I found some boxer briefs on their website that are hard to find in the US. The price was OK and…read moreshipping not ridiculous. So I bought them. Yesterday I got an email from some intermediate outfit wanted me to pay tariff and VAT tax and "facilitation fee" almost as much as the items I purchased. No mention of this on their website at all. I have to decide whether to throw good money after bad. To me, withholding that kind of info is the same as fraud.

I like Sports Direct's Manchester Arndale location, it might not be the prettiest or most modern of…read moreshops inside the shopping centre, but it has a nice selection overall and is much less cluttered than other Sports Direct locations, such as the nearby location on Market Street, elsewhere in the city centre. It is in a good location within the shopping centre, it is basically opposite the escalators and car-park lifts on the lower mall. Most of the staff seem friendly, especially Ste, who is one of the security guards and a fantastic guy. I do prefer the selection of trainers at JD nearby, but the sportswear selection is at least on-par. 4*

Do you like leather? Do you like motorbikes? Do you like both of these things? Do you like both of…read morethese things in a way that has no connotations whatsoever with the Hell's Angels? If the answer to all of the above questions is yes, then you really are going to like Dainese a lot. Dainese sell jackets and trousers that are leather but are all modern and actually quite good looking at the same time. There is some serious biking gear in here and plenty of staff to help you with any questions you might have. They also stock a range of baffling (to me at least) protective devices for your back, knees and things like that. They're meant to stop you getting too hurt when you fly off your bike going at a ridiculous speed around a corner in the Lake District.

Oh yeah, I nearly forgot about this awesome place. This used to be my favorite shop. I am not…read morejoking. I've always like bikes and cars, just like a Tom boy. So, I used to ask all the time if any of my friends want a new helmet, or a new little thing for their bikes. Actually, because I was going in here so many times, at some point the owner came to me and asked me few questions. That was the point when I've asked if they need extra staff. Well, in exchange he said that I need to know quite a lot about bikes, stuff, and I left him quite surprised. Anyway, it didn't happen in the end. I got a different job meanwhile. But still, for the sake of it, sometimes I still go in there, happy like a little bunny. One day, I'm going to buy lots and lots of stuff from that shop. It's to dear to me, and too cool to be ignored.

Adidas on Market Street is a large store, the store looks fairly good and modern and has a decent…read moreselection of Adidas products, as you enter the store you can see a lot of Manchester United branding (As a City fan I'm going to ignore that), as well as a smaller selection from other Adidas elite teams including Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Arsenal. They have tried to make the store look as good as possible, in terms of facilities they have a printing area to customise football shirts and products in-store, the more popular players have been pre-printed. The worst part about this store for me is the service, I came in to do a return, dI originally asked for an exchange, however, the product was out of stock but the store made it as hard as possible to get my money back. Despite telling the employee that I did not want to swap for a different item, he kept proceeding to tell me about other similar items they had, even though I made it clear that this product was for a friend, and I would not be able to guess what they wanted. After asking for a refund, I was offered a gift card... twice. Why is Adidas so desperate to keep ahold of my money? Eventually, I was told I could not have a refund unless I presented the original payment card, they are unable to do a remote refund and the physical card MUST be present. I did not have this on me, and the colleague or the manager (unapologetic and rude), also refused to refund me in other methods such as onto a different card, or in cash. I had the item, I had the receipt. Why does it matter which card the refund goes onto? Surely in this day and age, it must be possible to refund a transaction without the payment card being there? 2* - The service SUCKS at this Adidas concept store, I wouldn't feel confident getting a refund if something goes wrong and prices are often higher than buying it from other retailers compared to Adidas direct.

Everyone knows that the place to get the best sneakers is New York…read more If you can't afford a ticket to the big apple however, this Adidas store has a fantastic range of sneakers, training shoes, baseball boots and hi-tops. My personal favourites are the Tokio Hi and Superskate boots - which both happen to be 50% off in the current sale. If you already have enough pairs to open your own sneaker store, this outlet also stocks a wide range of stylish tees, sweaters, hoodies and cardigans - all of which seem designed for casual, everyday wear more than exercise. Since I think the most interesting forms of exercise are breakdancing, rollerskating, trampolining and free-running - I'm down with that!

