Is one of my favourite stores to shop for anything to do with the outdoor. I love that Kathmandu…read moreTakapuna has everything from clothing, to shoes, tents, and sleeping bags, baby carriers, baby clothes, and so many cool accessories and knick knacks for your outdoor adventures. A visit to Kathmandu for me cannot be complete without spending a good hour roaming the store, looking at the sales items, and fining out the latest gadgets for camping. The cheerful and helpful staff make your shopping experience a memorable one, even though the staff may not know completely everything about every single product in store, they make you feel like they do or want to learn more about it anyway. If you join up as a member for a small fee, you are kept in the loop of the latest sales, and also get sent a catalogue once every few months. I really think Kathmandu staff are a really active and positive bunch and always enjoy my time in store.

I would like to mention the great service which I recieved whilst shopping here. I was preparing…read morefor a backpacking holiday, the kind of thing which Kathmandu caters for beautifully. The lady who was working asked me a few questions about what I planning for, she then walked me around the store showing me what she thought might be helpful. I ended up buying quite a lot stuff, and she managed to negotiate a bit of a bargain. Somehow or another I got my compact windproof unbrella for free, and she signed me up for the Kathmandu club, which actually cost me money, but resulted in an overall saving.

Dom from Rebel Sport, Wairau Park is a fountain of knowledge where sports shoes are concerned. My…read moredaughter needed a new pair of trainers and Dom was able to help, providing us with much needed advice. My daughter walked away confident in the knowledge that she'd purchased an awesome pair of shoes that fitted perfectly. Thanks Dom for your expertise. We will be back in the future all thanks to you. Cheers, Sue and Sophie

Whenever I need sporting goods or clothing I seem to end up at this particular Rebel Sport in…read moreWairau Park. It's a decent enough size to have everything you need, without being too big to even attempt wading through. The layout of the store seems fairly straightforward and I usually find what I need with little effort. Rebel Sport is similar to Briscoes in many ways in that you'd be silly to pay full price for anything in-store - there is ALWAYS a sale of some sort on so wait until they have 25% off storewide or better! No point paying more for something when it'll likely be half price come the weekend. There is adequate parking and although it gets busy on the weekends it's still worth a visit.

Easy peasy. Park right outside, don't have to deal with oodles of people and BOOM you're walking…read moreout with the perfect gift for yourself or the men in your life. I love boys tees, jumpers, jackets and hats so even though Arcade predominantly supplies men's clothing (with the exception of the beautiful Sunday Misfits range) I still manage to find something I love every time. I am a self professed Moreporks junkie so love that the beautiful NZ made brand is stocked here. The latest range of Arcade shirts are also made in NZ too as well as Sunday Misfits so there are options for the sustainable shoppers out there. They have also recently started selling second hand Polo gems that you wouldn't be able to find after hours of internet trawling. Other brands are quality labels from a variety of places sure to tempt your wallet. If you head to Mercs for the sushi make sure you take a stroll down Cross St to see what these gentlemen have on offer

Before setting foot in the door of Arcade you'll see traces of skaters. The ramp outside, the…read moreVans-stickered custom table, the groups of guys in baggy tees and caps loitering at its gates. Don't worry though - they look more threatening than they really are. Once you make it inside you'll see this is essentially, a clubhouse. A clubhouse that sells skateboards and street wear to be specific. The place doesn't so much cater to the fairer sex, but if you're anything like me and love men's clothes, you'll be fine. Arcade stocks (amongst others) the likes of ONLY NY, Vic and NZ's upwardly mobile Moreporks brand. Get amongst.

Stirling Sports Queen Street has potential. Really, it does…read more Convenient, central location, sale prices that one can (mostly) afford and a decent stock of sportswear without having to travel outside the CBD. BUT....the customer service (!!!). When I asked some questions about a product in store, one of the employees literally just looked at me and shrugged. She *did* attempt to ask her colleague but apparently he didn't know either - and that was that. No, "let me look that up for you" ; "I don't know but I will ask XXXX from our other branch", or even "Can you leave your number and I'll get back to you?" Nope. Ziltch. Nothing. Nada. Yeah, not impressed.

