Generally Decathalon is a great shop, although it can be a bit hit and miss, depending on what…read moreyou're looking for. It's superb for cheap fleecy items - you can get a fleecy hat or pair of gloves for literally £1 or a couple of quid. It's also good for general sports tops and the like. Basically the sort of stuff that you don't need to be too technical, and don't really care if it gets wrecked. Although credit where it's due, the sports tops are certainly hard wearing - I've had mine for years and they're still holding up well. I've also bought sports bras and running socks here, and they are decent enough. What I find it's not so good for is for the more technical items. I wouldn't buy a base layer from Decathlon. Or items for curvier ladies. I think they might be a Spanish company perhaps - which generally means that their own brand version of 'large' is certainly not a UK version of 'large'. My recent attempt to buy skiing salopettes here did not end well. I got them on, but I sure as hell wasn't going to be able to ski in them! And I'm only a size 12 - clearly gigantic by continental standards. They also seem to stock a wide selection of kit although again that seems a bit hit and miss - they didn't have any sparring gloves that were suitable for my purposes, but Simon H bought a great pair of skiing boots for a very reasonable price, and we did also have our eye on a mighty fine inflatable kayak at one point, which we haven't bought. Yet.

Stumbled upon this wee shop around the corner from our flat the other day. On our quest to get…read morehealthy and fit, the boyfriend has gotten back into the game of tennis and squash... and vows to make me play squash, although I'm really hesitant because I'll probably knock myself out on the court (literally). It's a pretty basic shop specializing in squash and tennis equipment as well as apparel. Seeing all the tennis skirts gives me flashbacks of all my tennis lessons, and repeatedly doing the forehand swing over and over with a ball machine with my slave driving tennis instructor when I was a little girl. The sales guy is super friendly and very helpful, and the boyfriend got an awesome deal on a Head squash racket that was originally £135 for £45! Score! The apparel is pretty limited, but it's all the basics you would need to play the game. They offer restringing services as well, from what I could make of the contraption at the front of the shop :-) Bottom line: convenient location, friendly and helpful service, and great deals.

Was told about this little shop by a friend and thought one of my rackets could do with some fresh…read morestrings. Phoned to see about same day stringing and was told that they could do it. Dropped the racket in and discussed the tension as it was an older racket. Unfortunately my racket cracked during stringing which does happen on occasion. I spoke with the manager dreading being told not much I can do or it was an old racket. Instead he was really fair offering to replace it with one of their ex demo rackets ( many others wouldn't). Having read other forums others have been told it's the chance you take and been left out of pocket. Got a decent racket with only minor cosmetic marks in return. All in left the store feeling really happy with the service and satisfied that they made the best of the worst case scenario. Would recommend them to anyone.

Summits is such a great wee secret I'm not sure if I want to divulge any information regarding it!…read moreBut for the good of humanity, I'm going to. Hidden away in Paisley, this place is a paradise for those interested in outdoor sports, in particular skiing and snowboarding. There's a wide range of merch available for enthusiasts in both arenas, but since my boyfriend is passionate about snowboarding it's probably my forte in a place like this, and what brought me here in the first place. I can't believe the savings in this store. Not only on boards, but on the clothing! Summits stock some very trendy patterned cargo pants for almost a third of the price they would be in the centre of Glasgow. For brand names such as Burton and Animal, this is very exciting news indeed. Aside from jackets, they do a number of boards, including a fantastic range for women! It's great for people like me who have the stench of amateur about them and need a helping hand. Speaking of assistance, the staff are all very cool, friendly and willing to help. Although some experts would enter a store like this knowing exactly what they're looking for, it's reassuring that staff know what they're talking about. For me, it's a God send! I try to look cool in sports stores but I evidently look clueless since I was spoonfed knowledge through every step of my Summits journey. But I didn't mind, because I needed it. As someone interested in taking up boarding, this place was a fountain of knowledge, not to mention unbelievably cheap! With savings spanning into the £100 region, Summits is worth the excursion!

Friendly and knowledgeable staff make Summits a good place to buy gear from. They are located very…read moreclose to Paisley Gilmour Street. Despite the small shop they do do their best to try and get the best stuff for you - calling round to find things in your size.

Legendary sports shop situated in Clyde Shopping Hall, Mega Sports may be smaller than the average…read moregarden shed, but remains incredibly popular with football fans. This is thanks in no small part to the ludicrously cheap football tops they sell. Legend has it most of the products, which are not fake, are so cheap on account of being slightly faulty, e.g. a squinty sponsor, but I have never noticed anything wrong with any of my purchases. You're also guaranteed friendly and helpful service, especially if you're in to buy one of the fetching Clydebank tops they have for sale.

Cotswold is without a doubt the best outdoor clothing emporium in the West End. I challenge anyone…read moreto find a better-stocked shop for this kind of stuff without going into town or farther out to the likes of Braehead or Clydebank. They're a bit of a younger upstart to the likes of Graham Tiso, and tend to favour the mid- to upper-end of the market with top brand names at premium prices - although they do often have discounted items so it's always worth a look. I find most of their clothing to be out of my price comfort zone (I'm more the Regatta end of the market), so I seldom do any serious shopping here. However I am a huge fan of their thermawear fleecy baffies (that's slippers to non-natives) in the winter, which cover up your ankles quite a way thus preventing draughts up the trouser leg. They don't last more than a season or two as they're more akin to heavy-duty socks really; but they're lightweight, comfy and good value. Sadly on this particular visit they didn't have them in stock; apparently it's still considered to be summer in Scotland - who knew? I shall have to return later. 150th review!

Nothing scabby about this place. This is the shop that you go for your outdoor gear when you decide…read moreit's time to get fit....you know, when you reach the time in life when your waist size and age appear to be rapidly accelerating at breakneck speed. Not quite an old persons shop, but certainly fluttering around the middle age, middle of the road " comfortable" salary earning bracket, Cotswold is a well stocked, well priced outdoor gear store staffed by knowledgeable friendly staff who are more than happy to give you the time of day as you ask them blatantly stupid questions " just how waterproof is this waterproof....can i wear it in the bath...if i fall in the ocean with a book in my pocket will it stay dry???" ,Anyway, just bought a wee set of reins for the child like wonder that is my daughter form here. Good price, good advice..." do not use to tie child up outside shops, do not use as a means of propelling oneself behind said child on a skateboard or roller blade's"....you know, the usual health and safety crap. Well, imminent social service visit inducing comments aside, this is a proper grown up outdoor store. Get your ass here if you need anything from jackets to child carriers....kick bottom...not of child, page 346 section 4 paragraph 9 of the European "Don't do that, it's just stupid" handbook.