Three chain stores in the Portland area collaborate with a local business to offer their customers convenient and trustworthy repairs.
At Portland Repair Finder, we know that repair is more ubiquitous than one might initially expect, yet far less common than it used to be. Even for folks who consider repair as a feasible option for their possessions might hesitate when seeking a service, unsure of things like “Will this be too expensive?” and “Will this repair be up to snuff?”
In this interesting cultural moment we’re all existing in together, often large corporations are considered most reliable in terms of the quality of goods and services they offer (it’s hard to beat nationwide consistency!), so it’s nice when some of those bigger businesses throw their weight behind forces for good. Outdoor gear giants Patagonia and REI work with local gear repair business Mountain Soles and Outdoor Threads to offer their customers the option of accessible local repair backed by credible national brands.
There are three locations in the Portland area where people can leave their gear for repair collection. Before you grab that busted tent or sleeping bag and head into a store, here’s what to know.
IMPORTANT: All items dropped off for repair must be thoroughly cleaned; Mountain Soles will not risk compromising their repair equipment with dirty gear. If your item isn’t clean, you will be asked to clean it before it can be repaired.
REI Gear Drop-off
You can bring any outdoor item of any brand into an REI for repair. It does not need to have been previously purchased at any REI store. At intake, you’ll fill out a form about the item and the needed repair and pay a nonrefundable $3.99 processing fee. The intake form includes an area where you can indicate a certain price you’d like to stay under – if Mountain Soles assesses that a repair would go over that amount, they can reach out to you via email to discuss options and/or return your unrepaired item to REI at no cost to you (beyond the initial processing fee). REI will notify you via phone when your item is back in store; if they cannot reach you within 30 days, they may donate your item.
Drop items at these locations:
REI Pearl District
1405 NW Johnson St.
Portland, OR
503-221-1938
REI Tigard
7410 SW Bridgeport Rd.
Tigard, OR
503-624-8600
Patagonia Gear Drop-off
Only Patagonia-brand items can be returned to this store for repair; however, this means most repairs will be covered under their repair warranty and will be free to you (regardless of the item’s age). If an item requires repair due to damage from general wear and tear, there may be a small repair fee. Patagonia staff will assess your item upon receiving it. Small repairs, such as zipper pull replacements and snaps and buttons, can be performed in-store while you wait. If your item is in need of a repair beyond the capacity of Mountain Soles, Patagonia will send it to their repair facility in Reno for a slightly longer turnaround time. If something like a zipper breaks, and you would like to customize it by replacing it with a zipper of a different color, a customization request can be placed when you submit your item. When your item is returned to the Portland store, you can either pick it up in-store, or Patagonia will mail it directly back to you.
Drop items here:
Patagonia Portland
1106 W Burnside St.
Portland, OR
503-525-2552
For more information about the types of repairs Mountain Soles and Outdoor Threads performs, check out their website.