SummerGearGuide

Summer 2023 

Kit yourself out for the 

perfect summer of walking, 

wherever it may take you! 

Gear 

FOOTWEAR • RUCKSACKS • ACCESSORIES • SHIRTS • SOCKS 

WATERPROOFS • TROUSERS • SHORTS • GADGETS... & MORE!

WE VALUE 

ADVENTURES 

Fun outdoors for all the family. 

Shop the new collection in 

stores nationwide or online 

at Regatta.com 

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TO SHOP NOW

Bring it on! 

‘Time flies by in the yellow and green 

Stick around and you’ll see what I mean 

There’s a mountaintop that I’m dreaming of 

If you need me you know where I’ll be.’ 

I’VE BEEN THINKING about that lyric a lot lately. It’s from Shotgun by 

George Ezra, who thanks to his marvellous movie End to End is well on his way 

to becoming Britain’s new favourite walker (a sentiment I can only echo, after 

interviewing him for Country Walking last issue – he really is that sweet). 

George specialises in upbeat songs that put summer in a bottle (see also Green 

Green Grass), and they’ve barely left my playlist while we worked on this Guide. 

So if you’ve ever wanted to seek out the yellow and green, or dreamt of a 

mountain, this Guide is for you: a sun-soaked hayride through this season’s 

summer gear, from shirts that cool your skin to rucksacks with hydration systems 

wired in; from a waterproof hijab to shoes that want to help save the planet. 

Whatever mountaintops you’re dreaming of this summer, this is the kit that’ll 

bring them closer. Dreams are great. Reality can be even better. 

NICK HALLISSEY 

Deputy Editor, Country Walking 

Contents 

05 SHIRTS & TEES 

Explorer-style button shirt 

or fast-wicking baselayer? 

The choice is yours. 

09 TROUSERS & SHORTS 

Keep those hard-working legs 

cool and comfy when the 

mercury’s rising. 

13 RUCKSACKS 

From compact daypacks to big 

beasts for the Coast to Coast 

and Pennine Way. 

17 SUMMER ESSENTIALS 

From poles to pants: all the 

little extras that make summer 

adventures truly memorable. 

21 FOOTWEAR 

Everything from super-light 

sandals for the beach to boots 

for high-peak trekking. 

25 SUMMER SOCKS 

Keep your feet happy on every 

walk, whether it’s a stroll in the 

park or a 10-day trek. 

28 WATERPROOFS 

Unbelievably, it can still rain in 

July. But choose from these and 

that isn’t a problem. 

Plus: MASTERCLASSES 

A close look at what makes 

the best outdoor kit work 

so darn beautifully. 

SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 2023 3

Shirts and Tees 

Your body’s first, last, and sometimes 

only line of defence. Make it count. 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

THE MASTERCLASS 

ZEROFIT 

COLD SKIN BASELAYER 

Of all the upper layers we wear, 

the shirt, tee or technical 

baselayer is the only one 

that can ever call itself 

your first, last and only 

line of defence. Which 

means it has to do a 

really complex job, really 

well: managing moisture, 

adapting to the weather, 

and staying breathable no 

matter how hot it gets. 

Here to show how that’s 

done is the brand new Cold 

Skin baselayer from Zerofit. 

They might be best known 

for the Heatrub – the 

warmest baselayer on the 

market – but here they’re 

out to prove they’ve got 

summer covered, too. 

V-NECK DESIGN 

The new Cold Skin features 

a refined neckline that 

allows breathability as 

well as comfort for 

both male and 

female hikers. 

NO HOT SPOTS 

The Cold Skin’s baselayer 

technology uses innovative 

fibres that are engineered 

to dissipate heat and 

spread it effectively over 

the body surface, so 

walkers won’t experience 

the problem of ‘hot spots’. 

SWEAT FREE 

The thin and 

lightweight fabric 

disperses sweat 

rapidly creating a 

quick dry feeling 

without stress on 

the skin or causing 

restriction of 

movement. 

SUN PROTECTION 

The Cold Skin has a UPF50+ 

rating, giving all users maximum 

protection against the sun’s 

harmful rays during the 

warmest months of the year. 

COLD-TO-TOUCH 

Following extensive testing by hikers and 

other outdoor enthusiasts, the Cold Skin 

features ‘Cold-to-Touch’ (CTT) Technology, 

which means it’s cold as soon as you pull it on 

in a temperature range of 20° to 40°C. 

How much & 

where from? 

The Cold Skin baselayer 

is priced at £50 and is 

available from June, 

with next working day 

delivery, free of charge, 

from zerofit.co.uk. 

Pre-orders are now 

being taken – contact 

info@zerofit.co.uk for 

more information. 

Turn over to find a 

selection of summery 

shirts and tees… 


Shirts + Tees 

CLASS OF 2023 

FÖHN DRIRELEASE 

TEE £35 

What a perfect product 

to kick off our Class of 

2023. Föhn specialise in 

great technical kit at 

affordable prices, and this tee is 

a great example. The DriRelease 

fabric is smooth and 

fast-wicking, with the aim 

of leeping you dry and 

comfortable even when the 

mercury is soaring. Flatlock 

seams help to avoid chafing, 

while the super-soft finish 

keeps you comfy. 

wiggle.co.uk 

TOG24 

LANGAN VEST 

£35 

Yorkshire-based TOG24 make some 

cracking kit, and here they say their 

aim is to ‘make women’s activewear a 

little more elegant’. Cut in a flattering 

shape with a dipped hemline that’s 

slightly longer at the back for extra 

coverage, this supersoft sports vest is 

designed to give you confidence as 

well as comfort. Crafted from 4-way 

stretch fabric that moves with your 

body in every direction, the Langan 

vest is lightweight, breathable and 

perfect for teaming with your 

favourite leggings. 

tog24.com 

CRAGHOPPERS 

NOSIBOTANICAL 

HULA £50 

NosiBotanical is 

an extension of 

Craghoppers’ 

renowned NosiLife 

insect-repellent treatment. 

The name reflects the 

fact it’s made with sustainable 

plant-based resources, 

specifically lemon eucalyptus 

oil. It uses the oil’s natural 

insect-repellent qualities to 

keep the biting blighters off 

you. And they’ve used it to 

beautiful effect on this classy shirt. 

craghoppers.com 

ROHAN 

ISLE £65 

‘Seersucker’ might not be 

the most appetisingly 

named fabric (fun fact: 

it comes from the 

Persian words shir and 

shakar, , meaning milk and sugar 

in relation to the blend of gritty 

texture on smooth cloth), but it 

doesn’t half feel good – and 

work brilliantly – on this shirt. It 

also means you can pull the Isle 

out of your luggage and head 

out on a walk without wishing 

you had an iron handy. A superb 

shirt for travel, urban and coastal walks. 

rohan.co.uk 

ZEROFIT 

COOL WEAVE 

£55 

Zerofit are rapidly becoming 

one of our favourite brands. 

Although best known for their 

super-warm winter layers, they 

launched this exceptional tee 

last summer to show they can 

respond to warm weather too. 

As the temperature increases, 

the Cool Weave’s waterabsorbing 

polymer shrinks 

to diffuse sweat quickly, 

promoting transpiration and 

creating a blissful cooling effect. 

The arms and neck also have 

a UPF50+ rating. 

zerofit.co.uk 

PÁRAMO 

SOCORRO £65 / 

KATMAI 

£75 

These are among the most 

refined and comfortable 

travel/trekking shirts we 

know. The sleek, swishy 

fabric has a cooling 

effect and is supremely 

responsive to your 

movements, and it 

has insect-repellent 

treatment woven in. 

It also has three neat 

pockets (including 

a hidden security 

pouch) to keep things 

secure. paramo-clothing.com 

6 SUMMER GEAR GUIDE 2023

THE KNOWLEDGE 

Pretty much all the shirts and tees in this section will claim to be good at 

wicking, but what exactly is wicking? Also known as capillary action, 

wicking is the process of moving moisture between spaces; for example 

from the surface of your skin, through layers of clothing, to an outer surface 

– even though in theory, gravity is working against it. Once on the outer 

surface, the moisture can spread out, which means it will evaporate more 

quickly and cease troubling you. (The most versatile shirts and baselayers 

will do this in winter too, preventing moisture from chilling your skin.) 

