Aftercare

The saying goes: you wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and never get it serviced. Looking after your kit is the simplest way of extending its life and staying happy on your walks. It doesn’t have to be after every walk (although cleaning/drying out your boots after a really muddy/wet walk is always a good idea). But deep-cleaning and reproofing your boots, or machinewashing and reproofing your jacket, every couple of months will pay huge dividends. Nikwax offers the complete range of cleaning and reproofing products for pretty much any item from baselayers to down jackets and is superreliable. The independently-certified twin pack of Tech Wash and TX.Direct (£11.75) will cover most of the bases; find them and the full range at nikwax.com and good outdoor stores.

DREAM TEAM Nikwax Tech Wash and TX.Direct: a wash-in cleaning/proofing combo that works wonders.

A BIT OF TLC Cleaning, rinsing and reproofing your kit every couple of months (and after very wet, sludgy walks) can extend their lifespan by years.