There are shops you walk into because you need something. Then there are shops you walk into and suddenly find yourself wondering whether you could survive a week in the Snowy Mountains. That was us at Mont Adventure Equipment.

The RoundABOUT crew recently headed to Mont’s Canberra store in Fyshwick, and I’ll be honest, I wasn’t expecting to walk out genuinely excited about outdoor gear. But Mont is one of those Canberra businesses that reminds you just how much adventure sits right on our doorstep. The moment you step inside, you realise this isn’t just a retail space; it’s a quiet nudge to get outside and do something.

The store is packed with everything you could possibly need for the outdoors – tents, sleeping bags, hiking packs, footwear, technical clothing, camping essentials and all the little bits you never realise you need until you’re halfway up a mountain. And unlike the big generic outdoor warehouses where you wander around trying to decode mysterious equipment, Mont feels intentional. They’ve been doing this since 1981, right here in Canberra, and that experience shows in every corner of the store.

What stood out most was how welcoming it felt. You don’t have to be an experienced mountaineer to belong there. You could be someone who hikes every weekend, someone planning a serious expedition, or someone whose idea of camping is sitting in a chair next to the car and hoping for the best. Mont has something for all of you and makes you feel like you’re allowed to be part of the adventure.

Naturally, we had to try everything on. And yes, we did what we always do when given access to a shop full of equipment: we tried things, tested things, got distracted, and made some questionable fashion choices. But honestly, that’s half the fun.

Check it out here!

What really stuck with me was how much of the gear is built around one simple idea: when you’re out there, your equipment matters. A good jacket, tent, sleeping bag or pair of boots isn’t just something that looked cool on a shelf, it’s the thing keeping you warm, dry, comfortable or moving when the weather decides to turn.

And Canberra is the perfect place for a store like this. We’ve got mountains, bushland, snow, trails and endless places to escape the city without driving for days. You don’t need to be planning an Everest expedition to appreciate good outdoor gear. Sometimes you just need a weekend away… Or a walk… Or an excuse to buy a new jacket…

(After visiting Mont, I’m definitely leaning toward the last one).