The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024 are the UK’s biggest democratic celebration of the best of outdoor culture. Twelve years ago, we launched our first annual awards and our readers have been championing the people, places and businesses that make our outdoor lives better ever since.
Main image: Running Sgurr a’Mhaim, Mamores | Credit: Girls on Hills
Once again, we opened The Reader Awards across 15 categories including the Open Outdoors award, pub of the year, campaigner of the year, brand of the year, and many more. What makes these Reader Awards different – and gives extra kudos to the winners – is that it’s you, the outdoor going public, who decide the results. Only your nominees make it onto the shortlist, and only those who win most of your votes walk away with a top accolade.
The nominee with the most votes in each category will receive a Winner award, while the nominees with the second and third most votes will both receive a Commended accolade.
The Categories
- The Extra Mile award
- Outdoor personality of the year
- Campaign or campaigner of the year
- The Open Outdoors award
- Walkers’ pub of the year
- Walkers’ café of the year
- Hostel or bunkhouse
- Campsite of the year
- Walker’s app of the year
- Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year
- Outdoor book of the year
- Independent retailer of the year
- Chain retailer of the year
- Online retailer of the year
- Outdoor clothing and equipment brand of the year
There are two parts to The Great Outdoors Awards. This article announces the winners of The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024, which are nominated and voted for by our readers and the outdoor public at large across 15 categories.
The other part of The Great Outdoors Awards are the Gear of the Year awards, which reward the best and most innovative outdoor gear for the year ahead, as selected by expert judges.
The Extra Mile award
Winner: Britain’s Mountain Rescue teams (England, Wales, Scotland, plus Independent Scottish Mountain Rescue)
An incredible 71% of voters in The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024 wanted to honour every single volunteer who is on call, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to rescue walkers, climbers, missing children, and vulnerable adults in the mountains. One voter said simply, “we are indebted to them.” For another, “There can only be one choice.”
Bill Glennie, Scottish Mountain Rescue Chair told The Great Outdoors: “We are thrilled to be nominated for the ‘Extra Mile Award’ and to know how much the readers of TGO appreciate the efforts of Mountain Rescue volunteers. Our 25 Mountain Rescue Teams provide a vital free service responding to emergencies in the outdoors, but we wouldn’t be able to provide this service without the support of the public. Since the pandemic the numbers of people accessing our outdoor spaces has increased, and teams are attending around a third more rescues every year than before the pandemic, stretching their resources further. We would like to say thank you to the readers of TGO for voting for mountain rescue volunteers and recognising their efforts.”
Mike Park, CEO Mountain Rescue England and Wales said: “Going the extra mile to help those in trouble in the great outdoors is what we’re all about and it is encouraging that so many TGO readers appreciate our work. The volunteers of Mountain Rescue are seeing growing demand across the country, especially in our National Parks, so we hope that those who voted for us can also do their bit to plan ahead and share safety advice with their friends and family too.”
Commended: Mountain Bothies Association volunteers
The volunteers of the Mountains Bothies Association maintain simple shelters in remote country for the use and benefit of all who love wild and lonely places. Neil Stewart of the Mountain Bothies Association told The Great Outdoors: “Thanks to TGO and all who voted for us. The award recognises the work done by all our volunteers – the Maintenance Organisers, those who so readily attended our work parties and those members who work so hard on the administrative side of the Association. It is because of their efforts that the 100 plus bothies that the MBA maintain throughout Great Britain continue to offer shelter in remote areas for all who seek it.”
Commended: Fran Pearson of KitSquad
Kitsquad provides secondhand adventure, hiking and camping gear to low-income individuals. Founder Fran Pearson told The Great Outdoors: “This is amazing and very unexpected. Thank you so much to everyone who voted for me. I absolutely love running Kitsquad. But without the generosity of the outdoor community, Kitsquad would simply not exist. So this award is a reflection of everyone who has supported Kitsquad.”
Shortlisted
- Cave Rescue Organisation
- Leanne Dempsey
- Neil Reid
Outdoor Personality of the Year
Winner: Ben Fogle
There will be few readers who aren’t familiar with this award-winning broadcaster and adventurer who publicly campaigns for the protection and preservation of wildlife globally as well as raising awareness about climate change. Ben told The Great Outdoors: “I am thrilled to be voted the winner. I have been an outdoorsman all my life. It is humbling and very generous of TGO readers. Thank you!”
