Wausau’s Best Outdoor Gear, Clothing and Shopping Experience

What will you find at Shep’s? Premium outdoor brands, high-end styles, cheaper-than-the-mountains prices.

Mountain lifestyle, pioneering outdoor fashion and extensive SKI and Snowboard selection are at Shepherd & Schaller.

Earthy, outdoorsy, native, natural, artistic, organic, fresh, fun – all describe the mountain lifestyle aesthetic. Shop Patagonia, Pendleton, Helly Hansen, Indyeva, Dakota Grizzly, Kuhl, Kavu, Sherpa Adventure Gear, Fjallraven, Toad & Co, Carve Designs, Howler and many more you don’t expect outside the Rockies.

Shop us in Downtown Wausau, our home since 1949! We’re at 324 Scott Street, with more than 10,000 sq ft of shopping to explore. Are you a skier or snowboarder? As Wisconsin’s largest dealer of equipment for the slopes, with a premium Wintersteiger tune shop on site, we offer an elevated experience the moment you walk in the door. We’re known for our huge offering of trend-setting, high-performance outdoor gear, clothing, footwear and accessories, plus friendly, expert service.

Already comfy at home? Cozy up and shop us online at shepssports.com. It features our live store inventory, refreshed every 60 seconds.

What will you find at Shep’s? The latest snow sports gear andmust-have stylesat cheaper-than-the-mountains prices.

324 Scott Street, Wausau Outdoor Lifestyle Experts Since 1949!
  • Outerwear for adults and kids. We feature premium styles, insulations, recycled and organic fabrics. It matters!
  • Men’s and women’s sportswear and footwear. We feature premium styles, insulations, recycled and organic fabrics. It matters!
  • Winter accessories including performance and lifestyle gloves, hats, balaclavas, base layers, socks (by the thousands!)
  • Bags and travel gear; think Kavu Rope bags, Patagonia Black Hole and so many more
  • Mountain home decor including blankets, candles and unexpected trends
If you’ve read about it, heard about, dreamt about it, Shep’s ski department has it.
Brands that rule the mountains world-wide: Armada, Volkl, Atomic, Blizzard, Nordica, K2, Dynastar, Fischer, Head, Rossignol, Dalbello, Salomon, Technica, Marker, Look, Tyrolia, Jones, Nitro, Nidecker, POC, Smith, Pret, Oakley, Giro, … to name a few.

The little things are big at Shep’s. Are you really living the outdoor lifestyle if you don’t have a Stormy Kromer hat, Hestra or Swany gloves, Darn Tough socks? In addition to dozens of other lifestyle brands we stock to keep you comfortable outdoors, or indoors, we offer Made in the USA, organic and recycled options.

Cheers to the mountain lifestyle! We’re thrilled for the chance to help you with gear, clothing, accessories, shoes, and equipment service. Thank’s for checking in.

Shep’s Crew

We’ve Got You Covered

You’re covered. In fleece, in merino wool, in premium insulations, in comfortable fabrics that wick and warm. These are the secret to dressing well for Wisconsin winters. The clothing selection at Shepherd & Schaller will surprise you, especially if you think we’re only about skiing.

It starts with base layers. Non-itchy Merino wool naturally helps regulate body temperature, transports sweat away as a vapor, and cancels out odors.

More than 70 premium clothing and shoe brands are here to give you a huge selection of performance-focused styles. You’ll feel like you’re shopping in a trendy Rocky Mountain ski village, only at much lower prices.

We start next to skin and go all the way to outerwear.

  • Underwear & Base Layers
  • Socks, Shoes, Boots
  • Shirts, Sweaters, Fleece
  • Pants, Shorts, Skirts, Dresses
  • Jackets, Coats, Snow Pants
  • Hats, Mittens, Face Masks
  • Rustic, Dressy, Sporty, Serious: all are represented.
Pendleton is just one of the heritage brands stocked at Shepherd & Schaller.

Surprise! In addition to ski jackets and pants, we also offer elegant and rustic styles that will take you from work or school to dinner, performing in all kinds of weather. Our trend setting shoes, boots and booties in weather-proof materials complete your outfit . You can work, play and party in clothes and footwear you find at Shepherd & Schaller.

Just a few of the awesome 2019/20 styles in store from Sorel. Come see dozens more from EMU Australia, Chaco’s, Salomon, Thorogood, Pendleton and more.

What about kids? Young ones, size 2T- size 16, are covered in performance outerwear at Shep’s. Jackets and pants they’ll love and you can pass down for years. When the kids are warm and dry, the whole family has more fun outdoors. We’ll help you identify materials and construction that will do the trick. Quality truly makes a difference.

Hint: For a day of happy memory making, dress kids in the same quality you wear. We offer nothing less at Shep’s.

We love helping you see the value in premium jackets and snow pants. With so many built-in features and benefits to show you it’s always exciting for us and it’s what we’re known for. Shop our Downtown Wausau, WI store or online at shepssports.com. Here’s a sneak peak:

  • Rugged outdoor looks from Kuhl and Mountain Khakis
  • Fresh, fun styles from Picture Organic and Kari Era
  • Classics from Patagonia, Outdoor Research and Sherpa Designs
  • Alpine styles from Descente
  • Euro flair from Fjallraven and Luhta
  • Freestyle style from O’neill, Quiksilver and Roxy

The Ultimate Cheat Sheet on Winter

I love winter!

It’s a statement that I proudly declare every year as it begins to get cold.

But I’ve been straight up lying to myself!

