Gear up!

Helston’s Outback Trading has everything you need to comfortably traverse Cornwall’s great outdoors.

Also offering a growing a range of sportswear, Outback Trading is one of Cornwall’s only independent outdoor suppliers. Director Ian, with more than 20 years of experience running his own businesses, explains how the team is regularly invited to attend showrooms around the country, learning all they need to know about the industry’s top brands.

“Most important to us is offering our customers the best. People buy brand when it comes to outdoor gear, and there’s a reason for that.”

He then introduces me to his colleague Laura, who he explains has completed a degree in textiles. This expertise gives her a good grip on how products work from a technical point of view, meaning she can analyse the benefits that certain products bring to the end user. Between them, the team sources only the best mid to high-end brands, which means that while they do offer a sterling aftercare service, they’re often not required to, thanks to the sheer quality of the wares they sell.

Take Jack Wolfskin, for example. Relatively new to Outback Trading, Ian tells me they could no longer ignore the quality of this German brand’s apparel. “Most important to us is offering our customers the best. People buy brand when it comes to outdoor gear, and there’s a reason for that.”

Thanks to his wealth of experience, Ian is an expert when it comes to sourcing great deals on stock. “We sell a lot of swimming equipment, for instance, and when we’re able to get stock discounts, we pass them straight on to the customer.”

The store continues to grow its range of sportswear, including equipment for golf, football and rugby, but something that has and will likely always remain at the forefront is its range of walking apparel. Whether you’re just starting out, or are a seasoned adventurer, the team knows there’s nothing worse than forking out for a new pair of boots, only to have them fall apart after your first outing.

Brands include Meindl, Merell, Scarpa, Lowa, Keen and Zamberlan – and that’s just shoes and boots! There’s also a fantastic range of coats, fleeces and jackets from top brands including The North Face, Jack Wolfskin, Mammut and Paramo.

So if you’ve decided to make the most of Cornwall’s landscape this year, make sure you’re prepared for everything the great outdoors might throw at you with a trip to Outback Trading.