Cotswold Outdoor

Cotswold Outdoor has been kitting out walkers, climbers and campers since 1974, and now runs 59 stores across the UK from its base in Swindon. It's built its name as the country's leading specialist outdoor retailer, with staff who genuinely use the gear they sell, whether that's for a weekend hike or a proper mountain expedition.

The edit leans firmly into gorpcore and technical outdoor and sportswear, with serious mountaineering names like Arc'teryx, Mountain Equipment, Rab and Scarpa sitting alongside footwear specialists Meindl, HOKA and Salomon. There's kit for the details too, from Bridgedale socks to Garmin navigation, plus everyday outdoor staples from The North Face, Patagonia and Osprey. It's the sort of shop that covers you from a local trail to a proper climb, with the know-how to point you at the right gear either way.