PATAGONIA 

CAPILENE £70 

A breathable merino 

technical top, designed to 

naturally regulate your 

temperature, control odour 

and keep you comfortable. 

Made from a blend of 65% 

RWS-certified merino wool and 

35% recycled polyester. All of the 

virgin wool Patagonia sources is 

certified to the Responsible 

Wool Standard (RWS) ‘from 

farm to fibre’ to help ensure 

protection both for the animals 

that supply it and the land they graze. 

eu.patagonia.com 

ARTILECT 

BOULDER £75 

Artilect specialise in throwing 

a huge amount of technical 

sophistication at even the 

most everyday garment. Here we 

have Bluesign-approved 125gsm 

Nuyarn merino wool providing an 

exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio 

and a drying time that’s five times 

faster than ordinary merino. Stretchy, 

breathable and with flatlock seams to 

prevent chafing, as well as a sewn-in 

hang-dry loop, there is so much going 

on in the Boulder that we’re in danger 

of running out of... phew, made it. 

artilect.studio 

BERGHAUS 

24/7 TECH TEE £75 

A great all-rounder, 

Berghaus correctly say 

about this smart tee, 

suggesting that it’s perfect for 

long walks to long chats in the 

pub afterwards. Like the famed 

Berghaus rucksack with 

which it shares its name, this 

technical T-shirt is remarkably 

adaptable. It wicks away sweat 

and is odour-resistant, with 

a stretchy fabric that offers 

great freedom of movement, 

no matter what you’re up to. 

berghaus.com 

ALPKIT 

MIRA £75 

The Mira is a lightweight, women’s 

long-sleeve shirt for warmweather 

comfort on summer 

hikes. The nylon-polyester blend 

replicates the feel of a cotton 

shirt with the performance 

benefits of synthetic fibres. 

Tailored shoulders maintain 

freedom of movement while 

wearing a rucksack or 

reaching for a rocky handhold. 

The fast-drying fabric keeps 

you cool and dry, while the 

Polygiene odour control 

technology reduces washing. 

alpkit.com 

SHERPA 

RAMOCHE £90 

When Sherpa make 

something, they don’t 

just make a good 

product, they tell a 

story. So in addition 

to this shirt looking 

great and offering 

great freedom of 

movement, we also 

learn that Ramoche 

is an important 

monastery in 

Lhasa, Tibet, dating 

back to the 7th 

century. sherpa 

adventuregear.com 

FJÄLLRÄVEN 

RÄVEN £110 

Lastly (we often have to say 

‘lastly’ with Fjällräven given its 

premium pricetag – but usually 

so worth the outlay) here’s a 

terrific rugged exploration shirt 

from the Swedish wizards. The 

Räven is made with G-1000 Air 

Stretch fabric. The comfort fit allows 

good airflow around the body and 

provides enough room to wear a layer 

underneath. There are two large, 

buttoned pockets low on the torso 

with bellows and extra openings at 

the sides, plus two chest pockets 

with buttoned flaps. 

fjallraven.co.uk 


“My Bridgedales never fail me and 

have been my trusty companions 

on 1000’s of miles.” 

Vicky Toghill 

LITTLE THINGS MATTER 

Over 100 years knitting heritage 

Vegan friendly non-wool options 

Located in N Ireland near the Mourne Mountains 

so we understand the elements 

Styles, colours and sizing for Men, Women 

and Children 

Super soft merino Wool 

All day comfort 

www.lycra.com 

LYCRA® DRY TECHNOLOGY 

www.bridgedale.com

Legwear 

From zip-offs to leggings, skorts to shorts: 

take great strides this summer! 



JACK WOLFSKIN 

GLASTAL ZIP-AWAY PANTS 

Your legs are the turbines that power every move you 

make on a walk, from slithering around a churned-up 

field path to boulder-hopping on a high summit. So 

wrap them in armour that knows how to respond to all 

those weird and unusual 

movements, while keeping 

themwarm or cool, dry and 

ventilated, no matter what the 

weather is doing. In this section 

we’re looking at legwear that’ll 

take you from beach to 

beacon, and from peak to 

pub. Here to show how it’s 

done are the brand new 

Glastal softshell pants from 

Jack Wolfskin, which are 

just made for great leaps 

forward… 

PLANET 

FRIENDLY 

All of Jack Wolfskin’s 

clothing, packs and bags 

has been 100% free of 

perfluorochemicals (PFCs) 

since spring 2019. The 

brand new Glastal pants 

are no exception. 

FREEDOM 

AND FIT 

The articulated knees 

and special ‘acrobat cut’ 

deliver optimal freedom of 

movement. An elasticated 

panel on the thigh helps 

to ensure a perfect fit. 

They’re available in three 

leg lengths for both men 

and women – and a good 

range of waist sizes. 

SMART AND 

LIGHTWEIGHT 

The Glastal softshell pants 

weigh just 325g (size 36) 

and 345g (size 50). Nice 

and light to walk – and 

they won’t take up too 

much space in your 

luggage either. 

OH SO EASY 

The innovative zip-off 

system makes it easy to 

remove the lower legs 

without having to take 

your boots off. Simple, 

faff-free, brilliant. 

FANTASTIC FABRIC 

The Texashield Core fabric is 

stretchy, highly breathable and keeps 

out the rain and wind. Thanks to the innovative 

weave of the fabric, these softshell trousers also 

offer protection against UVA and UVB rays. 

QUICK 

DRYING 

It’s always helpful if 

your trousers will 

dry out quickly 

after a soaking. The 

lightweight softshell 

fabric in these pants 

allows moisture to 

wick away and 

evaporate quickly. 

How much & 

where from? 

£125; find full details 

and the whole Jack 

Wolfskin range at 

jack-wolfskin.co.uk 

Check out more great 

legwear options over 

the page… 


T rousers + Shorts 

CLASS OF 2023 

QUECHUA HIKING ZIP-OFF 

MH550 £40 

Lightweight, breathable and stretchy 

convertible trousers, designed (as 

Quechua’s parent brand Decathlon 

proudly points out) at the foot of Mont 

Blanc. They are straight cut but taper 

round the ankle so they don’t flap 

about and are great at helping to keep 

water and mud out. decathlon.co.uk 

SPRAYWAY 

TARN SHORTS £45 

Brand new for 2023, these shorts are 

perfect for hot days on the hills or the 

coast. Made with TecWeave polyamide 

stretch fabric with a water-repellent 

finish, they have an elasticated 

waistband with built-in belt for a 

perfect fit, plus two hand pockets and 

zipped thigh pocket. sprayway.com 

FÖHN TRAIL HIKING SHORTS 

£50 

Well suited to a variety of outdoor 

adventures, these are designed to 

keep you comfortable and agile in the 

outdoors. Made from a mid-weight 

technical stretch fabric, they have an 

active cut, soft-touch fabric to limit 

chafing, multiple pockets and a 

water-repellent finish. wiggle.co.uk 

JACK WOLFSKIN 

PACK & GO SHORTS £55 

Super-light, super-functional and 

super-stylish, say Jack Wolfskin. These 

lightweight softshell shorts pack down 

super-small and take up minimal space 

in your luggage. Then when you get 

them out and put them on, they’re 

good to go for mile after comfy mile. 


CRAGHOPPERS 

FLEET SHORTS £60 

Typical great quality and class from 

Craghoppers. Made in part with 

recycled materials, the Fleet shorts use 

polyamide elastane ripstop fabric that 

is designed to stretch for maximum 

freedom of movement, and are finished 

with the brand’s own plant-based 

EcoShield DWR. craghoppers.com 

SHERPA 

KALPANA TIGHT £60 

Durable and abrasion resistant, soft 

and lightweight, these soft four-way 

stretch fabric tights put a new twist 

on the usual hiking trousers. Kalpana 

means ‘creativity’ in Nepalese – and 

each pair sold helps to fund a day’s 

education for children in Nepal. 

sherpaadventuregear.co.uk 


THE KNOWLEDGE 

The more you walk in summer, the better your body gets at dealing with heat. 

