Backcountry Skiing Gear at Backcountry: Trust Review

If you're buying backcountry skiing gear, Backcountry is a long-standing, legitimate retailer that sells authentic outdoor equipment and is not a scam site. HasTrust rates it 60/100 (Mixed): transactions are safe, but the store has a poor reputation for customer service, notably around its return policy, paid return labels, and slow refunds. Checking the current backcountry return policy and paying by credit card are sensible precautions before you order.

backcountry.com
64
Mixed🛒 ShopBuy
🔗https://backcountry.com
Why this score?
Base reputation60
Among the most-visited sites (rank #12138)+4
Trust score64

Backcountry is a long-standing, legitimate retailer that sells authentic outdoor gear and is not a scam site. While the business is safe for transactions, it has a poor reputation for customer service, particularly concerning paid return labels, slow refunds, and disputed return conditions. It is recommended to shop with caution: pay by credit card for better protection, document your items before returning, and consider alternatives like REI if you prioritize hassle-free customer support.

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Video reviews

Pros

  • Long-established and legitimate retailer of genuine, brand-name outdoor gear
  • Deep selection of reputable outdoor brands for skiing, hiking, and climbing
  • Offers Gearhead expert guidance for product recommendations
  • Secure website and payment processing infrastructure

Cons

  • Requires customers to pay for return shipping (typically $7-$9)
  • Frequent customer complaints regarding refused refunds for returns claimed to be used or dirty
  • Reports of poor service, including shipping delays, lost packages, and unresponsive support
  • Historical reputational issues and financial strain post-2024 acquisition

⚠ Red flags

  • Extremely poor independent customer review scores on sites like Sitejabber, ResellerRatings, and BBB
  • Significant complaints regarding return/refund processes and shipping accountability
  • Not BBB accredited with multiple unresolved complaints reported

Safety signals

Clear contact info
Stated return policy
Secure payment options
BBB accredited business

Third-party ratings

Atop Legal57/100
Trustpilot4.6/5
Reviews.io3.0/5

Facts

Domain registered 1998-05 · 28 years old
Connection Valid HTTPS certificate
Certificate valid until 2026-10-30 (129 days) · Amazon
Founded: 1996
Headquarters: Park City, Utah, USA
Parent Company: CSC Generation Enterprise

Better options

💡 Smarter pick
REIVaries by brand/item

Why switch: REI is a widely recognized and trusted outdoor retailer often recommended as an alternative for customers concerned about Backcountry's service issues, such as paid return labels and complex refund disputes.

PD
Patagonia (direct)Varies by brand/item

For customers specifically interested in Patagonia gear, buying directly from the brand can provide a more streamlined customer service experience and avoid potential third-party retailer issues.

HasTrust summarizes public web sources and can be wrong or out of date. Not a guarantee of safety or quality — always verify before you buy or pay.

🛡️ Site safety check

Domain registered 28+ years ago
Valid HTTPS encryption (certificate by Amazon)
On the public web since 1999 (Internet Archive)
Among the ~1M most-visited sites on the web (Majestic Million #12138)

What you should do

  • Use a payment method you can charge back (credit card or PayPal) — skip bank transfer or "friends & family".
  • Place a small first order before trusting it with a big one.
  • Search the shop's name plus "reviews" or "scam" for recent experiences before paying.
Compare Backcountry with 2 alternatives →
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Checked 48 days ago. · How we score →

Frequently asked

Is Backcountry legit?

Mixed. HasTrust trust score: 64/100. Backcountry is a long-standing, legitimate retailer that sells authentic outdoor gear and is not a scam site. While the business is safe for transactions, it has a poor reputation for customer service, particularly concerning paid return labels, slow refunds, and disputed return conditions. It is recommended to shop with caution: pay by credit card for better protection, document your items before returning, and consider alternatives like REI if you prioritize hassle-free customer support.

Is Backcountry a scam?

Possible concerns from our check: Extremely poor independent customer review scores on sites like Sitejabber, ResellerRatings, and BBB; Significant complaints regarding return/refund processes and shipping accountability; Not BBB accredited with multiple unresolved complaints reported

What is the Backcountry trust score?

HasTrust rates Backcountry 64/100 (Mixed). Buy

Is Backcountry a safe place to buy backcountry skiing gear?

Yes. Backcountry is a legitimate, long-standing retailer selling authentic outdoor gear, and it is not a scam site. HasTrust scores it 60/100 (Mixed): safe for transactions, but with a poor customer-service reputation. Pay by credit card and document items before returning.

What is the Backcountry return policy like?

HasTrust's 60/100 (Mixed) rating reflects frequent complaints about returns: paid return labels, slow refunds, and disputed return conditions. Returns are possible, but photograph your items beforehand, keep records, and consider alternatives like REI if you prioritize hassle-free support.

Is there a Backcountry promo code, and does it affect trustworthiness?

A backcountry promo code may lower your price, but it does not change the store's 60/100 (Mixed) trust profile. The business is safe for purchases; the main risks are customer-service issues like slow refunds, not the checkout or your payment itself.

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