European/EU/Australian/New Zealand - Online Outdoor Gear Sites (that also carry American gear)

[Deleted member 67185]

This post is NOT a commentary on American vs. Non-American backpacking gear. Nope, not at all.

I am posting this because many times, when American sources for things like sleeping bags, backpacks and tents are mentioned, comments about the lack of accessibility in the EU come up. Some of the listings below will carry American-made ultralight gear, as well as those of European manufacture.

The listing below is not an absolute complete listing. It will give you a place to start your online search, though, for those who are curious about what online sources are available for gear or clothing purchases.

Australia and New Zealand do not have stores that appear to carry a lot of American gear, so things are a bit sparse on that front.

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https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ - A British store

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ - British UL store

http://www.trekking-lite-store.com/ - German UL store

http://www.sackundpack.de/ - German store

http://greenline.de.com/ - German store

http://backpackinglight.dk/ - Sweden

https://www.outdoorline.sk/en/ - Slovakian UL store

https://packraft-sverige.com/ - Sweden. Mostly packrafting gear, but also packs from Gossamer Gear and Seek Outside. .

https://www.packrafting-store.de/ - Mostly packrafting gear but also packs from HMG, ULA and Six Moon Designs

Australia and New Zealand

Backpacking Light Australia - Shop for Ultralight Gear & Clothing

Backpacking Light is Australia's #1 specialist store for the world's best ultralight gear, backpacks, tents and clothing for hiking, camping, and lightweight travel.

www.backpackinglight.com.au

Buy Hiking & Camping Gear Online | Wild Earth

Wild Earth is Australia's most comprehensive camping store with our range of hiking, camping and outdoor gear. With trusted brands, shop online today!

www.wildearth.com.au

Outdoor Store - The Ultimate Outdoor Shop for Serious Adventurers

Explore the outdoors with confidence with Australia's leading outdoor camping store. Visit our online hiking shop to find cutting-edge gear from top international brands.

www.bogong.com.au

Outdoor Gear Online - Camping & Hiking Gear | Gearshop NZ

Gearshop is 100% NZ-owned, with an extensive range of the world’s best outdoor gear brands for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Free NZ shipping over $95!

www.gearshop.co.nz

EquipOutdoors | New Zealand | Camping Gear | Outdoor Gear | Equipment Supplier

EquipOutdoors NZ Specialists in the sale of Outdoor Camping Equipment, RV, Tramping & Travel Gear. Camping Tents, Adventure Tents, Packs, Sleeping Bags, Gas Cookers, Portable Toilets, Clothing & Travel Adventure Gear. Shop Online a large selection of quality equipment by leading outdoor brands...

www.equipoutdoors.co.nz

European UL cottage vendors and manufacturers:

https://hikerhaus.de/ - Frameless backpacks from Germany

http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/ - Poland. Down and synthetic sleeping bags, quilts, puffies, wind shells/jackets.

https://summiteerequipment.com/ - Down sleeping bags, produced in China, firm based in the UK

http://www.astucas.com/ - Spanish synthetic quilts

https://www.facebook.com/Treadlitegear/ - Tread Lite Gear is another one-man-band in the UK selling smaller UL accessories like cuben fiber pouches through Ebay

https://www.alpkit.com/ More alpinist focused gear, but they produce some UL applicable stuff too. From the UK.

 

[henrythedog]

This post is NOT a commentary on American vs. Non-American backpacking gear. Nope, not at all.

I am posting this because many times, when American sources for things like sleeping bags, backpacks and tents are mentioned, comments about the lack of accessibility in the EU come up. Some of the listings below will carry American-made ultralight gear, as well as those of European manufacture.

The listing below is not an absolute complete listing. It will give you a place to start your online search, though, for those who are curious about what online sources are available for gear or clothing purchases.

Australia and New Zealand do not have stores that appear to carry a lot of American gear, so things are a bit sparse on that front.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ - A British store

https://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/ - British UL store

http://www.trekking-lite-store.com/ - German UL store

http://www.sackundpack.de/ - German store

http://greenline.de.com/ - German store

http://backpackinglight.dk/ - Sweden

https://www.outdoorline.sk/en/ - Slovakian UL store

https://packraft-sverige.com/ - Sweden. Mostly packrafting gear, but also packs from Gossamer Gear and Seek Outside. .

https://www.packrafting-store.de/ - Mostly packrafting gear but also packs from HMG, ULA and Six Moon Designs

Australia and New Zealand

Backpacking Light Australia - Shop for Ultralight Gear & Clothing

Backpacking Light is Australia's #1 specialist store for the world's best ultralight gear, backpacks, tents and clothing for hiking, camping, and lightweight travel.

www.backpackinglight.com.au

Buy Hiking & Camping Gear Online | Wild Earth

Wild Earth is Australia's most comprehensive camping store with our range of hiking, camping and outdoor gear. With trusted brands, shop online today!

