Pros
REI gives back by providing staff time to non-profit organizations. Once a quarter we helped an outdoor-oriented non-profit with activities like removing invasive species from public outdoor spaces. If you love the mountains, climbing, hiking and camping you will have access to great deals on outdoor gear. Headquarters is adjacent to a wildlife preserve.
Cons
I don't understand how REI made the Fortune 500 Best Companies. The culture at REI headquarters where I worked changed for the worse two years ago with the new CEO (formerly at Coach) and a new CFO. Management lead by fear and confusion. Managers didn't talk to one another and expected staff to interpret conflicting and confusing direction. Staff was micromanaged and given no autonomy. Every decision, no matter how small, was examined and rehashed. There was no budget for anything except the pet-project teams of the CEO. Sales goals were unrealistic. Most staff at REI headquarters took their laptops home every night to work extra hours after the kids went to bed. And pay was low.