Canstar Blue’s outdoor equipment stores review has seen BCF, Kathmandu and Anaconda rated on their product range, customer service, prices compared to other retailers, deals and specials, store & website layout and overall satisfaction.
See our Ratings Methodology.
Aussies have given BCF the thumbs up as the best-rated outdoor equipment store, scoring it five stars for overall satisfaction and across the board.
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 (32%) we surveyed, who go camping on holidays 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 to all your outdoor leisure needs, but which retailer offers the best combination of products, value and service?
To find out, we asked more than 700 Aussies for their feedback on the camping or outdoor equipment stores they’ve purchased from in the last 12 months. Respondents were asked to compare and rate stores on important factors such as product range, customer service, prices compared to other retailers, deals and specials available, store & website layout and overall satisfaction. Those which met the minimum required survey sample size of 30 responses are included in our ratings.
So, what’s the verdict? BCF took out the number one spot after it received five stars from consumers in every single category.
Here are the best outdoor equipment stores, as rated by consumers in Canstar Blue’s 2020 review:
BCF topped our ratings for best outdoor equipment store with a five-star winning streak across all categories, namely product range, customer service, prices, special deals, store and website layout and overall satisfaction.
Runner up Kathmandu also scored five stars for customer service, special deals and store & website layout, but finished on four stars for overall satisfaction. This is despite receiving three stars for its prices (compared to other retailers) and product range. Notably, Anaconda also achieved a five-star rating for its special deals and rounded out the results with four stars in the remaining categories, as well as overall.
BCF, short for ‘boating, camping and fishing’ 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. BCF stocks a wide range of outdoor adventure supplies, clothing and equipment, online and throughout its 100 stores nationwide. This mega retailer is best recognised for its expertise and crackers deals on everything watersports, fishing, camping, boating, caravan and 4WD.
BCF’s fishing and boating range includes countless lures, rods and reels, tackle boxes, fishing nets bilge pumps, fish finders and plenty more. Its camping range features a wide variety of tents, ropes, pegs, cooking equipment, clothing, hiking gear and more.
Kathmandu is another leading retailer of clothing and equipment for travel and outdoor adventure. The brand was established in 1987 under Kathmandu Holdings, which also owns Oboz and Rip Curl. Kathmandu stocks a wide range of camping, hiking, snow and general travel equipment and clothing, for any weather or rugged landscape. The brand claims its apparel is expertly designed for both travel and outdoor adventure, so that you can pack less and do more.
Anaconda is a one-stop outdoor adventure and sporting retailer with a mission to inspire and equip Australians with the broadest range of quality outdoor leisure products and clothing, so they can enjoy healthier lifestyles. That’s what the company says anyway. This retailer stocks a tried and tested selection of camping and hiking equipment, as well as cycling, snow and water sports gear and more.
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.
Picture credits: Ryan Smith / Flickr.
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 in the last 12 months– in this case, 704 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.