Best outdoor retailers 2026

We've surveyed thousands of people to reveal not only which outdoor brands to buy, but also which shops and online retailers give the best service, choice and value for money. 

There are two main ways to shop for your outdoor gear. You can buy directly from a brand's dedicated website or bricks-and-mortar store, or from a retailer that sells a range of makes. 

Our survey respondents generally had the best experiences buying directly from outdoor brands in-store or online. Shopping this way for the top-rated brands means you get the complete product range plus easy returns, warranty registrations and claims. 

But if you prefer to browse a range of brands at one retailer, only Ellis Brigham matched the quality of brand-owned shops in our survey and has been named a Which? Recommended Provider (WRP). Savvy shoppers also told us about a well-rated online retailer that hosts exclusive flash sales from popular brands. Read on for the top recommendations from real customers.

What are the best outdoor retailers?

We also asked customers to review their favourite outdoor brands. Grab a pair of recommended walking boots, or a waterproof jacket that can bear the elements, or browse all our guides here.

Top-rated outdoor retailers selling multiple brands

Ellis Brigham, 82%, Which? Recommended Provider

Verdict: Sells an extensive line-up of top brands with standout customer service

Starting out as just one shop in Manchester in 1933, Ellis Brigham remains family-owned and now has 15 shops across England, Scotland and Wales, plus an online store. It stocks more than 200 outdoor brands – including lots of Which? Recommended Brands such as Rohan, Scarpa and Hoka – for activities including hiking, climbing and camping. Our survey found that in-store staff take their time with customers and provide expert service without pressuring shoppers to buy. 

You can book free appointments for fittings, personal shopping or tent-pitching practice, alongside a paid service for kit maintenance. One customer had a ski-boot fitting and said they ‘got lots of advice, customisation and an excellent aftersales promise should anything need adjusting after a week on the slopes. It didn’t – they got it right first time’. Some brands are expensive, but customers said the products were built to last and awarded the retailer four stars for value for money. Bargain hunters might be able to find deals in its outlet section online.

Visit Ellis Brigham to start shopping and check its sale to scoop up a discount.

SportPursuit, 81%

Verdict: The place to buy end-of-season kit cheaply. Just double-check you’re happy with each item’s delivery schedule

Through special agreements with big outdoor brands, SportPursuit is an online shop that runs flash sales on end-of-season products, allowing you to buy kit for less. To access the promotions, you sign up for its free membership with your email. The arrangement with different brands sometimes means that SportPursuit can only confirm your purchase once the sale has finished. This can lead to long delivery times that some survey respondents didn’t like, and it's one of a few reasons why it's not a Which? Recommended Provider. But if you filter its products online by ‘quick delivery’, you’ll only be shown stock that can be dispatched to you within a couple of days.

It’s the low prices that keep customers returning, telling us that ‘the price is so much cheaper than buying elsewhere’, and that SportPursuit has ‘good discounts on reliable-quality brands.’ Feedback on returning goods in our survey was positive, however return shipping isn’t free.

Check out the brands its sells at SportPursuit.

Best branded shops

Rohan, 83%, Which? Recommended Provider

Verdict: An ideal spot to buy Rohan’s high-performance clothing with practical and friendly customer support

Rohan’s products continually do well in our survey, and the experience shopping in-store and online is every bit as dependable as its gear. It doesn’t sell everything – for example, there’s no cycling or fishing equipment – but it does have a wide range of outdoor clothing, shoes and hiking gear at more than 45 shops in the UK and online. The staff earned strong praise for being ‘friendly and helpful’, going ‘above and beyond to help’. Rohan’s products aren’t cheap, and some customers wait for the sales with ‘genuine price reductions’, or visit its outlets in Bridgend or Gretna.

Customers also gave its website top marks, finding it easy to navigate the online shop, delivery options and returns. There’s no limit on how long you have to return your unused items for free. Rohan also backs its gear with a lifetime guarantee against manufacturing defects, paired with a paid repair service for wear and tear to keep your kit in action.

Shop at Rohan online or find out information about its outlets in Bridgend and Gretna.

