Cotswold Outdoor Rushden Lakes

"Really helpful and friendly staff. Store manager really helped us out with information on a repair for a ripped north face coat."

"Excellent customer service. Knowledgeable friendly staff and a great range of outdoor equipment from tents, food and footwear. If you are thinking of going out doors visit here first for advice and proper kit."

"Absolutely fantastic customer service at this store this week. My wife - who has very narrow feet - was trying to get a replacement pair of lightweight walking boots. The manager who served us was extremely knowledgeable and helpful - I think every boot was tried, to no avail. He thought a specific boot, that wasn't in stock - might be the best for her, and we were told it would back in in a few days. We went back in today, she tried it on and...perfect! Thank you so much for this great service."

"I like the brands they sell. Some staff members are lovely and give great customer service, and some staff members are ignorant and rude. 2 days ago, I went into the Rushden Lakes store to get some new waterproof hiking shoes because the ones I had were leaking through the sides. I was helped by a knowledgeable female who helped me find the right shoes and also gave me some great tips. Once I chose my shoes, I headed down to the tills to exchange them and picked up a waterproofing product for clothes. A male staff member, who used to be quite lovely until I believe he was told not to talk to me anymore, gave me the weirdest look and then went out back to get the manager. I waited to be served and the manager came to the till. I explained about the shoes and the manager said there is no proof of purchase on my account. I said that's strange, I must have purchased them from somewhere else. It is an easy mistake to make because I go into lots of outdoor shops. I paid for my shoes and I left. I used the waterproofing product (Grangers repel plus) on my Berghaus coat and trousers. It's a spray-on product and it did not have any seal on it to break. After my coat and trousers dried, a rough residue has been left on them which causes my skin to burn. I went back to the store today and a female staff member with bright colored hair, the male staff member that doesn't talk to me anymore, and the manager that served me before, all stood at the tills sniggering as I walked up the stairs. It was such a childish, awful atmosphere to be in. Were they laughing because of what was put in the waterproofing product which now means I don't have anything waterproof to wear without it irritating my skin? My advice to anyone shopping at Cotswolds Outdoor.... I've brought about 5 pairs of Gore-Tex shoes from them, all were top brands and none of them were waterproof. It is possible to pierce the inside of the shoes for fun which will break the Goretex layer. If you buy waterproof shoes from any one of their branches, test them in water as soon as you get home. Fill up your sink and put the shoes in the water. Make sure the water is up to a reasonable level (you don't want the water flowing over the top of the shoes). Look for any bubbles and feel for any leaks inside the shoes. If there are any leaks, take the shoes back within 30 days. You should be entitled to a full refund straight away without having to wait 2 weeks for them to test the shoes and 3 weeks to get your money back. I have brought sleeping bags, coats, tents, and stuff sacks from Cotswolds Outdoor, most of them were smothered in a chemical that smelt of ammonia. The products were all different makes. The chemical ruined the majority of my camping gear that I brought from other companies. I asked a staff member if they would look into replacing what I couldn't use anymore and they said this will be down to the manufacturers. One of them was MSR, they said no. I believe there is still stock on the shop floor that still has this chemical on it. I'm not sure if the staff members continue to do this as a joke??? If you buy a sleeping bag, coat, tent, or stuff sack from any one of their branches, smell it and feel it for any chemicals. None of these products should smell of anything or feel prickly. You can also test the products by rubbing them on the back of your hand and smelling for any chemicals that way. No smell should linger on your skin, if it does, it will probably take a couple of days to go, it's nasty stuff."

"Nice spacious shop. Womens downstairs to the left. Men's to the right. Changing rooms available. Running and camping gear upstairs. A running machine upstairs to test your style of running, and enable the correct footwear. Hiking footwear and socks too. Helpful staff. Plenty of parking outside, although weekends can get busy. Do note that this store closes at 6pm, unlike most of the other stores at rushden lakes."