In 1995, Outside Sports was founded in Queenstown, New Zealand, by husband and wife team John and Judy Knight. They opened their first outdoor sports shop with Craig Wanty, aiming to create a unique store that stood out from others in the area. Their passion for the outdoors inspired them to provide essential gear for adventure sports. We have continuously evolved, launching new projects, collaborations, and brand introductions.

The website www.outsidesports.co.nz was launched in 1999. Initially focused on Icebreaker products, it has since expanded its offerings to a wide range of products available for online purchase in New Zealand and globally.

From 2001 to 2003, Outside Sports relocated its flagship store from the Queenstown Mall to Arrowtown. When a shareholder in the Mall building purchased a new property in Arrowtown, it created the perfect opportunity for us to move there. After a few successful years, the rent doubled, so at the end of our lease, the team made the difficult decision to move out of Arrowtown. More than 20 years later, Outside Sports returned to Arrowtown in August 2024, marking a full-circle moment in our story.

In 2004, Outside Sports expanded its reach by opening a store in the Queenstown Airport terminal, making it easier for travelers to gear up for adventures across the South Island. This store became the first Icebreaker TouchLab in New Zealand. Icebreaker, like Outside Sports, was founded in 1995, and Outside Sports quickly grew to become one of the brand’s largest accounts in the country.

When the lease ended for our flagship store at the Queenstown Mall store in 2004, Outside Sports relocated to a purpose-built three-storey building (with a basement workshop) on Lower Shotover Street, beside where Fergburger is today. The move allowed the store to expand across three floors, offering a wider range of outdoor gear and services under one roof. This location remained home to Outside Sports until 2015.

In 2008, Outside Sports updated its logo to the blue, black, and white design we use today. This refreshed look reflected the brand’s growth and evolving identity while maintaining its focus on outdoor adventure and quality gear.

Effective April 1st, 2009, Te Anau Sports, founded by John Greaney in 1976, officially merged with Outside Sports. After years of connection through the Sportsworld group, John Greaney joined forces with John and Judy Knight, purchasing Craig Wanty’s share in the business. This marked a new chapter for the Te Anau store, expanding Outside Sports’ presence across the Southern Lakes. John continued to run the store until 2017, when he sold his share to Darren and Floortje Grimmett — who now co-own Outside Sports alongside John and Judy Knight and Peter King.

In 1986, Peter King purchased land on Dunmore Street from a friend of his father and built Pembroke House, where the Wanaka store still operates today. From there, he founded Good Sports, growing it from a small ski rental into a year-round operation that included a ski shuttle service, windsurfing hire, and a snowboarding division.

On April 1st, 2009, Good Sports officially merged with Outside Sports following years of collaboration between Peter and John Greaney through the Sportsworld group. The merger combined their strong supplier relationships and experience, and Peter became a co-owner of Outside Sports, helping guide its continued growth and success across the Southern Lakes region.

Around 2013, the Queenstown Airport store underwent its first major refit when Icebreaker updated its branding to orange. Although operated by Outside Sports, the store primarily stocked Icebreaker products at the time, reflecting the brand’s refreshed look and feel while continuing to serve travelers seeking high-quality merino gear

From 2012 to 2015, Outside Sports operated the Ride Centre, a seasonal bike rental station located in a container near the Queenstown gondola base. This initiative provided mountain bikers with easy access to bike rentals, trail maps, and gear right at the foot of the Queenstown Bike Park. The Ride Centre played a key role in supporting the local biking community and encouraging both locals and visitors to explore the extensive trail network accessible from the gondola.

After the Ride Centre closed in 2015, Outside Sports continued to offer bike rentals and services at their main Queenstown store, ensuring ongoing support for the biking community.

After years of growth and evolution, Outside Sports moved our flagship store once again up Shotover Street to our current purpose-built location, which opened in 2015. The new store was designed to accommodate a wider range of outdoor gear, clothing, and equipment, along with expanded workshop and bike services, creating a central hub for locals and visitors in the heart of Queenstown.

In 2017, Outside Sports welcomed Darren and Floortje Grimmett as co-owners. Darren had been with Good Sports since 2006 as a manager, while Floortje worked seasonally, driving the Good Sports bus service in winter and helping in-store as a retailer off and on in summer.

Alongside John and Judy Knight and Peter King, they now guide the business with extensive outdoor industry experience and a passion for adventure. Together, the team has strengthened Outside Sports’ commitment to sustainability and community engagement, enhancing offerings and deepening connections with customers.

After operating as an Icebreaker TouchLab, the Queenstown Airport store was refitted to align with the look and feel of our other Outside Sports stores. The update allowed the store to expand its range of high-end outdoor brands, offering travelers a comprehensive selection of clothing and gear from leading names such as Arc’teryx, Patagonia, The North Face, and YETI, while maintaining its focus on quality and adventure.

Officially opening on March 6, 2021, the Tekapo store and bike rentals marked a major step in Outside Sports’ growth. The opportunity came through the Rieder family, owners of Roundhill Ski Area, who invited Outside Sports to join their new commercial development beside the Dark Sky Project building. Although construction and Covid-19 delays created a few anxious moments, the team stayed focused on the long-term vision. Since opening, the Tekapo store and bike rentals have built a strong local following, offering quality gear and service in one of Canterbury’s busiest tourist destinations.

After many years based behind the main store in Pembroke House, the Wanaka bike shop had outgrown its space. In 2022, it moved to a new, larger two-storey building at 48 Helwick Street, bringing together bike sales, rentals, and workshop services under one roof. The move created a dedicated hub for Wanaka’s biking community, better reflecting the growth of cycling in the region and Outside Sports’ ongoing support for local riders and trails.

In 2022, Outside Sports relaunched our online store with updated software and an expanded range of products. The refreshed website makes it easier for customers to browse and purchase high-quality outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories, reflecting our commitment to enhancing the shopping experience and supporting adventurers across New Zealand.

In 2024, Outside Sports returned to Arrowtown, opening a new store over 20 years after relocating from its original site. Opening in Arrowtown marks a return to our roots, with a curated range of premium outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories. The new store reconnects Outside Sports with the community where part of our journey first began.

In 2024, Outside Sports became a proud member of 1% for the Planet, committing to donate 1% of sales from Patagonia to environmental organizations. This reflects our ongoing dedication to protecting the outdoors and supporting sustainability, ensuring that the trails, mountains, and lakes we love remain preserved for future generations of adventurers.

Outside Sports expanded its reach internationally with the launch of www.outsidesports.com.au, bringing our curated range of outdoor gear, clothing, and accessories to customers across Australia. The new website makes it easier for adventurers down under to access the same high-quality products and expert advice available in our New Zealand stores, reflecting Outside Sports’ commitment to supporting outdoor communities beyond the Southern Lakes.

Outside Sports celebrates 30 years of adventure and community! Since opening in Queenstown in 1995, we’ve grown across the Southern Lakes with stores in Wanaka, Te Anau, Tekapo, our Queenstown Airport store, and online. Over three decades, we’ve remained committed to high-quality outdoor gear, supporting local trails, and helping everyone get outside.

This milestone celebrates not just the achievements, but also the people — the founders, co-owners, staff, and customers — who have made the journey possible.