I reckon I can count on one hand the number of good outdoor gear stores in Brisbane and this is…read moredefinitely one of them. It has the best trekking gear and although I'm more of a couch potato Trekkie than mountain climbing trekker, I bought a great pair of boots for a trip three years ago that are still going strong. Outdoor junkies like my mountain climbing cousins don't mind paying the fairly high prices for the expert gear, but I'll wait for the sales thanks. It's well worth it, with lots of stock between a third and half off regular prices at mid-year and in the new year.

My dad requires outdoor gear for his job and so growing up, I'd always get dragged along to stores…read morelike Columbia or Mountain Designs. Even now, he may invite me for coffee in the Valley, we'd end up walking and talking and before I know it, I'm inside Mountain Designs. This is the only way to go 'shopping' with dad, is if you take him to the only stores he likes. If it's not electronics, its outdoor gear. And if it's not Columbia is Mountain Design. Mountain Design is the Valley is quite the store. It isn't big like Anaconda, but it has most of the clothing required for different environments. Whether you need something for below 0 temperatures, which my dad does, you can find it here. There are plenty of different styles of shoes to suit difficult terrain and they've got the good insulation socks to prevent you from frostbite. Mountain Design also stock some seriously insulated snow jackets, which can only be found at reputable stores like this in the Valley. Also, if you regularly buy clothing here, it is worth signing up to their Alliance Club so you can take advantage of some good discounts.

Specialising in everybody favourite two-wheeled form of transport, these guys provide everything…read moreyou need to get you from A to B looking like Cadel Evans (or Anna Meares). With specially trained expert staff, a huge range of brands and a variety of accessories, this is the best independent bike retailer around. Not only do they sell quality bikes for all terrains and ages, but they will assist you every step of the way in choosing the right bike for your, offer advice on maintenance and even provide regular services. Their website is very informative and easy to use, so if I haven't sold you yet, take a look for yourself.

These guys take customer service very seriously. Everyone I have come across in this store is super…read morefriendly and really knows their stuff. I am not the most experienced rider and although they cater for riders of all levels, they don't talk to me like I'm a complete amateur. The range is fantastic and for all sorts of varieties like Orbea, Merida Bikes and Sub Rosa. They also have a great range of service packages.

My favourite place to buy work out clothes!! Always a great fit…read more I have been a lululemon fan for years and the James street store is great. While the price tag may look like its expensive I have pants and tops that are over 5 years old and still look brand new. The staff are all friendly and helpful. And don't forget the weekly free yoga classes. Make sure to get there early they can get crowded on Sunday mornings. They have a run club on Wednesday I have wanted to try, maybe this week.

There is nothing more intimidating to me than walking past a…read morestore stuffed with yoga mats and exercise costumes. (I instinctively suck in the gut when I go into these types of places.) Lululemon is one such athletic store that is tucked away on James St, plain and boring I hardly felt inspired to salute to the sun or jog 'round the block. This store sells sports bras, tanks, tops, shorts, jackets, hoodies and various athletic paraphernalia. (Essentially every thing you might need for yoga and exercisings.) But despite the range on hand, the clothes here are pretty plain for the price tags I saw. While the location and sales staff are lovely, I'd go elsewhere for my jogging garments.

I got quoted by these jokers (on the phone) to swap a frame on a dual suspension mtb, $200. Got to…read morethe store and the guy at the counter almost immediately starts trying to suggest my dropper post probably caused the last frame to break because it wasn't receded in the frame enough and that I would need a new one. BS detecter started going off and i should have probably turned around and went to the competition at that point but alas. I asked for an allen key to take the post out to show it was plenty long enough and hit that one on the head. The guy agreed as if he didn't know before being someone who sells the things for a living. Then he starts pointing out things wrong with my bike (which had just had a major service less than a moth proir). Then he tells me that they would do any extra work costing up to an additional $30 without contacting me. Like i said i should have just turned around. Okay so i knew the real quote would be $230. The final cost $253.50, no contact. When i confronted the mechanic he said the extra cost was for the oil used for bleeding the breaks. 3 things 1. you have to bleed the breaks to run the cables through the frame so it should have been in the quote 2. I usually do my own breaks and it takes a thimble full of oil which would cost in the relm of cents even at retail 3. They said they would contact me for extra expense over $30 but thought they would try it on anyway. I imagine most people would just pay it. On being confronted he immediately took the bill back to $230. These guys have dishonest business practices. If you don't know your stuff or are not assertive they will take you for a ride. I just want a pleasant easy and honest experince. I don't want to feel like i have to stand up for my rights and be confrational when i pay to get a job done. Just my 2 cents worth anyway.

