Goodyears

Goodyears in Shanklin has grown into a well‑known destination for campers, caravanners and anglers who want practical kit rather than glossy showroom displays.

It is an independently run family business that has been trading since the mid‑1990s, and that long experience shows in the way the shop is laid out, stocked and managed.

Instead of focusing on a narrow product line, the team has built what many visitors describe as an Aladdin’s cave of outdoor equipment, where shelves are densely packed with camping gear, caravan essentials, workwear and leisure clothing alongside an extensive range of fishing tackle.

This depth can be a real advantage for customers who prefer to handle items and ask questions before they buy, especially when kitting out a tent, caravan or small boat for the season.

One of the clearest strengths of Goodyears is its commitment to outdoor camping and caravanning equipment.

The business stocks products to suit minimal backpackers, family campers and touring caravanners, including tents from established brands such as Vango, Coleman, Lichfield and Gelert, plus accessories ranging from groundsheets and cooking gear to survival and first aid items.

This means a visitor who arrives on the Isle of Wight with a missing tent pole, a damaged groundsheet or a leaking gas connection stands a fair chance of finding a workable replacement on the shelves without needing to order online and wait.

The same practical approach extends to caravan and motorhome users, who can pick up awnings, gas fittings and other hardware with the benefit of advice from staff who understand how these systems work in real‑world conditions.

For many potential customers, the camping equipment selection is a key draw.

The business has built up a wide catalogue of tents, sleeping solutions and accessories, including semi‑geodesic and tunnel tents, lightweight solo shelters and larger models suitable for family use.

Alongside shelters, there are cooking stoves, lighting, navigation aids and small repair items that make it easier to keep a campsite running smoothly during a longer stay.

Prices are not pitched as rock‑bottom budget, but the focus tends to be on known brands and durable kit that will withstand regular use rather than single‑use bargain pieces.

This makes Goodyears particularly appealing to people who camp or tour frequently and prefer to buy once and use for several seasons, rather than those seeking the absolute cheapest possible option.

Anglers will likely be drawn first to the dedicated fishing tackle area, which stocks rods, reels and terminal tackle for sea and shore fishing around the Isle of Wight coastline.

Visitors with limited knowledge of angling often remark that the range looks comprehensive even to inexperienced eyes, with racks of rods, lures, hooks and lines aimed at both casual holiday anglers and committed locals.

The shop complements this hardware with a selection of sea fishing bait, including squid, mackerel, herring, peeler crab and cuttlefish, available in the Shanklin store.

This is particularly convenient for those planning an early‑morning or evening session, as it allows them to pick up both bait and terminal tackle in one place instead of visiting separate outlets.

Having fresh and frozen sea fishing bait on hand can make the difference between an improvised trip and a properly planned outing, especially for visitors who are unfamiliar with local suppliers.

The broader fishing gear offer is supported by accessories such as tackle boxes, scales, forceps and cooking equipment suitable for use on the bank or beach.

This aligns the business more with an all‑round outdoor specialist than a niche angling boutique, which suits customers who might need waterproof clothing or camping stoves alongside their rigs and weights.

Anglers planning to fish multiple marks around the island can therefore set themselves up with both core fishing rods and smaller items like terminal tackle and bait storage solutions in a single visit.

Feedback from customers consistently highlights the knowledge and friendliness of the staff as one of Goodyears’ strongest points.

People describe being guided patiently through choices on larger items such as motorhome awnings, with clear advice on how wind and weather might affect their set‑up and practical suggestions on when not to pitch in strong gusts.

Others mention situations where a missing part rendered a new purchase unusable, and the team arranged to source and post a replacement when the manufacturer would not assist, which suggests a willingness to solve problems rather than simply process transactions.

This emphasis on service is in keeping with a family‑owned business that has grown by serving repeat visitors to the island over many years, and it can be reassuring for customers investing in equipment they expect to rely on in remote or exposed locations.

The shop’s role as a one‑stop leisure outlet extends beyond camping and angling.

Goodyears carries outdoor clothing suitable for both work and leisure, including waterproof jackets, walking trousers, socks and footwear from brands such as Regatta, Craghoppers, Karrimor, Brasher and Hi‑Tec.

