Erehwon Mountain Outfitter, Naperville

In the novel Erehwon, Victorian author Samuel Butler spins a tale of the titular country, and undiscovered national ripe with adventure for would-be explorers. That same sense of limitless adventure inspired the founders of Erehwon Mountain Outfitter, who opened their shop in Chicago in 1972 with the mission to help fellow travelers find the gear they needed for their expeditions. Since then, the shop has grown to include four locations in Illinois and Wisconsin, as well as a busy online store, where shoppers come for clothing and equipment related to hiking, camping, climbing, and other outdoor pursuits.

• The Brands: Erehwon specializes in pairing their customers with brands trusted for both their quality and reliability. That's why you'll always find gear from trusted names including Columbia, North Face, Patagonia, Sorel, and more.
• The Pursuits: In addition to traditional hiking and camping gear, Erehwon devotes store space to equipment for outdoor activities from all four seasons. They also maintain a full stock of travel gear for vacations both rugged and refined.