www.wildearth.com.au

Outdoor Store - The Ultimate Outdoor Shop for Serious Adventurers

Explore the outdoors with confidence with Australia's leading outdoor camping store. Visit our online hiking shop to find cutting-edge gear from top international brands.

www.bogong.com.au

Outdoor Gear Online - Camping & Hiking Gear | Gearshop NZ

Gearshop is 100% NZ-owned, with an extensive range of the world’s best outdoor gear brands for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Free NZ shipping over $95!

www.gearshop.co.nz

EquipOutdoors | New Zealand | Camping Gear | Outdoor Gear | Equipment Supplier

EquipOutdoors NZ Specialists in the sale of Outdoor Camping Equipment, RV, Tramping & Travel Gear. Camping Tents, Adventure Tents, Packs, Sleeping Bags, Gas Cookers, Portable Toilets, Clothing & Travel Adventure Gear. Shop Online a large selection of quality equipment by leading outdoor brands...

www.equipoutdoors.co.nz

European UL cottage vendors and manufacturers:

https://hikerhaus.de/ - Frameless backpacks from Germany

http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/ - Poland. Down and synthetic sleeping bags, quilts, puffies, wind shells/jackets.

https://summiteerequipment.com/ - Down sleeping bags, produced in China, firm based in the UK

http://www.astucas.com/ - Spanish synthetic quilts

https://www.facebook.com/Treadlitegear/ - Tread Lite Gear is another one-man-band in the UK selling smaller UL accessories like cuben fiber pouches through Ebay

https://www.alpkit.com/ More alpinist focused gear, but they produce some UL applicable stuff too. From the UK.

www.phdesigns.co.uk.

THE down specialists. Quality costs, however.

 

[Isca-camigo]

www.phdesigns.co.uk.

THE down specialists. Quality costs, however.

My down quilt is from here, they made a batch for a special one off event, it weighs 250-300gms and has rating I didn't even know existed of 1000k. The event items went on sale where they reduced them from 33% to 40%, which is where I purchased it. If you register online to their newsletter you can get 10% off their regular stock.

 

[David S. Coleman]

Thanks so much. That's a big help.

 

[Barbara]

That's a seriously useful resource. Thank you!

 

[NavyBlue]

Hi,

Thanks for starting this thread.

Light gear specialists in France, with worldwide suppliers, including US-based ones :
https://www.aventurenordique.com/
https://www.arklight-design.com/
https://www.highmobilitygear.com/

Not specifically US-sourced but worth a visit :

Another German store :
https://www.out-24.com/shop/en/home/

A Polish manufacturer of down sleeping bags, quilts etc. :
http://sleepingbags-cumulus.eu/

I have used most of them and got satisfied.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I suspect that the two NZ sites shown are drop-shippers and I would not use a web site like that.

I use https://www.bivouac.co.nz/

Also, sometimes these specialist stores: https://www.macpac.co.nz/

Outdoor Store | Shop Outdoor Gear & Equipment | Kathmandu NZ

Kathmandu is your online outdoor and camping store, shop online now and choose from our wide range of Outdoor Supplies, Clothing & Equipment for Camping, Hiking & much more at Kathmandu.

www.kathmandu.co.nz

And occasionally these more generalist stores:

Camping Store | Shop Camping Gear in NZ | Torpedo7

Shop online for camping gear: tents, sleeping bags, stretchers & more from Torpedo7. Available online and in store. Great prices & overnight shipping in NZ.

www.torpedo7.co.nz

Sports Gear & Equipment - Shop Online | Rebel Sport

Rebel Sport has a huge range of sporting goods & sports equipment for everyone. Order online & we'll deliver right to your door.

www.rebelsport.co.nz

I have never used the stores in this next list, mostly because they don't have a store anywhere close to where I live but they are specialist stores with a good reputation:

Complete Outdoors NZ

A specialist family camping, tramping, snow/ski & outdoors store based in Christchurch, NZ. We aim to provide quality camping gear & great outdoor equipment that is suited to New Zealand & affordably priced. View our massive range of family tents, ski & snow gear, camping furniture, tramping...

www.completeoutdoors.co.nz

Outdoor Action NZ | Online Adventure Store

New Zealand's longest serving online Adventure Store, Outdoor Action has been supplying quality camping and adventure gear online since 2003.

www.outdooraction.co.nz

Outdoors & Camping Store | Family Tents NZ | Dwights

Dwights has been the top NZ owned & operated outdoors family camping store since 1979. View our range of outdoor clothing & family tents here.

dwights.co.nz

EquipOutdoors | New Zealand | Camping Gear | Outdoor Gear | Equipment Supplier

EquipOutdoors NZ Specialists in the sale of Outdoor Camping Equipment, RV, Tramping & Travel Gear. Camping Tents, Adventure Tents, Packs, Sleeping Bags, Gas Cookers, Portable Toilets, Clothing & Travel Adventure Gear. Shop Online a large selection of quality equipment by leading outdoor brands...

www.equipoutdoors.co.nz

And, my apologies, this store does look legit:

Outdoor Gear Online - Camping & Hiking Gear | Gearshop NZ

Gearshop is 100% NZ-owned, with an extensive range of the world’s best outdoor gear brands for outdoor enthusiasts of all levels. Free NZ shipping over $95!

www.gearshop.co.nz

 

[dougfitz]

@davebugg, thanks, but what the ...? I have always seen the commentary on forum members from the US posting advice on US makers and retailers as a subtle hint that there are more makers and brands out in the market elsewhere than just those designed and made in the USA. Certainly I have not seen it as a desire to know where to buy US makers' or retailers' products.

