Summit Hut

Our Promise at Summit Hut is to provide our customers with exceptional outdoor specialty products and services and to do so at an unequalled level of value, service, and merit. The Outdoor Industry Summit Hut Founding In a modest beginning, Summit Hut entered the outdoor industry in 1969 when at the age of fifteen, the company’s current president David Baker teamed up with Jeff Conn to offer special order service for Tucsonans who needed backpacking or mountaineering gear. The pair ran the business from their bedroom and stored the inventory under their beds. As David was a high-school senior, he purchased Jeff’s share of the business. In 1968, when both had graduated, David rented 150 square feet of a room attached to a small bike shop across the street and stored their inventory there. Dave sold Summit Hut in February 2011 to Dana Davis, a long-time employee, and husband Jeremy. Dana began her career at the Summit Hut in 1998 and has played a crucial role in its expansion. She held different positions such as Store Manager, Director of Retail Sales, and Product Buyer since 2006. With that said, Summit Hut, Ltd, is a family-owned business that has been offering outdoor gear and services to the residents of Tucson, Arizona, for more than 40 years. We aim at equipping you with the right gear for climbing, mountaineering, or backpacking and also provide you with the right equipment and resources for travel, birding, and search and rescue. Our website has enabled us to extend our exceptional customer service beyond our Tucson family-based business, ensuring that wherever you are on the planet, we are available to help you, and we will serve you with all diligence and professionalism you deserve.

The reviews for Summit Hut mostly detail fantastic customer service employees mentioned, notably Abel, Dave, Pepper, and Alex as very helpful and knowledgeable. One reviewer even mentions, “Great selection of outdoor equipment.” Also, they say, “We also have an online store if you need something shipped,” which would, in turn, refer to the local outdoor gear the store often carries. The store has every kind of outdoor gear one might need from climbing equipment to clothing. The store boasts, “Everything, absolutely, you need for outdoor sports.” Reviewers say the store layout is well done and that the staff is experienced and ready to help. Several purchase reviews mention specific types of gear, such as camping equipment or hiking boots, and how satisfied customers are with the performance. The store also offers benefits such as local community ownership and a sale. One reviewer shares the advantages of finding other brands in the store. This shopper would “Definitely not a Walmart shoppers experience.” Another post says the review wisely decided to switch to this store after poor customer service at REI. Others commend whether they like the store environment and the feeling they get from it. A user reports the store as “Very charming!!” and notes its unique and cost-effective offerings. One reviewer mentions a separate purchase that arrived on time and in good condition. This person recommends the store and its online service, saying this product would be helpful to someone. Often, rewriting a sentence or two can be helpful. Several people mention poor service at another store when they write a good one. “I am on a multi-year bicycle tour. REI varies widely from town to town. The one in Tucson has the worst customer service I have experienced in 26,000 miles of thru-hiking and perhaps 75,000 miles of bicycle touring. I skip REI when I am in Tucson and go to Summit Hut instead.” Others note how the store is a significant different experience from the localized or main store like Walmart with its high-end product selection. All this, plus a free local shipping policy, drives customers to see Summit Hut as a local store designed to meet their needs in a community-oriented way. “This store is well, organized and affordable! The cost was the same as any major distributor despite getting a unique and quality vibe from the store. They will always have our support.”