Studies have shown we generate 13% more plasma (the liquid part of our 

blood) when we exercise consistently in warm conditions than we do 

normally, loading our muscles with oxygen (and thus energy) and improving 

our ability to regulate our own body temperature. And after a few consecutive 

days in the heat (say, on a long-distance trail) our heart, lungs and sweat 

glands all adapt and reach maximum effciency, meaning that steep ascents 

become less taxing than they seemed on day one of your trip. 

BERGHAUS 

EMBIRA SKORT £65 

The Embira skort is made from more 

than 50% recycled materials and has 

four-way stretch fabric that’s also 

breathable, quick-drying and 

super-effective at wicking away 

moisture. It comes with security 

pockets and is water-resistant too. 

berghaus.com 

GILL 

UV TEC SHORT £75 

These were designed for sailboarding, 

paddleboarding and kayaking. But 

even if you’re not massively into those, 

the technologies and fabrics they use 

are of course massively useful to 

walkers too. Plenty of stretch, plenty of 

pockets – and fabulous at dealing with 

water, of course. gb.gillmarine.com 

FINDRA 

CAIRN SHORTS £90 

In amongst Findra’s technical 

information on these shorts is the 

description ‘understated’; we’re not 

entirely sure what overstated shorts 

would look like, but what’s certain is 

that there is class and quality here, 

from stretchy fabric to huge pockets 

and DWR finish. findraclothing.com 

OUTDOOR RESEARCH 

FERROSI TRANSIT £95 

Many brands try to sum up what the 

oft-used phrase ‘trekking and travel’ 

really means but OR have nailed it here: 

“Lightweight and durable: your go-to 

for hitting the trail in the morning, 

hopping an afternoon flight, and 

heading straight to dinner from the 

airport.” Sorted. outdoorresearch.com 

ROHAN STRETCH BAGS 

CONVERTIBLE £97 

Despite not being the most 

glamorously named product, Rohan’s 

Stretch Bags are among the best 

trousers you can buy. Based on 

Rohan’s classic Bags, these are tougher 

yet stretchier, thanks to a super-tough 

technical fibre with elastane and 

Dynamic Moisture Control. rohan.co.uk 

FJÄLLRÄVEN ABISKO 

SHORT TIGHTS £100 

A brand new shorts version of 

Fjällräven’s superb Abisko Trekking 

Tights. They have a high waist and an 

inner drawstring that gives a flattering 

fit and are made with moisturewicking, 

double-knitted stretch fabric 

made from 100% recycled polyester 

fjallraven.co.uk 



Rucksacks 

From nature reserve to national park, 

we’ve got your back this summer. 


DEUTER 

TRAIL SERIES 

The rucksack: the cleverest, most 

adaptable and hardest-working piece of 

kit on any summer walk. Think of all the 

incredible things a rucksack has 

to do when it’s warm: carry 

all your wet-and-windy 

weather kit (but compress 

nicely once you take that 

stuff out and put it on); 

stay stable and sturdy 

whether you’re 

boulder-hopping on a 

summit or sliding around a 

muddy field; keep heat and 

moisture off your back; and feel 

comfortable even on day 8 of 

a long-distance walk. That’s why 

we’ve singled out one of the 

very best rucksack ranges to 

show how a good pack does 

all that – and more. 

THE PERFECT 

BACK SYSTEM 

The Trail’s Aircontact back 

system makes carrying even 

heavy loads easy. It brings the 

weight close to the body and 

your centre of gravity, resulting 

in better pack control. The 

cushions are made from hollow 

camber foam, which provide 

great ventilation thanks to the 

pump effect of your movement. 

SMART STORAGE 

With a lid pocket, internal valuables pocket, one 

zippered side pocket and one stretch side pocket 

there are a variety of storing solutions. There’s 

also a wet laundry compartment. 

A FRESH 

NEW TAKE 

The Trail series has 

had a makeover for 

2023. The new Trail 

30 was built for 

ambitious hikers and 

the toughest terrains. 

It combines the best 

of deuter’s hiking and 

climbing packs in a 

lightweight, durable 

package. 

GOOD FOR 

THE PLANET 

The Trail series is free 

from perfluorochemicals, 

or PFCs. PFCs are 

harmful chemicals which 

are often used in 

waterproofing products. 

Instead deuter use 

treatments that are 100% 

free from PFCs, yet are 

still highly water and 

dirt-repellent. 

GREAT 

FEATURES 

On the Trail 30, integrated 

compression straps keep 

the load stable. Also on 

board are additional 

carabiner holders on the 

shoulder straps, a large 

two-way front zip for fast 

access to deeper-lying 

items, pole attachments, 

a removable rain cover 

and a storable, flat lid. 

All this makes it a versatile 

pack for hikers who don't 

want to compromise on 

features or capacity. 

A FIT FOR 

EVERY BODY 

The Trail range comes in 

unisex and women’s 

specific fits (SL). The 

women’s fit has a shorter 

back length, narrower 

shoulders and conical hip 

fins, which work together 

to provide a better fit for 

women’s bodies. These 

fits, along with the 

diversity of volumes in 

the range (16 litres to 36 

litres), means there is a 

pack for everyone. 

How much & 

where from? 

Prices range from £105 

to £165. Model shown 

is the Trail 30 (£125). 

Find the full range at 

deutergb.co.uk 

Turn over to meet 

more rucksacks for 

summer days… 


Rucksacks 

CLASS OF 2023 

FÖHN PACKABLE 

DAYSACK £20 

You never know when a UWO 

(Unexpected Walking 

Opportunity) may arise which 

is why you should keep this 

handy: a viable compact 

rucksack which packs down into 

its own pocket, and has enough 

space for lunch, a jacket and a 

jumper. There; that’s your UWO 

sorted. wiggle.co.uk 

LIFEVENTURE PACKABLE 

BACKPACK 16L £30 

Lifeventure have had the same 

idea; a similar but slightly more 

rugged idea from the esteemed 

purveyors of outdoorsy washbags, 

bottles and microfibre towels. 

This one likewise compresses into 

its own pocket, and has decent 

storage inside plus a stretch 

pocket for a bottle. 

lifeventure.com 

ALPKIT 

PRESTA 25L £70 

Tried and tested in CW 

reviews, Alpkit’s Presta 

rucksack has a new update 

for 2023 and is looking 

lovely. And just as practical 

and easy to carry as ever, 

with its lightweight foam 

back panel and breathable 

channels to keep the 

moisture off your back. 

alpkit.com 

CAMELBAK 

ARÊTE 18 £75 

A compact pack for 

short hikes, built around 

Camelbak’s ever-reliable 

1.5L hydration system 

which comes with it. Plenty 

of cargo space (and the 

hydration compartment can also 

double as a laptop sleeve for urban 

adventures) and it comes in a 

glorious range of colours. 

camelbak.co.uk 

BERGHAUS 

ARROW 30 £80 

Berghaus go retro with this 

design, which boasts the giant 

wing compartments that every 

pack had in the seventies and 

eighties – but all in 21st century 

lightweight fabrics of course. 

And there’s still nothing wrong 

with the design, which allows 

for copious extra storage. 

berghaus.com 

INOV-8 

VENTURELITE 18 £90 

The perfect day-pack for 

fast-paced hikes and adventures, 

say inov-8, and weighing in at just 

420g it’s hard to argue with that. 

