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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

Bargains, bargains, bargains! Dress Smart is a great outlet shopping mall and filled with treasures…read morewhich you don't need to swap for large chunks of your own treasure. I mean, I tried on a $119 cocktail dress going for $5 the other day - flip, if it fit, that would've been the best deal in the galaxy! The problem with dress smart is the maze you have to get through. Like previous reviews have already pointed out, it's absolutely monstrous trying to find your way around. I always have to make a mental note as I walk out of the car park as to which shops are around me, and even then, I may not find them for quite some time. Having said that, there is much to like about this mall. It has a generally good feel to it, and a wonderful Esquires coffee shop with an outdoor sanctuary to enjoy a good long coffee after a busy morning's shopping. All my friends plead to go here when they are visiting Auckland, and it really is a good place to introduce them too. Go forth, but take a compass with you!

If you're looking for a bargain and a great day of shopping then Dressmart is the place for you!…read more Dressmart is a mall that houses over 100 stores and offers up to 70% off the normal retail price, all year round. No need to wait for end of season sales to be able to spend up large! My last trip to Dressmart I was looking for work clothes and ended up buying three dresses, a blouse, and a singlet top for $60 - a feat that just wouldn't happen anywhere else. However, my real find of the trip was the chunky wedge sandals I found in Glassons. Down from $59.99, I ended up purchasing them for $10, and when I took them to the counter found out accessories were buy one get one free, so ended up walking away with a great black flower hairclip for free as well! Talk about a happy shopper! Though predominantly a clothing outlet, Dressmart also houses eateries, sports shops, shoe shops, health and beauty stores and book stores. The only thing that is missing is a jewellery store, but when you're saving so much money on everything else I guess paying full price for jewellery isn't so bad! Located near Auckland transport stations and with lots of customer parking and a free shuttle service operating Monday-Friday between the mall and Auckland CBD, despite being in Onehunga Dressmart is easily accessible.

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.

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