Helly Hansen, 82%, Which? Recommended Provider

Verdict: An outstanding retailer for highly protective, technical outdoor wear

Founded in Norway, Helly Hansen specialises in professional-grade outdoor clothing for extreme environments, but has also expanded to cater to general outdoor enthusiasts for activities such as sailing, mountain sports and hiking. Its goods have consistently performed well for customers in our brand surveys. One said: ‘It isn’t cheap but is excellent quality – you get what you pay for.’ It has a webstore and fewer than 10 shops in the UK, including a handful of outlets. 

Buyers praised the product ranges for their exceptional craftsmanship, and one said it was easy to find sizes typically hard to source elsewhere. The online ordering process was hassle-free with reliable, quick delivery, while in-store customer service was described as ‘helpful’ and ‘seamless’. For peace of mind, all technical outerwear has a limited lifetime warranty covering manufacturing issues, and Helly Hansen partners with Scottish Mountain Gear to handle repairs in the UK.

Visit Helly Hansen and its sale. 

Craghoppers, 81%, Which? Recommended Provider

Verdict: A reliable outdoor retailer with lots of products at mid-range prices

Craghoppers is a 61-year-old British sports and outerwear brand with 22 standalone shops plus some factory outlets. Whether shopping online or in-store, customers reported great experiences, rating the retailer four or five stars across the board. It only sells Craghoppers’ products, which consistently score well in our surveys without the high prices of more specialist, premium brands.

Shops were praised for being clean, well stocked for trying on different sizes, and staffed by knowledgeable employees. One shopper told us: ‘The staff in the store were very friendly and helpful without being too pushy.’ Online shoppers said the website has an intuitive layout and a seamless checkout process. One respondent said they usually manage to find a discount in the online shop’s vast stock. Craghoppers also backs its products with a ‘Guarantee for Life’, offering replacements for manufacturing defects. It has a separate paid repair service to fix everyday scuffs and scrapes.

Browse Craghoppers.

Montane, 81%, Which? Recommended Provider

Verdict: A premium British retailer with fast delivery and seamless service

Founded in the UK over 30 years ago, Montane's outdoor gear is known for being tough against the elements. Its products have been popular with respondents in our brand surveys, leading many to shop directly from its online store or from one of its two physical shops in the UK.

Its high-performance gear doesn't come cheap, but you could pick up a bargain at one of its factory shops – there's one in Lancaster and one in Northumberland. One respondent told us: 'We bought from their factory shop so [its] range is limited, but excellent value if they happen to have what you are needing.'

Those who bought online were impressed with their overall experience. When shopping, one said the 'site was easy to navigate', and another explained that 'they had what I needed in every size and [it] was easy to buy'. Others were pleased with the fast delivery and the clear customer communication they received on their phone and via email. When one buyer reached out for support, they found Montane’s customer care team quick to respond and help.

Get gear from Montane online, or find out more about its factory shops in Lancaster and Northumberland.

Patagonia, 81%, Which? Recommended Provider

Verdict: A responsible retailer that pairs sustainable policies and services with high-quality products

Patagonia is an American outdoor brand perhaps best known for its environmental and sustainability activism – a major draw for some customers we surveyed. It says its new products are free from PFASs (forever chemicals) and only use organic cotton across everything from casual hiking equipment to expert climbing gear. 

It has two shops in the UK – in Manchester and Bristol – where staff were said to be helpful. As there are only two shops, most of those surveyed shopped online and told us that delivery to their homes or pick-up lockers was swift. There's no time limit on returns for new items. Buyers also highlighted the excellent durability of Patagonia’s products, backed by its guarantee to repair, replace or refund items that fail to hold out over time. Policies such as this match the brand’s ethos to encourage people to buy less and repair more.

Head to Patagonia.

How we choose Which? Recommended Providers

Every year, we survey thousands of Which? members and members of the public about their experiences of shopping with some of the UK's best-known stores and websites, as well as with lesser-known brands. 

Our star ratings reveal how customers rated each retailer on a range of different measures, from product range and value for money to customer service during and after purchase. 

We also name WRPs for each category. Retailers must meet strict criteria to make the grade, including excellent customer scores and at least four stars for customer service and delivery, plus three for value for money.

To ensure we're recommending the best, we also check their returns policy and T&Cs; we exclude any retailers that give unclear or misleading information about returns.