The pack is made of a light, 

durable, recycled nylon fabric 

and its Air Release back panel 

technology delivers outstanding 

levels of breathability and comfort. 

inov-8.com 

MONTANE 

ORBITON 20 £90 

We occasionally admit in 

Country Walking that other 

forms of exercise are available, 

and if you’re a fan of such 

things, try this. The Orbiton’s 

hip fins can switch positions for 

‘walk’, ‘run’ or ‘bike’, depending 

on what you’re up to. Not sure 

these other pastimes will 

ever catch on though. 

montane.com 

LOWE ALPINE AIRZONE 

ACTIVE 25 £100 

Although now part of the Rab 

brand, Lowe Alpine’s packs retain 

their own rugged identity, and we 

suspect Hell will freeze over before 

they stop making the AirZone 

packs, built around one of the 

lightest and most breathable back 

systems on the market. There’s 

a big range of AirZone packs; 

this 25L version is ideal for 

long day-hikes. rab.equipment 


THE KNOWLEDGE 

Jack Wolfskin and Osprey have both launched rucksacks created with 

3D printing, but what’s the big deal with this new approach? Well, 3D printing 

uses materials which can be far lighter and more breathable than standard 

fabrics – especially when it comes to padding. So the padding on Wolfskin’s 

Aerorise and Osprey’s UNLTD packs is a soft lattice structure allowing vastly 

improved elasticity and dynamic movement. It also reduces water usage 

and waste material. As the technology is young, prices are eye-watering, but 

hopefully we’ll see them come down as the practice becomes more common. 

DEUTER TRAIL 23 SL 

/ TRAIL 25 £120 

The updated Trail is for 

walkers who appreciate 

a backpack that sits snug 

to the body yet still offers 

good airflow. The Airstripes 

back system and perforated 

shoulder straps and hip fins 

ensure maximum airflow, 

making this a fantastic pack. 

deutergb.co.uk 

GREGORY CITRO 24 £120 

/ JUNO 24 £120 

Another range that has been tried 

and tested many times by CW, the 

Citro and Juno packs just keep 

getting better. Both versions have 

enough room to stash a spare layer, 

keep your essentials organised, and 

still have room for overflow with a 

durable mesh front stuff pocket. The 

VaporSpan ventilated backpanel is 

superb too. eu.gregorypacks.com 

OSPREY TALON 22 £130 

/ TEMPEST 24 £140 

Among the most popular 

day-packs in Britain, especially 

in the hills, the men’s Talon and 

women’s Tempest are a refined 

lesson in how to pack almost 

every possible rucksack feature 

(from hip-belt pockets and pole 

loops to helmet clasp and 

super-ventilated back system) 

into one slim, compact package. 

ospreyeurope.com 

MOUNTAIN WAREHOUSE 

CARRION 80L £140 

It’s an odd name for a rucksack (you’d 

think the last thing you’d want to associate 

a rucksack with is dead weight), but get 

round that and what we have here is an 

impressive superlarge trekking pack for 

those who are heading off on the Coast 

to Coast or SWCP and planning to carry 

everything with them, including tent. 

Also comes in a 65L version. 

Just watch out for vultures. 

mountainwarehouse.com 

PATAGONIA 

ALTVIA 28L £140 

Designed for two-day hikes when 

you need that extra bundle of kit, 

the 28-litre Altvia is a rugged pack 

with plenty of storage and an 

abundance of great features. It’s 

made with 100% recycled nylon and 

its breathable shoulder straps should 

keep you nicely ventilated in summer 

heat. Includes rain cover. 


VAUDE TRAIL 

SPACER 28 £170 

Vest-style rucksacks are 

common in the running 

world, but here’s a 

walking pack that proves 

it can work for us too. 

Its suspension system is 

made from a durable 

knitted material, allowing 

it to sit close to your back 

without overheating. 

vaude.com 

FJÄLLRÄVEN ABISKO 

HIKE FOLDSACK 25L 

£145 

New for SS23, this innovative rolltop 

pack is designed for day-hikes and 

travelling. Made from 100% recycled 

nylon, it has a fold-over, zippered 

closure that can provide 4-5 litres of 

extra pack space or be used to secure 

a sleeping mat under the top flap. 

Plenty of extra storage, including 

bungee cord. fjallraven.com 

JACK WOLFSKIN 

3D AERORISE 30 £340 

3D printing is allowing pioneers like 

Wolfskin to create rucksacks that are 

lighter and more breathable than 

ever before. The Aerorise is made up 

of four ultra-flexible but dimensionally 

stable panels that respond to your 

every movement, making the pack 

part of your own biomechanical 

process. It comes at a price of 

course, but genuine innovation 

usually does. jack-wolfskin.co.uk 


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30K hydrostatic head offers exceptional waterproof protection and 20K breathability 

means youíll keep dry inside even when youíre active. And because this jacket is for 

the high mountains and for climbing, itís a slim active cut with a helmet compatible 

hood and pockets set high to clear your harness or hip belt. YKK AquaguardÆ zips help 

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Pockets are generous, with one big enough for an OS map. And of course it is built 

to last with abrasion resistant, super durable fabric. 

£259.99 

➘#–∝ŁappleΘappleşŁ➙ at alpkit.com


Summer Essentials 

From hydration to hand warmers, sunhats to shades: 

everything for every walk! 


SEA TO SUMMIT 

LIGHTWEIGHT DRY BAG RANGE 

Drybags are simply one of the smartest ideas 

in the walking world. Most rucksacks aren’t 

waterproof, which means that even with a 

raincover, the important stuff inside is still 

vulnerable to heavy rain. That’s where drybags 

come in: they keep things clean, organised, 

easy to find and most importantly dry, no 

matter how much water seeps in. Plus they’re 

lightweight, hardwearing and almost infinitely 

reusable. From valuables 

to electronics, from 

sandwiches to wet 

swimming kit, 

drybags are the 

first and last line 

of defence. Here’s 

the perfect 

example. 

SEALED AND SECURE 

The bags close with a waterproof roll-top 

made with chemically-resistant, 

temperature-moderation Hypalon, and 

secured with Sea to Summit’s Field 

Rerpair Buckle for a reliable seal. The 

seams are double-stitched and fully taped. 

A SIZE FOR 

EVERYTHING 

1.5 Litre: day-trip first aid 

essentials, snacks, wallet 

and keys 

3 Litre: some snacks, 

longer trip first aid 

essentials, gloves or 

beanie 

5 Litre: a warm or 

waterproof layer and a 

meal or so worth of food 

8 Litre: an insulated jacket 

or sleeping bag, or food 

for 2-3 days 

13 Litre: clothes for a 

paddle or overland trip, or 

use as a bag for food for 

1-2 people 

20 Litre: a three+ season 

sleeping bag, general 

gear for a paddle trip 

35 Litre: general paddle 

or overland gear for a 

larger group 

GREEN 

CREDENTIALS 

The main fabric is a 

Bluesign-approved, 

fully traceable recycled 

70-denier nylon, which 

has a C0 durable 

water-repellent finish 

that is free of 

perfluorochemicals 

(PFCs). 

How much & 

where from? 

£12-£28; find the 

complete Sea to 

Summit range at 

seatosummit.co.uk 

ALL-ROUND 

USAGE 

Aside from walking, you 

can use the dry bags for 

camping, cycle touring, 

kayaking and trekking. 

HASSLE-FREE 

So easy to use: simply fill as 

required, roll down the top 

and clip the buckle. The 

light-reflecting white 

interior makes it easy to 

find what you’re looking for. 

A BAG IN ITSELF 

You can use the drybags as 

self-contained external bag; 

they come with a lash loop 

which is compatible with 

Sea to Summit’s Dry Bag 

Sling (sold separately) to 

make a comfy shoulder bag. 

Turn over to find more 

great accessories for 

every walk you do... 


Summer Essentials 

CLASS OF 2023 

ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE 

BLISTER PLASTERS £4 

These are among the most sophisticated and 

effective blister plasters we’ve ever tried. They are 

hydrocolloid, which means they form a soothing 

gel to cushion the blister, protecting it from 

further rubbing so it can heal quickly. Available in 

a mixed pack containing two small and three 

medium-sized plasters that are 

individually wrapped, making them 

easier to carry with you. 

upmedical.co.uk 

LIFESYSTEMS EXPEDITION MAX 

MOSQUITO REPELLENT 100ML £9 

With a revolutionary new formula, this new 

product has been developed to replace 

Lifesystems’ popular Expedition 100+ insect 

repellent but with half the amount of DEET. 

