About Us

Our Mission

The mission of the Summit Hut is to provide outstanding specialty outdoor products and services for our customers in a manner of superior value, service, and merit.

Our History

Summit Hut began its entry into the outdoor retail industry modestly in 1967 when two fifteen year-old friends, Jeff Conn and Summit Hut, Ltd. President, David Baker, collaborated to offer a special order service for Tucsonans who desired backpacking and mountaineering equipment. The boys conducted business from their bedrooms and stored the inventory under their beds. In 1968 David, a senior in high school, bought out Jeff's interest in the company and rented a 150 square foot room attached to a small bicycle shop across the street from their high school.

In February of 2011, Dave sold Summit Hut to long-time employee, Dana Davis and her husband Jeremy. Dana came to the Summit Hut in 1998 and has been instrumental in Summit Hut's growth. She has been the General Manager since 2006 and previously held various roles, including Store Manager, Product Buyer and Director of Retail Sales.

The small-scale business Dave began at the age of fifteen now engages the efforts and loyal patronage of communities extending far beyond those humble beginnings. The integrated Summit Hut mail order business, internet business, and two Tucson retail store locations work collectively with the cooperation of our esteemed vendors to provide advice and equipment to people across the United States and around the globe. Parcels shipped from our warehouse arrive in such distant destinations as Hong Kong, Belgium, Australia, Japan, Argentina, the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Sweden, Kuwait, Canada, Ireland, Cyprus, and South Africa.

For over 40 years Summit Hut, Ltd. has enjoyed the pleasure of outfitting the community and visitors of Tucson, Arizona with services and merchandise to suit their unique outdoor and travel endeavors. We are proud to offer what we consider to be the very finest of gear and resources for climbing, mountaineering, backpacking, camping, hiking, trekking, travel, birding, search and rescue, trail running, navigation, orienteering, and much more. Through our website we have been able to transcend our geographical boundaries and extend the outstanding customer services of our Tucson-based, family owned business to you wherever you might be in this grand, fascinating world we share.

Thank you for seeking us out and taking the opportunity to explore what we have to offer. We're convinced that you will like what you find. We devote our lives and passions to best aid your enjoyment of travel and outdoor pursuits. Our greatest reward is to know our customers have been well served and that is best evidenced by the growth, achievements and memories you gain from your outdoor and travel experiences. So please, feel free to take advantage of our open door policy: Send an E-mail our way. Questions, comments, photos, anything you'd like to share with us; we'd love to hear from you!

Our Commitment to the Community

As an independent Tucson, Arizona based business, the Summit Hut actively supports local, state, and regional outdoor recreation related causes and events to the best of our ability. We feel it is our obligation, as an outdoor retailer, to do our part in maintaining the very land that allows our business to exist. Visit our Community Outreach page to learn more about this commitment and what you can do to help. For information on organizations that we have teamed up, who share our commitment to the community and the environment, please visit Community Partners page. For more information about the Tucson area, check out our Community Resources page.

Summit Hut Wins Retailer of the Year Award

Summit Hut is honored to announce it has won the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance “Retailer of the Year” award. The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a collective of 40 independent retailers and 65 vendor partners who strive to protect and promote the experience of outdoor enthusiasts across the United States.

Summit Hut was selected by the 65 vendor partners as this year’s top retailer. This is a result of Summit Hut’s continued dedication to being a world-class retailer, providing the very best service and relationships to not only our customers and our community but our vendor and industry partners as well.

Summit Hut is truly honored by this award, as it represents our commitment to independent, local retailers. Specialty retail is not only crucial to the outdoor industry; it is also crucial to each and every one of the communities Grassroots Outdoor Alliance shops exist in. Summit Hut is tremendously proud of the work we do within the industry as well as the work we do for, and with, our community here in Tucson, Arizona.

About Summit Hut

Summit Hut is a locally owned and operated retailer specializing in hiking, camping and backpacking gear. We have been in business for over 51 years, and have two Tucson locations, Speedway at Rosemont and Oracle north of Ina.

About the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance

The Grassroots Outdoor Alliance is a group of 40+ independent outdoor retailers organized to serve the needs of its member operating over 70 independent specialty outdoor stores throughout North America. Grassroots is dedicated to creating benefits to its members through sharing information, fostering communication, promoting best business practices and protecting our natural environment, locally and globally.

Affiliates

Are you interested in being an affiliate parter of Summit Hut? Check out more info here.