MM
Mickey McDowell
Sep 21, 2026
Ok, so I VERY rarely write a review, if I do it’s often not good. However this is a rare circumstance where I felt some genuinely deserved being recognized and appreciated.
I came into Rei today hell bent on buying a new pair of Lone Peak 9 hiking shoes. I own two different pairs and wanted the lone peak 9 because the pluses I bought didn’t allow water to exit the shoe as well. A clearly already busy employee by the name of “Starson” greeted me and asked if he could help me with anything. I explained what shoe I was after, and he asked,
“Have u seen or tried the Lone Peak 9 plus? It’s like the same shoe but tougher.” and went on to tell me various things that potentially made it a better pick for me.
I explained I already own a pair and that the bucket effect with water was my issue. Starson politely tried to explain to me that there was a gortex model and a model that was not gortex, but I quickly brushed him off thinking I knew better with all the miles I’ve hiked in these shoes. He brought me several pairs to examine and try on, and while he was in the back looking for a pair of shoes, I examined the shoe models on the wall. As I found the lone Peaks, I noticed there were THREE Different models of lone peak 9, the 9, the 9 plus, AND a 9 plus in Gortex. I’ll be damned… The guy was telling the truth. He had every right to tell me I was wrong and that I didn’t know what I was talking about, but he was SO cool and patient. When he came out, I said,
“Dude, u guys make a lone peak 9 plus that isn’t gortex?”
Starson just calmly smiled and was like,
“Yeah, I tried to show you and explain the difference, but I really want u to be happy with your shoes, so I’ll bring you any pair you’re interested in man.”
Who says that? What an awesome person. I think most people would had been frustrated and annoyed with how arrogant I came across, but Starson seemed to just want to make me satisfied and was willing to go out of his way to make sure I felt good about my purchase. When I realized I just found the PERFECT shoe, I was beyond excited, and Starson actually seemed just as enthusiastic and pumped as I was. Mind you, this dude is helping several other people throughout this process with the same amount of patience and understanding.
I left REI and went straight to my local trails, did 10 miles in them as a test. Man, words can’t describe how happy I am with these. BIG props to Starson for talking me into the RIGHT shoe so patiently. I apologize for not listening to what you were trying to say, it was arrogant of me to think I knew more.