It combines the proven performance of 50% 

DEET with DermaLOC technology that locks 

the repellent on the surface of the skin to 

provide long lasting protection from malarial 

and non-malarial mosquitoes. 

lifesystems.co.uk 

LIFEVENTURE 

FLIP TOP WATER BOTTLE £13 

This flip-top water bottle is made from an 

impact-resistant Tritan co-polyester and 

benefits from a nicely tactile two-tone 

rubberised finish that is easy to hold 

comfortably. With a 750ml capacity this 

reusable bottle will keep you hydrated while 

on the move and features a watertight lid 

with easy-drink straw and a finger loop for 

easy carriage. The Tritan material also offers 

the added benefit of not retaining tastes or 

odours, and it’s BPA-Free. lifeventure.com 

NIKWAX TECH WASH 

& TX.DIRECT £13 

Possibly the most all-round useful 

pair of products on this page. 

Sold in a great-value twin pack, 

they are the simplest and most 

cost-effective way to clean your kit 

and restore the water-repellency 

of anything waterproof. Tech 

Wash does the washing (from 

base layers to tents); TX.Direct 

reproofs any membrane system, 

including Gore-Tex. nikwax.com 

TREKMATES AMIRA NIQAB 

£17/HAYA HIJAB £35 

Designed in partnership with Amira 

Patel, founder of the Wanderlust 

Women, here we have the first ever 

waterproof hijab and niqab. Both are 

made with lightweight and durable 

materials which are waterproof, 

windproof and breathable, to 

keep you warm and dry in any 

challenging conditions. 

trekmates.co.uk 

VAPUR 700ML EZ-LICK PORTABLE 

DOG WATER BOTTLE £23 

Hailed as the most convenient way to keep 

your dog hydrated, this foldable bottle has 

none of the mess or bulk of other bowls and 

gear. Simply remove the dust shield to reveal 

the lick-ball water dispenser, and hold the 

bottle to your dog’s mouth; they can drink all 

they want without wasting a drop. It stands 

when full, and once empty you can simply 

roll it up, stow it away, and keep on 

adventuring together. whitbyandco.co.uk 

ALPKIT RENI BUCKET 

HAT £25 

We’re not absolutely sure if 

this was named in honour 

of Stone Roses drummer 

Alan ‘Reni’ Wren (a 

noted fan of the bucket 

hat in the band’s nineties 

heyday), but whatever the 

inspiration, it’s a fine bit of 

kit. Made from 100% organic, breathable cotton, it’s a 

great way to keep the heat off your noggin this summer. 

Sound as a pound, mate. alpkit.com 

CROSSFLY IKON 6” 

BOXERS £25 

CW deputy editor Nick has 

worn a pair of these for over 

a year now (not continuously 

– they’re not that good), and 

thinks they might be the 

comfiest dedicated outdoor 

boxers he’s ever tried. 

Super-smooth yet 

super-supportive where 

you need it, they are just 

absurdly comfortable. crossfly.com 


THE KNOWLEDGE 

Ever used a water filter? It’s one of those niche areas of the outdoor 

industry. They have obvious merit for adventurous trekkers who are likely to 

spend days in the wilderness without access to a tap. But as days like that 

aren’t so common in the UK, you might be perfectly happy to fill up your 

bottle in the morning and just ration it carefully during the day. But having a 

filter and reservoir is a brilliant fallback: when empty they take up next to no 

space, but they mean that if you run out, you can quickly take water from a 

stream or lake and turn it into safe drinking water in a couple of minutes. 

ROYAL ROBBINS 

READYDRY BOXER 

£25 

...although these give the 

Crossfly a run for their 

money. The ReadyDry 

Essentials range uses a 

heat-activated cooling 

technology to manage 

moisture, and includes 

options for men and women including tanktops, bikinis, 

briefs and these fine boxers. royalrobbins.com 

ZIPPO HEATBANK 9S 

HAND WARMER £45 

A hand warmer? In summer? Yes, 

granted they might be of more 

everyday use in the winter, but then 

again, imagine you’ve decided to spend 

a night under the stars. It can still get 

pretty chilly overnight, especially at 

higher altitude. That’s where this oh so 

useful, USB-rechargeable hand warmer 

comes in. Its 5200 mAh lithium 

battery offers a nine-hour runtime 

on full charge. Toasty. zippo.co.uk 


HELIOS SUNHAT £38 

A longtime favourite of 

CW reviewer Philip 

Thomas, this wide- 

brimmed wonder is a classy 

way to keep the rays off (it’s not 

bad for keeping the rain off either). 

It has a UPF 50+ rating, while 

the drawcord keeps the hat snug and 

anchored closely round your head. 

trekitt.co.uk 

KATADYN 

BEFREE FILTER BOTTLE £55 

The BeFree is a collapsible reservoir bottle 

with a filter in the head. It means that if you’re 

heading for the hills you don’t need to carry a 

full flask; just un-scrunch the BeFree, fill it up 

from a stream or lake, and watch the EZ-Clean 

membrane turn it into safe drinking water as 

you decant it into a standard bottle. Removes 

bacteria and sediment (but not viruses). Clean 

it by swishing in any river, lake or stream, then 

collapse it for storage again. 

ellis-brigham.com 

ARC’TERYX 

ESSENT BRA £55 

Arc’teryx promise comfort 

all day long with this versatile, 

supportive bra. It’s 

purpose-built for mountain 

adventures with a knit material 

that perfectly balances 

outstanding stretch with 

reliable support, allows airflow 

to regulate comfort, and feels 

great next-to-skin. arcteryx.com 

PLATYPUS QUICKDRAW 

FILTER & RESERVOIR £60 

Another outstanding filtration system. 

Simply fill with water from a lake or stream, 

attach the microfilter and pour into a 

clean receptacle. The filter takes out 

bacteria, protozoa and particulates, 

meaning your water should be 

healthy as well as super-fresh. And 

when you’ve filled your bottle, just 

swill out the reservoir and squash it 

down for next time. trekitt.co.uk 

JULBO 

MONTEBIANCO 2 SUNGLASSES £95 

Thanks to their perfect hold, lightness and venting, you'll 

forget you’re wearing these. Their tough polycarbonate 

Spectron lenses give category 3+ protection, and they 

include removable side shields to combat glare. julbo.com 

HELINOX 

RIDGELINE TREKKING POLES £155-£170 

Well known for their brilliant camping chairs, 

Helinox also make fine walking poles too. Their 

Ridgeline range is made from an advanced DAC 

alloy making them tough but lightweight, 

with an innovative combination of lever lock 

and automatic locking buttons for quick 

and easy deployment and retraction. 

EVA foam grips, adjustable wrist 

straps and a five-year warranty 

complete a truly impressive 

package. helinox.eu 


SOCKS CREATED 

BY THOSE WHO 

SHARE YOUR 

PASSION 

OUTDOOR & 

MOUNTAINEERING 

Lorpen is the only sock brand in the world 

that manufactures socks with 3 layers of 

yarn (T3 Technology) 

• Hydrophobic yarn in contact with the skin 

to keep the skin dry and free of blisters 

• Hydrophilic yarn in the mid/ outer side to 

absorb moisture for faster drying 

• Nylon outer yarn that offers maximum 

durability 

All Lorpen socks are Guaranteed for Life 

LORPEN.CO.UK


Footwear 

Take your feet to the next level this summer, 

and unlock incredible days out. 


SCARPA 

RUSH TRK GTX 

Is ‘the perfect walking boot’ a myth? 

Well sort of, because everyone’s feet 

are different and there’s no magic 

boot or shoe that will suit every walker. 

What does exist is the perfect walking 

boot for you, , as long as you shop 

carefully, try before you buy, and listen 

to what your feet are telling you. That 

said, the Scarpa Rush TRK is pretty 

close to a perfect walking boot. 

Here’s why we’ve chosen it to 

illustrate what makes a really good 

walking boot tick… 

COMFORT IS KEY 

The Rush TRK is built for 

comfort even on long, all-day 

walks. The padded fabric of the 

Autofit 3D collar stabilises the 

entire foot without pressure 

points and wraps the ankle to 

allow it to stay supported but 

flexible. The Interactive Kinetic 

System in the sole is designed 

to support the weight of your 

body while walking to keep 

you going all day long. 

