This is a real shop for outdoor stuff. Not a shop that has fashion stuff under the guise of a…read morespurious sport. In Cotswold you can get proper walking boots, real fell-running shoes, those ropey things that climbers use (you may guess that I'm not a climber), proper real coats, tents, hats... you get the idea. There's also gadgets like tripods for attaching to jungle branches and ways of finding your way in the desert. The staff know what Gortex and gaiters are. Not sure why it's called Cotswold as the stuff in here seems designed for ground that's a lot more challenging and rugged than the tame Cotswolds.

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!

Best shop for technical outdoor clothing in Swansea, with Jay and the guys really looking after…read moreyou. Some top sales too!

this place stocks everything you could possibly need for camping trip. They had a range of tents of…read moredifferent sizes as well as a Festival tent at £29.99 which is ideal for two people, and is apparently very easily assembled (so if you're heading for Glastonbury, Reading or Leeds this year you know what to buy)! As I already own a rather nice tent, I purchased a fold up chair for £9.99, which will really come in handy for those summer camping trips I have planned with my mates. Mountain Warehouse had a large stock of sleeping bags, rucksacks, flasks, hats, cooking stoves, Wellingtons etc... all at prices far lower than you would pay in regular shopping areas.

This a pretty new arrival to the Cardiff streets, I think before they may have been hidden away in…read morean arcade somewhere you can't fail to miss it now as you walk towards the Hayes. So yes its just another store selling outdoors gear but i've spotted a good few bargains in there so far and they don't seem to have lots of top end brands which keeps the prices down. Only been in once or twice now and i've never had a problem with staff there, one helpfully went in search of some trousers I liked that they didn't have in my size.

Calm your excitement! I know, I know! I totally understand. A discount sportswear store in Cardiff…read morecity centre? This is simply the greatest thing to ever happen to anyone in any city ever. I kid. In actual fact, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Field & Trek. They offer reasonably discounted sportswear in the vein of Sports Soccer and Sportsworld, providing a wonderful alternative to JD Sports and the yowling masses of idiot thugs that wander those scummy aisles. This is less a store for sports clothes and more a store for sports gear. Sure, they have tracksuits in this place, but they're tracksuits for people who actually want to use them on a track, rather than wear them to a club. I mean, there are hardly any diamonds on them at all, for crying out loud. In short, this is a store for people who play sport. If you need running gear, go here. If you need sports wear, well, go somewhere else. Somewhere I won't ever be.

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.

***ATTENTION read the low rated reviews - Absolute Cowboys! Avoid!…read more Bought £150 climbing shoes which degraded after only 1.5 months! Upon going back to Taunton Leisure I was met with rudeness and condescending attitudes both on the phone and in person. After Taunton Leisure's "inspection" they informed me that premium climbing shoes failing after only 25% of their typical lifecycle was completely acceptable and therefore they refused me an exchange! Additionally the store manager requested I sign their form which he told me was their proof of them having given the shoes back. Luckily I read the form before signing, which turned out to be a document removing them of all responsibility! I refused to sign of couse but needless to say, Taunton Leisure aren't above outright Fraud either it seems!! I have now launched a case with my bank to recover the money and also will be reporting Taunton Leisure to Trading Standards. Dont use Taunton Leisure guys, theres plenty of other places for all your climbing, hiking & outdoor needs. I'd recommend Banana Fingers, EpicTV, GoOutdoors or Mountain Warehouse (Links below). Any of these are reputable brands that in my experience, wont break trading regulations in order to thieve your money... unlike Taunton Leisure!

Whilst there are no fewer than three outdoor gear shops in the town centre, it is definitely worth…read moreheading out here to Taunton Leisure. It is barely in Bedminster, before you reach Asda on the left. A large blue shop, they have supplies for camping, walking and climbing here at reasonable prices and some high-end brands as well. There is a room for tents with a couple on display, and an area for women's clothes which is pretty good - they don't pander very much to the pale blue and pink outdoor gear that a lot of brands seem to think that women want to wear. Staff are knowledgable and friendly, and don't push you for a sale. There are a lot of them as well so you won't have to wait to be helped when it gets busy.

There's a few sporting shops that have carved out a little enclave for themselves on Whitchurch…read moreRoad, and this one has to be my favourite. It is a really large outlet that is incredibly well stocked, with all manner of gear. You can even buy archery equipment here!!! (Not that this is what I come here for... I'm lethal enough without needing to resort to using something like a bow and arrow! My car is the only potentially dangerous piece of machinery that I'll allow myself to use... I give everything else a wide birth!) My needs that Cardiff Sportsgear meets are of a much more mundane variety. I come here for my swim suits, as I tend to call in at RatRigs, the surf shop just down the road, whilst I'm about it.. (RatRigs have a sale on a the moment, and so I called into both last week to scoop up a couple of bargains. Sadly, Cardiff Sportsgear didn't have what I was looking for in my size on this occasion, (a Speedo with long legs, like the type of suit that competitive swimmers wear... something that is proving nigh on impossible to find)... The staff were really helpful, and said that if I knew exactly what I wanted, then they would happily order it for me. Great service!

Wowee! Whatever sport you're into you will undoubtedly be incredibly impressed by Cardiff…read moreSportsgear. They offer: racquets, cricket gear, pool table, gym equipment, riding helmets, wetsuits, and so much more! Whenever I come in here with friends we like to play a game of how many sports we can count (at least 25 last count). The staff are all incredibly friendly and know their stock well (surprising considering how big this place is). The only thing they don't have much in the way of is, gym clothes, which is ironically the only thing I need.