From backpacks to sleeping mats: try out your outdoor equipment in-store

Need new hiking shoes, but want to be sure they won’t give you blisters? Or are you after a new sleeping mat so you can sleep soundly on rocky terrain? It’s the same story with outdoor equipment: you know what you need, but you’re not sure what specific product is the right match for you, your requirements and your pre-existing kit.

Go straight to:

That’s why, at Transa stores, we pop some weight into your backpack so you can feel if it’s pressing on you or if it’s sitting comfortably on your back. Or, you can pack your bike with various bags and go on a short cycle to see which feel best. You doubtless want to put camping mats to the test before you buy them, too. After all, you don’t want your evening under canvas to turn into a nightmare! Here, five sales advisors reveal what you can test out in store and what you need to be aware of.

Bikepacking: from bike bags and GPS devices to lights

Pack your own bike with bags from various manufacturers and test them out on a loop around the building at our bikepacking stations in our Markthalle Bern and Zurich Europaallee stores. We provide the bags and tester contents, like shoes, a gas stove and a tent, but you’re welcome to bring your own items, too.

Frame size, geometry, handlebars and bike type all impact which bags and what volume fit your frame. Plus, we’ll help you find out how much volume you need for your planned adventure. People often underestimate how much your bike’s handling will change when it’s fully laden: a heavy handlebar bag, for instance, has a major impact on your steering.

In addition, you can test out whether have enough space alongside the bags for your usual extras, like lights, a GPS device or bidon holder, whether you can still lower your seat post and whether the bags leave you with enough room to pedal. You can also put other outdoor equipment like gas stoves, water filters and lamps through its paces in-store – so you’re ready for your next tour.

Andy, Markthalle Bern store

Climbing: climbing shoes to fit every foot

The shape of your foot, your skill level and personal preference play a key role in determining the right climbing shoes – as does where you’ll use them. You should take your time when trying them on and seek advice. Make sure you feel comfortable wearing the shoes: you can test out various models at our in-store climbing wall.

The shape of your foot serves as a starting-point for choosing between different brands and models. There are three shapes of foot: Greek, Egyptian and Roman. You have a Greek foot if your second toe is bigger than your big toe, while an Egyptian shape sees your toes slope away like a flight of stairs and a Roman foot has toes of equal length.

If you’re new to climbing, you’ll often feel better in flatter shoes. They are close-fitting, but their padding and minimal pretension help them feel comfy. It’s worth opting for half a size smaller than your regular shoe size, but there shouldn’t be any pressure on your Achilles tendon.

The more you practice, the bigger the challenges become: at some point, you’ll be standing on a steep ascent, looking upwards and realise that you won’t get there wearing the shoes you’re in. Once you reach that point, slippers with more pretension and a greater downturn can support your skills.

Michèle, Transa climbing store Pilatus Indoor

Backpack: carry a sample load in-store

No matter which model or type you’re looking at, you can fill your backpack with realistic weight at Transa stores. This is indispensable: if your backpack’s empty, you can’t tell if it’s a good fit. Backpacks are like shoes: if you want your backpack to be comfy in the long run, it needs to be a perfect fit for your anatomy, like your back length and shoulder width. Lots of people believe the backpack itself should be lightweight, but in my experience, it’s much more important to start by finding a good fit.

How to put your backpack on properly: start by fastening the hip belt so you’re carrying as much weight as possible on your hips. Next, fasten the shoulder belt. Only then should you put your backpack onto your shoulders, using the load control straps. Once you’re done, the weight should sit as close to your back as possible.

Your backpack needs to fit, but it also needs to have the right volume: we’ll help you find the perfect size for your projects. You’re welcome to bring your equipment like your sleeping bag and sleeping mat, so we can show you how best to pack your backpack.

Dave, Zurich Europaallee store

Sweet dreams: testing out camping mats and sleeping bags

No matter whether you’re bikepacking, backpack trekking or on a multi-day canoe tour: spending the night in a tent is a crucial part of lots of outdoor adventures. At our stores, you can try out various sleeping bags and camping mats, either on a test surface or in a tent of your choice (we’ll even put it up for you!). Alongside criteria like weight, packing size and insulation, subjective factors also play a role in all things sleep-related. However, the key thing is that the equipment is a perfect match for your needs and you feel comfortable in it.

We’ll show you how to correctly put the tent up and take it down again so you can get a sense of the space you require and how much room it has inside. Your needs in terms of sleeping bags and sleeping mats are very personal: people who sleep on their sides often find different mats comfortable than people who sleep on their front or back. Some camping mats make noise when you turn over – when you try them out, you can get a better idea of whether this will bother you. Plus, you can find out how tight your sleeping bag should be for you, which hood works for you, whether you like the feel of the material and whether you prefer to have the zip on the right or left.

Jessica, Zurich Europaallee store

Shoes for hiking, trekking or leisure

The only way to find the best-fitting shoe is by comparing different models. At our in-store test section, you can check the stability of different shoe types and how much your foot moves around in them. If they don’t grip your foot snugly, you can (or should) only improve this to a limited extent by lacing them tightly. Lacing your hiking boots the right way minimises the risk of blisters, pressure spots and rubbing.

Your longest toe – which isn’t always your big toe – shouldn’t touch the end of the shoe. Trying footwear on in-store is an almost sure-fire way to prevent yourself from buying shoes that are too small: in my view, this is one of the most common errors when buying shoes.

In our consultation, we’ll then compare the various models. The fit at the heel – your heel should move as little as possible when you’re walking – and the width at the forefoot play the biggest role to start with. You should never buy shoes when you’re under time pressure. Buying new shoes too soon before an adventure isn’t ideal either, as hiking boots or trekking shoes need to be broken in. Our rough recommendation is eight hours, at short intervals.

Andy, Zurich Europaallee store