HEART & SOLE 

The Presa sole (developed 

by Scarpa’s in-house R&D 

team) is made with a 

high-grip Supergum 

rubber compound 

giving you excellent 

grip and durability. The 

pronounced heel and 

hiking-oriented lugs aid 

braking on descents, while 

providing grip on climbs. 

GREAT LOOKS 

The Rush TRK looks 

utterly modern, with 

great design to stand 

out on the hills, yet it 

comes with the 

pedigree of over 

90 years of Italian 

craftmanship. That’s 

what makes it a 

superb all-rounder. 

TOUGH BUT COOL 

The Rush TRK’s tough upper is 

made from 1.6-1.8 mm leather, 

providing great durability. But it’s 

also flexible and breathable, 

making it ideal for summer walking. 

There’s Gore-Tex to keep it 

waterproof while also dispersing 

heat effectively. It keeps water out, 

while sweat that is created inside 

the boot quickly evaporates. 

TREAD LIGHTLY 

Weighing in at only 

1100g per pair (size 42), 

the Rush TRK boots feel 

light while still being 

protective and durable. 

How much & 

where from? 

£200; find more details 

and the full Scarpa 

range at scarpa.co.uk 

Turn over for more 

quality footwear 

options… 


Footwear 

CLASS OF 2023 

CRAGHOPPERS 

ECO-LITE LOW £85 

Here’s a shoe just made for summer. Light and immensely 

breathable thanks to a recycled mesh knit upper, 

the Eco-Lite also uses Craghoppers’ 

NosiLife technology to prevent 

biting insects from targeting 

your ankles as you 

walk. Plus they pack 

flat for travel, making 

them ever so versatile. 


HI-TEC 

RAVEN MID WP £90 

A terrifically affordable, high-quality boot with endorsement 

from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as 

recommended kit for expeditions. 

The Raven uses Hi-Tec’s own Dri-Tec 

waterproof/breathable membrane 

and has a compression 

mounded EVA midsole 

to provide great 

underfoot cushioning. 

hi-tec.co.uk 

JACK WOLFSKIN 

TERRASHELTER LOW £125 

These lightweight hiking shoes are perfect for spring and 

summer adventures. The soft upper shell 

is water-repellent (rather than using a 

heavier, hotter membrane for full 

waterproofing), and there’s 

a shock-absorbing 

Vibram midsole 

which provides 

excellent grip 

over mixed terrain. 


SALOMON 

OUTRISE GTX £130 

This new hiking shoe is lightweight, comfortable and ready 

for the outdoors, with an athletic design that will pass as a 

sneaker when you need to. Weighing just 300g, it doesn’t 

feel too bulky or heavy on foot and in 

your luggage. The Fuze Surge EVA 

midsole provides a smooth 

and dynamic 

ride, whatever 

the ground 

is doing. 

salomon.com 

COLUMBIA 

FACET MID 60 OUTDRY £125 

The name Facet refers to that crazy-edged sole 

unit, which Columbia liken to a faceted rock 

face. Designed to offer superb cushioning 

and terrific traction, these are 

fast-moving, low-impact mids that 

still provide a surprisingly 

high level of ankle 

and heel support. 

columbiasportswear. 

co.uk 

OBOZ 

KATABATIC LOW BDRY £150 

If you love Oboz’s tough, protective and 

grippy footwear but have always 

longed for a slightly lighter version 

of it, here it is. The Katabatic’s 

lightweight cushioning system 

offers a high level of 

energy effciency 

and a softer 

heel strike. 

obozfootwear.com 

ZAMBERLAN 

FREE BLAST GTX £155 

As part of Zamberlan’s X-Active collection, the Free Blast 

is a versatile shoe that allows you to hike, 

scramble and explore with guaranteed 

comfort, performance and protection. 

The upper is fully synthetic, using 

microfibre to create a 

suede affect 

while remaining 

completely 

leather-free. 

zamberlan.co.uk 

ARC’TERYX 

AERIOS FL 2 £160 

Aerios is Arc’teryx’s new lightweight hiking range. We are 

currently testing the boot version which is 

incredibly impressive (see the Boot Guide, 

May issue); but this lower, mid-height 

boot is just as beautifully made 

and a pleasure to 

wear on lighter 

hikes, especially 

on hills and 

mountains. 

arcteryx.com 


NEXT ISSUE: THE WALKING BOOT GUIDE 2023 

32 PAIRS PUT THROUGH THEIR PACES BY THE COUNTRY WALKING 

TEAM IN OUR BIGGEST EVER TEST. ON SALE 27 TH APRIL! 

KEEN 

NXIS EXPLORER £160 

Another boot getting a full run-out in 

our Boot Guide next issue, this is part of 

Keen’s exceptional NXIS range of boots 

and shoes, which take all the brand’s 

skill in tough, chunky and protective 

footwear and transfer it into a 

lighter package with a brilliantly 

bouncy sole unit and 

outstanding flexibility. 

keenfootwear.com 

NEW BALANCE 

FRESH FOAM X HIERRO MID £160 

Hierro means iron in Spanish, but in this 

case, thankfully, it refers to the spirit of 

the boot rather than its composition. 

Developed from NB’s running 

technology, the Hierro aims to 

give you unparalleled 

comfort 

and traction. 

newbalance. 

co.uk 

SALEWA 

ALP MATE £160 

Here’s a reliable, comfortable, lightweight 

mid-cut hiking and backpacking boot. 

The Alp Mate has a high-quality suede 

upper backed with Salewa’s Powertex 

waterproof/breathable membrane. The 

3F System cradles around the heel 

and instep to the lacing area, 

increasing stability and 

ensuring a more precise 

wrapping fit. 

salewa.com 

MEINDL 

CARIBE GTX £162 

Constructed from velour and mesh uppers with a Gore-Tex 

lining, the Caribe is hard-wearing, protective 

in wet weather conditions, and stays 

well ventilated thanks to Meindl’s 

ever-reliable Air-Active footbed, 

which ensures a constant flow 

of fresh air whilst wicking 

away unwanted 

moisture. A classy 

shoe indeed. 

meindl.co.uk 

HOKA ONE ONE 

TRAIL CODE GTX £165 

New for 2023, this lithe and bouncy day hiker 

uses a responsive new foam for exceptional 

cushioning. Finished with dimensional 

screen printing to decrease waste and 

increase durability, this is a boot 

that seeks to tread 

lightly, both 

physically and 

ecologically. 

hoka.com 

AKU 

ROCKET DFS £170 

Proud winner of our 2022 Innovation of the 

Year, the Rocket DFS is still a shoe we’d 

heartily recommend to a friend, 

especially if they crave a flexible fit 

that can be adjusted to their 

specific needs. The Dual Fit 

System double-lacing 

means you can make 

the fit as precise as you 

want it. trekitt.co.uk 

HANWAG 

BANKS LOW £180 

Equipped with a particularly comfortable sole package that 

combines a reinforced PU foam wedge 

with a high-quality footbed and 

additional soft heel reinforcement, 

the Banks Low GTX offers 

exceptional cushioning 

and soft roll-off 

performance over 

every surface you 

might encounter. 

hanwag.com 

SCARPA 

MESCALITO TRK PLANET GTX £250 

This is the latest in Scarpa’s eco-friendly 

Planet range, providing a green walking 

boot for long, heavily-loaded walks. The 

innovative Perspair fabric is made from a 

single-piece upper with recycled 

yarns and combines functionally 

different zones with the 

new Gore-Tex Flux 3L 

membrane, made up of 

98% recycled fabrics. 

scarpa.co.uk 



Socks 

Or, how to stay cool in your boots 

for mile after mile this summer. 


