Maine Sport Outfitters was founded in 1976 by current owners Stuart and Marianne Smith. This family-owned and operated business was built on the concept that providing quality products and excellent service would be essential for the healthy-minded community of Midcoast Maine. While early product lines revolved around athletic apparel, the business quickly became engaged in the outdoor apparel and equipment industry.
In 1990, after several years of rapid growth, Maine Sport Outfitters moved out of the small downtown Camden location to the current flagship location on Route 1 in Rockport. The store became an early adopter of sea kayaking activities and developed a robust Outdoor School providing numerous trips and activities for visitors and year-round residents. MSO soon became the regional leader in paddle sports, bikes, camping, fishing, winter sports, outdoor apparel, and footwear.
The Smiths contributed to the local community by helping develop a youth basketball program, a community hockey rink, an indoor tennis facility, and a regional high school. Since 1990, Maine Sport Outfitters has expanded three times, reopened the original Camden store, and launched a new Rockland location to serve local adventurers. This 10,000-square-foot store features high-quality outdoor apparel, footwear, and gear.
Today, MSO is proud to be one of the Northeast's largest dealers of Trek bikes, Old Town Canoes, Northstar Canoes, Eddyline kayaks, and outdoor footwear and apparel. We remain committed to offering the best products and experiences to help people safely enjoy outdoor recreation.
Our team members are industry-trained experts who help customers enjoy Maine's great outdoors. For over 30 years, we've offered top-notch outdoor trips and instructional programs in the Northeast. In 2022, MSO began selling L.L.Bean apparel, footwear, and gear, partnering with a brand deeply rooted in the Maine outdoor tradition.
In 2024, we expanded our program selection to include more local and statewide adventures, such as guided kayaking, canoeing, e-biking, mountain climbing, cross-country skiing, and fishing. We also offer training for wilderness guides and maintain a growing rental fleet of outdoor equipment.
Maine Sport Outfitters is a proud member of the Grassroots Outdoor Alliance, a community dedicated to supporting specialty outdoor retailers and brands.