Bergfreunde

Bergfreunde began in 2006 with two founders, a dog and a love of climbing. They set up in a former textile factory in Kirchentellinsfurt, near Tübingen, and sold mountain sports kit online. They've stuck with that online-only approach ever since, and it has grown into one of Europe's leading online mountain sports retailers, with a team of over 700.

Climbing is where its heart lies, but there's plenty here for walkers, cyclists, runners and winter sports fans too. The shelves mix big outdoor names with smaller scene labels. Expect Norwegian outfitters such as Aclima, Amundsen Sports and Bergans, Berghaus technical layers, ASSOS and Alé for road cycling, Altra and Asics for running, and Atomic and Anon for the slopes. Barefoot shoes from Ballop and Tyrolean chalkbags from 8bplus show how far the range goes. The Basislager blog is a handy place to read up on gear before you buy.