Commended: Hamza Yassin
Hamza Yassin, a wildlife cameraman and presenter known for his role as Ranger Hamza on the children’s television channel CBeebies and his work on Countryfile and Animal Park, in the words of one voter, “makes me want to get closer to nature.” An advocate of raising awareness for dyslexia, this passionate birder also recently released a children’s book, Be A Birder, to encourage the young generation to deepen their relationship with nature.
Commended: Elaine Ryrie (aka. Fat Ass Lass Adventuring)
Otherwise known as Fat Ass Lass Adventuring, cancer survivor Elaine describes herself as “a plus-sized person trying to show they can still have fun in the outdoors.”
Elaine told The Great Outdoors: “I am completely overwhelmed but also very grateful to those that have voted. It really does mean so much to me that plus sized people are being recognised and valued in the outdoors community. 2023 was just the very beginning for me and I can’t wait to share more of my adventures in 2024. This photo was taken on my favourite hill which I can see from my window. It’s Mither Tap within the Bennachie range in north east Aberdeenshire. It was the first walk I did four weeks after completing chemo. All the way through treatment I dreamed of getting back on the hill and I did it sooner than I thought possible. It was an emotional moment.”
Shortlisted
- Anne Butler
- Aneela McKenna
- Emma Schroeder
- Jamie Aarons
- Joshua Adeyemi of Black Scottish Adventurers
- Juls Stodel
- Emily Taylor (aka. Trigs and Teeth)
Campaign or campaigner of the Year
Winner: Chris Packham
Famed for decades of work as a naturalist and television presenter (The Really Wild Show began in the 1980s), Chris Packham has tirelessly championed nature and the environment behind the scenes. From his Fox of the Day tweets to co-founding Wild Justice, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee which takes legal cases to fight for a better deal for UK wildlife, he’s also supported various conservation efforts up hill and down dale.
Chris told The Great Outdoors: “I am very flattered to have been voted the winner of the Outdoor Campaigner of the Year in the TGO Reader Awards 2024. You can rest assured that I will continue to do everything in my power to protect the natural world, speaking up for people and for wildlife.”
Commended: Right to Roam
Last year saw the Save Dartmoor campaign come into effect when wealthy landowner Alexander Darwall, a hedge fund manager and Dartmoor’s sixth-largest landowner, brought a case against the national park to put a stop to wild camping on the moors. The Dartmoor National Park Authority won an appeal against this devastating decision to ban wild camping on the moors thanks in part to Right to Roam’s tireless efforts. As of January 2024, Darwall is challenging it.
A spokesperson for Right to Roam said: “Many thanks to TGO’s readers for their commendation for our campaign. 2024 will be a crucial year for achieving the bold, comprehensive access reform we sorely need in England and Wales in order to reboot our relationship with the natural world. We’re up against some of the most powerful people in Britain – so every bit of support we receive really helps!”
Commended: The Ramblers
Britain’s leading walking charity opens the way for walkers, advocating wellbeing outdoors and remapping forgotten paths. Carol Flint, Head of Marketing for The Ramblers told The Great Outdoors: “Thank you to everyone who voted for the Ramblers. This is great recognition of the campaigning work Ramblers groups across England, Scotland and Wales do to open the way for everyone to walk in nature. 2024 will be an important year for opening up access to the outdoors with a UK general election on the horizon. The Ramblers will continue to campaign strongly to protect and improve our path network and create more opportunities for people to access nature.”
Shortlisted
- Access the Dales
- Beca Trebilcock
- Matt Staniek and the ‘Save Windermere’ campaign
- It’s Up To Us – a campaign by Mountaineering Scotland and the Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland (OATS)
- Trash Free Trails
- Sophie Powers and the SheRaces campaign
- The Stars Are for Everyone
The Open Outdoors award
Winner: Girls on Hills
Girls on Hills empower women with the skills and confidence necessary to become independent in the mountain environment through events in the Highlands, Lakeland and Eryri. Keri Wallace told The Great Outdoors: “We are absolutely delighted to have won this award – especially in the Open Outdoors category, which means so much to us. Inclusivity is central to everything we do at Girls on Hills; empowering women through hillwalking and mountain running, as we strive for equity in the great outdoors. We’d like to thank all our followers for joining in, lifting each other up and supporting the advocacy work we do.”
