Au Vieux Campeur — Local services in Paris

It has changed a lot. Now women's and men's hiking clothing are in a separate shop: you can no longer compare items marketed to different genders. So if you're a chick who wants loose, straight-fitting technical pants or shirts that ain't pink, buy stuff on the internet. If you dare shop in the men's shop, the staff will show you the exit and point you to the women's shop on another block. The staff told me smirking "it's like this in fancy department stores, you don't see people complaining". But this is not a fancy department store, it's an outdoor shop! I want loose men pants that I can put on in a bivvy and pee in the snow with, not look good in them. If they fail to understand that, there is a problem. They're now more focused on targeting parisiens who wanna go glamping or day-hiking with a sexy outfit. The staff used to be passionate dirtbags who knew the gear they're selling, now they're hiring pretentious and odious sob. Nevertheless they're packing good brands, and if you're a dude you won't have issues finding...

DISGUSTED. After having spent 20 minutes helping my boyfriend choose his shoes on the other side of the 2 sided boutique. I walked over to the woman's side just to have a quick look. I was greeted very spitefully by a woman in her 50's behind the counter typically vexed for nothing and continued to when I decided to return just to have a look, I'd even said Bonjour and Non Merci. I don't speak french too well as she'd probably noticed! But when I did return with my french boyfriend she smiled from ear to ear repeating 'bien sûr bien sûr'. What a horrid service, something I hope to not experience again. My boyfriend had noticed the same from afar and said I was treated like a stinky vagabond. I gave 2 stars for this woman in this shop! Nonetheless we have had many wonderful services from other Au Vieux Camper around the village. Please get her to some customer service training for greeting foreign non-french speaking...

Pros:

Great collection of climbing shoes, of which many brands (scarpa/fiveten) are unavailable in shops where I'm from

Cons:

Staff seems extremely cold and unhelpful, I was offered help and halfway through shoe fitting I was left completely on my own - I don't know what's the correct procedure for shoe trying/shoe purchase - do I just take the shoes off the shelves to try? Do I take the shoes in the boxes to buy or take the shoes that are already on the rack to buy?

I tried putting back the shoes I tried since I tried many pairs and they're everywhere but got scolded since I'm not supposed to put them back on the shelf 😮‍💨

Also the advice offered is so unhelpful - climbing shoes aren't meant to be sized down to the point of hurting, everyone's foot shape is different.

Got myself a pair of Dragos that fit well, but probably...