SUMMER ESSENTIALS

FIRST AID KIT

Go prepared for bumps and scrapes along the way with a small, personal first aid kit. The Lifesystems Trek First Aid Kit (pictured, £17; lifesystems.com) is the ideal size for long-distance walking, containing all the essentials for treating cuts, grazes, blisters and minor injuries. Besides plasters and dressings, it also has hygienic cleansing wipes.

TREKKING POLES

Pity your knees when going long and carrying more. Using a pair of trekking poles can relieve 30% of the strain, offloading it to your arms (effectively like being a quadruped). Poles also lengthen your stride and improve your posture and balance. A swanky folding pair like the Komperdell Trailstick Carbon C4 (pictured; komperdell.com) can set you back £160, but you’ll also find bargains like the Robens Keswick T6 (£32/pair; robens.de/en-gb).

SUNHAT

Barring summer downpours, a sunhat is vital, even when it’s overcast, as you’ll be outside all day. Though a classic baseball cap (like the pictured Montane Fleet Cap, £38; montane.co.uk) is fine, it will see you topping up the sun cream around your neck and ears more often. Wide brimmed, bucket and legionnaires-style hats are much more effective at shading the exposed parts of your head from the sun’s rays. Don’t forget a slick pair of sunglasses too.

HYDRATION BLADDER

Walking far and hard is thirsty work, and the easiest way to stay hydrated on the go is by using a hydration bladder, like the Osprey Hydraulics 2L (pictured, £34; ospreyeurope.com). Essentially, it’s a sealed bag of water which slots into the back of most rucksacks, with a hose and drinking valve fixed to a shoulder strap. Remember to refill it each day and clean it when you’re back home.