At the beginning of winter 2012 - you might not remember because there was no summer to help…read moredifferentiate the seasons - I popped along to the icebreaker outlet store for one of my bi-annual shopping sprees. While it does have a good selection of stuff, I'm not sure that it's much cheaper than a regular store. That seems to be the case with most outlet stores these days. Anyways, despite that I did manage to get a few items that kept me insulated through the winter. Icebreaker stuff is pretty hardy so I shouldn't need another trip until 2014 now :) If you're on the North Shore and like a bargain it's worth a visit as there are four or five other outlet stores in this strip of shops.

Came in with mum to get her some yoga pants as mums do…read more I was very impressed with their service! Perhaps among the best customer service I've seen in Auckland retail. They write your name on the changing room door to make sure they address you by name which is great. Great range of products, although their guys department was a little lacking, but probably cause they don't have a large male market. The have free in store yoga, after the store closes on Wednesdays.

I love this store. What better way to motivate a girl's health and fitness habit - by looking very…read morecool - as I stride out along the North Shore beaches like a promenading maniac! I have to admit, Lulu L's price point is a little steep, but there's a lot of thought that goes into the design and fabrics. For example, all the cropped walking pants have special pockets just big enough to hold your phone and a credit card. They use FRENCH terry-cloth (four way stretch apparently!) and every item I've purchased is super comfortable. I highly recommend a visit to one of the LL stores. Friendly and knowledgeable staff and great gear to choose from!!

I came to Auckland and immediately regretted leaving my Nalgene Bottle and beanie in the States,…read moreand saw this place as a keen shop to look around in a couple days later. I went in and a man was there basically waiting for my question, and he pointed me right to the Nalgene bottles, which are 3X more expensive here than in America. He knew other brands with the same type of plastic and kindly pointed me to different options. I still went with my trusty Nalgene. I then needed the beanie for my adventures, and somehow I found him again and he was able to help me compare them all and which one he preferred and why. I went with a cheaper Outdoor Research one however he pointed more towards a locally sourced wool one which if I wasn't traveling I would've purchased for looks. I then remembered I needed a travel lock, and thankfully they are placed all around the store just like the beanies. They have a good selection but are on the smaller side (if in San Francisco someone would easily cut the locks). I went with one that was a little larger. Overall good store and nice employees! Kinda reminds me of an REI from back in the states (a lot smaller though); quality products at mid-range prices.

If there's one thing I love, it's polar fleece. I would be so happy to be rich enough to be able to…read morehave an entire wardrobe filled with stuff from places like Bivouac Outdoor. Just jackets and polar fleeces and trousers with zips and boots and everything. All in really nice primary colours. All waterproof. And I'd never get wet for the rest of my life. That's how friggen waterproof I'd be. Bivouac is a typical outdoors shop where you can spend hundreds of dollars on jackets and sleeping bags and tents etc. It's pretty great to browse around at all the stuff. The staff are extremely knowledgable and friendly which is useful when you're wading into the somewhat confusing and technologically swelling world of outdoor apparel. Really great shop.

At the gym the other day I was suffering from a terrible case of sneaker envy. This girl had the…read moremost amazing Nike's I may have ever seen. Pink with like little polka dots. I needed them or something similar in my life. So I sauntered casually over and enquired as to where she had gotten these perfectly engineered beauties and she replied the Nike Store at Britomart. So naturally on my way home I had to stop in and check this place out. I was mesmerized by walls of awesome sneakers. Walls of them I tell you!! I was lucky it happened to be payday that day because I totally splashed some cash. The staff are knowledgable and up to date on all the products instore etc, considering they all seem to be sporty type people themselves. The running club thing they have going on is a really awesome idea as a sort of interactive advertising gimmick, as a way of getting people instore and interested in their products. It's pretty fun to head along too, and hitting up a drinking hole after the workout is actively encouraged.

Bryan of Nike Britomart is a rare breed. He is one of those Nike People that walk that extra mile…read morefor the customer . I was that customer. Living in the UK I wanted to arrange a nike gift voucher for a friend as a birthday present, this was 6 years ago. I sent an email to who it may concern at Nike Britomart requesting help. Bryan replied and helped me achieve the impossible . This has happened for the past 6 years. What I can say if Bryan is anything to judge the store by, it must be one of the best Nike stores on this planet. People make a company, and Bryan is certainly a Nike person. He just does it, and reports back Done. Thank you Bryan and Thank you Nike Britomart