Blacks

Here we go, my non-​expert opinion on Blacks offered on an AFAIK basis!
Blacks is a bit more spacious than Nevisport, which leans more towards the old-​school ‘cram as much gear in as possible’ end of the scale.
I looked at a nice 40 litre backpack in here, initially being helped by a nice young female sales assistant before being passed to a more experience male colleague for help with adjusting all the straps. Maybe it is just me, but false lashes do not scream «camping out in the elements» to me!
Behind the checkout, they had what looked like the full range of Brasher socks and I think they were all subject to a BOGOF deal — nice! I like the idea of Brasher socks as the range of boots that Brasher have out already look solid and unfussy in their design.
But if I had to chose between Blacks and Nevisport, I would go for Nevisport as being more technical and cutting edge, IMHO.

There are just so many outdoor-​type shops on Deansgate, it’s an absolute miracle that they all manage to stay in business? How do they do it? There must be at least six or seven. Ridiculous.
Anyway, Blacks is absolutely similar to the rest of them. On the ground floor is where you’ll find all the expensive but amazingly waterproof hiking jackets. Not even an ocean of water could get through these heavily gortexed items. Unfortunately, for protection like this you’re going to have to pay for it to, and a jacket from Blacks could set you back as much as £200. This is serious clobber for serious hiking action. They do have some cheaper options, you’ll just have to search a bit for them.
Just like all the other outdoor stores on Deansgate, Blacks has a humungous basement which is where they stock all of their speciality outdoor pursuit gear. Like climbing equipment, hiking boots and camping stuff.
This is an excellent shop, but just as excellent as all the other outdoor shops around this area.

Blacks marks the start of the deans gate outdoor store cluster. I can’t get enough of this place being a self confessed kit pest this street has everything you could need to climb mountains and live in the wilderness. Blacks is the halfway house between Millets and Cotswold, sure you like kit, you’ll get some bits appropriate to a trip, but you’re not an obsessive.
Blacks is a nice store with two levels and all sorts of bits of clothing, footwear, tents, pocket knives and the lark. The staff are friendly and there is always all manner of bits and bobs to keep newbies and experts alike entertained. Blacks has lots of clothing as well.