Here's a secret for you: this is an outlet store, where everything is constantly on sale…read more Because the great outdoors is expenno, man. If you wanna kit yourself up to go hiking or skiing or tramping or whatever it is one does under a starry sky with nobody else around, it's gonna add up. Five hundred back jackets, three hundred buck backpacks, two fiddy for boots. Not here. At this store, way up on the top level of Chaddy Westfield, it's bargains and discounts. Everything is slashed by 50-70%, so you can spend a pittance and still get your trek on.

Being a massive fan of the outdoors, I love stores like Mountain Designs - they have SO many clever…read moregadgets for things you didn't realise you'd need, but now cannot live without. A water purifier? HELLS YEAH! A pocketknife that does 495683 other things? Oooooh! A sleeping bag that doubles as a picnic rug? So inventive! Being that type, I can't speak highly enough of Mountain Designs; the staff in there are incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, but not in a pushy way. I purchased my hiking pack there recently, and instead of pushing me in the direction of the bigger (ergo, more expensive) one, the staff informed me that I was not physically big enough to lift that bag when it's full, and showed me the smaller (ergo, cheaper) alternatives. They also fitted the bag to me, and didn't push any of the extra do-daddies on it when I told them I just needed a pack. Whilst specialist stores such as Mountain Designs are always exxy, Mountain Designs have EXCELLENT sales - if you're aware of your plans a season in advance, I strongly recommend you get down there and snap up a bargain-price set of thermals or hiking poles.

I used this equipment to die but instead it stopped me from falling and now I'm not dead. I am not…read moresatisfied..

From the owner: Sydney's premier climbing store specializing in climbing and mountaineering gear, camping…read moreequipment, and outdoor clothing.

Great service and the people know their stuff. Sold me more than I needed but what I wantedread more

This is one of my favorite hiking stores along Kent street for one reason, their alliance club…read moremembership. It's free to join, but you get to enjoy discounts off their products. As most stores on that street stock similar products and have similar prices, the membership makes the products at mountain designs among the cheapest. The staff there are very helpful and friendly which is an added bonus(though staff at most of the other stores are too). The only downside is that they don't stock a large range of hiking equipment.

From the owner: Mountain Designs continues to be a cutting edge leader in the outdoor and travel industry…read more Mountain Designs provide quality outdoor gear for places you'd rather be. Visit us in store or online for leading international brands in hiking, travel, outdoor, adventure, camping & climbing gear.

Good sale on at the moment and they also let the Dog into the shop which is good on a rainy day.read more

Anaconda is a one stop shop for all outdoor sporting gear. Their Adventure club membership…read morecard(free to join) offers a further discount on all purchases. I bought a North face jacket there recently and I'm amazed at the quality. I'm aware that the quality has to do with individual brands and not really with Anaconda, but I bought the Jacket at about 50 percent off and in other stores, the discounted items are just heaped in the sales bin and usually you have to hunt to find something thats not torn or lost a zipper. At Anaconda, the discounted goods were still on the racks and in perfect condition. The quality is maintained. If you are looking for a mountain bike, you cannot go past Anaconda. The sales guy (happened to be the manager) offered me an unbelievable deal on a mountain bike. I was looking for a Fluid Bike, but as they didn't have it in my size, he offered to sell me a Jamis bike at the same discounted price of Fluid Bikes. Amazing! I walked, scratch that, Rode out of the store, happily! They have Kayaks that you can try before buying in the pool located outside the showroom. Imagine Kayaking inside a Mall! They also have a climbing wall indoors.

Anaconda has moved from one end of this shopping centre to the other. It is a smaller store. The…read moreshopping Centre seems to have two names either Lidcombe Power Centre or Auburn Power Centre. It is opposite Costco on Parramatta Road. It was a bit of a white elephant when it was built and it looks a shocker atm. Parking is only available on the top level and can only be accessed at the back of the building. You have a bit of a walk through the place and there are no food shops or smaller shops anymore. We still got what we wanted and at a discount but unless you want to go to Spotlight or a party shop there will be no other incidental shopping.

Before every big backpacking adventure comes Kathmandu…read more The first, last, and often only name in outdoor and mountain gear, they've got on hell of a range for when you're going through hell on the range. It ain't cheap, but that's why you A) join their Summit Club ($10 for lifetime membership, bargain), and B) wait for their massive half-yearly sales when you can score up to 50% off almost their entire store. Worth it when that Gore-tex jacky you've got your eye on is a cool five hunjy. They're my go-to for backpacks, I've had 2 or 3 over the years and that's all I've ever needed because they're so well-made, you can kick 'em around and treat them like dirt and, like a faithful dog, they'll just keep showing up. I can't wrap my head around the difference between all the different fleece and thermal and parka types because there's hundreds, but I'm sure some people out there can. Mathematicians, probably. Heading to Africa for a few treks and climbs later in the year, I just dropped a big chunk of my wages here. I just hope I use the gear again. Otherwise it's like a soccer mum buying a Range Rover because she likes the idea that she might go off road one day...

Great selection of fan apparel for Australian pro sports teams, as well as a large amount of US…read moresports fan apparel. I was particularly impressed with that. As a visiting Yank, it was cool to see how invested they are in growing a love of world-wide sports, not just those from down under!