When you’re gearing up for the bush — whether it’s a long weekend on the Bibbulmun Track or a twilight scramble up Serpentine — reliably chosen equipment makes all the difference. Over years of prepping mates, double‑checking kit lists and walking back into Perth with kilos of mud on my boots, I’ve worked out where to genuinely touch, try and compare gear in person. And where to save your time and money.
Below are the local stores I return to again and again. Not because they have the biggest selections, but because they deliver what actually matters for WA terrain: solid kit, staff who are super dedicated to their customers and gear that fits the bill for the WA outdoors.
Paddy Pallin – The Place I Start for Technical Hiking Gear
Paddy Pallin has roots going back to the 1930s as one of Australia’s original outdoor gear stores, and the Perth shop carries that through in its product range and service ethos.
What I like most about popping in here is the focus on purposeful gear: quality packs, tried‑and‑tested sleeping bags, technical layers you won’t regret carrying. The staff aren’t there to push the loudest brand on the floor — they’re trained to help you think through what you’ll actually use. That matters especially when you’re planning a multi‑day hike and want kit that earns its weight.
Inside the store you’ll find a curated range of backpacks, hiking poles, tents and clothing from reputable brands, not endless big‑box choices. There’s a club membership you can join for ongoing discounts, and — crucially — staff who can unpack the why behind a feature, not just the price tag.
Go Camping & Overlanding – A Small Store With Big Ideas
This Balcatta outfit is one of those places that feels genuinely local, not just another chain. They stock a range of brands you don’t always see on the big store floors (think Sea to Summit, Wilderness Equipment, Trangia etc.), and the people here are passionate about the gear they sell — which makes it easier to trust their recommendations.
I’ve found that this is where you start to see the difference between “stocked because it’s popular” and “stocked because it works.” If you’re after thoughtful backpacking pieces, overlanding accessories, or outdoor cooking systems that won’t let you down, it’s worth the short drive north of the city. The shop feels easy to wander through, and you can ask “what do you use for X?” without getting a glaze‑over look.
Tentworld Perth – Everything Camping Under One Roof
Tentworld’s Midland store is one of the larger WA‑based camping specialists, and you’ll notice the range as soon as you walk in: tents from basic to weekend‑warrior size, fridges, stoves and all the accoutrements for car camping and family trips. It isn’t as laser‑focused on ultralight backpacking gear as Paddy Pallin or Go Camping, but that’s part of its strength — it’s a good spot when you’re planning to stay put, set up a base camp and want all your essentials in one place.
For weekenders, novice campers, or anyone who likes to shop a broad line‑up and compare families of products side by side, Tentworld Midland is worth the visit.
Anaconda (Various Locations Around Perth) – Wide Range, Good for Basics
Anaconda isn’t a specialist outdoor shop in the purest sense — it’s more like a big‑box outdoor department store with everything from hiking pants to 4WD gear, paddleboards and fishing kits. You can find useful pieces here at fair prices if you know what you’re looking for and aren’t chasing the highest technical performance.
That said, opinions on their range vary among local hikers. Some find the selection broad and practical for casual gear, while others feel the depth and technical know‑how can be a bit hit or miss (especially for serious backpacking kit) — so it’s worth going in with a clear idea of what you need ahead of time.
Regional Gems and Other Good Stops
- Compleat Angler & Camping World (Rockingham) — family‑run store with strong roots in fishing and camping gear; staff will help with pack fitting, reel setup or finding what works for your next coastal or bush trip.
- Getaway Outdoors Balcatta — another solid Balcatta option with a good reputation for friendly service and a broad camping selection.
- Sea to Summit (Online) — slightly biased here, as I’ve written copy for them and had the chance to use a lot of their gear firsthand. Their products are genuinely lightweight, clever and built for real-world conditions, from compact sleeping mats to ultralight cookware. For people who don’t mind ordering online, it’s worth checking their full range.
What I Keep Coming Back To
What I personally return to — again and again — isn’t just about price or range. It’s the moments in those aisles where a staff member stops what they’re doing to answer a question about gear weight in the WA heat, or points out a detail you hadn’t noticed on a sleeping bag that will make a real difference overnight. Smaller stores have those conversations more naturally; they treat gear as tools for specific conditions, not just another line on a receipt.
Big stores like Anaconda play a role too — they’re handy when you need a broad sweep of basics or are comparing larger categories — but when I’m serious about a hike that’s going to carry me into nature, I start with the specialists above.
Check out more posts like this on our Adventure Guides page. Everything from hiking hacks and best walks in WA to epic 4WD missions and the best time of year to see WA’s wildflowers.