Commended: The Scout Association
According to one reader, The Scouts “do so much in encouraging young people to try so many different things in the outdoors” from aged four to 25. This is just one reason as to why they won just under 20% of the reader vote in the Open Outdoors Award category.
Commended: Every Body Outdoors
The EBO team came together through a shared passion to make the outdoors more accessible for plus size people, working together to best tackle the systemic issues around size inclusivity in the outdoors movement. Steph Wetherell, co-founder of EBO, told The Great Outdoors: “This recognition means so much – thanks to everyone who has voted and spread the word about Every Body Outdoors! We started as a group of five women with the simple mission to improve the availability of plus size outdoor kit. Since then, we’ve grown into a thriving community with volunteers all over the UK who are leading walks, and leading the way for plus size representation in the outdoors.”
Shortlisted
- Adventure Singles
- Anita Kerwin-Nye
- AKA CIC
- The British Exploring Society
- Haroon Mota
- Heather Dunnell of the Scottish Women’s Walking Group
- Siobhan Daniels
Walkers’ pub of the year
Winner: Clachaig Inn, Glen Coe
Nestled in the famous glen of impossibly craggy peaks and razor-toothed ridges, The Clachaig is a hillwalking institution. With Bidean nam Bian and Aonach Eagach on its doorstep, you’re sure to meet climbers and hikers galore sharing tales of the day’s epic adventures over the live music by the fire. One voter said, “I’ve got great memories of ending up at the Boots Bar of Clachaig inn after a long day in the hills. Great veggie burger, great atmosphere, and a splendid evening playing cards with friends. What more do you want?!”
Commended: Old Dungeon Ghyll, Great Langdale
Steeped in climbing history, the ODG is beloved by all who venture to the Langdales, in the shadow of the Langdale Pikes and a stone’s throw from photographers’ paradise, Blea Tarn. Voters keep returning to enjoy its “unchanging authenticity”, and the staff who are always welcoming to weary, muddy boots and paws ready to partake of “plenty of taps” after a big day in the fells.
Commended: Drovers Inn, Loch Lomond
With live music every weekend and a convenient location for a pit stop at the north end of Loch Lomond, The Drovers Inn got your commendation. While one reader complimented the “atmosphere and great food” another admired the beer garden views. A third added, “They welcome muddy, drookit walkers, climbers, bikers and runners alike!” The taxidermy-stuffed bar, although dark and small, is full of character and Scottish charm and the friendly staff are waiting to welcome you.
Shortlisted
- The Old Nags Head, Edale
- The Golden Rule, Ambleside
- The Old Forge, Knoydart
- The Bear Hotel, Crickhowell
- Ritson’s Bar, Wasdale Head Inn
- The Round, Keswick
- Seumas’ Bar, The Sligachan Hotel, Isle of Skye
Walkers’ cafe or restaurant of the year
Winner: Real Food Café, Tyndrum
Many voters said the same thing about the Real Food Cafe, summed up by this comment: “The Real Food Cafe is always warm and welcoming. They are always keen to make improvements and you can tell that they really care about their customers, their staff and their community.” The gluten-free food options and accessibility were praised, along with the facilities for dogs, boots, bikes, and location on the West Highland Way.
Sarah Heward, Founder of The Real Food Café said, “Situated as we are at the north end of the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park on the A82, in Corbett and Munro paradise and at the halfway point on the West Highland Way, we are in an ideal and beautiful location for walkers and mountaineers. We are delighted to win this award in recognition of the café’s popularity with the walking fraternity and to fly the flag for Scottish walking and mountaineering. We are very grateful to our team for their enthusiasm and hard work and of course to our customers, who support the café and voted for us!”
Commended: The Bothy, Braemar
A bright and charming spot in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, The Bothy is the perfect dog-friendly spot with views over the River Clunie for a quick bite during your visit. It won 13% of the reader vote with one reader commenting on the fruit scones, the friendly smiles from staff and the tranquil setting.
