Lululemon Athletica

Love it or hate it, cult yoga wear brand Lululemon’s hotly anticipated store has set up shop at Ion Orchard—the 299th store worldwide, but the first-ever store in Asia. Leggings, running shorts, sports bras and singlets dominate the racks, with a smaller range of accessories like sports bags, sweat bands and yoga mats. While not completely breaking the sportswear mold, the clothes themselves are pretty cool with streamlined design and fun patterns. ION Orchard, 2 Orchard Turn, #B1-11. 6334-1895. Opens daily 10am-10pm.

New Balance

Nike

Have you seen how many fashionistas have been donning those trendy Nike kicks? Arguably Nike's flashiest boutique in Singapore, the huge Shaw outlet offers a comprehensive range of cutting-edge running gear, including the much-raved Free Fly knit trainers and the Nike+ Sportband, a training device that also helps the user connect with the local (and global) community of runners. Shaw Lido, 350 Orchard Rd., #01-07/11. 6238-0912. Opens daily 11am-9pm.

Royal Sporting House

With branches literally all over the island, Royal Sporting House isn't super stylish but it sure is convenient if you need to pick something up in a hurry. They carry top international sports brands like Reebok, Speedo, Nautica, Sperry Top-Sider and Wilson, and if you're willing to dig through the more workaday items that dominate the stores you just might come across something more interesting. Plus, they also stock equipment like goggles, rackets and balls (you know, for people who actually play sports). JEM, 50 Jurong Gateway Rd., #03-37/39. 6734-7419. Opens Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm

Touch the Toes

This local label occupies a cozy spot on the second floor of a shophouse in Arab Street, and stock a gorgeous range of eco-friendly yoga and pilates gear. Everything in their store uses only organic cotton, bamboo blends or recycled and upcycled materials and are sustainably produced too. Think yoga bottoms in loud digital prints and sports bra with cute tie-dye designs. 31 Arab St. 6396-5025. Opens Mon-Fri 12-8pm, Sat & Sun 1-7pm.

Under Armour

This beloved American sports label has hit our shores and it’s the brand’s first Southeast Asian outpost too. While the range stocked at Orchard Road isn’t as extensive as what you’d find on the website, there’s still a decent selection of hip gym gear in an array of colors. You’ll also find the brand’s staples like UA Tech and HeatGear tees, compression wear, shoes and other accessories ($12 upwards). The average shirt costs just $35, considerably less than what you’ll have to fork out at rival stores. Orchard Gateway, 277 Orchard Rd., #B1-05. 6702-4918. Opens daily 11am-10pm.

Byx

Stocked here are a wide range of acclaimed brands like Niner, Stevens, Kestrel and Fuji, previously available here only in very limited numbers. For day-to-day use, we like Fuji’s practical, urban rides such as the Fuji Nevada ($770) while hardcore off-road junkies will love the mountain bike range from Niner, such as the EMD9 model going for $3,300. If your bike needs some tuning up, the experts on hand offer extensive in-house services, which even include washing facilities.

Cannasia

Cannondale is a name that conjures up some of the best mountain bikes around, whether it’s coming up with first-of-a-kind products or taking a revolutionary approach to cycling like carbon-fiber frames or its latest electronics suspension system. Home to all things Cannondale including their two-wheeled monsters, parts and apparel, this bike chain even has its own cycling team that takes part in races all across Asia.

Coast Cycles

This bike shop/café/general cool-people hangout is a collaborative effort between former pro cyclist Jansen Tan and roasting moguls Papa Palheta. From the outset, it looks like one of those small trendy industrial-styled cafés—enter via the main entrance and you’ll only see tables and the bar counter—with concrete, black steel accents and blonde wood, of course. But the 3,000 sq. ft. space houses a bike repair workshop at the back plus a sizable retail space upstairs—where you can ask embarrassing newbie questions and take their in-house Coastliner bikes ($2,800 upwards) out for test drives around the neighborhood (or just on the rolling trainer, spinning to a playlist by Darker than wax’s Dean Chew).

Fab's Cycle

Italy produces some of the best bikes in the world and the country also plays host to some of the best races as well, so you know you’re in capable hands when an Italian helms a bicycle shop. Fabrizio Olivieri’s store doesn’t look like your run-of-the-mill bike shop—it’s neat, bright and not cluttered with bike parts and grease. But don’t let the apparent lack of inventory turn you off, Fabrizio (or Fab) can get you almost anything in two-wheels—hybrids, fixed gears, cruisers, MTBs, you name it—within days. People come to this Chinatown store for its cruiser bikes from brands like Nirve, Cinelli and Abici.

LifeCycle

This store once had a brick and mortar space in Upper Serangoon but has since moved their business online. They carry impressive-looking two-wheelers from brands like Jango Flik, Louis Garneau and Xootr, as well as really cool accessories such as laptop carriers, leather saddle bags, a bike mount for your iPhone and even a torchlight with a built-in mp3 player. 