LORPEN 

T3 LIGHT Hiker 

Even the ‘perfect’ boot or 

shoe will only do its best 

work if it’s working in tandem 

with the perfect sock. In 

summer your socks have a host of 

important jobs to do: keeping your 

foot stable and secure inside the 

boot; keeping its shape so it doesn’t 

scrunch down as you cover those long, 

lovely miles; preventing those annoying 

rubs that can turn into blisters – and 

carefully managing the heat and moisture 

that come with a warm day’s walking. So a 

good sock isn’t a luxury – it’s an essential. And 

here’s a sock which gets that blend spot-on. 

THE PERFECT 

BLEND 

Ideally a walking sock needs 

to be a blend of toughness, 

breathability and stretch, and 

the secret is in the blend of 

fabrics. Here’s the mix that 

makes the T3 Light Hiker so 

versatile… 

• 44% Red-Cycled nylon 

• 29% Coolmax EcoMade 

• 16% Stretch Nylon with Lycra 

• 11% Tencel 

SUSTAINABILITY 

Lorpen is committed to preserving the 

environment in every aspect of business. 

Wherever possible, the brand uses fibres created 

from sustainable and manageable resources. 

They also develop manufacturing processes that 

are sensitive to the environment and reduce the 

amount of post-production waste at all levels. 

BUILT FOR 

SUMMER 

The T3 Light Hiker is 

perfect for keeping feet 

cool during high-energy 

activity on warm days. 

At its core is the Selective 

Layering System, which 

allows the makers to 

incorporate three different 

yarn layers in the same 

sock, and in different parts 

of the sock: 

• A hydrophobic layer in 

contact with the skin 

that expels sweat and 

keeps skin dry. 

• A hydrophilic layer in the 

outer midsection that 

wicks sweat away from 

the skin. 

• A strong layer thread 

that protects areas 

exposed to friction. 

How much & 

where from? 

£20; find full details of 

this pair, and the rest of 

the Lorpen range, at 

lorpen.co.uk 

CUSHIONING 

There are cushioned areas in 

the heel and toe to reduce 

impact and friction on 

vulnerable parts of your foot. 

PROUD HERITAGE 

Lorpen socks are 

engineered in the Pyrenees 

where the brand has been 

making great socks for 

outdoor enthusiasts for 

over 30 years. 

Turn over for a selection 

of socks designed for 

comfort in summer… 


Socks 

CLASS OF 2023 


ISOCOOL HIKER £12 

As ever with Mountain Warehouse, 

here we have an option that is simple, 

reliable and affordable. Made with a 

blend of durable cotton and MW’s 

IsoCool fabric (a mix of elastane, 

polyester and Coolmax fibres), they 

should be fine for most walkers’ needs. 


HJ HALL PROTREK LIGHT 

HIKE £12.50 

ProTrek is the hiking sub-brand of 

reputed Leicestershire sockmakers 

HJ Hall. This lightweight summer 

option has been a stalwart of CW tests 

and gear guides: Coolmax cotton, with 

carefully structured cushioning and 

reinforced heel and toe areas. 

hj.co.uk 

CRAGHOPPERS 

HEAT REGULATING 

TRAVEL SOCK £16 

We’re not sure what distinguishes a 

‘travel sock’ from a ‘really good walking 

sock’ but this is definitely one of those. 

Its Thermal Control fabric technology 

absorbs body heat and redistributes it 

across its microthermal fibres. 


FINDRA SKYE MERINO 

STRIPE £16 

These are made in the UK from soft, 

ethically sourced, cruelty-free 

Australian merino wool, which wicks 

moisture away from the skin, keeping 

your feet fresh, dry and comfortable all 

day. Merino wool is also naturally odour 

resistant, so less washing is required. 

findraclothing.com 

KEELA INSECT SHIELD 

HIKER £16.95 

Keela’s Insect Shield treatment is 

woven into this sock to repel 

mosquitoes, ticks, ants, flies, chiggers 

and midges. It boasts a cushioned 

footbed and Achilles protection, and its 

viscose bamboo-based fibres reduce 

the risk of blister-causing friction. 

keelaoutdoors.com 

1000 MILE 

FUSION DOUBLE LAYERED 

WALK SOCK £18 

This new hiking sock has it all, say the 

makers at 1000 Mile: it’s fast-wicking 

and double-layered for added comfort, 

with blister-free protection and padded 

zones in the areas that need them most 

– and all without excess bulk. 

1000mile.co.uk 


THE KNOWLEDGE 

The names of Bridgedale socks tend to be quite a mouthful, but in fact when 

you break them down they make perfect sense, and are simply helping you 

find exactly what you need in their vast range. They divide into Range (Hike, 

Explorer, Waterproof, Liner), Weight (Ultra Light, Lightweight, Midweight, 

Heavyweight), Fabric (Coolmax or Merino) and Activity (Performance, 

Endurance, Sport). So if you know what you’re looking for, the product 

name will take you straight to the sock you need. On this page, it’s the Hike 

Ultra Light Coolmax Performance – and trust us, it won’t let you down. 

BRIDGEDALE 

HIKE ULTRA LIGHT 

COOLMAX PERFORMANCE 

£19 

This is Bridgedale’s top option for 

walking in warmer climates: it’s an 

ultra-light, non-wool, cushioned sock 

that ensures your feet stay cool, 

comfortable and dry in the heat. 

bridgedale.com 

EDZ 

ALL CLIMATE MERINO 

BOOT SOCK £19 

A genius product which, as the name 

suggests, is designed to be adaptable, 

cooling you in summer and insulating 

in winter. You can buy a single pair for 

£12, but for the added £7 we reckon 

the dual pack is even better value. 

edz.co.uk 

LORPEN 

T3 LIGHT HIKER £19 

Another longtime CW favourite, 

Lorpen’s T3 Light Hiker is just 

incredibly soft, stretchy and 

comfortable over serious miles. 

Their Lyocell Tencel fabric makes 

them great in summer, but they do a 

bang-up job in spring and autumn too. 

lorpen.co.uk 

BAM 

TECHNICAL BAMBOO 

WALKING SOCKS £22 

BAM derive most of their key fabrics 

from sustainably sourced bamboo, 

and here it’s put to great use on a 

supersoft, breathable sock with 

cushioned footbed and elasticated 

ribbing on the ankle, instep and hem. 

bambooclothing.co.uk 

STANCE 

MOON CREW SOCK £23 

Certain geekier members of the CW 

team got very excited about this one, 

with its visuals inspired by the Forest 

Moon of Endor from Return of the Jedi. 

But it’s not just geeky gimmickry: 

these are proper outdoor socks whose 

InfiniKnit yarn has a no-rip guarantee. 

stance.eu.com 

DARN TOUGH 

CLOSE ENCOUNTERS 

MIDWEIGHT £28 

And the theme continues here, with 

Darn Tough’s infamous sense of 

humour bringing us a sock pattern 

inspired by alien/monster encounters 

in the wilderness. Still no skimping on 

quality either: these socks are brilliant. 

darntough.com 



Waterproofs 

It still rains in the summer. 

Like that’s gonna stop you… 


ALPKIT 

DEFINITION JACKET 

A waterproof jacket actually has more work to do 

in summer than it does at any other time of year. 

Firstly, sorry to break this news, but our summers 

are getting wetter. But they are also staying 

warmer, which means your waterproof 

jacket needs to manage the heat and 

moisture inside it as well as it handles 

the wet stuff outside. It needs to 

be lightweight and robust but as 

breathable as possible, so you don’t 

overheat on those precious 

adventures. It needs a firm hood, 

good storage and waterproof 

zips. That’s a lot to ask. 

Thankfully, the Alpkit 

Definition is the perfect reply. 

SMALL 

DETAILS, 

BIG IMPACT 

The Definition has 

been designed for the 

toughest, roughest 

conditions; even down 

to the Cohaesive 

integrated cordlocks 

on the hem and hood 

opening. They use a 

simple pinch 

mechanism to operate 

easily with gloves. 

INNOVATION 

ALL OVER 

Eighteen months of 

development went into the 

Definition. Alpkit specially designed 

the unique three-layer fabric for 

this jacket. They wanted to lower 

its environmental impact, while 

recognising that performance 

comes first. It’s one of the very first 

performance mountaineering shells 

to use a PFC-free water repellent 

treatment (DWR). 

