Gear Guide
We put the latest outdoor clothing and equipment to the test
1. Ayacucho T-stretch Glove, £17.95
WHEN you’re out in the hills in winter it’s important to pack at least two pairs of gloves – and different types. Mitts are good for rapidly warming up cold hands, but you lose a lot of dexterity, and waterproof gloves are a must in rain or snow, but you can’t use them with GPS tracker screens. These beauties are ideal for a base layer under either. Technostretch technology provides a skin-tight fit with full movement, and patches at the index and thumb pads are touchscreen compatible. Great for keeping in your pack all year round for those cool, blustery days when you need a little extra warmth.
WED’ZE Kid’s D-ski Suit PNF 500, £49.99
HAVING a fun experience is the top priority when introducing little ones to the slopes. If they are cold, wet or both, it’s unlikely they will want to stay out for long and your trip will be cut short. This WED’ZE 3-in-1 kid’s ski suit is composed of a zip-together jacket, mittens and trousers which are designed to keep the snow out and the heat in – very important when making snow angels! All items have thermal insulation, are double stitched for durability and the suit’s arms and legs are also adjustable in length, resulting in good value as it is designed to last up to two years.
Ion8 Leak Proof Cycling Water Bottle, £13
THIS is the perfect water bottle for everyday use and holds up well on more active outdoor adventures. These days, it’s important to have a reusable water bottle on you as the single-use plastic problem grows. And this leak-proof bottle lasts. The Ion8 is made from durable TITRAN, slots securely into the side-pocket of my rucksack and unlike previous bottles, hasn’t slipped out and broken. The non-slip frosted texture grip and one-touch opening system makes this extremely handy out on the hills or on your bike. It’s so accessible that reaching for a drink never slows you down.
Oakley Anorak, With Prizm Jade Lenses, £135
DESPITE the name, this is not an anorak but a pair of specs. A pricey pair of specs. So lightweight you can wear them all day and not notice. The “Prizm” lenses are excellent – enhancing colours and contrast so everything appears incredibly defined. They have a feature called the Oakley “Advancer”, a prop activated by pressing the coloured bar above the bridge – it raise the specs off your nose and lessens fogging. Intended for active lifestyles but more suited to everyday use, I reckon. Not wrap-around so I found them of limited use on snowy hills, where side glare was an issue.