As a self-confessed powder junkie, I love ski shops and ski shopping. Such stores are few and far…read morebetween in sunny Sydney, but Snowbound is the exception. And is exceptional. There is SO much stock in this store, for all aspects of going to the snow - skis, boards and outwear are all available to rent or to buy. Impressively, it's all new season - no gear from five years ago that couldn't be gotten rid of here!There's no two ways about it - it's expensive. But anything vaguely alpine is in Australia, and the quality and service you get here is much better than on-snow rentals or sales. They also service gear at extremely reasonable rates, and do a great job - my skis are much edgier after a little visit to snowbound. The staff are all extremely knowledgable, with a few coming from snowy places like Canada. All are extremely familiar with skis and boards, and know what will best suit your needs.

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...

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.

Just bought a new board and accessories for Indo trip. Couldn't be a happier with purchase. Got to…read moretake one for a test ride to be sure. All the staff couldn't be more helpful and knowledgeable. This place could be case study for small business in Customer service, remember that?

It's a surf shop right, so it does all the obvious stuff. I've bought boardies for the boys here…read moreand like all surf stores in Sydney it's over-priced but what can you do? The service in this place is not for those with low self-esteem though. The store is seriously overstaffed, so it's almost a personal shopper experience which, it turns out, can be a mixed blessing. I once mused to a lithe young thing there that it'd be great if Haviana did a 'nude' colour thong to which she replied 'I don't think anyone would wear it'. Feisty. 'I would,' I thought as I checked out here lurid yellow pair and hobbled off to get me some style. The gents are no better alas, one buff young guy once caught me browsing and tried to advise me on sunglasses -most of which were very 'trendy' and really not me but hey I was committed and he was cute. He handed me a pair of white Gucci numbers that would make Paris Hilton blush, given what I was wearing I didn't think there were really on style but I humoured him. I've still got it, I thought. 'Er, no' was his cutting assessment. Brutal. Over 25's proceed with caution.

This is a lovely , organized and well presented store for hiking and back packing…read more We came in because of the vibrant colors of the 100 % coat shirts on sale . This in January and the store is having 20% to 50 % off sales . Their designs and materials are top quality and very fashionable. I got two beautiful T shirts with washed berry color and clay color , which is 50 % off for $24.99 AU ( equal to $17 USD ) . Unbeatable price for fine cotton T shirts and name brands . We have also gotten a heritage logo cap ( adjustable ) that is a Yuppong brand ( since 1974 ) and a dark fern color gore-Tex Rain Jacket for heavy rain . Prices are great after 50 % off sale. Lovely colors and designs . Inside ambience and custom services are good . Love to come back for more T shirts with different colors .

Very accommodating staff I had a pair of hiking boots on hold and when I tried them on…read moreunfortunately the fit was off, I felt no pressure at all from the gentleman assisting me and appreciated his input on sizing. I would come back here again.

Enter and be ready to look at shoes, as that's all you're gonna see - rows and rows of sports…read moreshoes, but also a small display of brand named sports wear. Reebok, Asics, Londsdale etc. The shoes are the main attraction, you can get Mizuno for almost $100 off, ASICS the same and there are many other brands too. They may not be the most stylish or cool of the range but they still do the trick. I had a pair of ASCIS for 3 years. And I work out a lot, so for $200 it is not so bad, if you do get a lot of wear out of them. I bought a pair of Mizuno I really liked the arch support and they have moulded to my feel. A really good pair of shoes and I know they will last me for awhile. I placed them on layby and didn't pick them up till about 2 mths after and they were fine with that. I didn't get any nasty notices or phone calls so that was great.

Good range of sports shoes (mostly football boots and runners) at the best prices you'll find in…read morethis part of town.

Skip the sports superstores, Olympus is a jam-packed local sports store that stocks all the…read moreessential paraphernalia from soccer boots to squash eye shields to those funny little ball-holder things that you stick on your skirt to play tennis. You might need to climb over a pile or two of goods in order to find what you're looking for - or possibly over a young footballer and his mother trying on new boots - but sure as eggs, if it's sporting stuff, it'll be there somewhere. In season, Olympus stocks a good range of sports footwear, but the store's not big enough for them the keep it all on hand year-round, so if you need new boots be sure to pick them up towards the start of the season to get the pick of the range. Also an excellent supporter of local sporting clubs, and a handy central resource for picking up team uniforms and gear - though their selection of other sporting clothing is a bit hit and miss.

I wish I could give 1/2 stars but unfortunately not the case only full stars involved here as I…read morethink this branch deserves 3.5 stars not 3 from me. Initially really good customer service I was asked 2 or 3 times by different people if I needed help. To be honest I thought it was a bit much (why couldn't they check if I had been asked for help?!?!?!) Prices are bad overall... Kayano was $249.95 ... when I knew for fact Rebel had for only $179.95 . When I said this they were happy to negotiate to $189 ish and in the end I REALLY WANTED new shoes to train so bought. Summary: friendly local store but no one really knew much about cardio running on road and my natural gait and what I should be wearing for 7.5-10 km a week jog and 2 km sprint training on weekends. I was prepared to purchase multiple pairs of shoes but walked out with only one pair. I thought local smaller stores were meant to be knowledgeable and offer relevant advice, not just say the kayano was the best and try and get $250 out of me! I might be back, I might not. I wont go out of my way to go here..... to paint a wider picture however I know if Rebel don't have my size they will willingly match prices which is a huge comfort as a back up. good store to have in back up as they have been around for atleast 7 years and is in a fairly good location except hard to park. 3.5 stars!

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.