A SIZE FOR ALL 

Alpkit have invested in their product team with a focus 

on looking at sizing for a broader range of bodies. 

They’re working hard on the consistency and grading 

of their fit. They also design their women’s products 

from the ground up (rather than just adapting the 

men’s version as some brands do). The Definition 

jacket is available in men’s S-XXL and women’s 6-20. 

BUILT FOR 

THE WORST 

The Definition promises 

impenetrable storm protection, 

whatever the conditions throw 

at you. It’s jam-packed with 

features, with a three-layer 

construction, waterproof 

zips, adjustable cuffs 

and a fully adjustable 

hood. 

TRIED, TESTED, 

TRUSTED 

Over 80% of customer 

reviews give the Definition 

five stars. It has scored 

highly in every Country 

Walking test it has ever 

appeared in – including its 

turn as a centrepiece of 

our Greener Gear special 

last year. It is therefore 

one of the many reasons 

CW awarded Alpkit UK 

Brand of the Year in 2022. 

How much & 

where from? 

£260; find full details, 

along with the rest of 

the Alpkit range, at 

alpkit.com 

Read on for more 

options to keep you 

dry this summer… 


Waterproofs 

CLASS OF 2023 

CRAGHOPPERS 

MARIS 

/ BRONTE 

£100 

Outstanding value, this. 

A 2.5-layer waterproof 

whose outer layer is 

made from part-recycled 

polyester finished with 

plant-based EcoShield 

DWR. The AquaDry 

membrane works a 

treat, and there are 

three zipped pockets 

to keep trail essentials 

secure, plus a fully 

waterproof zip. 


FÖHN 

PACKABLE HOODED 

JACKET £120 

Not the toughest 

jacket, but as the 

name suggests, this 

one is designed to 

be your packable 

emergency layer 

when you’re 

travelling light or 

get caught in 

an unexpected 

shower. It’s 

lightweight, 

breathable and 

compressible. 

wiggle.co.uk 

ALPKIT 

SIGMA £160 

A fully-loaded three-layer 

waterproof, suitable for 

all seasons but light 

enough for summer, 

for well under £200? 

That’s impressive and 

so is the Sigma, a 

versatile hardshell with 

next-to-skin comfort 

thanks to a soft-touch 

backing fabric. And as 

it’s fully recycled and 

recyclable, Alpkit say 

it’s their lowestimpact 

jacket yet. 

alpkit.com 

SPRAYWAY 

VECTIS / FEN £100 

A big success in our recent 

waterproof test, the Vectis 

and Fen jackets are terrific 

lighter-weight jackets (just 

284g) at a very reasonable 

price in these tricky times. 

Their low weight, athletic cut 

and excellent breathability 

combine really well on 

energetic ascents, and 

Sprayway’s HydroDRY 

membrane seldom lets you 

down. A good peaked hood 

and decent pockets too. 

sprayway.com 


BACHILL £120 

Usually sold for a lot less than the RRP 

(selling for £70 at time of writing), the 

Bachill is a great-value package. 

At 5000mm its hydrostatic 

head rating isn’t the highest, 

so it’s for fending off drizzle 

and showers rather than 

prolonged heavy rain, but 

it’s light and packable; the 

kind of jacket you can stow 

in any rucksack for any trip, 

and with waterproof zips and 

taped seams, it’s still likely 

to be a reliable option right 

through into the autumn. 


BERGHAUS 

PACLITE DYNAK £170 

It’s always a treat to find a 

Gore-Tex jacket for under £200, 

and the Dynak is a fine example. 

It used the lightweight Paclite 

version of Gore which is 

still about as reliable as 

waterproofing gets. And it 

doesn’t skimp on features, 

with adjustable hood, hem 

and cuffs, easy-access zipped 

pockets, articulated sleeves 

and a fully adjustable, 

stiff-peaked hood. As Berghaus 

put it, ‘this can be your best mate 

on a summer hike.’ Hard to argue. 

berghaus.com 


THE KNOWLEDGE 

A waterproof’s job isn’t just about dealing with rain; it’s equally about dealing 

with humidity – especially in summer. Humidity is the amount of water vapour 

in the atmosphere around you, and in waterproof jackets, it’s the job of the 

mid and inner fabric layers to manage andmoderate humidity. If those barrier 

layers fail, moisture (ie. sweat) will not be conveyed to the outer layer and 

humidity will increase. The result? Condensation and moisture can’t get out, 

and instead seeps back through your base layer and onto your skin. This is why 

it’s important to reproof your jacket and keep its membrane in top condition. 

SALOMON 

OUTLINE 2.5 £180 

Here’s another jacket that 

makes great use of Gore-Tex 

Paclite – and in this case, the 

outer fabric is made from 

100% recycled polyester with 

a PFC-free durable water 

repellent (DWR) treatment. 

But not only does it tread 

lightly on the environment, 

it also performs superbly in 

the outdoors: the OutLine is 

protective, lightweight and 

breathable, and at 345g, it 

doesn’t weigh the earth. 

salomon.com 


ASPIRE II £230 

The Aspire II is OR’s bestselling 

women’s rain jacket – and this 

year the range has increased its 

sizing options, including a plus 

size range. Gore-Tex Paclite 

is again at the core of the 

product, but it also has 

great features including the 

TorsoFlo venting system: 

a zip running from hem to 

bicep, either for venting 

heat or to wear the jacket 

poncho-style over your 

rucksack in serious rain. 

outdoorresearch.com 

PATAGONIA GRANITE 

CREST £260 

Tried and tested in CW reviews, 

this is a jacket that typifies 

Patagonia’s ecological focus 

as well as their understanding 

of what walkers need. It’s 

made with recycled fishing 

nets to help reduce plastic 

pollution in earth’s oceans, 

and uses absolutely no 

perfluorochemicals (PFCs) 

in its water-repellent 

treatment. The hood has 

a laminated visor to keep 

rain off your face and the 

zips are watertight. 


RAB 

KANGRI PACLITE £270 

The ultralight and packable 

version of Rab’s much-loved 

Kangri hiking waterproof shell, 

this lighter variant is made with 

recycled Gore-Tex Paclite Plus 

2.5l fabric, which is highly 

compressible and breathable 

as well as thoroughly 

waterproof, making it ideal 

for summer. It’s perfect for 

stashing in a pack on long 

mountain days and for taking 

shelter when the storm rolls in. 

It’s also as sleek and streamlined 

as its parent jacket. 

rab.equipment/uk 

ROHAN 

IMBER £285 

When it comes to 

alternatives to the 

hallowed Gore-Tex, 

Rohan’s Barricade fabric 

is hard to beat. It’s used 

here on the Imber, a 

versatile three-layer 

waterproof which is 

packed with well 

thought-out features, 

including waterproof zip 

pockets which sit high 

on the torso to avoid 

being blocked by your 

rucksack straps. 

rohan.co.uk 

PÁRAMO 

VELEZ JACKET £300 

Another jacket which has been tried and 

tested over many a CW review, the 

Velez is a heftier jacket than most 

summer offerings, but it’s 

ingenious design means it’s still 

comfy and breathable even in 

July. Its unique Analogy 

fabric mimics the behaviour 

of animal fur, pumping 

liquid water and moisture 

vapour away from your body 

to the outer surface, leaving you 

dry and comfortable. And while it’s 

great in summer, you’ll find it works 

brilliantly all year round, too. 

paramo-clothing.com 


DEUTER IS FOR 

SPRING TIME 

#deuterforever 

TRAIL 28 SL 

deutergb.co.uk

RUSH TRK PRO GTX 

HIKER BEYOND 

THE ORDINARY. 

RUSH TRK PRO GTX is the new reference point for short or daily 

excursions. A shoe made with a focus on comfort, with technologies that 

can help reduce foot fatigue. It represents the right mix of comfort, 

stability and low weight, enhanced by the use of Nubuk leather. 

SCARPA.CO.UK

SummerGearGuide

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