When we need specialized equipment for, well, pretty much anything outdoorsy, we head to Neptune. The knowledgeable staff will help you navigate the shop’s extensive collection of climbing, skiing, and camping equipment—every gearhead brand you can think of, from Marmot to Black Diamond—but sometimes we stop in just to check out the museum, which houses a way cool historical collection of mountain and ski gear, including boots and crampons from the first ascent of Mt. Everest, signed by Sir Edmund Hillary. Plus, the shop hosts regular gear swaps. What outdoor junky can resist checking out everybody else’s stash? 633 S. Broadway, Ste. A, Boulder, 303-499-8866, www.neptunemountaineering.com