A question was posed to the group recently: “I’m looking for your Sydney based, camping/hiking equipment shop recommendations.” So, off the back of the popularity of the Best Hiking Stores in Melbourne/Little Bourke Street guide, it’s time we put together a guide to the best hiking stores in Sydney. In particular the ‘epicentre of outdoor stores’, Kent Street near Town Hall.
I’m going to format this guide a bit differently as I am not as familiar with Kent Street as I am my local Little Bourke Street. This hiking gear store guide is more of a list than a stroll up the street. Also, I will include some of the comments that are being made in the group to give you a bit more of an idea of what to expect at the stores.
So, let’s start our trip up Kent Street from north to south to look at the best outdoor and camping stores in Sydney.
Trek & Travel
447 Kent Street, Sydney
Trek & Travel is your typical independent hiking store. It’s staffed by people that actually do trek and travel, that know their stuff, and that can provide sound advice on buying the right gear.
Based on the quantity of maps and guidebooks Trek & Travel sells, giving you the right information is central to what they offer. They also host info nights from time to time and run a really informative blog.
Mountain Equipment
491 Kent Street, Sydney
72 Archer Street, Chatswood
Located just south of Druitt Street, Mountain Equipment Sydney is another independent store staffed by knowledgeable hikers and climbers. Indeed, Mountain Equipment isn’t just for hikers and campers but serious climbers and mountaineers too. Similar to Bogong in Melbourne.
Read this pretty choice review on Google: “Extremely helpful staff, spent an hour with me selecting climbing gear.”
Adventure Megastore Sydney
505 Kent Street, Sydney
Although Adventure Megastore is a large chain with 11 stores in Sydney and Melbourne they stock some great brands and often have really good sales. Brands they stock include Columbia, Mountain Hardware, and Sorel.
Macpac
464-484 Kent Street, Sydney
Macpac doesn’t need much of an introduction. One of the most popular hiking and travel gear brands in Australia and New Zealand, despite their might they still do some really good gear. If you’re after a pack or some discounted (they’re always got a sale on!) clothing, put Macpac on your list.
Kathmandu
472 Kent Street, Sydney
Most of us would be lying if we said we didn’t pop into Kathmandu from time to time to peruse the clearance rack. While not known as the purveyors of the hardest wearing or most technical hiking gear, their apparel is popular and travel accessory range extensive and cheap when on sale. They also carry brand name footwear such as Keen, Merrell, Salomon, and Teva.
Montbell
Shop 42/464-480 Kent Street, Sydney
I hadn’t heard of Montbell until I took a stroll down Kent Street when I was in Sydney earlier in the year. Fun fact: the brand was established in Osaka, Japan in 1975 and started out making rain gear and sleeping bags. Now they are a big deal across the globe with stores in the USA, Europe, Japan, and an Australian flagship store on Kent Street. They’re distributed in Australia by Larry Adler Ski and Outdoor, which has a standalone store across the road.
They’re still known for their rain and snow gear, but also do a large range of clothing and hiking gear.
Paddy Pallin
507 Kent Street, Sydney
With its large network of stores Australia-wide, Paddy is the go to for many hikers as they know they’re going to get passionate and knowledgeable advice and access to a large range of the best brands and gear. I’ve bought most of my packs at Paddy Pallin and, now that I am in the market for a new day pack, will check out their range again soon.
Patagonia
93 Bathurst Street, Sydney
Technically Patagonia isn’t on Kent Street, it’s on Bathurst Street. But, it’s one door up from the corner so it’s included in this list.
Patagonia is another brand that doesn’t need much of an introduction. The leader in sustainable and transparent supply chain, Patagonia are best known for their thoughtfully made clothing and the values. If you buy a Patagonia fleece, it’s going to last a long time.
Elsewhere in Sydney CBD
Mitchell’s Adventure – 81 York Street, Sydney
The North Face – 1/130 Pitt Street, Sydney
Adventure Merchants & Outfitters – 63 Sydenham Road, Marrickville
Elsewhere in Sydney & Blue Mountains
Adventure Co – 18 Frederick St, Oatley
Frontier – 391-391 Pacifc Highway, Crows Nest
Alpsports – 1045 Victoria Road, North Ryde
Blue Mountains Running Co – 19A Ross Street, Glenbrook
Summit Gear – 86 Katoomba Street, Katoomba
Adventure Base – 80 Bathurst Road & 160 Katoomba Street, Katoomba
Paddy Pallin – Multiple Stores Across Sydney
Kathmandu – Multiple Stores Across Sydney
Macpac – Multiple Stores Across Sydney
Adventure Megastore – Multiple Stores Across Sydney
If I have forgotten any stores, comment below or send a message via our Facebook page.
6 thoughts on “Best Hiking Stores in Sydney – A Guide to the Outdoor Gear Stores on Kent Street”
Looking to buy climbing shoes, a rock climbing harness or other rock climbing gear ? Bogong is Melbourne’s best climbing store.
Bogong has a good reputation as a place to buy climbing gear in Melbourne. Likewise Wilderness Shop over in Box Hill and Climbing Anchors in Collingwood (they also have a couple of stores in Sydney).
A bit of a shout out to the outdoor stores in Katoomba – Paddy’s, Summit Gear and others. They are often staffed with people who hike and climb in the Blue Mts so you can get first hand info from people who really know the area.
Good to hear they deliver the goods, Kym. Doesn’t surprise me at all seeing Katoomba is a bit of a hiking and climbing mecca, right? 🙂
Kathmandu, Mountain Designs, Adventure Megastore and Macpac are overpriced and poorly made athleisure trash.
Tell us what you really think, Chris! 🙂 Haha. I tend to agree for the most part. However, Macpac does some decent gear and Adventure Megastore still stocks a few decent brands. MANY better places to fit yourself out, for sure.