...
When I was younger,the idea of entering Millets was unthinkable. At the grand old age of 36,this weary walker of a lively young labrador decided to quit the 3-wet-coats-a day syndrome and I visited my local Eastbourne store in search of a waterproof jacket.
It didn't seem so scarey on ... Read review
Advantages: Good quality goods and reasonable prices Disadvantages: Still has stigma of being frumpy
...was younger,the idea of entering Millets was unthinkable. At the grand old age of 36,this weary walker of a lively young labrador decided to quit the 3-wet-coats-a day syndrome and I visited my local Eastbourne store in search of a waterproof jacket.
It didn't seem so scarey on Christmas Eve as my boyfriend was paying! He seemed attentive and caring about my winter well-being so I felt optimistic (only to discover later that he was ... ...must get on with it! Millets is an outdoor goods store.In my area,the only store of its type.Most of you can picture it with its green and yellow logo and frontage.Millets seems to have been around forever so it must be doing well,despite its unfair image.I always thought it was only for campers and ramblers,those "real" outdoor people,full of frumpy anoraks,rucksacks and tents.
How wrong I was! I am now proud to admit that ... more
Well,I may not be the latest Pop Idol but my dog-walking pals have voted me MISS.MILLETS! I have won this title since Santa Claus "waterproofed" me ready for the New Year ahead.
When I was younger,the idea of entering Millets was unthinkable. At the grand old age of 36,this weary walker of a lively young labrador decided to quit the 3-wet-coats-a day syndrome and I visited my local Eastbourne store in search of a waterproof jacket.
It didn't seem so scarey on Christmas Eve as my boyfriend was paying! He seemed attentive and caring about my winter well-being so I felt optimistic (only to discover later that he was relieved at knowing what to get me for christmas as he always leaves it to the last minute).Of course,he is not as daft as he looks, as he now sends me out in the rain as I have all the kit!
Right,I must get on with it! Millets is an outdoor goods store.In my area,the only store of its type.Most of you can picture it with its green and yellow logo and frontage.Millets seems to have been around forever so it must be doing well,despite its unfair image.I always thought it was only for campers and ramblers,those "real" outdoor people,full of frumpy anoraks,rucksacks and tents.
How wrong I was! I am now proud to admit that I have been in there FOUR TIMES since Christmas.Discovering their range of goods and clothing has been fun and helpful to me,meeting my own needs and also good gifts for family.
You do not have to be a daily walker,camper,skier or fisherman to find Millets useful.They sell modern,wearable and even funky gear,as well as more traditional classic ranges.
SO WHAT DO THEY SELL?
Outdoor clothing,equipment and leisurewear.Good quality,from the budget end of the market to top brands.Plenty of choice,ranging from walking boots,trendy fleeces to ski wear and travel accessories.
Millets has an extensive selection of clothing,even a range especially tailored for women for a more flattering and comfortable fit.So we can enjoy womens styles without wearing the same waterproofs as the milkman or the paperboy! You do not need to be a serious walker to like their stylish and/or practical clothing,suitable for everyday use.
My new outfit consists of a new trendy purple/grape jacket,in a womens style fully waterproof and windproof (wind? that caused a laugh on christmas day after eating sprouts).This jacket is from the Peter Storm range, with all the clever tailoring to keep warm amd dry,with its own fleece that zips inside for extra warmth.Map pocket and secret pocket too!The other main ranges are Regatta and the famous Berghaus,ranging from casual,showerproof to high performance Gore-Tex,Thermo Tech,Storm Tech garments.Prices range from £39.99 to £149.99 and some casual jackets start around £20.I notice that women sizes go up to 18,whereas most sport shops don't do larger than skinny size 12/14's.
I also have a pair of waterproof windproof fully lined trousers,womens fit,available in black or navy. These have been an excellent buy as they can be worn alone (well,with a coat please) or as over- trousers. I like wearing them as normal trousers but found them chilly so I now wear them as over trousers which keep my own dry and free from mud.If you stop in a pub, you can remove the filthy wet over-trousers to keep on your dry clean ones underneath.Cost 24.99 but ordinary trail trousers (only used as over-trousers)will cost a mere £17.99. Millets sell other types of trousers,designed for leisure,trekking or any activity ranging from 24.99 in mens and womens styles,some are clever zip offs!
My boyfriend also invested in some walking boots for me.We found a great pair for 59.99,reduced from 79.99. Womens sizes go up to size 8 but I had to have mens in a size 9,so I look like I'm about to walk on the moon in my boots.My boots are Gore Tex and have been invaluable so far.I wish that I had bought these years ago! Millets sells an incredible range of footwear.They have the traditional brown leather style to the modern ,suede or Nubuck type.All are high quality with modern technology for all weather conditions.I was impressed that our small store catered for everybodys needs and the staff are helpful,friendly and very knowledgeable about the products.I always thought walking boots would cost around £100 but was surprised to see that they started at £39.99.
So I am now waterproof from head to toe.Shame they dont sell matching dog leads!I am sure I would not get wet if I stood in this gear under the shower! I have found all my kit to be warm,dry and comfortable.It is even socially acceptable to admit it all came from Millets! My friends immediately named me Miss.Millets as I couldnt stop talking about the store (yes,sad I know, but Eastbourne is full of oldies).These friends have all since shopped in Millets,so I should be on commission.
I like their womens fleeces,funky hats and accessories.I bought my mum some trail trousers,treated the boyfriend to a smart fleece,bought my young cousin a trendy rucksack,a sleeping bag for my brother,and found myself a innovative secure tiny bag for my valuables which sits hidden under my coat.My friend got herself a waterproof coat for £100,reduced from £150.So Millets has really proved itself as THE place to go for an outdoor comfortable life!
