Roads Rivers and Trails
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Roads Rivers and Trails is primarily an outdoor outfitter highly valued for its exceptional, personalized customer service and deeply knowledgeable staff who are passionate about the outdoors. While reviews highlight its retail aspect for gear and apparel, its identity as a 'Kayaking for Kids' business suggests it provides the essential equipment, expertise, and community connections parents need to facilitate kayaking experiences for children, rather than offering direct, on-site children's activities.
Key Highlights
- ✓Exceptional and personalized customer service, described as 'bending over backwards to help their customers,' with specific staff members (Bryan and Emma) mentioned for their outstanding support.
- ✓Highly knowledgeable staff, especially about outdoor gear and suitable locations, which is invaluable for parents planning kayaking trips with children.
- ✓Strong selection of high-quality outdoor apparel and gear, likely including items relevant for children's kayaking.
- ✓Active involvement in the outdoor community, suggesting potential resources or connections for family-friendly kayaking events or groups.
- ✓Friendly employees and a generally positive, welcoming atmosphere ('good vibes').
- ✓Offers 'resources for the outdoor adventurer,' which is critical for parents seeking information on safe and appropriate kayaking locations and practices for children.
Standout Features
- ⭐Expert staff knowledge in outdoor equipment and locations, crucial for parents selecting appropriate and safe kayaking gear and routes for children.
- ⭐Comprehensive gear selection suitable for various outdoor activities, including kayaking, potentially catering to different ages and skill levels for children.
- ⭐Community involvement which might provide access to kid-friendly outdoor events, groups, or paddling partners.
- ⭐Valuable 'resources for the outdoor adventurer' such as maps, safety guides, and trip planning advice, specifically useful for family kayaking outings.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be prepared for potentially higher prices compared to larger chain stores, factoring in the value of superior service and expert advice.
- →Leverage the staff's 'super knowledgeable' expertise for advice on appropriate kayaking gear for children, kid-friendly paddling locations, and safety considerations.
- →Engage with their 'active in the outdoor community' aspect to inquire about kid-friendly kayaking events or groups.
- →If sensitive to feeling monitored, be aware that one reviewer reported a negative experience of feeling 'hovered over' during their visit.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Pricing is explicitly mentioned as 'overpriced' by one reviewer, although they were willing to overlook it to support local business.
- ⚠One reviewer had a negative experience feeling 'followed around/hovered over' by staff, implying suspicion, which could be uncomfortable for parents wanting a relaxed shopping experience.
Price & Value
The business is noted as 'overpriced' by one reviewer. However, the value proposition lies in the exceptional, personalized service, expert staff knowledge, quality of items, and the benefit of supporting a local business and its involvement in the outdoor community. Parents might find the higher price justifiable for peace of mind regarding safety and suitability of gear for their children, alongside expert advice.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility features or accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the provided reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not applicable, as the reviews pertain to a retail store environment for outdoor gear and apparel, not an entertainment venue with food services.
🚗Parking Info
- •The parking situation was not mentioned in any of the provided reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •The crowd level or typical busy times were not mentioned in any of the provided reviews for this retail store.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Not applicable to a retail store in the context of activity-specific safety measures for children. No specific safety features related to kayaking activities for kids were mentioned as being provided or overseen by the business in the reviews (e.g., life vest checks, supervised water activities).
⏰When to Avoid
- • If strict budget adherence is your primary concern, as items are noted as 'overpriced' by one reviewer.
- • If you are expecting an on-site 'kayaking for kids' *program or tour* directly offered by the business itself, as the reviews describe a retail outfitter for gear and resources.
- • If you are easily made uncomfortable by staff observation, given one reviewer's experience of feeling 'followed around/hovered over'.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
Recent Reviews
Douglas Bender
4 weeks agoFrom ownership down to the part time workers these folks actually care and bend over backwards to help their customers. Service is far beyond anything you’ll ever get at any chain. Thank you Bryan and Emma especially. This shop is worth the drive from anywhere in the tristate!
Malori Thornsburg
4 months agoI drive from Dayton to shop here for my outdoor apparel and gear. Love the friendliness of the employees and the quality of the items within the store. Shop local.
Jeremy Scheel
2 months agoGreat local outfitter with amazing staff and gear selection. Very active in the outdoor community and all around a solid places with good vibes.
Salty Orca
3 weeks agoFantastic outdoor store. Super knowledgeable about a lot of backpacking gear and places.
Liesl Wilson
10 months agoYes, overpriced but I'm willing to overlook that to support local businesses. The selection is good and they have resources for the outdoor adventurer. What I'm not crazy about, specific to the last time I was in, was someone following me around/hovering like I was going to steal something.