Meet the Face of Adventure: Russ Gardner of True Outdoors

People are wowed when they enter True Outdoors.

"The store is way bigger than it looks from the exterior," says True Outdoors owner Russ Gardner with a laugh.

"The size and look and feel of the store is great with displays all over the 5,000 square feet and up to the 15-foot ceilings."

As its name indicates, True Outdoors is a retailer true to the outdoors with an astounding array of camping, watersports, climbing, backcountry skiing, hiking, backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snowshoeing and multi-sport gear, clothing and footwear.

"We do it all for the outdoors in all price ranges," says Russ.

"We specialize in self-propelled adventure, we have canoes and kayaks and SUPs and all the camping, hiking, climbing equipment as well as the clothing and footwear you need to make your adventure safe and enjoyable."

True Outdoors carries all the top brands, such as Arc’teryx, Rab, Icebreaker, Outdoor Research, performance clothing; Clipper canoes; Delta and Zegul kayaks; NRS and Oxbow SUPs; Osprey and Deuter packs; Scarpa and LaSportiva hiking boots and climbing shoes, Petzl and Edelrid climbing gear; K2 and DPS backcountry skis and Scarpa, Dynafit and K2 backcountry ski boots; Big Agnes, MSR tents and camp chairs; GSI and MSR camp cookware; Hydro Flask and Yeti beverage bottles; as well as many other brands in all the outdoor categories!

True Outdoors also offers backcountry skiing, snowshoe, canoe, kayak and SUP rentals.

"We're unique to Kamloops and we're also a destination store that attracts customers from the entire Thompson Okanagan," says Russ.

"The key is our selection and our knowledgeable staff. Everyone who works here is also an avid hiker, climber, paddler, camper, backcountry skier and outdoor adventurer and they all use gear from True Outdoors."

True Outdoors has been in the same location at 749 Notre Dame Drive since it opened 18 years ago.

"We're locally-and-family-owned and have been the entire time," says Russ.

"I've been lucky to have this for my life and my career. You know what they say: If you choose a job you love, you'll never work another day in your life."

Russ walks the walk and talks the talk.

He relishes his time at True Outdoors helping other adventurers as well as time with his wife, Wendy, a natural resources professor at Thompson Rivers University.

In the past, they competed in high-level, multi-day, multi-sport adventure and navigation racing over 100-to-500-miles courses.

But these days, you're more likely to find them on day trips, backcountry skiing, camping, hiking, alpine rock climbing,- kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddle boarding.