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.

I don't buy sporting goods often, but when I needed a new hat (how do I lose those so often??) I…read moreknew it was time to head to rebel sport. They have such a large variety of not only sporting goods, but tons of apparel and accessories. I missed the Black Friday sale, but when I went in at the beginning of December, they had a massive sale of 40% off on all Puma clothes and accessories. I got a plain white sports hat that retails at $35 for like $20! Major score. I was super drawn in to the tennis section and the boxing equipment, but I regained control and stuck with just what I needed this trip. The customer service was great and there were employees everywhere willing to help. The store was organised and easy to navigate. I had an easy time getting around, finding the perfect hat, checking out and being on my merry way. Thanks Rebel for a great shopping experience!

Whether you believe in the Bible's version of creation or Darwin's theories of evolution, both…read moreoptions confidently presents humans as land animals. And since I'm leaning towards the second option, it is millions of years since we've left the water, so there is no need to go back. But when a friend of mine invited me to go fishing, I could not decline, well not for the third time anyway. And how bad could it be drinking beer, catching rays and maybe even snaring a snapper or two... I prepared myself by going fisherman shopping in Milford, a bit of an oxymoron I know, but a necessary task nonetheless. I wouldn't know where real fishermen shop anyway, and Hunts is a great place to get all the gear you need. The owner was on hand to ask me unreasonable questions about what I'm trying to catch, where I'm going to fish and what rod and reel I'll be using. I explained it will be fish, in water and a long stick, but the expression on his face gave the impression he was hoping for a more definitive answer. I settled on a few items, and left looking like something between an American tourist on an African safari and a fly fisherman on a hunting trip in the Amazon. I caught two beauties, and my host none, ah the joys of beginners luck.

Was looking for a 3-5 kg dumbbells, these guys have got a huge variety of them, evantually got 3kg…read morecovered in vinyl.

This independent sports store in Mt Eden is a great place to come for almost all sporting equipment…read morethat you might require. It must have been a Stirling Sports in the past because you can still see the sign at the top of the building, but now it's called Allsports. It is actually pretty cheap in here, and they have good quality equipment. They don't have the same range of goods that some of the bigger sports outlet stores around Auckland might have, but they certainly can compete with them when it comes to prices. And the service here is really good. The owner and other staff members are a very friendly bunch of people, who get to know each individual customer. Good service is really what sets this sports store apart from the rest, and it's the reason why I come back here.

called them yesterday 6 times - no answer emailed them - no…read morereply went there twice, 13/11 and 14/11 - shop closed not happy with their service! wondering if this is a scam!!!!!!

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.