Best Is Mountain Warehouse a Good Brand? Tested & Reviewed

Why I rate Mountain Warehouse for accessible outdoor gear
Mountain Warehouse ethics and sustainability
5 Mountain Warehouse items tested in Tarifa
What I carry now: my long-distance hiking kit
Where to buy Mountain Warehouse
Going further: when you're ready for specialist gear
FAQ: Mountain Warehouse review
Bottom line
Related reads

Is Mountain Warehouse a good brand? Yes, especially if you're starting out, kitting out a family, or want quality outdoor gear without spending hundreds. Mountain Warehouse is a UK-based outdoor retailer with stores across the UK, Germany, the US, Canada, and Poland, known for genuinely affordable prices on camping, hiking, and travel gear. They make outdoor adventure accessible, which is something I care a lot about.

This is a review based on five Mountain Warehouse items I camped with for an extended trip in Tarifa, Spain, back in 2014. I've kept this post updated since with how I think about Mountain Warehouse now and where the brand fits alongside the specialist gear I've added over the years.

If you're researching whether Mountain Warehouse is worth your money, this guide answers it honestly. If you're shopping specific products, scroll down for the individual reviews.

Original test: 2014. Last updated: April 2026.

Quick answer: is Mountain Warehouse a good brand?

Great for: beginner campers, weekend hikers, festival-goers, family outdoor gear, kids' kit, budget travellers, and anyone wanting reliable basics without the premium price tag.

What they're known for: in-house designed products, low prices, genuine sales, strong UK retail presence, and a wide range that covers most outdoor needs from festival tents to merino base layers.

Best deals: end-of-season sales, Black Friday, January reductions. The discounts are real, not inflated.

Items I tested in Tarifa: the Festival Tent, the Ride 25L Hydro Bag, the Extreme Cree LED head torch, the Traveller 50 sleeping bag, and the Nolana fleece.

Bottom line: Mountain Warehouse makes outdoor gear accessible. That matters. Not everyone can spend on premium brands, and getting outdoors shouldn't be locked behind a price barrier. Have a look here or check the second-hand market first on Preloved or Vinted.

Who's reviewing this?

I'm Suzanne van der Veeken. I've put 2,000+ miles on hiking gear, including 850 km solo across the GR11 with my dog Wingo, the Fisherman's Trail in Portugal, the Waitukubuli National Trail in Dominica, the GR131 across the Canary Islands, and Apu Ausangate in Peru. I've camped over 150 nights and tested gear from budget brands to ultralight specialists. Mountain Warehouse was where I started kitting out for the outdoors when I had less to spend, and the experience shaped how I think about accessible gear.

Mountain Warehouse provided some of the gear in this review for testing. The post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend brands and items I'd genuinely use.

Why I rate Mountain Warehouse for accessible outdoor gear

Mountain Warehouse is a budget UK outdoor retailer founded in 1997. They design and manufacture most of their own products in-house, which keeps prices significantly lower than competing brands. That accessibility matters. The outdoor industry can feel exclusive, with premium brands at premium prices, and that locks a lot of people out of nature time they'd love. Mountain Warehouse opens the door.

For families, festival-goers, weekend campers, and people just starting to explore the outdoors, Mountain Warehouse covers the basics at prices that make trying new things feel possible. A first sleeping bag. A first proper rain jacket. A first family camping trip. These are the moments that turn into a lifelong love of being outside, and Mountain Warehouse is part of why a lot of us got there.

What they're particularly strong on:

Fleeces and base layers. Warm, soft, well-priced.
Sleeping bags. The Traveller line is light, packable, and reliable for warm-weather camping.
Day packs. The Ride 25L hydro bag is one of the best-value day packs out there.
Festival and weekend tents. Easy to pitch, surprisingly windproof, and priced for casual use.
Kids' outdoor gear. Hard to justify Patagonia prices on a six-year-old. Mountain Warehouse covers kids' fleeces, waterproofs, and basics at prices that work even when they grow out of it in months.
Sales and clearance. The discounts are real. End-of-season prices are excellent.

