The Outdoor Store

The Outdoor Store — Baddeck

The Outdoor Store is a long-established clothing and footwear shop at 472 Chebucto Street in downtown Baddeck, the unofficial capital of Cape Breton Island and the conventional starting point for Cabot Trail drives. The store outfits locals and travellers for hiking, sailing, and everyday coastal weather, carrying premium outdoor brands that are otherwise hard to find on the island. Its motto — "Hike Sail Life - Whatever Your Pursuit" — captures the orientation toward people who are heading out onto the trail, the Bras d'Or Lake, or the highlands.

Baddeck sits on the shore of the Bras d'Or Lake, and The Outdoor Store is within easy walking distance of the waterfront, the Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site, and the visitor information centre where many Cabot Trail tours depart. For visitors arriving in Baddeck underprepared for Cape Breton's changeable weather — cool evenings, biting wind on the highlands, sudden rain on the coast — the store is a practical first stop.

What to Expect

• Premium outdoor brands. The store stocks apparel and footwear from labels including Arc'teryx, The North Face, Columbia, KEEN, Blundstone, On Running, Saucony, Mephisto, and Holebrook Sweden. The exact brand mix rotates seasonally.
• Footwear focus. Hiking boots, walking shoes, and rugged everyday footwear are a specialty, with staff fitted service.
• Cape Breton-appropriate layers. Waterproof shells, mid-layers, and base layers suited to highland and coastal conditions.
• Local lifestyle apparel. Casual clothing for everyday wear in Cape Breton, not only technical outdoor gear.
• Special orders. Staff can place special orders for sizes or colours not in stock, useful for travellers with a return visit planned.

Practical Information

• Address: 472 Chebucto Street, Baddeck, NS B0E 1B0
• Phone: 902-295-2576
• Email: outdoorstore@me.com
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Friday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Sunday closed. Hours may shift in the shoulder seasons.
• Payment: Debit accepted; verify credit card options in store.
• Pricing: Moderate-to-premium, reflecting the brand mix.
• Services: Walk-in retail, personalised fitting, and special orders.

Tips for Visitors

If you are setting out on the Cabot Trail, build in a stop in Baddeck on the morning of departure — this is a good opportunity to replace forgotten gear (a real waterproof, broken-in boots, warm gloves) before you hit the highland section where weather can change quickly. Check returns and exchanges at the till before you buy — policies at small Cape Breton retailers are firm, and it matters most if you are leaving Baddeck the same day. Staff are familiar with the conditions on Skyline, Franey, and other Cape Breton Highlands trails and can advise on appropriate layers if asked.