‑Price Outdoor Gear Champion

 Sierra Trading Post Review – Save 20–60% on Outdoor Gear

1. What is Sierra Trading Post?

Originally launched in 1986 in Reno, Nevada, Sierra Trading Post began as a catalog-based retailer specializing in overstock, closeout, and end-of-season outdoor, apparel, and home goods—offering major name brands at 35–70% below retail. Owned by TJX Companies since 2012, it rebranded to Sierra in 2018 and has expanded rapidly into brick-and-mortar, e‑commerce, and catalog channels.

2. Sierra’s Unique Value Proposition

Off‑price model: Sierra offers repeat, everyday discounts—no coupon hunting—as its buyers actively source desirable brand gear at 20–60% off full-price.

Ever-changing inventory: Since products are primarily overruns, closeouts, or seasonal overruns, every visit offers something new.

Major outdoor brands: Smartwool, Carhartt, Patagonia, Fjällräven, Yeti, and many others are frequently featured.

Multi‑channel shopping experience: Sierra sells online, runs catalogs, and operates retail stores—combining convenience with treasure-hunt appeal.

 3. Fast Growth, High Ambition

From a handful of stores in 2018 to 90+ locations by early 2025, Sierra is projected to grow to 137 U.S. stores by year-end and 325 long-term . Foot traffic has doubled since 2019, boosted further by the pandemic shift to outdoor living.

4. Pros & Cons: Customer Reviews

Pros:

• Deep discounts on trusted brands

Sierra consistently offers major outdoor and active brands such as Smartwool, Carhartt, Fjällräven, Yeti, and more at 20–60% (or more) below retail prices.

• Off‑price retail model powered by TJX

The brand benefits from TJX's efficient off-price system, giving customers access to inventory-intensive bargains across online and physical store channels.

• Treasure‑hunt experience & rotating inventory

You’ll often find unique overstock or closeout items. Some Reddit users describe the vibe as:
“Sierra is a rummage bin that I have to check once a week… I bought a Mammut jacket for $170… the same exact thing was still going for over $300 elsewhere.” 

• Growing physical presence

Sierra is expanding rapidly—with ~90 U.S. stores as of mid‑2023 and projected to reach 137 by the end of 2025, bringing its offline reach closer to REI and Dick’s levels

Cons:

• Website performance and usability issues

Longtime customers criticize the site’s speed and reliability:

"Half the time you click on a link and it doesn't even load… Trying to make a return… the link doesn't work.” 
Another reviewer lamented:
“If it was 1998… the molasses‑in‑winter S L O W load of Sierra's website…” 

• Slow or problematic shipping

Orders often arrive late or get cancelled with little notice, frequently tied to billing/address verification issues. Reddit users emphasize delays, especially via FedEx SmartPost:

“Slow shipping… Most online retailers have decent shipping but… Sierra takes long as hell.” 

• Returns can be costly and difficult

While returns are allowed, they’re often a hassle:

1. Customers must usually pay return shipping—even if the item is incorrect or damaged.
2. Some report being charged shipping but refunded only partially or given store credit 

One user noted:
“They refunded me the product price but not the $9.99 shipping.” 

• Quality and description mismatches

Some products arrive damaged, improperly sized, or differ from online descriptions. In multiple cases, customers were sent "factory seconds" without clear disclosure.

• Poor customer service consistency

Numerous complaints point to inadequate support—ranging from unresponsiveness to rude or dismissive behavior. Efforts to escalate issues often fail. One reviewer shared:
“The customer service was unhelpful… no option to escalate… The whole experience was cold and rude.” 

Final Take

Sierra (formerly Sierra Trading Post) remains a top destination for high-quality outdoor gear at unmatched off-price deals—capitalizing on TJX’s efficient retail model. Rapid expansion across formats and consistently low prices make it a strong alternative to full-price competitors. However, website reliability, customer service, and shipping delays should be transparently addressed in SEO content.