10 Best Mountaineering Clothing & Equipment Shops In The UK

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Written by: Nina

Last Updated: 30 Dec 2016

When you are buying mountaineering equipment, you want to buy it from a mountaineering shop that really knows what it is talking about, right? Whether you are hiking up Snowdon or tackling Everest, you need to make sure you have the right mountaineering gear – from mountaineering jacket to mountaineering gloves to mountaineering boots and ice axes.

What Is Mountaineering And What Equipment Do I Need?

Sometimes you can find what you’re looking for online, but nothing replaces having a one-to-one chat in person with a knowledgeable mountain main in a mountaineering clothing shop. Here are a few of the best mountaineering clothing shops in the UK.

ELLIS BRIGHAM

10-12 Southampton St, London WC2E 7HA Ellis Brigham started out in 1933 as a Manchester-based specialist walking boots and cycling shoes fitter. Now 83 years old, it’s one of the most popular mountaineering shops in the UK. With 23 stores across the UK, you are never too far from an Ellis Brigham. They have super knowledgeable staff plus a huge array of kit to help you choose the right equipment for your expedition. They even have an indoor ice climbing wall at their flagship store in London. Visit the Ellis Brigham website here

GEORGE FISHER

2 Borrowdale Rd, Keswick, CA12 5DA George Fisher is one of the best mountaineering clothing shops in the Lake District. Located right in the heart of Keswick, they have a large shop with staff who avidly use their kit across the Lakes and beyond. Among them, they have experience trekking, running, cycling, camping, climbing and paddling in Nepal, Thailand, Yosemite, Patagonia, Greenland, New Zealand and more. George Fisher is known for being particularly good at boot fitting – they have an in-store podiatrist. They also run all kinds of events to get the local community out having adventures in the mountains, plus they have a great cafe called Abraham’s which is worth stopping by for a cuppa. Visit the George Fisher website here

JOE BROWN

High Street, Llanberis, Caernarfon, LL55 4HA Joe Brown was one of the best British mountaineers in the UK during the 1950s and 1960s. He opened his first mountaineering and climbing shop in Llanberis, Wales in 1966 with his wife Val, right at the heart of the Snowdonia National Park. He followed by opening the Capel Curig store a few years later. Today these shops are still have a reputation as one of the best climbing and mountaineering equipment shops in the UK. Visit the Joe Brown website here

ULTRALIGHT OUTDOOR GEAR

9 Pioneer Court, Darlington, DL1 4WD Looking for ultralight mountaineering clothing and equipment? This shop provides exactly what it says on the tin. Based in Darlington, Yorkshire, Ultralight Outdoor Gear specialise in finding the world’s lightest, best quality gear for backpacking, trekking and adventure travel. If you are looking for mountaineering clothing for the UK and beyond, this is the place to come. While they might not supply Everest style equipment, they have an excellent range of clothing that will suit the average British climber and mountaineer. Visit the Ultralight Outdoor Gear website here

SUMMITS

36 Moss Street, Paisley, PA1 1BA Summits is one of the best independent climbing and mountaineering shops in Scotland. Whether you are going camping for the first-time, heading off on a Duke Of Edinburgh expedition or ice climbing in Chamonix, this is a great shop for your every outdoors need. If they don’t stock an item you need – whether it’s a camping stove or a mountaineering jacket – they will happily go the extra mile to source it for you. Visit the Summits website here

ROCK+RUN

Shoreline Business Park, Sandside, Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7BF During the 1980s, there were very few decent outlets for technical mountaineering clothing and equipment in the Lake District. So Rock+Run decided to set themselves up in Ambleside, providing the best specialist equipment for mountain enthusiasts. The staff here have always been heavily involved in the climbing and mountaineering community in the UK, including setting up the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon and designing fell running shoes for Reebok, ETA and Inov8. They have an excellent website plus you can drop into the store (but they might not have all their products on display, so best to come with an idea of what you want to look at). Visit the Rock+Run website here

OUTSIDE

Outside Ltd, Main Road, Hathersage, Derbyshire, S32 1BB If you live in the Peak District, Outside is one of the best shops for mountaineering clothing and equipment in the area. With over 25 years experience selling outdoors equipment, they have all the expert knowledge you need to choose the right tent, pair of hiking boots or even mountaineering boots. They also publish in-depth mountaineering equipment reviews on their website, which are definitely worth a read. Visit the Outside website here 

THE CLIMBER’S SHOP

Compston Corner, Ambleside, Cumbria, LA22 9DS The Climber’s Shop was founded in Ambleside, Cumbria back in 1959 by Frank Davies, making it the first outdoor shop in the town. As an independent shop, they offer a far wider range of kit than the big chains can offer – including possibly the biggest selection of Hilleberg tents in the UK. While they might be based in the Lake District, they have the expertise and experience to help you find the right equipment for any mountaineering expedition – whether it is in the UK or beyond. They have two shops – one in Ambleside and another in Milton Keynes. Visit The Climber’s Shop website here 

SNOW+ROCK

4 Mercer Street, Covent Garden, London WC2H 9QA Snow+Rock started out as a specialist skiing and snowboarding shop in 1982, but also stock equipment for all kinds of mountain pursuits including climbing and mountaineering. They have an excellent mountaineering clothing selection, especially for those who live in London. There are seven branches of Snow+Rock in London alone. With 30 years of experience behind them, they really understand what their customers want in terms of good service and quality kit. Visit the Snow + Rock website here

NEEDLE SPORTS

56 Main St, Keswick, CA12 5JS Needle Sports is a specialist technical climbing and mountaineering shop, named after Napes Needle, a famous rock pinnacle in the Lake District. They only employ experienced climbers in their shop, which means you will get the very best advice from mountaineers who know exactly what your needs are – whether you are climbing Snowdon or Everest. Visit the Needle Sports website here