Commended: Moel Siabod Café
Situated in the centre of Capel Curig in the heart of Eryri, The Moel Siabod Café opened its doors in Spring 2012. Since, it fed and watered those seeking the freedom of the outdoors in North Wales with a smile. It became the area’s mecca for climbers and hillwalkers alike, who seek refuge from the weather or fuel for adventure under its roof. The cafe closed its doors in 2023, but our readers pay their respects to an institution with their votes.
Shortlisted
- Caffi Gwynant, Nant Gwynant
- Chesters by the River, Skelwith Bridge
- Cafe Adventure, Hope
- Corrour Station House
- Fresher’s Cafe, Ambleside
- Pinemarten Cafe, Nevis Range
- Pete’s Eats, Llanberis (closed for renovation)
Hostel or bunkhouse of the year
Winner: Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, Fort William
Graham Sheach Marketing Manager at Hostelling Scotland told The Great Outdoors: “We’re absolutely delighted to have both Loch Ossian and Glencoe Youth Hostels recognised in this year’s awards. Over the last year it has been fantastic to see hostelling grow in popularity with occupancy levels ahead of pre-pandemic levels and these awards are definitely the cherry on the cake. Jan, Thomas and their teams are over the moon and would like to thank everyone for taking the time to support their hostels and hope to welcome you back this season. Congratulations to all finalists – you are all winners!”
Commended: Glencoe Youth Hostel
Just missing the top spot, Glencoe Youth Hostel is set in one of Scotland’s most spectacular and historic glens. This alpine-style hostel is a popular base for walkers and climbers of all abilities. One reader said, “It is such a friendly place with great staff and a fab welcome and the lounge is so perfect to relax in and look at the amazing scenery.”
Commended: Skiddaw House
In a close third is Skiddaw House, situated at 470m on the northern slopes of Skiddaw and one of the highest and most remote hostels in the UK. But the welcome is still warm, says one voter. Another adds, “It is a unique spot nestled on the flanks of Skiddaw with unbeatable views and experiences on offer. Plus, it’s under threat and needs all the help it can get!”
Warden, Sue Edwards, said: “Thanks to everyone who has enjoyed their stay at Skiddaw House and voted us the second-best place to stay for last year. We hope to see you again up here, and we look forward to meeting you if you are planning your first time stay with us soon!”
Shortlisted
- Elterwater Hostel
- Forest Way Bunkhouse, near Ullapool
- Corran Bunkhouse
- Durness Smoo Youth Hostel
- Oban Youth Hostel
- YHA Castleton Losehill Hall
- YHA Edale Activity Centre
Campsite of the year
Winner: Red Squirrel Campsite, Glencoe
Campsite of the year proved a “hard choice” for some voters. But Red Squirrel pipped the competition to the post with a quarter of the votes thanks to excellent facilities – lots of you love the campfires and dipping spot – as well as the friendly staff who go above and beyond. But the setting is world’s apart from the rest, according to our readers. “It’s rustic enough that it still feels like camping” and is “far enough out of town to be secluded, but close enough to visit the town for a meal.” Happy campers, here!
Managers Sandi and Matt MacLeod said: “The Red Squirrel campsite team are hugely grateful for winning this award second year in a row. It’s been a great two years turning the campsite around and we are looking forward to the 2024 season.”
Commended: Glenbrittle Campsite
“The scenery is breathtaking and staff go above and beyond, plus the campsite is always tidy with clean facilities,” said one voter of this previous TGO Reader Awards winner. Founded in 1961, Glenbrittle is located on the rugged west coast of the Isle of Skye at the foot of the Cuillins. Last year, it just missed out on commendation but this year received 15% of the reader vote.
Commended: Great Langdale Campsite (National Trust)
Within wandering distance to the Old Dungeon Ghyll pub, this campsite is beloved by hardcore climbers and scramblers as well as families, cyclists and ramblers alike. Under the shadow of the Langdale Pikes, it welcomes all kinds of campers in tents, motorhomes, campervans, or those looking to snuggle down in wooden pods for the weekend. The drying room puts others to shame, according to one patron.
