Why you should still visit gear shops to buy outdoor kit

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With the COVID-19 pandemic creating an online shopping boom, why is it still important for hikers and hillwalkers to visit gear shops? Trail magazine catches up with Mark Brigham, Director at Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, to find the answers.


Why would you still encourage people to visit gear shops to buy key pieces of outdoor kit, rather than just ordering online? 

“For me shopping for outdoor kit is an emotional thing – we invest time and energy in researching it and our staff are integral in helping with this. Our staff not only share your passion for the outdoors, but also the skill and expertise to make that purchase and the subsequent experience with it a memorable one.  Whilst we can replicate some of that experience online, a visit to one of our stores is a sociable and rewarding experience.”

What kind of specialist input can customers expect from staff in your stores?

“Our staff are outdoor problem-solvers. Their aim is to make your next experience outdoors the best yet. They bring a wealth of their own experiences of camping, climbing, mountaineering and hillwalking. Their first-hand experience coupled with our own SUREfit training scheme and guarantee makes them masters of their craft when it comes to fitting footwear and backpacks.”

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What are the main things for customers to think about when buying key pieces of walking kit like boots and rucksacks? 

“For boots, it’s where you will be wearing them. Will it be light day treks or overnight long hikes? How much support do you need? This then dictates stiffness. One key piece of advice is whenever buying new footwear, always wear them in before venturing out!

“For rucksacks, we always ask where and when and how long are you going for, and any personal preferences eg lightweight, large or small. Again, one key piece of advice is the bigger the pack, the more you will carry. This isn’t always a good thing – think about how you can just take the essentials.”

How much has the shopping experience changed in recent months, and what can customers expect when they visit your stores?

“The changes start even before you get into store. For added convenience, we’ve developed a new online appointment system that allows bookings for footwear and backpack fitting, camping advice and more general outdoor advice.

“Once in-store, we’ve implemented now familiar safety measures to protect our customers and staff – hand sanitation stations and a regular cleaning programme throughout the day. Our friendly customer service hosts are at the door to welcome you and reassure you, as well as help with any queries you may have. For footwear fitting, we have clear screens that are put up between staff members and customers. “

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What’s your message to anyone thinking of visiting an outdoor gear shop?

“Just to say we’ve really missed seeing everyone in our stores. Our teams are in retail because they enjoy sharing their experiences and hearing about your adventures. We think we’re doing everything possible to help people adapt to a new way of shopping, but if there is anything you feel we should be doing to help you then I’d urge people to get in touch with us on social media.”

TO BOOK AN ONLINE APPOINTMENT AT AN ELLIS BRIGHAM STORE NEAR YOU, CLICK HERE

Oli Reed