Mountain Warehouse has been a starting point for camping and hiking gear for a lot of us. As I've gone deeper into long-distance hiking, I've added specialist gear alongside it, but the foundations are part of how I got here.

Mountain Warehouse ethics and sustainability

Before testing any gear, I wanted to understand how Mountain Warehouse products are made. Here's what I found.

Labour practices. Mountain Warehouse works with suppliers globally and requires their factories to meet local minimum wage standards, health and safety regulations, and to be free of child labour. Their buying team visits factories in person to verify these standards. The close supplier relationships are part of what keeps prices low, with no middleman markup.

Sustainability journey. Mountain Warehouse has been adding sustainable materials to their product lines and reducing packaging waste over the past several years. They're on the same sustainability journey as most of the outdoor industry, which is a real journey with real progress. The most sustainable thing any of us can do is buy less and buy better, and when we do buy, look for second-hand first.

The honest take. If sustainability is your top priority, the best move with any outdoor brand (including Mountain Warehouse) is the second-hand market. Preloved, Vinted, eBay, and local Facebook marketplaces are full of barely-used outdoor gear at a fraction of the new price. The most eco-friendly purchase is the one that already exists.

For more on conscious gear choices, see my ethical travel kit guide and the 70 eco travel actions post.

5 Mountain Warehouse items tested in Tarifa

I camped for an extended stay outside Tarifa with the following Mountain Warehouse gear. Here's the verdict on each.

Mountain Warehouse Festival Tent review

A simple, single-piece dome tent with a waterproof groundsheet. I picked it because the price was hard to argue with, and it turned out to be one of the strongest tents on the campground.

Verdict: Solid for the price. Survived a night of 60-knot wind gusts in Tarifa without flinching. Took 5 minutes to pitch. The single-piece design is simple and beginner-friendly. Top vent for air circulation works well. Lightweight enough to chuck in a backpack for a weekend.

What I love: Simplicity, quick setup, light weight, the price.

What I'd improve: A bit more length would help taller people stretch out. The zipper occasionally catches on the fabric if you're rushing.

Who it's perfect for: Festivals, weekend camping, summer trips, beginner campers. Excellent value for occasional use.

Check the Mountain Warehouse Festival Tent here, or look for it second-hand on Preloved.

A woman sits at the entrance of a tent on a rocky shore, with text reading 'Gift Guide for Hikers'.

Mountain Warehouse Ride 25L Hydro Bag review

A day pack with a hydration bladder pocket, hip and chest straps, breathable back panel, and a built-in rain cover.

Verdict: The standout from the test. Comfortable, well-organised, the hydration system actually works, and the price is excellent for a multi-feature day pack.

What I love: The bright blue colour for visibility, multiple pockets, comfy hip and chest straps, the breathable air-back panel, hydration tube routing, integrated rain cover, reflective strips for road sections.

What I'd improve: Stronger mesh on the side bottle holders. A little more reflective material for evening walks.

Who it's perfect for: Day hikers, mountain bikers, runners, multi-sport day trips. A genuinely versatile day pack at a great price.

Check the Mountain Warehouse Ride 25L here.

Mountain Warehouse Extreme Cree LED Head Torch review

A 1-LED head torch with adjustable angle and focus, three brightness modes, and battery power.

Verdict: Powerful, bright, and excellent value for an entry-level headlamp.

What I love: Reaches up to 40 metres at full brightness, three modes (full, 50%, flashing), comfortable on the head, lightweight, battery life is genuinely good. I used mine intensely for two months and it kept shining.

What I'd improve: A more secure battery cover.

Who it's perfect for: Casual campers, weekend hikers, festivals. A great first headlamp.

Mountain Warehouse Traveller 50 Sleeping Bag review

A lightweight, compact, mummy-shaped sleeping bag rated for cool summer nights (around 10°C and above).