Rachel Johnston, the National Trust’s Head of Holidays told The Great Outdoors: “I’m delighted Great Langdale Campsite has been voted runner up in the TGO Reader Awards 2024. In the heart of the truly breathtaking Langdale valley, with fantastic access to a wide range of outdoor experiences, the team at Great Langdale Campsite, like all National Trust Campsites, keep guests at the heart of everything they do. A well-stocked shop, fantastic facilities and a well-established team with great local knowledge, the Great Langdale team have stepped up and ensured thousands could enjoy their holiday and I’m thrilled their hard work has been recognised.”
Shortlisted
- Hayfield Campsite
- Sykeside Camping Park, Brotherswater
- The Quiet Site, Ullswater
- Ballater Caravan Park
- Church Stile Farm, Seascale
- Low Wray Campsite, Windermere (National Trust)
- Wasdale Head Campsite (National Trust)
Walkers’ app of the year
Winner: OS Maps
Claiming the top spot for the seventh year in a row, the OS Maps app must be running out of space in its trophy cabinet. The navigation app from Ordnance Survey secured a whopping 45 percent of the public vote – a convincing victory for ‘The OG’, in one voter’s words – and received high praise from many readers. One put it plainly: “OS do it right.”
Nick Giles, Managing Director of Consumer at OS said: “We are delighted to have yet again won The Great Outdoors’ prestigious Walkers’ app of the year award. We are always extremely proud of awards that are nominated and voted on by our customers. We are continually focussed on driving product improvements with OS Maps so this award is a great endorsement of this continued effort. Of course, we could not have achieved this without the dedication of our fantastic team and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of them for their phenomenal work. Thank you to everyone who voted for us but the most important thing is that everyone continues to get outside safely to improve their physical and mental wellbeing.”
Commended: AllTrails
AllTrails, the app that provides detailed, hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos crowd-sourced from a community of over 60 million outdoor enthusiasts, is commended again in The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024. One voter said, “It’s the best in this listing” and another added, “I don’t know what I would do without it.” Another voter praised it for inspiring them to get outdoors, adding, “Whilst the OS Maps app is great for planning, when it comes to getting inspiration AllTrails has got me out so much this last year. I’ve seen so many beautiful sights locally! It’s nice to browse and go somewhere you wouldn’t even think of!”
Gareth Mills, AllTrails UK Country Manager told The Great Outdoors: “We are incredibly honoured that AllTrails was once again selected by the TGO readers as a top walking app. Our UK community continues to be passionately engaged, contributing more than 1.2 million reviews across more than 28,000 beautiful and iconic British trails. We look forward to being a part of even more TGO readers’ future adventures, and are eager to share new features launching on AllTrails later this year.”
Commended: Walk Highlands
This new app allows you to find nearby walks across Scotland and download route descriptions plus GPS mapping to your phone before you head out into the hills. Paul and Helen Webster, founders of Walk Highlands told The Great Outdoors: “We were thrilled that our completely free app for finding and following walks in Scotland could make the runner-up slot as the best UK walkers’ app. Although we knew it was really popular in Scotland, we thought it unlikely that people living in England and Wales would have heard of it!”
Shortlisted
Outdoor film or filmmaker of the year
Winner: Scotland’s Mountains
Murray Wilkie is a Munro and Corbett bagger filming his hiking, climbing, mountaineering, and wild camping adventures in Scotland for the YouTube channel, Scotland’s Mountains. Murray told The Great Outdoors: “I really did not expect to win anything and this was a huge surprise! Thanks to everyone who voted and also who tune in to watch the weekly videos – it is very much appreciated. Stay safe out there and thanks again!”
Commended: Grizzly Gaz
This YouTuber is on a journey into local history and folklore, wild camping along the way with his French Bulldog, Fenzel Washington. He told The Great Outdoors: “I’ve no idea how I got nominated for this award but I’d like to thank everyone that watches my silly YouTube videos – you guys are awesome! And of course the real star of the show, my dog. I couldn’t this without you! There’ll be plenty more adventures this year plus some new exciting projects I’m working on… Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry and some will make you poo your knickers! So stay tuned for that! Congrats to Murray – they truly deserve this title. But I’m coming for it next year!”