I don’t love the dark mornings and even darker nights. Or trying to muster up the mental strength to get out of my car or even walk the dog!

But I do love the things associated with this chilly season… hot chocolate, movie nights, cozy blankets, and of course winter fashion!

So let’s get right to it, how the pros stay warm during the winter months (and how you should too).

An effective layering system is the key to staying comfortable throughout these notoriously cold Wisconsin winters. Everyone feels the cold differently, for example, I’m a freeze baby and am cold even on 70 degree days but then I walk outside and see people in shorts when it’s a whopping 14 degrees outside! Luckily a basic layering system will work for everyone.

1) First things first.. a good base layer

A base layer is your first line of defense against the cold. Base layers are designed to regulate your body temperature and should be close fitting to trap a thin layer of warm air against your skin. A base layer will also ‘wick’ away perspiration from the skin to keep you dry. Why is being dry so important? Because dry = warm. When it comes to base layers, read the tags! You’re looking for something that says Merino wool or Polyester. STAY AWAY FROM COTTON! Cotton holds moisture, therefore, you’re cold and crabby. Merino wool is popular as it’s naturally warm and has antibacterial qualities. Goodbye B.O.! Despite what you may have thought of wool in the past, merino wool is not itchy! So don’t let that scare you away, you’ll stay warm, dry, and itch free. I promise! Merino is your answer if you’re a freeze baby like I am, going hunting, going to a Packer Game, or doing something where you’re not working up a sweat. Polyester isn’t the warmest base layer but it’s great if you’re planning on being more active because it adjusts to the wearer’s heat and humidity. Walking the dog? Cutting wood? Ice Skating? Throw on your polyester base layer.

2) Mid layers – aka my favorite layer!

Just because you want to stay warm, doesn’t mean you have to look sporty all the time. Dress your mid layer up or down as much as you want! An effective mid layer will provide great insulation by working hand in hand with your base layer to trap air between layers, resulting in enhanced warmth and comfort. Fleece is the ideal mid layer, as it is lightweight and highly breathable. Warmth without weight is important otherwise we feel super restricted and no one wants that. It’s all about comfort, right? You don’t have to go out and buy a special mid layer either. Do you have a wool sweater in your closet? Maybe a cute down vest? Just don’t put the cotton shirt underneath it!

3) Last but surely not least, the outer layer

The outer layer is just like the windows in your house. You may have the best heating system in the neighborhood but if you’re by a window you’ll still get that unwelcoming chill. So naturally, what do you do? Shut the window curtain, right? It’s that one extra layer that helps keep the cold outside, where it belongs! Just think of the curtains being like your jacket. You can have the best jacket and snow pant in the world but they won’t do anything if you aren’t properly layered underneath, just like closing the curtain won’t keep you warm if you don’t have the furnace on. The base and mid layers wick away moisture and trap body heat while the outer layer is your main defense against the brutal Wisconsin elements. This snowproof, waterproof, and windproof layer is a lifesaver during those below zero windchill days! If you’re a freeze baby like I am, look for an insulated jacket and snow pant. This gives you one more layer of extra warmth. If you’re more active or are that person that wears shorts all year round, think about getting a shell. They have a similar feel to a rain jacket so they don’t give you extra insulation but they do protect you from the outside elements.

4) Don’t forget to accessorize!

Listen to your mom! Cover your head, neck, and hands, it makes a world of a difference.

And there you have it, the 411 on how to survive the winter months that seem to last a lifetime in the midwest.

Click Here to shop some of our favorite layering pieces this season!

Jack Wolfskin is at Shepherd & Schaller

Meet the family: Jack Wolfskin

“We respect the diversity of nature and all living things. Our earth is simply the most beautiful place in the universe and we only have this one. We do everything we can to protect it and we want to experience it and share it with others.” -Jack Wolfskin

And that is exactly what they do!

The brand’s entire product collection is 75% PFC-free (PFCs are pollutants that do not break down when released into the environment) and it’s a percentage that is continuing to rise. With that being said, in January 2016, Jack Wolfskin was the first brand to win the ISPO Eco Achievement Award, a distinction that, until now, only specific products had been recognized for.  It was awarded because of Jack Wolfskin’s sustainability commitments, including exclusively using Organic Certified Cotton since 2013 and attaining the Fair Wear Foundation Award (labor conditions) multiple years in a row.

Outdoor enthusiasts around the world are recognizing this brand that started only in 1981, in a small German town. Jack Wolfskin is not only the largest outdoor brand in its home country, Germany, but also in Austria and Switzerland, and is in the top three brands in China.

But if this company is so renoun, why haven’t we heard about it in the United States?

Jack Wolfskin only brought this company to the states less than a year ago and it’s about to take off with outdoor chains itching to get their hands on it! As of now, there are only a handful of stores that carry this brand and Shepherd & Schaller in Wausau is one of the few! We are the only store in Wisconsin carrying the brand and we’re excited to share it with all of you!

Treasure Hunter’s Sale is Nov 17-20, 2016 at Shepherd & Schaller

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It’s hunting season and Shepherd & Schaller is making it fun for everyone.  Shop during our Treasure Hunter’s Sale Nov 17-20 for discounts and prizes that will be easy to find.
Peruse our clothing and footwear departments for items tagged with a special Orange Deep Discount sticker! “Shoot” a photo in-store with your “trophy” and post it to get $5 in ShepsBucks to use during your next visit.
We’ve even hidden some exciting prizes in the ski department for you to stalk and savvy hunters will go home with great treasures from our downtown neighbors in Wausau’s River District too!