3 WAYS TO GET A FINELY-TUNED FIT

1 ADAPT YOUR BOOTS

At some outdoor shops (chains like Cotswold Outdoor and independents like Whalley Warm m& & Dry), leather boots can be steamed d and stretched using a rubbing bar rt to accommodate bunions and relieve pressure points. You can also get advice on third-party insoles (like

Superfeet), to improve the fit, arch support and cushioning of your boots. Volume reducers, heel lifts and tongue depressors can be used to fill excess space in a boot and create a snugger, friction-free fit.

2 MAKE ALTERATIONS

If you get chilly ankles from trouser hems that are ever-so-slightly too short, or find your hands are swallowed by the sleeves of your fleece, altering your garment could be a quick fix. And if you’re not handy with a needle and thread, experts sewers can do it for you. Some premium brands offer in-house alterations and repairs for

their own products (like Rohan and Páramo, who offer services from £30). Third party companies like Lancashire

Sports Repairs ( www.lancashiresportsrepairs.co.uk) and

Scottish Mountain Gear ( www.scottishmountaingear.com) are specialists in altering and repairing technical garments, whatever the brand. Their prices vary, depending on the garment and job. Local tailors will happily alter nontechnical clothing.

3 GO BESPOKE

Tailored outfits aren’t just for the refined customers of Savile Row. Based in Aboyne, Hilltrek is a small Scottish company which makes customised clothing for the outdoors. Using cotton Ventile fabrics, they make existing designs to measure and bespoke garments. These specialist options are very expensive however, with made-to-measure garments costing an extra £100+ and bespoke clothes costing £750+ ( www.hilltrek.co.uk). For footwear, Altberg in Yorkshire offer made-to-measure boots, costing upwards of £1000: www.altberg.co.uk/fitting/made-to-measure