JD Sports is another one of those places, I've seemed to have forgotten to review, I've visited…read morethis store multiple times since it opened around this time last year, inside the former WHSmith unit of the Manchester Arndale, although the store is larger having used the previous JD Sports unit of the mall. An expanded, modern branch of JD Sports in Manchester, to fit in to the brands identity and reputation in terms of stores was definitely needed, with the previous branches in town being nothing short of disappointing, an old, oddly shaped store (where this one used to be), a depressing store below another sports shop (in Halle Mall which also has been vacated to make way for food units) and a pop-up shop you could barely move in on Market Street (which was built during the renovation of this store before it opened) The store is quite large, and is perhaps one of my favourite sports shops in town, competing with another large store in Sports Direct, but this store for me is better because it is brighter and modern. The staff here seem friendly enough, but sometimes they have seen a little rude, for example I've visited this store a few times now just to buy a bag, as I like the style of bags JD Sports have for carrying my items, most of the time there's been no problem, but around once or twice now they've just plain refused and awkwardly left me to carry a bag which had completely ripped into two, with no apology or sympathy as it's "against rules." The slightly confusing way of picking up orders also lets the store down, you have to go to a different queue in the sports section, which I also found out after queuing in the regular till which was annoying, this should be clearer and I don't understand why it isn't possible to do everything at the same, one and "main" checkout. Most items in the store are priced reasonably, and there is a decent selection on offer, especially of trainers which JD Sports of course pride themselves in with the slogan "King of Trainers" A much-needed improvement has been delivered with this branch of JD Sports, although it certainly isn't without its flaws it is a nice, modern, large store and deserving of a three-star rating, issues with bag gate, occasional price issues with non-sale items and picking up online orders do let this store down, I also sometimes find the choice of music to also be a little tacky and let the store down too, and make it a place to run the hell away from, rather than go in to shop and look at the sportswear, so I feel only a three-star rating is possible for Manchester's JD Sports.

Animal is a very popular surf brand popular with young people. As well as their mens and womens…read moreclothing range they sell a range of accessories, watches and luggage. The store is quite small but it is set out with a beach theme which is great. Animal stuff is really good quality, i'm a particular fan of their luggage and handbags, they aren't really cheap, but in sale season you can pick up a bargain, i got a handbag which was reduced to £4.99 from £19.99 which is cracking! Clothing again isnt cheap, but the material is a high quality, its another case of you get what you pay for.

Ellis Brigham is located in Castlefield and sells equipment for outdoor sports. Although it covers…read moregear for climbing, hiking etc; it's main stock is Ski and Snowboard equipment. It sells everything from Skis and Ski boots to gloves, scarfs and hats. Ellis Brigham only stocks the most high quality brands and names such as The North Face, Solomon etc and for this reason is not cheap. It has a Ski boot fitting service where they will heat mould your ski boots to your feet; something every goos skier should have done. If Ski gear is what you're after and you know a lot about Skiing then here is your place. If your a first timer on the slopes it probaly isn't worth the investment of your time or money.

The team at Ellis Brigham is top notch, especially the service staff. Not only do they tweak…read moreill-fitting boots etc. but they do it with a smile and usually on the same day. Nothing is too much trouble! I admit that I tend to go to Ellis Brigham off season in order to miss the crowds in January / February. But the atmosphere in the store couldn't be more relaxed and the staff are always knowledgeable and friendly.

Great website with great products!…read more I discovered Move Dancewear about 2 years ago when I was buying for my daughter's new dance class and have since used them for all manner of dance products. Their prices, as far as I can make out anyway, are unbeatable...the only very slight downside is the lack of free delivery, but I'm splitting hairs there really!

This is a great little dance shop with a big range of ballet dance stuff. Really friendly staff too.read more

For the purpose of this review I shall share with you a little secret. Unlike my wiser friends who…read morewent though a goth/geek/ hippy teenage phase I became a scally otherwise know as townie or a chav. I came from a family with parents as teachers, I went to a decent school and I was not in anyway a rebellious trouble causer. Unfortunately I was a wannabe scally (the kind who only take on the dress code) and there was no excuse for it. Starting from the feet upwards I would wear: brightly coloured Nike trainers with the laces tucked in (not tied), Adiddas trousers that had a poppers down the side meaning they could be popped open right to the top of the thigh, and on my top half.....a Helly Hansen jacket. It was not just any Helly Hansen jacket oh no, it was the one I pleaded with my parents to get me for months. It was a puffer coat that was silver with Helly Hansen emblazoned on my chest. To make things worse I had my hair scrapped back with no bumps and not even a strand loose into a tight ponytail where 5/6 bobbles sat plonked on the top of my head. As Helly Hansen profited from my teenage misfortune I can only give it one star and hope it stays in the Arndale so I am not reminded of how pathetic and cringe worthy I used to be. It was a learning curve...a cruel learning curve.

I'm shocked that there are shops in Manchester that know about Nudie jeans, let alone a single shop…read morethat carries them. Are there Mancunians with that large a wad of cash burning a whole through their purses? Impressive! A chill, hipster-y gent sold the boy a super cute pair of Vans (casual shoes that aren't a shade of brown: success!) and explained the origins of the noteworthy bicycle saddles hanging up behind the till. Luxury skinny jeans and posh gear for your fixie... I mean, what else could a Williamsburg-wannabe desire, right?

Good style never comes cheap. This is especially true if you're a man. Most clothing boutiques and…read morehigh street stores cater for women and it's rare you find a store like this that offers so many unique quality items for the discerning young gentleman. This is the only store my boyfriend comes to for his trousers (in particular he Edwin brand of jeans) simply because you can't find them anywhere else. From Barbour to Oliver Spencer, Levis to YMC, they have such a well selected collection of labels that convey the best in British understated style.