Hicks Company in Oklahoma City: Climbing and Backcountry Gear Since 1946
Hicks Company is a family-owned outdoor retailer on Northwest 23rd Street that stocks climbing equipment, backpacking gear, and technical apparel for people gearing up for trips in the Wichita Mountains, the Kiamichi Range, or multi-day treks in Colorado and beyond. Founded in 1946, it operates as a full-service shop where staff can fit boots, repair gear, and advise on equipment selection rather than a drop-in warehouse or big-box alternative.
What Hicks Company Actually Is
Hicks Company occupies a brick storefront in a quiet commercial strip and functions as equal parts retail shop and service center. The inventory tilts toward climbing, backpacking, and hiking gear, with depth in brands like Black Diamond, Arc'teryx, Patagonia, and The North Face. It does not carry general sporting goods or outdoor apparel unrelated to technical pursuits. The staff includes climbers and backpackers with firsthand experience, not commission-based sales associates reading from product sheets.
Inventory, Pricing, and What You'll Find
The climbing section includes ropes, harnesses, belay devices, and protection hardware. Backpacking stock covers tents, sleeping bags, packs, and cooking systems from entry-level to ultralight ultraexpensive. Footwear includes boots for mountaineering, approach shoes, and hiking models from brands like Scarpa, La Sportiva, and Danner. Technical apparel runs to insulating layers, rain shells, and base layers.
Prices reflect what these brands actually cost. A Black Diamond climbing harness runs around $90 to $120. A quality three-season backpacking tent starts near $200 and climbs to $500 for premium models. Mountaineering boots range from $250 to $450. These are not bargain prices, but they match retailer pricing across the country for the same products. Hicks Company does not undercut national online retailers; the value proposition is in-person fitting and staff knowledge.
Boot fitting requires an appointment. Call ahead if you need to try multiple models or need gait analysis and insole evaluation. Turnaround for boot modifications and repairs typically runs one to two weeks, depending on workload; confirm when you drop gear off.
How Hicks Company Compares to Other Oklahoma City Options
Oklahoma City has limited specialty outdoor gear retailers. REI Co-op operates a location in Edmond on Broadway Extension and carries climbing, backpacking, and general outdoor gear. REI stocks a broader range of price points, including house-brand budget lines, and operates as a co-op where members earn an annual dividend. Hicks Company offers narrower selection but deeper staff expertise in climbing and mountaineering specifically. REI suits someone wanting sleeping bags and hiking boots in one stop; Hicks Company suits a climber building a rack or a mountaineer needing technical footwear advice.
Dick's Sporting Goods locations carry casual hiking and outdoor apparel but lack climbing hardware and technical mountaineering equipment. Academy Sports carries entry-level backpacking gear but not high-end climbing or mountaineering stock.
For climbers in Oklahoma City, Hicks Company is the only local source for climbing protection and ropes. For backpackers considering either store, REI offers broader inventory and member discounts; Hicks Company offers faster, more personal boot fitting and repair service.
Who This Shop Suits and Who It Does Not
Hicks Company suits climbers buying or upgrading protection, mountaineers shopping for technical footwear and layering systems, backpackers seeking durable multiday packs and tents, and people with specific gear questions who benefit from talking to an experienced staffer face-to-face. It works well for Oklahoma City climbers gearing up for trips to the Wichita Mountains Wilderness Area or longer expeditions in Colorado and New Mexico.
It does not suit casual hikers wanting general outdoor apparel, families buying lightweight recreational camping gear at low price points, or shoppers comparing five brands side by side online. It also does not suit someone needing gear immediately; service work takes time.
What to Expect on Your First Visit
Call ahead if you need boot fitting or have a specific project in mind (a repair, a custom pack recommendation, or climbing protection for a certain wall grade). Walk-in browsing is welcome, but peak time around weekends may mean a wait if staff are fitting boots or working on repairs. Bring your feet if you are trying climbing shoes or mountaineering boots; bring dimensions and weight if you want pack recommendations without being physically present. Staff will ask where you are climbing or backpacking and what your experience level is, so be specific.
Hours, Location, and Parking
Hicks Company is located at 5500 North Western Avenue on the northwest side. Hours are Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Parking is available in the strip lot. Hours can shift seasonally; call 405-843-0708 to confirm before visiting on a weekend or holiday.
Hicks Company remains the only locally owned climbing specialist in Oklahoma City and the closest source for technical mountaineering gear without driving to Denver or Dallas. Its seven-decade track record and service focus distinguish it from one-visit online transactions.