Commended: WildBeare
“Lone parent and lone wolf” Claire of the WildBeare YouTube channel champions everyone’s inalienable right to roam responsibly in the wild places and sleep under the stars. Her unique blend of camping resourcefulness, humour and adventure won your nominations and 12% of your votes in the Outdoor Film or Filmmaker category this year.
Claire told The Great Outdoors: “Thank you so much! I can’t believe I’ve been commended in this category of talented outdoor filmmakers. I’m so excited for what 2024 may hold, new corners of wild to explore, new challenges and plenty of beautiful nature along the way.”
Shortlisted
- A Winter Bob directed by Fin Pomeroy featuring ultra-runner Elsey Davis
- Jessie Leong
- On the Adventure Trails
- Paul Messner
- Red Needle directed by Dom Bush & Simon Sylvester featuring ultra-runner Sarah Gerrish
- Terry Abraham
- Walk With Wallace
Outdoor book of the year
Winner: IN HER NATURE: How Women Break Boundaries in the Great Outdoors by Rachel Hewitt
Hewitt’s own lived experience as an ultra-runner is interwoven with timely research of the Women in the Hills Network and the voices of other outdoorswomen across eras to create informative, essential reading on women’s mountaineering wrapped within a profoundly personal memoir. Rachel told The Great Outdoors: “I wrote IN HER NATURE because I wanted to give voice to women’s experiences of the great outdoors, past and present. These experiences haven’t always been given the visibility they deserve. I’m delighted that this intention resonates with readers, and I hope that the book might inspire more women to assert their right to be strong, free and active outdoors.”
Commended: Cook Out by ‘The Fell Foodie’ Harrison Ward
“A huge thank you to all those who voted for Cook Out in the TGO Reader Awards. I’m so chuffed to be awarded the runners up prize in the Outdoor Book of the Year category. I can’t quite believe this little hobby of mine has led to battling for publication honours with my debut book. Thanks must also go to Vertebrate Publishing, Kenny Block for the photos and Lisa Edwards for making the book happen in the first place. Congratulations to all the others who were nominated. I hope to see many enjoying a Cook Out now warmer climes are around the corner.”
Commended: The Hidden Fires: A Cairngorms Journey with Nan Shepherd by Merryn Glover
This homage to Nan Shepherd is peppered with ecological updates, sociopolitical interpretations and reframings to include previously omitted stories or correct half-truths. It is not only beautiful but perhaps even more important reading for modern day hillwalkers than The Living Mountain itself. Merryn told The Great Outdoors: “It’s hard to imagine anything more affirming than passionate outdoor lovers like TGO readers giving The Hidden Fires a thumbs up. I’m honoured that you are with me in spirit. Thank you!”
Shortlisted
- Ghosts in the Hedgerow by Tom Moorhouse
- Local by Alistair Humphries
- The Mountain Leader – a practical manual by Mike Raine
- Other Ways to Win by Lee Craigie
- The Outdoors Fix by Liv Bolton
- Scottish Wild Country Backpacking by David Lintern, Stefan Durkacz, Peter Edwards
- Wild History: Journeys into Lost Scotland by James Crawford
Independent retailer of the year
Winner: Needle Sports (Keswick)
On Keswick’s Main Street, this climbing gear specialist stocks everything from maps to trekking poles and harnesses, as well as an abundance of knowledge and experience from staff. Shop Manager Trev Suddaby told The Great Outdoors: “Thank you to everyone that voted for us and our customers past and present. We really enjoy helping our customers get just the right clothing and gear for climbing, walking, and running in the hills.”
Commended: Outside (Hathersage)
In the Peak District, the Outside shop in Hathersage is ideally situated in the heart of gritstone climbing territory, loomed over by Stanage Edge. It won 16% of your reader vote with one complimenting the “great range of stock” as well as the friendly and knowledgable staff.
Commended: Cairngorm Mountain Sports (Aviemore)
One of Braemar Mountain Sports three stores, the team at Aviemore won your votes this year. Martin Bell, Marketing Manager for Braemar Mountain Sports told The Great Outdoors: “We’d like to thank all our customers for their continued support and our staff for the amazing job they do. Hopefully we’ll see you all soon in store – the fire is lit and waiting to welcome you.”