In addition, Millets still sells the specialist products for seriously active customers.Anything from ski goggles,compasses,walking poles,muddy boot covers (makes a change from carriers bags!)stoves,backpacker tents,penknives,hiking gaiters,socks,flasks and clever torches and gadgets.I am impressed by the reasonable prices,good quality and also the support that the company gives to other affiliated organisations.
Memebership of the YHA,Ramblers and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme is availble instore with various discounts and advice provided. Well,you do have to do something with all that kit you buy!
Millets has its own Home Shopping Catalogue service and can be contacted on 0800 389 5861 or visit www.millets.co.uk
Advantages: good products, reasonable prices Disadvantages: people perceive it as cheap and tacky
Millets has always been a favourite shop for me because I like to look at cagoules..and no, I'm not bonkers. You see, Millets stocks Peter Storm cagoules and fleeces-my favourites, and you can't get them just anywhere. So when my current outer garments are getting a bit frayed, I go to Millets in Halifax and have a good browse. Not that I always BUY from Millets- the price does have to be right and sometimes they don't have an offer on what I want ... ...with us and camp..
Millets do sell tents, and all the gubbins you need to go camping, from gas burners, to plates, compasses, maps, cooking utensils, sleeping bags, mats to go under your sleeping bags....ooh, everything!
a 2 man tent with a double skin would cost you £39.99. Not bad, eh? Sleeping bags - you can get junior ones for about £15, but remember that your child will soon grow..I wish I'd thought of it- I bought my son a lovely one and ...
ginger59 09.11.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Millets (Shop)
Advantages: quite a good range Disadvantages: can be a bit pricey
...nicely thank you.
Clothes: MIllets do a lot of clothing. I really wouldn't bother buying t-shirts, shorts, jumpers or the like from them however as they are a tad more expensive than other shops, and there's no real difference. Where Millets come into there own is with the waterproofs, coats, trousers, walking boots and the like - these are generally less common in the high street and essential if you mean to venture outdoors in this country. Expect ... ...Millets do clothing for everyone from the age of three up. Getting outdoor gear for smaller children remains a challenge. They carry a good range of walking boots from the quite cheap through to the really quite pricey. Worth taking out some time to try and browse, and worth considering how seriosuly you want to use your boot - to a large extent, you get what you pay for. If you want to wander down canal towpaths, you can get away with something ...
Bryn_Pearson 08.06.2004
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Millets (Shop)
Advantages: Budget kit always in stock Disadvantages: No high end gear - special orders cost £5 postage....
...Staff knowledge is where Millets stores often fall down - quite often you find very few enthusiasts working as staff - something noted on various www.outdoorsmagic.com discussion forums and this can lead to customers being given quite wrong advice.... having said that cotswolds are said to suffer from the same problem
All in all, if you want a tent for camping in european campsites, are going to do some walking along lowland marked trails etc, you'll ...
leddy 31.07.2003
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Millets (Shop)
Advantages: everything for camping under one roof Disadvantages: none
Millets is a good shop for any outdoor clothes you want and for any walking or camping out equiptment.
Prices for tents vary from the very cheap to the top price market. The staff are very good and will help you with advice on everything. Millets sell everything that the camper will need from spoons to mosquito nets. If the store you go to havent got it in stock then they will willingly get it for you.
The clothes department have gone modern and ... ...of clothing on sale at Millets and I havent seen them anywhere else (of course you might have somewhere) are trek convert trousers. These sale at £34.99. They are great. What they are is lightweight ultra weave for extra water resistancy quick drying trousers but, and here is my favourite bit around the legs is a zip and when you unzip them hey presto they become shorts.
The staff in our local branch are very helpful and will even show you how to ...
Ciren 22.03.2001 (21.03.2001)
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Millets (Shop)
Advantages: Their sleeping bags are exclusive Disadvantages: they take 25 days to deliver & only that quick cos I hounded them
...arrived wrapped, crudely, in two millets carrier bags and left with a neighbour??!
When we opened them we had two left ones that could not be connected, so I made my fifth phone call to Millets who let me take one to a shop (completely defeating the object of internet shopping) to swap it for a right one.
My advice is not to use Millets website, they make internet shopping a frustrating hassle. I genuinely believe if I hadn't made all those phonecalls ...
kyuker 24.07.2006
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Millets (Shop)
Price
Value for money
Selection & range
Availability
Quality
Staff knowledge
Similar reviews »
Reviews which might be of interest for "Millets (Shop)"
Advantages: Local, has all you need in terms of shopping. Disadvantages: Nothing really.
down by yet more lifts but as these are the ones everyone knows about they are busier and therefore niffier.
Back outside and directly facing you is a large Superdrug, a large-ish H&M and behind and to your right a large Woolworths - now closed down. This isn't your Bluewater Centre and I can name practically all the shops in one big breath:-
Muse - accessories. They love the price £3.99.
Topshop / TopMan. River Island. Dorothy Perkins. New Look. Miss Selfridges. Jane Norman. La Senza.
Pearsons - fair sized department store with Faith, Warehouse, Coast, Hobbs, Phase Eight and other concessions. Their toilets are gross though.
Principles. Next. Evans. Tchibo. WH Smiths. Waterstones. Marks & Spencers. Waitrose. Monsoon. Accessorize. Millets. Body Shop. Boots. Clarks. Sisley. Claires Accessories. H Samuels. Ernest Jones. Jacques ...
