Quick summary
The 10 best hiking and outdoor gear Shopify stores in the UK are Cotswold Outdoor, Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports, Mountain Equipment, Alpkit, Trekitt, Snow+Rock, Ultralight Outdoor Gear, Valley and Peak, Alpinetrek, and Outsiders Store.
The UK outdoor market is fiercely competitive, but the best stores manage to convert serious hikers and casual walkers alike. These ten Shopify stores stand out for their product range, site experience, and brand authority. If you sell outdoor gear and want to see what the benchmark looks like, start here.
1. Cotswold Outdoor
Cotswold Outdoor is the go-to name for UK hikers. Their Shopify store handles an enormous catalogue spanning clothing, footwear, camping and climbing gear from Rab, Berghaus, Salomon and Arc'teryx, without ever feeling overwhelming. The filtering and guided buying tools are particularly strong.
2. Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports
Ellis Brigham Mountain Sports is a premium UK outdoor retailer with a 90-year history, and the online store reflects that specialist expertise. The product range covers mountaineering, ski and backcountry gear from Arc'teryx, Mammut and Ortovox, and the product pages carry detailed technical notes with activity-specific guidance. Staff expert reviews add a credibility layer that catalogue retailers cannot replicate.
3. Mountain Equipment
Mountain Equipment is a Glossop-based outdoor brand that has been designing and manufacturing technical mountaineering and climbing kit since 1961. The DTC store focuses on the brand's own product range, covering sleeping bags, down jackets, softshells and accessories with the technical credibility of a brand that has tested gear at altitude for decades. The product pages are detailed and honest, which is what serious mountaineers buying high-stakes kit expect.
4. Alpkit
Alpkit is a direct-to-consumer success story. This UK-only brand covers hiking, running, climbing, camping and wild swimming with gear they design and sell themselves. Their store communicates outstanding value without compromising on technical credibility, and their community-focused content keeps customers coming back beyond the transaction.
5. Trekitt
Founded in 1986, Trekitt is a specialist's specialist. Their focus on mountaineering and technical outdoor clothing gives the store a focused, expert voice that serious hikers trust. The depth of product knowledge carried through to product pages and guides sets them apart from more generalist competitors.
6. Snow+Rock
Part of the Cotswold Outdoor group, Snow+Rock focuses on premium outdoor and ski gear. Brands like The North Face, Patagonia, Salomon and Hoka sit alongside a polished editorial approach. The store positions itself at the premium end with confidence, and the site design reflects that positioning clearly.
7. Ultralight Outdoor Gear
A niche store done brilliantly. Ultralight Outdoor Gear serves the lightweight backpacking and adventure racing community with specialist products and genuinely useful editorial content. The expert reviews and buying advice integrated throughout the store build trust at every step of the customer journey.
8. Valley and Peak
Valley and Peak is an independent curated outdoor retailer with a clear point of view. The store focuses on quality over volume, which makes it feel considered and trustworthy. For independent outdoor retailers, this is a strong example of how to differentiate from the big players through curation and brand voice.
9. Alpinetrek
Alpinetrek brings strong European outdoor expertise to the UK market. Covering hiking, climbing, mountaineering and winter sports, the store handles a broad range with clear structure. Their product pages are detailed and technically thorough, which works well for high-consideration gear purchases.
10. Outsiders Store
Outsiders Store is an independent UK retailer with a premium, curated feel. The selection of brands is deliberate and the store communicates personality and taste, rather than simply listing products. It is a good example of how independent outdoor retailers can compete on identity rather than price.
What these stores get right
The best outdoor gear stores online share a few common traits: strong filtering for technical products, trusted brand partnerships, and content that supports the buying decision rather than just selling. If your outdoor store is not converting at the rate it should, the gap is usually in one of these areas.
At SuttonCommerce, we build Shopify stores for outdoor and sporting goods merchants that are designed to convert serious buyers. See our Shopify design work or get in touch to talk through what your store needs.