Mighty Velo

Set up by two "overweight, overworked 30-somethings" (as stated in the store's Facebook page), this folding bike specialist carries brands like Brompton, Strida (the small two-wheeler that started the business, after the founders were bombarded with questions on where to get the bike), Montague and Foldy. Bike accessories from Fibre Flare, Akslen, Dosen and more are also available in store to boost your ride. 

Rodalink

This Indonesian chain stocks bikes and equipment from brands including Colnago, Marin, Polygon, Lerun and Cinelli. Experienced and well-informed staff will be able to help you with anything regarding two-wheelers. Apart from selling bikes and its parts, Rodalink also offers maintenance and repair services, test rides as well as bike packing services for overseas trips.

Tokyobike

The Japanese biking specialist's first and only flagship store in Asia has an inventory of minimalist-chic two-wheelers designed specifically for navigating cities (hence its name). If you like what you see, take one out for a test-ride around Haji Lane. There's also a nice array of Brooks England accessories upstairs at sister store Rivets to make your commute safer and more comfortable.

Treknology Bikes 3

One of Singapore’s largest chain bike stores, Treknology Bikes 3 stocks some of the most reliable bike brands from Gary Fisher to Mirraco. Its knowledgeable staff are active veterans in the local cycling scene and will answer questions about everything from bikes to good cycling areas to fitness information.

Wheeler's Yard

Tucked away in a nondescript corner of Balestier—though not exactly the most accessible spot—is this ultra-cool bicycle atelier, workshop and cafe unsurprisingly attracting hipsters in droves.  Both avid cyclists and casual riders will be sorely tempted by the wide selection of handmade urban bicycles ($1900 upwards) in an array of colors and sizes. Patrons can also have their own bicycles refurbished by the shop’s experienced mechanics. What’s more, there’s a curated range of imported vintage furniture ($100 upwards) for sale.

CB2

The younger, hipper sibling of American home furnishing chain Crate & Barrel offers bold and edgy interior staples with a distinct industrial style; but what makes CB2 especially appealing are the apartment-friendly sizes and reasonable price tags.

Commune

This homegrown furniture store now has a large concept space in Orchard Road. This one has a range of Dualtone living and dining room furniture inspired by the 1950s with lots of muted grey and dark walnut wood. There's also a bespoke sofa range for Commune's first-ever collaboration with Abitex, which means fancy customized upholstery in your choice of fabrics. 

Danish Design Co

Those into the clean, Scandinavian aesthetic will find lots to love at this furniture store, which specializes in established and award-winning Danish labels like Fredericia, Eilersen and Gubi.

Foundry Store

Besides its own namesake designs, browse cult labels like Denmark’s &Tradition and Finland’s Secto Design, which have been curated for their heritage, durability and creative thought processes.

Fred Lives Here

According to imaginative owner Angie, who created tFred is a "delightful little chap" who sources high-quality reproductions of modern-classic interior design items and sells them (at their dedicated showroom within PACT). He (or she) also partners with cool creative types to create one-of-a-kind functional art for the home.

Galanga Living

Not one for mass produced goods? Then this is one place you’ll definitely want to check out. The roomy, industrial-style shop floor packs in a wide collection of furniture and home accessories that put a refreshing twist on Scandinavian design, with a touch of Asian influence.

Grafunkt

Bedroom and living room sets, with minimalist yet playful sensibilities, greet you at this multi-label furniture retailer and lifestyle brand, helmed by Jefery Kurniadidjaja and Nathan Yong (who won Singapore President's Design Awards for Designer of the Year in 2008).

Journey East

Bright colors on walls, floors, and artworks, as well as lightboxes lettered with fun phrases, add a lively and quirky atmosphere to this sparse and unpolished emporium that houses an eclectic, cheery collection of upcycled, refurbished furniture, as well as vintage and designer pieces to spruce up your home.

Moodbox

With a distressed-industrial look and refined, colorful touches, this store completely changes its theme and mood every six to eight weeks (hence its name). Expect a wide and carefully curated selection of homeware and personal accessories with a boho touch, like whitewashed rattan baskets and painted birdcages.

Retro Colony

Space Asia Hub

The mammoth, $50 million, 12,000 sq. m. luxury furniture store is a truly gorgeous space that houses designer wardrobe systems, lights and furniture from famous brands like Moooi, B&B Italia, Flexform and Louis Poulsen.

Xtra

The sprawling 2,000 sq. m. showroom, which covers three levels and houses Herman Miller's first store-in-store concept, overflows with a standout collection of designer furniture from the world's most prolific designers and cutting-edge brands like Karim Rashid, Tom Dixon and Miniforms.