Verdict: A great workhorse for warm-weather travel. I took this one on my Waitukubuli National Trail jungle hike across Dominica, where lightweight matters more than warmth, and it was perfect.

What I love: Ultra-lightweight, packs down small, mummy shape keeps you snug, reliable zipper, comfortable fabric. Ideal for warm-weather travel.

What I'd improve: Slightly more exciting colour options.

Who it's perfect for: Warm-weather camping, summer hiking, jungle and tropical trails, festivals. A real workhorse for the price.

Check the Traveller sleeping bag here.

Mountain Warehouse Nolana Women's Fleece review

A hooded fleece sweater, ultralight, soft fabric, with a high-neck hood.

Verdict: Honestly excellent. Surprisingly warm given how thin it is. The hood is the design detail that makes it.

What I love: The hood with high neck adds real warmth, ultra-lightweight, super warm for the weight, perfect for travelling, soft against the skin.

What I'd improve: Sizing runs a little small (I sized up from 8 to 10 and the 10 was correct).

Who it's perfect for: Layering for cold-weather camping, vanlife, sailing, and travel. A great mid-layer at a great price.

What I carry now: my long-distance hiking kit

Over the years I've added specialist long-distance gear alongside the Mountain Warehouse basics that got me started. Here's the video walkthrough of what I actually carried across 850 km on the GR11 in the Pyrenees with my dog Wingo, every item weighed and trail-tested.

The full GR11 hiking kit list

If you want every item I carry on a thru-hike, weighed and itemised, the full breakdown is on the blog. 850 km tested, my dog Wingo at my side, the lessons from solo trail life baked in.

See my full GR11 hiking pack here.

For more outdoor gear walkthroughs, slow travel tales, and trail content, subscribe to my YouTube channel.

Where to buy Mountain Warehouse

Mountain Warehouse has stores in the UK, USA, Germany, Poland, and Canada, plus a global webshop. They ship internationally to most countries.

Best for new purchases: Sales periods (end of season, Black Friday, January). Mountain Warehouse runs heavy discounts and the prices drop into genuinely excellent territory.

Local stores: Worth visiting in person if you have one nearby. Trying things on saves a lot of returns.

Second-hand first: Whatever brand you're buying, the second-hand market is the most sustainable choice and often the best value. Preloved, Vinted, eBay, and local Facebook groups are full of barely-used outdoor gear.

Browse Mountain Warehouse here.

Going further: when you're ready for specialist gear

If your weekends turn into weeks, and your weekend hikes turn into thru-hikes, you'll naturally start adding specialist gear alongside your Mountain Warehouse basics. That's not a knock on Mountain Warehouse. It's a sign that you've fallen in love with being outside, and the gear evolves with the kind of trips you take.

Here's what I've added to my own kit over the years for long-distance hiking specifically:

A framed long-distance backpack: the Osprey Eja 48 is what I now carry across trails. Female-shaped, ultralight, framed. Full review here.
An ultralight sleeping mat: the Thermarest NeoAir is the long-trail standard.
A satellite communicator: the Garmin InReach Mini 2 for safety in remote areas.
A USB-rechargeable headlamp: the Mactronic works without batteries to swap.
A solid water filter: the Maunawai (code OP2020 for 5% off) for serious filtration.

For the full picture of what I actually carry on a thru-hike, see my GR11 hiking pack post. Every item weighed, tested, and trail-proven across 850 km in the Pyrenees with my dog.

And if you're somewhere in between, past festivals but not quite into thru-hiking, keep an eye on Mountain Warehouse's range. Their merino base layers, their walking trousers, and their down jackets have improved noticeably over the past few years.

Get the trail dispatches

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FAQ: Mountain Warehouse review

Is Mountain Warehouse a good brand?

Yes, Mountain Warehouse is a good brand for accessible outdoor gear. They're particularly strong on fleeces, sleeping bags, day packs, festival tents, and kids' outdoor kit. The pricing is genuinely affordable and the range is wide. It's a great starting point for camping, weekend hiking, and family outdoor trips. Browse Mountain Warehouse here.