Shortlisted
- Arran Active (Brodick)
- Castleberg Sports (Settle)
- Catstycam (Glenridding)
- Craigdon Mountain Sports (three stores in Scotland)
- LD Mountain Centre (Newcastle)
- Up and Under (Cardiff)
- Whalley Warm and Dry
Chain retailer of the year
Winner: Cotswold Outdoor
With 21% of the reader vote, Cotswold Outdoor exists to help you ‘make the right choice with people who love the outdoors as much as you’. One voter complimented the “great range of stock” and the “staff who are genuinely interested and knowledgeable” and are “always on hand to help.”
Commended: Mountain Warehouse
“They make fab affordable products, which I have bought many of this year and our local store has such a fab team of staff who are so friendly and helpful,” said one voter of Mountain Warehouse. Mark Neale, Founder and CEO at Mountain Warehouse told The Great Outdoors: “We’d like to thank the TGO readers for their support as we continue on our mission to help everyone enjoy the great outdoors.”
Commended: Tiso
With “excellent staff” and a “brilliant range” as well as “consistently high standard of knowledge and customer service”, Tiso get your commendation. A spokesperson from Tiso told The Great Outdoors: “Tiso have over 60 years’ experience in facilitating adventures and bringing the customer the best outdoor brands available. We take great pride in our staff expertise, quality of product range, retail environment, colleague welfare and customer service. We are proud of the values laid down by our founders, which continue to guide us today.”
Shortlisted
Online retailer of the year
Winner: Ultralight Outdoor Gear
COO Dan Person said: “Wow! Thank you to all the TGO Magazine readers who voted for Ultralight Outdoor Gear. As a small independent retailer, this result is a really big one for us and the team are thrilled. UOG was founded on reducing weight to make adventures more fun, having the widest choice of the best gear and delivering amazing service. We really appreciate this recognition and hope all the TGO readers enjoy their amazing adventures in 2024.”
Commended: AlpineTrek
Alpinetrek – the UK arm of Bergfreunde.de – has been operating for almost two decades, delivering expert advice from a dedicated team of outdoor enthusiasts based in the Swabian Alps, Germany. Voters complimented the wide array of great value winter gear.
Commended: SportPursuit
The team at SportPursuit hunts down the best deals available online on a wide range of quality outdoor brands making them available to those who take up the free membership. Voters appreciated the affordability of high-end kit on offer.
Shortlisted
Outdoor clothing and equipment brand of the year
Winner: Rab
Beloved for its transparency on environmental impact as well as its dedication to the highest quality kit, Rab is once again your winner in 2024. Jon Frederick, Marketing Director at Rab told The Great Outdoors: “We are incredibly honoured to receive the TGO Brand of the Year award, a true testament to the trust our community places in our gear and equipment. Seeing individuals pursue their mountain activities with the same passion that drives us at Rab is the biggest inspiration for our commitment to crafting top-notch outdoor products.”
Commended: Alpkit
This outdoor and bike brand born out of a passion for the outdoors was commended by readers who noted its dedication to representation across run, hike, climb, camp, swim and bike communities – as well as stylish, durable yet affordable kit. David Hanney, CEO of Alpkit told The Great Outdoors: “Thank you to all TGO readers that voted for us. The TGO Awards are very special as they’re the Oscars of the outdoor industry, voted for by outdoor enthusiasts. It’s such a motivation and inspiration for us to be commended as a brand of the year and the whole team are absolutely delighted.”
Commended: Montane
Many of you commented on the lightweight durability and fit of Montane’s gear with one voter commenting, “I wouldn’t trust anything more in the mountains.” Matt Ray, Montane Communications Manager and Global Copywriter, said: “Montane is honoured to be recognised by the discerning readers of TGO! We strive to create timeless, high-performance apparel and equipment for the outdoors, while challenging ourselves to make responsible choices that reduce environmental impacts, and we are grateful for the affection that TGO’s readers have for our astounding outdoor spaces.”
Shortlisted
Once again, thank you to every single one of you who nominated and voted for your favourite outdoor people, organisations and places in The Great Outdoors Reader Awards 2024.
Congratulations to your winners and all shortlisted. Here’s to a great year outdoors!