More, in the current environment, it would not surprise me very much if most of us were more interested in supporting local companies get back on their feet. Even if their supply chains do rely on overseas makers of either raw materials or more finished products, we would then be supporting the recovery of local businesses more directly than using finished products from another country.

I say this conscious that I have gear from a number of different countries. I wouldn't think of walking without my Tilley hat, and typically use either a German or a US manufactured pack for longer walks. My day-pack is the only locally sourced pack right now. That won't change, but if I have to replace them in the short term, I might think twice before going online to source something that I can buy from an Australian company.

 

[dougfitz]

For a better understanding of what is available in Australia, Australian forum members would be better advised to find their local camino group and ask them. You can find these through the Australian Friends of the Camino website here.

My local camino group is meeting online for the time being, which should make it easier for you to attend. I am happy to share the meeting details with other Australian forum members. We did this quite successfully this weekend, and will do that again in a month. PM me for details.

It that is too long to wait, I am happy to share what has been successful for me when someone asks a specific question in a gear/equipment related thread.

 

[Delphinoula]

Question what is a drop shipper.
And all you down lovers are those downs plucked from live geese ?
Any in Spain sources? Maybe I did not read it through well enough?
I am with you Doug, go to your local small stores, They provide solid counsel, anything breaks the help it repair. Mine evan let me test carry my backpack over the weekend. Yes some about 10% to 20% more expensive, but well spent.
like this one Sport Dildey. https://www.sport-dildey.de/kontakt.asp not online but you call them they help.

 

[SabsP]

Question what is a drop shipper.
And all you down lovers are those downs plucked from live geese ?
Any in Spain sources? Maybe I did not read it through well enough?
I am with you Doug, go to your local small stores, They provide solid counsel, anything breaks the help it repair. Mine evan let me test carry my backpack over the weekend. Yes some about 10% to 20% more expensive, but well spent.
like this one Sport Dildey. https://www.sport-dildey.de/kontakt.asp not online but you call them they help.

Completely agreeing here!
My independent outdoor store has wonderful experienced staff! They really listen to your questions and don't try to sell you the most expensive stuff when they know that other cheaper gear will be more suited for your personal needs.
Now eagerly waiting for this store to open again seeing I have to invest in new Hanwag boots.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Question what is a drop shipper.
And all you down lovers are those downs plucked from live geese ?
Any in Spain sources? Maybe I did not read it through well enough?
I am with you Doug, go to your local small stores, They provide solid counsel, anything breaks the help it repair. Mine evan let me test carry my backpack over the weekend. Yes some about 10% to 20% more expensive, but well spent.
like this one Sport Dildey. https://www.sport-dildey.de/kontakt.asp not online but you call them they help.

A drop-shipper is a seller (usually a small business or individual or storefront) who does not actually stock or have any inventory on-hand. When they recieve an online order, they then contact a supplier that they have an arrangement with, and it is that supplier which mails out the item ordered to the buyer.

A good example of this are Ebay sellers who have storefronts.

 

[Deleted member 67185]

After reading some of the latest responses to the OP, I went back to reread what I wrote. I still cannot see that what I wrote says anything like what some have interpreted.

I do truly regret writing my original post that started this thread. I never considered that what I wrote would generate controversy, or lead to one public insinuation of agendas and hidden motivations. Or that the OP would be interpreted as a call for forum members to abandon local shops.

For those folks who have local stores that carry the outdoor gear that you are looking for, I am happy you have that choice. I know a lot of people who do not. My nearest store is 182 miles / 293 km from my house, it is an REI store in Seattle, and they do not always carry the specific gear I want.

So let me try and repair the mess that my OP seems to have created. .
1. If you have a local store that carries what you need and want, do business there.
2. I was mistaken about there having been any postings on the Forum expressing interest in purchasing US made gear from EU sources. . or any other nation's retailers.
3. It was negligent of me to not include all links, to all the global-national outdoor gear shops that offer internet sales. That was a biased thing to do.
4. I was never specifically asked for gear-related recommendations or advice. I am now aware that I breached some Forum rule, or unstated posting etiquette.

My thanks to those who took the time to clarify how things work.

 

[Barbara]

This post is NOT a commentary on American vs. Non-American backpacking gear. Nope, not at all.

I thought that was pretty clear. I have found your posts very helpful. Please continue to post!