Best-Rated Equipment Stores

You’re viewing our 2022 ratings for Outdoor Equipment Stores. We don’t currently plan to update this rating in the future.

See Our Ratings Methodology.

Best outdoor equipment stores 2022

Most Satisfied Customers | Anaconda

Aussies have given Anaconda the thumbs up as the best-rated outdoor equipment store for the SECOND year in a row. The retailer scored five stars for product range, deals and specials available, relative price, website usability, and overall satisfaction.

Fact Checked 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

Best outdoor equipment stores Anaconda

Here are the best outdoor equipment stores, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s latest review:

  1. Anaconda
  2. BCF
  3. 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 outdoor equipment store review

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

BCF outdoor equipment store review

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

Kathmandu outdoor equipment stores review

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

Megan Birot

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.

BBQ Reviews and Ratings

Frequently Asked Questions

Canstar Blue surveyed more than 3,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have made a purchase from a camping or outdoor equipment store(s) in the last 12 months– in this case, 630 people.

Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.

  • Best outdoor equipment store for overall satisfaction: Anaconda was rated best overall.
  • Best outdoor equipment store for customer service: BCF was deemed to offer the best customer service.
  • Best outdoor equipment store for product range: Anaconda ranked number one for its product range.
  • Best outdoor equipment store for relative price: Anaconda also rated best for prices compared to other retailers.
  • Best outdoor equipment store for specials/deals available: Anaconda got the top score for its specials and deals offerings.
  • Best outdoor equipment store for store layout: BCF has the best stores layout, according to consumers.
  • Best outdoor equipment store for website usability: Anaconda was rated best for website usability.

Here are the past winners of Canstar Blue’s outdoor equipment stores review:

  • 2021: Anaconda
  • 2020: BCF
  • 2013: Aussie Disposals

Related Stores & Services Articles

Your guide to Easter long weekend trading hours

Your guide to 2024 Easter long weekend trading hours

Aussie families will be out and about for Easter this year, taking advantage of the long weekend and enjoying a break together. With many shops and stores closed over the Easter weekend, it can be …

– Read more
Ride-on lawnmowers Buying Guide

Ride-on Lawn Mower Review & Guide

If your lawn resembles anything more than a nature strip, or you live on anything bigger than half an acre, no doubt you’ve considered purchasing a ride-on mower to help make tackling the lawn a …

– Read more
Mowing the lawn

Cheap Lawn Mower Buying Guide

The cheapest powered lawn mowers can be found for around $200, but are they any good? Compare mowers from ALDI, Ozito & others with Canstar Blue.

– Read more
Hedge trimmer trimming hedges

Hedge Trimmer Buying Guide

When it comes to getting the garden and lawn in shape, there’s no shortage of tools available for you to stock your shed with, including staples such as a lawn mower and chainsaw, through to …

– Read more
Chainsaws

Chainsaw Buying Guide

Nothing gets the yardwork done – or makes yardwork fun – quite like a good chainsaw. While it’s not necessarily a household essential, for those with plenty of foliage around their house (or just enjoy …

– Read more