Best Outdoor and Adventure Catalogs: REI, Cabela's, Bass Pro

calendar May 19, 2026 / · 3 min read · outdoor gear catalogs  ·
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Outdoor and adventure gear is a category where catalog shopping still makes a lot of sense. The products require real specification — load ratings, insulation fill power, waterproof ratings, sole types — and a good catalog organizes that information in a way that search results rarely do. The companies below have been in the mail-order and direct-to-consumer business long enough to know how to present technical gear clearly.

REI

REI has operated as a consumer cooperative since 1938. The outdoor retailer covers camping, hiking, climbing, cycling, paddling, and travel gear across its catalog and website at rei.com. REI's house-brand Co-op gear is consistently well-regarded and competes with name brands on price and quality. The catalog's strengths are breadth — you can outfit an entire camping or backpacking trip from a single source — and the co-op dividend, which returns a percentage of purchases to members annually.

REI carries major brands including Patagonia, The North Face, Black Diamond, Osprey, and MSR alongside its own line. Return policy is generous, and the co-op membership ($30 lifetime) pays for itself quickly for regular buyers.

Cabela's

Cabela's, now part of Bass Pro Shops' parent company, built its reputation on hunting and fishing gear delivered to rural customers who had no local sporting goods store. The catalog at cabelas.com covers hunting, fishing, camping, and archery with a depth that general outdoor retailers don't match. If you're looking for tree stands, decoys, ice fishing gear, or black powder equipment, Cabela's is the catalog to start with.

Cabela's house brand clothing is popular for value — flannel shirts, wool socks, and base layers that hold up to regular field use without premium pricing. The company also carries a wide range of ammunition and firearms accessories where state laws permit.

Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops (basspro.com) overlaps significantly with Cabela's since the two merged under Bass Pro's parent company, but the catalog emphasis differs slightly. Bass Pro leans heavier on freshwater and saltwater fishing, with one of the broadest selections of rods, reels, lures, and tackle available from a single source. Hunting coverage is strong but secondary to fishing in the Bass Pro catalog identity.

The Johnny Morris signature line of fishing rods and reels is a Bass Pro exclusive and represents good value at mid-market price points. Bass Pro's aquatic and conservation educational content is also worth noting — the catalogs have always included fishing-technique articles alongside product listings.

Duluth Trading Company

Duluth Trading (duluthtrading.com) occupies a different niche from the big three above. The catalog focuses on workwear and outdoor casual apparel built for durability — fire-hose canvas pants, Longtail T-shirts designed to stay tucked, and flannel-lined work gear. Duluth targets tradespeople and serious outdoor workers rather than technical backpackers, but the overlap with outdoor enthusiasts is real. Products are designed for people who need clothes that hold up to actual physical work, not just a weekend hike.

Cabelela's vs. REI: Picking the Right Catalog

The practical answer for most readers: REI for hiking, camping, and multi-sport outdoor gear; Cabela's or Bass Pro for hunting and fishing. Both REI and the Bass Pro/Cabela's family carry enough crossover product that you can shop either for general outdoor use, but the specializations are real and worth matching to your activity.

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