Go light!

Not keen on heavy kit? Love feeling free and nimble, but want gear that will last? Then this is the gear guide you’ve been waiting for…

THE IDEA OF lightweight walking gear tends to conjure a certain image: athletic, wiry types – more like runners than walkers – bounding breathlessly over boulder and tree root, focused intently on getting somewhere rather than enjoying each moment to the fullest. And that’s because, in the gear world, the word ‘light’ is usually coupled with ‘fast’. But hang on. We don’t believe that lightweight gear is only for walkers who crave speed. Yes, if you’re a fast mover you might be keen to find gear that doesn’t slow you down, and which offers you maximum agility and freedom of movement. But plenty of ‘average’ walkers just don’t get on with heavy boots and thick layers. And lightweight gear can also be helpful for slower walkers, especially if you struggle with weight problems, injury or fatigue, when the concept of walking for miles in tough, chunky, insulating kit can seem like an addition to your burden rather than a help. If you can find shoes, clothing layers and backpacks that are designed to do roughly the same job but at a reduced weight, you may be able to bob along merrily (not necessarily speedily) while still protecting whatever part of you is vulnerable or weight-bearing. So we’ve scoured the marketplace for lightweight kit options that can make a huge difference to a walker’s happiness and confidence, both in the wearing and the carrying. And whether you’re a fellrunner, a fieldplodder or something in between, there should be options in here that you (and your knees) will love.