✨ Clothing and equipment: buy locally or bring your own?

🌦️ The weather in the fjords is changeable, and equipment is not cheap. Let's break it down in simple terms: what is reasonable to bring, what is better to buy locally (including Helly Hansen, Devold and Dale), where to find fair prices in the capital and the ‘city of seven hills’, and when it is more profitable to rent. At the end, we'll give you some tried and tested addresses and services so you don't overpay or carry unnecessary luggage.

🧳 What's better to buy locally and what to bring with you?

Bring with you: well-worn trekking boots, a membrane jacket, a warm hat/gloves — these are the basics that you've already tailored to your needs.

Buy locally (when there are discounts/outlets):

• Helly Hansen — real discounts at Oslo Fashion Outlet (Vestby) and at the brand's official online outlet. There is an HH brand store in Vestby; the online outlet regularly clears out its collections.
• Devold (wool) — at their Devoldfabrikken in Langevåg, there is always a 30–70% discount; a good option when travelling to the west coast. There are also outlet stores in Vestby.
• Dale of Norway (sweaters) — the best deals are at the factory outlet/museum in Dale; prices are usually higher in tourist areas. A list of retailers by region is available from the manufacturer.

Where to save money without the tourist markup:

large sports/outdoor chains (XXL, Platou, Anton Sport, Sport Outlet) often have reasonable prices and regular sales. XXL has a convenient store finder with addresses and opening hours; Sport Outlet has many locations in Bergen.

Bonus for visitors:

when leaving the country, non-residents can apply for Tax Free — the threshold for a single purchase is 315 NOK, with a refund of up to ~19% (part of the VAT is retained by the operators). Deadlines are important: the goods must be taken out of the country within a month and presented at the registration point.

🛍️ Where in Oslo/Bergen can you find fair prices without tourist markups?

Oslo (capital):

• XXL, Storgata 2 — large selection of basic outdoor clothing/footwear, clear opening hours, often closed on Sundays. Good for filling gaps in your wardrobe without overpaying.
• Oslo Fashion Outlet (Vestby) — a great option for HH/Devold: outlet discounts and a large selection of brands in one place (30 minutes from the capital).
• Second-hand: Fretex and UFF — for wool sweaters/used equipment and vintage items. Plus, the marketplace app Tise is convenient for filtering by brand/size.

Bergen (the city of seven hills):

• Platou Sport (Småstrandgaten 8) — a local classic with knowledgeable staff and reasonable prices for its level.
• Sport Outlet — budget finds (several locations: Laksevåg, Nesttun, Lagunen); convenient for basic layers/raincoats without overpaying.
• Second-hand: UFF Second Hand Bergen (Fortunen 4) — large selection, often with wool sweaters and outerwear.

Tip: if you want a ‘national sweater’, compare the Dale factory outlet and regular souvenir shops in Bryggen — the price difference can be significant.

⛷️ Does it make sense to rent equipment for the weekend?

Yes — especially if you are travelling light or trying a new activity.

• BUA — ‘equipment library’. In many areas, you can borrow tents, skis, snowshoes, etc. for a week for free. In the capital and the ‘seven mountains’, there are municipal websites with addresses of locations.
• DNT (Turlag). In the capital, there is Friluftshuset on Sørenga and a network of kayak/SUP rental points (you need a ‘Våttkort’). Example price: Sørenga — 399 NOK/day for adults (plus a surcharge if you are not a DNT member). In the Vestland region, local tour guides also offer rentals/activities; a number of DNT huts have price lists for equipment.
• Mountain skiing for the weekend. In the capital, you can rent equipment at Skimore Oslo (Tryvann); in the vicinity of the ‘seven mountains’ — Voss Resort (prices by category are published). This is more convenient than bringing your entire set of equipment on a short trip.
• P2P rental. For kayaks/tents/backpacks, check out peer-to-peer platforms (e.g. Hygglo) — often a good deal for a single weekend.

Water safety: check the wind/waves and route, and kayaks without a ‘Våttkort’ are usually not available for rent.

👉 In short: bring your basics (boots, favourite membrane) and pick up local essentials on site — HH/Devold/Dale are cheaper in outlets and sales, and for a one-off experience, use a rental service or BUA. In the capital, head to the XXL/outlet centre in Vestby, Platou and Sport Outlet in the ‘seven mountains’; for wool and vintage items, check out Fretex/UFF and browse Tise while you're there. If you are a visitor, don't forget about Tax Free (minimum 315 NOK in one store and registration upon departure). This way, your fjord gear will be reasonably priced and won't take up extra space in your suitcase.