Altrec.com

Full review
EXTRAORDINARY online outdoor goods retailer. I absolutely cannot express how impressed I've been with Altrec. I've made 3 orders there, and every time I've had an extraordinary buying experience.

Design/buying experience
The website is perfectly designed. I am slightly obsessive compulsive with these things (to the point where I once took apart my car dashboard to clean hard to reach spots), so for me to say it's perfect says a lot. The layout is easy to navigate. There is detailed information on every product. You can zoom way in on images for every color choice of every product. There is sizing info for most products. User reviews are plentiful and well integrated. There are even video reviews of some products done by the altrec staff. I simply cannot express how well put together this site really is.

Customer service
I don't know what they pay their employees; given the level of service, it's probably a lot more than the standard minimum wage worker. Should you still be at a loss about some product after the copious information, you can simply ask the people manning the online help. Can't decide between two similar jackets? Just pull up the online help window. I have never failed to be impressed with the knowledge these people have about the products.

Returns
I really don't know how these guys stay in business. They actually pay shipping to return the items! I have never had an issue with them not accepting a return (I can be rather picky). You can call the toll free number, or use the online help feature.
-I recently received an incomplete order (manufacturers fault), and altrec arranged to have the manufacturer send the missing part to me. Then I realized I'd be leaving for college soon, so they went out of their way to change the shipping address.

Prices
Given the extraordinary customer service and return policies, you'd expect to pay a premium. Altrec impresses again. The prices are usually equivalent to other retailers. Not only that, altrec occasionally has some SICK sales.

Basically, skip mountaingear.com and backcountry.com, don't even think of using rei.com. Buy all your gear at Altrec. I'm sorry if this sounds like an ad paid for by the company, but I really am this happy with altrec.