Fact Checked
Anaconda catch of the day as best-rated outdoor equipment store for 2nd year
Keen to answer the call of the great outdoors? Are you a fan of fishing trips with your mates? Or perhaps you’re in the same camp as the third of Aussies (30%) we surveyed, who go camping as a go-to holiday or as a weekend getaway? Whichever outdoor adventure takes your fancy, having the right supplies and gear to take with you is essential. And that’s where outdoor equipment stores come in handy. They’re a one-stop shop for all your outdoor leisure needs, but which retailer offers the best combination of products, value, and service?
To find out, we asked more than 600 Australian consumers for their feedback on the camping or outdoor equipment store(s) they’ve purchased from in the last 12 months. Respondents were asked to rate stores on their product range, prices compared to other retailers, special deals available, customer service, store layout, website usability and overall satisfaction. Retailers that received the minimum required survey sample size of 30 responses are included in our ratings.
So, what’s the verdict? Anaconda reeled in the title of best-rated outdoor equipment store in Canstar Blue’s latest review, achieving five stars for overall satisfaction and in other key areas!
Best Outdoor Equipment Stores

Here are the best outdoor equipment stores, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s latest review:
- Anaconda
- BCF
- Kathmandu
Anaconda topped our ratings with five-star reviews for product range, deals and specials available, relative price, website usability, and overall satisfaction. It’s worth mentioning that BCF similarly impressed consumers when it came to its customer service, prices, and store layout.
Top Outdoor Equipment Stores
Anaconda

Anaconda is a one-stop outdoor adventure and sporting retailer with a mission to inspire and equip Aussies with a broad range of quality outdoor leisure products and clothing, so they can enjoy getting outside and develop healthier lifestyles. The retailer stocks countless supplies for camping and hiking, as well as cycling, snow and water sports. This includes everything from tents and sleeping bags to camping showers, portable washing machines, kayaks, paddleboards, Bluetooth speakers, water filters, off-road winches for 4WDs, and more. Expect major brand names like Nike, Oztrail, Mountain Designs in addition to Anaconda’s own line.
For special deals, you can join Anaconda’s Adventure Club for member-only discounts and exclusive offers. You’ll also get invites to Club nights where members can check out sales and in-store demonstrations.
- Anaconda was rated five stars for product range, deals and specials available, relative price, website usability, and overall satisfaction. It got four stars for store layout and three stars for customer service.
BCF

Short for ‘boating, camping and fishing’, BCF is one of the largest outdoor retailers in the country, bearing the distinctive blue and yellow logo since 2005, under the Super Retail Group umbrella.
It has a huge line-up of goodies, especially if you’re on the hunt for boating, fishing, camping, and water sports gear. You can also find items for 4WDs and caravans, plus clothing and footwear. And don’t expect just lures, rods and reels; you can also find portable fridge freezers, cooking equipment, portable toilets, projectors, hiking gear, and more.
BCF features major brands like Engel, Dometic, Oztent, Coleman, Shimano, Daiwa, Samaki, and Wilson. It stocks a wide range of outdoor adventure supplies, clothing, and equipment, online and throughout more than 130 stores nationwide.
- BCF earned five-star reviews for its customer service, relative price, and store layout, before achieving four stars for product range, deals & specials available, website usability, and overall satisfaction.
Kathmandu

The list wouldn’t be complete without Kathmandu, an icon when it comes to anything outdoor and travel-related. The brand was established in 1987 under Kathmandu Holdings, which also owns Oboz and Rip Curl. The leading retailer is home to a wide range of clothing and outdoor gear specially designed for camping, hiking, trail runs, the snow, and general travel, regardless of the weather. Expect a variety of essentials such as whistle keyrings, mosquito head nets, tablets for plane sickness, foldable cutlery sets, tents, and repair tape as well as unisex clothing for adults and children.
You can join Kathmandu’s Summit Club for exclusive offers, including discounts on both sale items and full-price gear. Members also earn points and receive a $10 voucher for every $250 spent.
- Kathmandu scored four stars for relative price, customer service, and store layout. It got three stars for website usability, special deals, product range, and overall satisfaction.
About the author of this page

This report was written by Canstar Blue’s Home & Lifestyle Content Lead, Megan Birot. She’s an expert on household appliances, health & beauty products, as well as all things grocery and shopping. When she’s not writing up our research-based ratings reports, Megan spends her time helping consumers make better purchase decisions, whether it’s at the supermarket, other retailers, or online, highlighting the best deals and flagging anything you need to be aware of.
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