Sport Science is a store that completely revolves around its customers. With plenty of staff on…read morehand, every single customer is greeted and helped by sales assistants, and though I'm not usually one to enjoy such in your face service, at Sport Science it was necessary. With so many different shoes available for so many different types of sport and exercise, as well as issues regarding tread, rolling ankles and shin splints, without help it's impossible to know exactly which shoe is best suited to you. The assistants at Sport Science are fantastic. They're helpful, knowledgeable, personable and very friendly. Before you even begin looking at the shoes you are filmed running or walking down a short strip. Staff then analyse the footage and determine your walking/running style and thus which shoe is best suited to you. This process makes you feel as though you really are getting good service and the right equipment - something that's really important when you're spending so much money. If you are really into sports or, if you're like my mum and crazy enough to run marathons, Sport Science will sort you with everything you need from socks and shoes to tights, thermals, water belts and jackets. Bonus: Because Sport Science aren't a brand, they don't try to push you to buy any particular label - it's all based on what best caters to you as an individual.

Whenever I need a new pair of running shoes, I head straight over to Shoe Science in Mount Eden…read more All of the staff are always really well trained, and ensure that you leave the place with shoes that suit your feet the most (and if you go for a run and find out they are not right, then they have a policy that you can even bring them back within 30 days). They are also very well staffed, so when you do get service you get it in a really one-on-one way and for at least 20 minutes. And its always a bit of fun running up and down on the little runway they have with a camera, so you can see if you are pronating or not naturally and then if it still occurs in the shoes they've put you in. You can end up spending up to 300 dollars on a pair, however they do have a handy ambassador club which lets you get discount if you are a returning customer.

I only wore the Asics cleat for 2 hours by playing frisbee on the grass on Sunday 15 March 2026…read more And after that the glue comes off. Playssports/Brittainwynyard claiming it's not their quality issue. Anyone having the quality issues are entitled to make a complaint to Consumer Protection Govt NZ, and lodge a case to Dispute Tribunal NZ.

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.

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.

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!!

This is by far my favorite outdoor gear shop in Auckland. It's independently owned and the people…read morewho work here really care about their business and know their stuff. I bought a tramping backpack here after much hemming and hawing and trying every pack at every shop in Auckland. What I loved about this place was how not pushy they were, how willing to suggest things in every price range (though honestly they don't stock merchandise they don't believe in), and when they could see I was undecided, they were happy to have me go away and come back when I was sure, AND they offered me a small discount, which was enough to woo me away from buying my bag overseas and having it shipped to me. They care about selling you good, sustainable options that will keep you in good gear for a long time. They'll order for you if they don't have something in stock that you want, and they rent gear if you're not quite ready to commit (or you're visiting). Bottom line - good quality stuff, amazing service, get in there and get outdoors!!

Auckland is having a rather rainy spell and I (unfortunately) forgot my rain coat. I thought with a…read morestore named Kathmandu that I'd be able to find a replacement and I wasn't disappointed. Upon entering, I was asked if I needed help and let the sales rep know that I was looking for a raincoat for hiking and general walking around the city. He checked to see if there were any deals on any items (unfortunately, no). He then showed me a couple of models at different price points. I bought a nice model in a beautiful magenta color. It will be perfect for the trip. Loved the assistance I received. The quality of the item is high (got to test it out as we got rained on only 30 min after leaving the store). Very happy with my purchase.

In A Nutshell: -So…read morehappy to have discovered New Zealand's Kathmandu store. -As a wannabe outdoor adventurer you can feel the difference in quality. -Back home in the USA we have North Face, Columbia, Under Armour, Nike, etc... -With a name like Katmandu, it's expected that the gear has been validated to withstand nature's elements. -Had to buy some boots & jacket for an upcoming trip to Iceland. Overall, if they pass that test, I will purchase more gear for the not-to-distant-future, Mount Everest (Himalayas) trek.

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.