Customers mention finding tools, work gear and general accessories for hobbies as well as for their jobs, which underlines the store’s position as a practical resource for local tradespeople as much as for holidaymakers.

There is even a car‑related aspect to the business, with Calor gas bottle exchanges and fittings that matter to caravanners, motorhome users and those who cook outdoors at events or on extended road trips.

For someone planning an extended stay on the Isle of Wight with a tent, caravan or motorhome, this combination of clothing, tools and gas provision alongside camping gear and fishing tackle can significantly simplify pre‑trip packing.

While the density of stock is positive from a choice perspective, it can also be a mild drawback for some shoppers.

Reviews and customer comments often describe the interior as absolutely crammed with items, which can feel overwhelming if you prefer minimalist, spacious retail spaces where every product has room to breathe.

Navigating tightly packed aisles may be more challenging for those with mobility issues or for families visiting with pushchairs, and it can take time to locate specific products without staff assistance.

On the other hand, many outdoor enthusiasts actually enjoy this treasure‑hunt feel, seeing it as part of the charm of an independent specialist rather than a clinical modern showroom.

Another potential limitation is that Goodyears is not a pure fishing shop focused solely on angling brands and competition‑level equipment.

Dedicated specimen anglers or those seeking very specific high‑end rods, reels or niche lure systems might find that the range, while broad, does not match the depth offered by a large city‑centre fishing tackle shop catering exclusively to serious competitors.

The stock profile seems designed to balance the needs of visiting families, casual anglers, touring caravanners and local trades, so the choice reflects that mix rather than one narrow discipline.

For most holidaymakers and many regular local anglers, this compromise will be acceptable, but buyers with very technical requirements may still need to supplement purchases with online orders from specialist carp fishing tackle or fly‑fishing retailers.

Goodyears’ long history and local roots give it a certain stability that customers often appreciate.

The company has been operating since the mid‑1990s, with the same family involved in running the business and overseeing its gradual expansion from a traditional outdoor shop into a combined camping, caravanning and fishing tackle retailer with a growing online presence.

Regular visitors to the Isle of Wight frequently return to the store year after year to top up on sea fishing gear, camping spares or clothing, which suggests that the mix of stock and service works for a broad range of people.

The availability of mail order and a website featuring many of the in‑store product lines adds another layer of convenience for those who discover a useful item while on holiday and later decide to order a second one from home.

From a practical perspective, Goodyears suits several types of potential customer.

Holidaymakers staying on nearby campsites who suddenly realise they have left behind tent pegs, stove fittings or sleeping mats can use the store as a quick solution, with the added benefit of being able to ask staff whether an item is genuinely suitable for their set‑up.

New anglers who want to start sea fishing from the pier or beach can pick up entry‑level fishing rods, basic fishing reels and ready‑made rigs, along with bait and simple tuition on how to put everything together safely.

More experienced outdoor enthusiasts may appreciate the ability to browse multiple brands side by side and choose the kit that best matches their budget and usage pattern rather than feeling steered towards only one or two options.

There are, however, some considerations prospective visitors should keep in mind.

Because it is an independent physical shop with a strong emphasis on in‑store service, you are unlikely to encounter the same aggressive discounting that sometimes appears with large online‑only retailers clearing end‑of‑line stock.

Those who prioritise the lowest possible price on every item might still prefer to shop around on the internet, particularly for big‑ticket tents or premium rods where price differences can be significant during sales elsewhere.

Equally, shoppers who value quiet, minimalist spaces may need to adjust expectations when entering a busy, product‑dense store where staff are actively helping several customers at once.

On balance, Goodyears offers a robust combination of experience, product range and hands‑on advice that will appeal to many campers, caravanners and anglers considering time on or around the Isle of Wight.

The mix of fishing tackle, sea fishing bait and general outdoor equipment makes it an efficient stop for anyone putting together a practical kit list for coastal trips, festivals or extended tours, and the presence of a knowledgeable team adds reassurance when choosing items that need to perform reliably in the field.

While it may not replace a highly specialised fishing tackle shop for expert tournament anglers, it stands out as a versatile, service‑driven option for real‑world outdoor needs, especially for customers who prefer to handle equipment in person and talk through their choices before committing to a purchase.