Scout Outdoor Centre

Like Paddy Pallin, Scout Outdoor Centre is staffed by experienced folk and they stock only quality gear. I tend to buy equipment at Paddy’s and my clothing at Scouts. Their, and their other store, Annapurna’s, range of outdoor clothing is the best on Rundle Street. They stock great brands like Mountain Hardware, One Planet and Earth Sea Sky. Certainly a must-​browse if you’re after outdoor gear.

Having a scout in the family, I think I have to be a fan of this place — I mean, lets face it, otherwise I’d have to learn how to use a sewing machine and make her uniform from scratch, right?
Both kids tried cubs, so we came in and got all the gear they needed — then a trip back for blankets so they could go camp, and there was somewhere to put all the badges they started getting — only one make the jump into Scouts (we still have them both, we didn’t lose one on a hike or anything, she just decided scouting wasn’t her thing) but there was yet another trip in for a shiny new uniform, and a sleeping bag, too. In all our visits, we’ve found the staff to be very friendly, and extremely helpful. They even gave the girls a few badges to help their new blankets along, which won them friends for life :)
Parking is my big bugbear here — and it’s not their fault the city’s a pain to park in. My recommendation is the Target u-​park — sure, you have to pay, but it’s worth it in the whole not having to circle the block whilst swearing never again thing.

12÷1÷2012 Photos
The way I feel when I walk into Scout Outdoor Centre is probably the way famous New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary felt just before he became one of the first climbers known to have reached the summit of Mount Everest: «A few more whacks of the ice axe in the firm snow, and we stood on top.»
In other words, the longer I spent in this shop, the more I understood what tools were necessary. Yet, unlike Sir Hillary, I’ve only done rockclimbing once, and that was way back in high school. And that was only indoors, and I was terrified when I nearly reached the top. I need to conquer more of my life fears.
So if I’m crazy enough to ever decide to try rockclimbing again, I have to make sure I come back to this store — I must purchase the necessary harness and specialised rockclimbing.
I don’t think I’m that great at rockclimbing, though that was only one attempt. I’m a bit older and stronger now, so maybe with the right coach, training, and a little bit more money, I might just succeed on my second try. My rockclimbing days are unfortunately on hold for the meantime…
If my next girlfriend is an adventure addict, I might be in trouble LOL.
If and only if that happens — I’m sprinting back here.
Anyway, after walking around, I was really attracted to the $ 299 travel backpacks on the back wall. Seems a bit pricey for me and looks a bit heavy to carry, but the friendly saleslady highly recommended it for anyone that was going to travel overseas e. g, Europe. What I really loved most about this sales staff here is that they approach you and talk to you, and they told me before I left, «Travelling overseas to Europe is really easy. Just get your visa and go there. This is, hands down, the best store in Adelaide for rockclimbing gear. We have everything you need.».
Looks like my next travels just wouldn’t be complete without this cool new backpacks!

Amongst the plethora of outdoor stores crowding the middle Western side of Rundle Street, Scout Outdoor’s my favourite.
Know what makes them so special? They’re a non-​for profit organisation. Yep. A niche, non for profit organisation in the middle of Rundle Street. Pretty bizarre, but there it is. Scout Outdoor pump all their profit back into the Scouts SA organisation to run events and generally support the business’ overall income.
As a result, their prices are lower than other places on Rundle like Kathmandu and Mountain Designs. Their service is friendly and incredibly helpful (Scouts honor?) and the range of product is great from the cheap stuff, to the boutique gortex creations you see professional hikers kicking around in. I’ve been in for rock climbing gear, travel bags and other assorted outdoorsy stuff. Every time they were super considerate and actually keen to help. Love it.
Skip the chains and support the Scouts, I say.