Is Mountain Warehouse good quality?

Mountain Warehouse offers good quality at the price point. Their fleeces, sleeping bags, day packs, and festival tents punch above their cost. The Ride 25L Hydro Bag and the Traveller 50 sleeping bag were standouts in my own testing. For casual outdoor use, family camping, and weekend trips, the quality is genuinely good.

Is Mountain Warehouse sustainable?

Mountain Warehouse is on a sustainability journey alongside most of the outdoor industry. They've been adding sustainable materials to product lines and reducing packaging waste. Their suppliers meet local labour standards including no child labour and minimum wage compliance. For the most sustainable purchase of any brand, look for it second-hand first on Preloved, Vinted, or eBay. The most eco-friendly gear is the gear that already exists.

Where is Mountain Warehouse made?

Mountain Warehouse designs its products in-house in the UK and manufactures them through suppliers globally, primarily in Asia. Their buying team visits factories in person to verify standards including no child labour, local minimum wage, and health and safety compliance. This direct supplier relationship is part of why they can keep prices low.

Is Mountain Warehouse cheaper than other outdoor brands?

Yes. Mountain Warehouse is significantly more affordable than premium outdoor brands like North Face, Patagonia, Arc'teryx, or Rab. They keep prices low by manufacturing their own products in-house and cutting out the middleman. This makes outdoor gear genuinely accessible for people who'd otherwise be priced out.

Is Mountain Warehouse good for festivals?

Yes, Mountain Warehouse is excellent for festivals. The Festival Tent is cheap, easy to pitch, and durable enough for a long weekend. The fleeces are warm. The packs are practical. Festivals are exactly the use case Mountain Warehouse was built for.

Is Mountain Warehouse good for kids?

Mountain Warehouse is one of the best options for kids' outdoor gear. Children outgrow gear fast, and Mountain Warehouse covers kids' fleeces, waterproofs, base layers, and basics at prices that work even when the kid grows out of it in six months. Strong range, real sales, and sizes from baby to teen.

Is Mountain Warehouse good for hiking?

Yes, Mountain Warehouse is good for casual and weekend hiking. The Ride 25L Hydro Bag is a great day pack, the fleeces work well as mid-layers, and their walking trousers and base layers are reliable. For long-distance thru-hiking specifically, you'll want to add specialist gear over time. Here's my full thru-hiking kit from 850 km on the GR11.

When does Mountain Warehouse have sales?

Mountain Warehouse runs major sales at end-of-season transitions, Black Friday, January reductions, and clearance events throughout the year. The discounts are genuine, often 50% or more on seasonal items. Signing up to their email list is the easiest way to catch the best deals as they go live.

Should I buy Mountain Warehouse second-hand?

Second-hand is the most sustainable way to buy any outdoor brand including Mountain Warehouse. Try Preloved, Vinted, eBay, and local Facebook marketplaces. A barely-used fleece or pack costs a fraction of the new price and keeps gear out of landfill.

Bottom line

Mountain Warehouse is a good brand for accessible outdoor gear. The strengths are clear: low prices, wide range, genuine sales, and reliable basics. Mountain Warehouse makes nature time accessible for people who'd otherwise be priced out, and that matters.

Mountain Warehouse is a great fit for:

Beginner campers and weekend hikers
Festival-goers
Families kitting out kids' outdoor gear
Budget-conscious travellers
Anyone wanting reliable basics at honest prices
Anyone replacing or adding to a kit without breaking the bank

If you're shopping, have a look at their range or check the second-hand market on Preloved first. And if you're heading deeper into long-distance hiking, take a look at what I actually carry on a thru-hike for the specialist additions to your kit.

Stay wild,

Suzanne

Disclosure: Mountain Warehouse provided some of the gear in this review for testing. The post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions are my own.