When I see stores like this I think of "Zombieland" the film. This general surplus army gear and…read morecamping equipment store has all the army gear you'd need. The front windows full of guns and overalls, and the inside barely seem like the store makes any money, as the distressed paintwork and poor store fittings suggest. If I were inclined to camp they would be able to provide me with a gas stove and suitable Glastonbury attire but on the whole there stock is more aimed at the game hunter or fishermen, camouflage gear being the order of the day strewn up on every shelf. If your looking for all things waterproofed or Gortex clothing this tore should be able to help you out.

Are you in need of army gear? Are you planning on camping in the jungle, tracking a bear, bringing…read moreabout a revolution? Then this might be the store for you. A huge range of army and camping equipment occupy the shop, more than you can shake a stick at in fact. The thing I've never really understood about stores selling this stuff is that Army Surplus isn't all that good. It usually means heavy and expensive. If you're going on a really serious camping trip or are taking part in some kind of ultimate paintball then go along and stock up. I can't see what else you'd need this kind of place for. I know one thing, when the uprising comes, I'm heading this way. Oh, they sell air rifles and the like as well, although Arthur Bale & Sons across the road seems to have a better, more devastating range.

The first thing that struck me about this place was just how big it is. It really has the largest…read moreselection of outdoors stuff I've seen. It even has a climbing wall so you can test our your gear before even leaving the shop! I first caught a glimpse of the back end of the shop when I was on the train going somewhere and could just see all these tents. Intrigued I went to have a look when I after some outdoorsy christmas presents. There was almost too much choice and whats more that had lots of reasonably priced gear as well as the high end stuff. I picked up a bargain pair of walking boots and left before I could eye up anything else to buy. Really good choice and value.

Disgraceful store. If you have a complaint or issue they will have a slanging match with you to…read moreforce you out. Apparently will not replace anything that does not have a guarantee and the manager Gareth does not know what the line 'this does not affect your statutory rights' mean. So they are quite happy to fraudulently convince customers that they cannot replace/repair or refund when that customer is legally entitled to one. Only bad review I have given a store in my 40 years, quite simply a horrible, horrible business who are doing their best to screw you. They hate their customers with a passion. I spent a grand in there and now have nothing to show for it, they are worse than thieves. In the end the joke in on them, going out this week to buy whole new sets of horse riding gear for my 2 daughters, and a whole new tent set up and will be spending that in another store. So to save themselves a quick buck they are losing nearly 2 grand of income, which admittedly is not much to them! Word of warning all their own brands tents are designed to fail and they will assure you there is no way of repairing or replacing parts, forcing you to buy a whole new tent!

Part of a large chain, this is one of those Sports Shops that works on the 'pile-'em-high,…read moresell-'em-cheap' philosophy. It's hard to navigate the store for racks and two-tier displays of reduced-price branded sportswear, just as it's hard to imagine buying anything here that wasn't in a sale. The interior is so chock-full it's almost intimidating the antithesis of a pleasant retailing environment. Some of the stock is sold straight from boxes, which adds the bargain-shop feel. That said, if you're prepared to look, and know what you want, there are some real sportswear bargains to be had, and the youthful staff seemed genuinely eager to help (and good at managing the queue to serve first-comers first). So worth a look if you want something specific, but not really suited to casual browsing. NB This is a different chain from the 'Giles Sports' shops.

I bought my rucksack here many years ago which subsequently enabled me to travel all around the…read moreworld. So bonus points are definitely in store for Blacks because of that. Other than that little side note, however, there is not really a whole lot that differentiates Blacks from all of the other outdoor supply stores in the Cardiff area. Prices all seem to be pretty much the same (high) across the board, as to the ranges. Although, I would say that this Blacks does appear to have the largest selection of fleeces. But there is something about people who work in Outdoor Stores which, I think, has a tendency to be a little odd. I find that you either have people desperate to sell you the most expensive range of hiking boots, or else people who ignore you. I would really like to see this store work on getting something a bit more in the middle.