You ride a push bike or want to...it needs maintenance, just like a car, and it's going to cost…read moreyou, not like a car, but like a push bike. Still, it must be done to make your ride smoother, more comfortable. Now, if you live in Brisbane's western suburbs the best place to check in and get the work done is Ashgrove Cycles. I had my expensive European Pinarello Prince out for a ride recently when my cycling computer seemed to kick the bucket. Luckily, on the way home and upon reaching Ashgrove I pulled in to Ashgrove Cycles and asked if they could look at it. Now, they don't sell Pinarellos but were just as happy to check out my problem and suggest a remedy before setting me loose to pedal back the remaining seven heart attack kilometres to my house. What I love about retailers like Ashgrove Cycles is that they don't have tickets on themselves, are happy to help other cyclists with their maintenance even if they didn't buy from their shop, and are just there to further advance the sport of cycling and the enjoyment everyone can reap from it. From now on, that's where I'm taking my bikes for maintenance and I will be recommending them to others when they ask me to suggest a cycling shop. Such service and honesty is a rarity in today's world, and you'll find Ashgrove Cycles puts the perfect spin on it.

Dropped by to pick up some parts. Very helpful and friendly. Well priced and make the effort to…read morehelp the customer.

The only place to go for all your gym equipment great prices and great staff!!! Couldn't recommend…read morethem enough

My experience at MrTreadMill : when i called the shop asking for an exercise bike I didn't feel…read moreuncomfortable or being pushed into anything when i made my purchase. I mostly spoke to lee she was polite and sounded like a positive person. What really stood out to me was how i had a lot of delays on my end due to my situation, lee assured me each step of the way and even said she would get my bike to me on Easter Monday she has a re assuring determiner through out the situation which calmed the situation , to some it all up lee who i had contact with most of the time made this a positive experience when it could have turned out quite embarrassing on my end.

All the staff members at this store are amazing but I have to give a special shout out to Taara who…read morewent above and beyond to help me today when I called. I could tell from the noise in the background that it was frantically busy and chaotic as it's nearly Xmas and the shops are packed but even still she was so helpful, friendly, efficient and knowledgeable. Taara managed to resolve my issue quickly and restored my faith in customer service staff. Great shoes and even better customer service

Oh how I rejoiced when a decent, affordable shoe shop came to town. For so long, Brisbane has…read morelanguished in footwear purgatory - shoes are either so cheap and nasty you get chronic foot odour just from standing near them, let alone putting them on; or so expensive you want to keep them in a glass case at home and just stare at them. So thank God for Novo which ticks all my boxes. Most shoes are around $79; they take note of the trends (my current faves are the sky-high, colour block, suede wedges in pink and red) and even the fash pack rate them (there's rarely an issue of a glossy mag that doesn't feature at least one pair of Novo pretties). And they don't mind if you mess up their shop either. I got a little giddy at the site of a heavily sequinned tote bag ($69.99) and left it all, including the cardboard inserts and plastic stand, sitting on top of a pair of shoes as I couldn't be bothered putting it away (naughty, I know). But the lovely manager just swept it all away with a smile, saying "lovely bag huh?" without even a hint of annoyance at the fact I'd messed up her shoe display. Novo, you are indeed the Patron Saint of heavenly high street shoe shops.

Bought some football boots here that turned out to be faulty, with the reciept they were replaced…read morequickly and without a fuss. Staff members were helpful and friendly through the process and a new pair of boots was quickly sorted.