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

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

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