Blacks is a really good shop for the likes of me. My lovely lives in the mountains and I only have…read morewhite 'cityboy' trainers. Once the snow started lacing us pretty hard I need something a little more stable to walk around in without fear of breaking the reminisce of my ancestors tail! The store is pretty packed in with equipment, which is a bit daunting for a newcomer. Luckily boots are a pretty obvious find and looked and touched things for a good 15 mins. I had to go to the desk to ask to try on the boots and a member of staff came straight away. they gave me the boots, I tried them on, they fitted and I took them to the desk and paid. There wasn't much interaction between myself and the member of staff about the getting the right boots etc. I don't to be honest but seem surprised there wasn't a little bit more service. The boots were on sale and seemed a good price to me £40. They've also stopped me from falling on my backside every mins up in Brecon, so for that alone I am thankful for blacks.

A great place to go when you're in times of need while hiking/walking/camping/homeless. My…read morefavourite things in here include the tents which are always up on display (which somehow feels either like bad luck, or like the most exciting children's playground ever). I also particularly like all the gadgets and generally unnecessary items, like pink compasses and flowery tents, with wellington boots to match. If you're after a rucksack or the like, then this is a really good place to come and try them out. But, as with most outdoors products, the prices are quite high. Although this shop has a good range of products on offer, just as good as any other store, I think that there is something in the air of this place which is lacking. This is especially noticeable when the store is compared with the sister shop down the road. The staff here are not quite so on the ball or helpful. Sad really.

I bought all of my climbing gear from this shop, which is the best shop in Cardiff for climbing…read moreequipment - but they also sell all sorts of other types of outdoor goods as well. Apart from climbing shoes, a harness, climbing ropes, karabiners and quickdraws, I've also bought cross trainers, a sleeping bag and a backpack from Up and Under - and all have served me well. You won't find the cheapest prices possible here, but you will get expert and friendly help from the team of staff, all of whom are passionately into the outdoors themselves in one form or other. From rock climbers to canoeists, you can tap into a wealth of expertise at this shop, and find out a lot about local outdoor pursuits opportunities and clubs. Apart from all the great climbing gear, they have lots of equipment and accessories for canoeists and kayakers, walkers, campers, and other activities. Well worth a special trip to Canton for anyone who is into the outdoors.

This place is a staple of my fella, an outdoor instructor…read more It has all the gear you need for a trek, canoe or climb and knowledgeable staff who use the kit they sell. There's a huge range here, two floors of gear, from climbing rope sold by the meter to kayaks, sacks, bags, jackets, tools, books, tents, cooking equipment and freeze dried meals. I recently purchased a baby rucksack from here - lipstick red, room for nappies, stirrups for the little ones feet and an embroidered picture to keep him entertained. Back soon to get all in one toddler waterproofs. The gear here isn't cheap, but you get what you pay for and this stuff is quality. Up and Under also do demonstrations and offer gift vouchers and wedding lists! Tip: Check out their bargain bin: www.upandunder.co.uk/eshop/catalogue/bargain1.asp

Not being a surfer in the slightest there isn't much for me here in that sense. Luckily the bright…read moreopen store stocks Alpine stars and Electric glasses, my face brands. There's a few extreme sports brands here that are hard to come by being sold here and defiantly designs I haven't seen in any other shop in Cardiff. Unfortunately it is pricy in here and despite hiding behind an 'alternative' tag it really is no less expense than a designer high street store.

I'm not really one for the outdoors but I am one for the clothing…read more I like nothing more than curling up in an old hoodie at the end of a hard day and the nicer and softer the hoodie the better. I thought that Lobster bob would have a greater womens selection but it's all a bit lackluster. What they have isn't really too my taste because I'm more into the skater type vibe than the surfer thing. As a flip flop lover however I was in my element. There are some great ones here but they were pretty pricey. One for the boys I think...