K2 Odyssey Travel

I know it’s hot in brisbane, but if you’ve been to colder climes at high altitude, try to remember just how cold it was! This place has everything you’ll need from thermal underwear to gloves, hats, boots and outer wear — even tents, sleeping bags and other really cool stuff for extreme camping. My Dad used to trek into the Victorian mountains in winter and I’ve bought him thermals and other bits and pieces over the years. He lived in one heavy shirt he particularly liked for ages.

I had a $ 200 voucher to blow at K2 odyssey. My first trip there I bought an Osprey pack with the help of one of the sales assistants there. We had a chat about where each of us was from; he used to be a hiking instructor and had travelled all around the world. He knew a lot about the gear and what constituted a comfortable and safe pack depending on each customer’s body type.
I returned a little later and spent the rest of my voucher on their wide range of camping bits and bobs. I picked up some neat little trinkets — a tiny whistle I could attach to my backpack for emergencies, a safe luggage lock, a travel wallet, and travel containers for liquids.
There are two components of the store that are completely separate to each other; one with clothes, packs, and a small rock climbing wall upstairs for customers to test out gear, and another (two stores down) packed full of your basic camping gear and accessories.
The staff were incredibly helpful and recommended some great products. They were all very knowledgeable and eager to lend a hand. I’d definitely recommend coming here if you’re planning a trip, whether it be a holiday or a trek to Everest.

Tucked away among in a strip of other camping and adventure stores is one of the original and best — K2. Named after the world’s second highest mountain and one of the most perilous ascents a mountaineer can attempt, this place was founded by a real adventurer and staffed by genuine hiking, rock climbing and extreme sport enthusiasts.
As a keen rock climber I bought my first harness and climbing shoes there. I was happy to find that they gave me a reciprocal discount for being a member of the Urban Climb rock climbing gym. They even have a small bouldering wall in the upstairs rock climbing gear section which allows you to try out your purchases and generally talk technique with some of the A-​grade climbers who work there.
K2 is the place to go if you need a pair of quality hiking boots. They stock some very well regarded international brands like Scarpa, La Sportiva and Asolo. They also have a good range of casual shoes. They even have vegan and vegetarian varieties.

Are you going hiking?
Are you going camping?
Are you going skiing?
Are you going snowboarding?
Are you climbing a huge rock formation and need somewhere to stay?
This place has the answers. The owner is a tough man, who’s done it all himself. He has a firm scarily strong handshake and means business. You can tell he only stocks the good stuff in his shop.
Here you will find all sorts of thermal underwear, socks, shoes, accessories for your extreme conditions. You will even find a nice shirt to wear, even if you’re not going anywear and just want to wear a cool brand.
I really like this place for the gear, the accessories and they have really nice ultra climate temperature pants.

If you are travelling overseas or going bushwalking in the mountains KD Odyssey will have all the gear you need. They are located on Wickham Street in the Valley and sell everything adventurous from protective clothing to comfortable footwear, backpacks and travel guides.
The staff are super friendly and always do everything they can to help you find exactly what you need. I recently went to K2 in search of a backpack (for an extended overseas holiday) and was so impressed at the attention the staff paid to my requests. They helped me to try on a number of different packs and supplied information brochures for my preferences.
They fit a lot of stock into the little store and it is still quite easy to find what you need — very neat and tidy. The prices are good but if you are on a budget there is a clearance outlet downstairs (separate from the main building) — head down there for some mega bargains, if you can’t find it just ask the staff who will be more than happy to point you in the right direction.