Prize Christmas presents for active types who love new kit
Delight your favourite fresh air fanatic and weekend warrior with one of these top picks, says Abi Jackson
Something that’s genuinely useful, lovely and will help your loved one keep up their active pursuits is always a win for outdoorsy types.
Whether you’re shopping for a ‘big main present’ or something to tuck under the tree, check out these ideas…
ZONE3 Women’s Aspect ‘Breaststroke’ Wetsuit £159 (zone3.com)
If they’ve dived deeper in love with cold water swimming this year, a wetsuit might be a welcome investment. This Aspect suit from ZONE3 is made to allow more lateral leg movement than many other swimming wetsuits, making it ideal for people who prefer breaststroke to front crawl. We love the snazzy design with neon cuffs for extra visibility and high-stretch nylon panels for a smoother swim. Comes in men’s too, sizes XS-XL.
Alpkit Soundbite Bluetooth Speaker and Camping Lantern
£24.99 (was £34.99; alpkit.com) Space and weight-saving kit is always a win for campers. This compact rechargeable speaker from British brand Alpkit doubles up as a lantern with three brightness settings, and there’s a handy hook for hanging it up, plus a magnetic clip for use on bikes or in the car.
Rab Mens Infinity Microlight Jacket in Firecracker
£216 (was £240, trekitt.co.uk) Jackets are a top bit of kit for outdoorsy sorts – and if they’re hoping to upgrade then Rab’s Infinity Microlight is worth a look. A great choice for hill walkers, it’s insulated with recycled down with a Gore-tex Infinium membrane for warmth and breathability in changeable conditions. There’s also a hood, three zipped pockets, cord-adjustable hem and snazzy choice of colours. We love this Firecracker orange.
Nuasan Recovery Bundle
£69 (nuasan.com)
A hot shower or soak and some
pampering skincare after a long day out in the elements is therapeutic and a treat.
This ‘recovery bundle’ from Nuasan includes a muscle gel enriched with CBD, and a natural cork massage ball to help ease out those knots and tight spots from tired muscles.
On Cloudrock Waterproof
Hiking Boot
£180 (on-running.com) Looking for a hiking boot that ticks some serious technical boxes – but is also lightweight and stylish? Featuring On’s signature pocketed soles for a flexible, responsive stride, this time with Missiongrip™ rubber for added grip out on the trails, the Cloudrocks are wind and waterproof and promise comfort in all elements.
There’s also a fab choice of colours; we especially love the pecan/brown ones.
Maaree Solidarity High-impact Sports Bra
£64 (maaree.com)
A good sports bra can be worth its weight in gold for those who need a bit of extra high-impact support. This one from Maaree has been getting rave reviews and scooped a Women’s Running magazine ‘Best in Test’, with sizes 30C to 38G available in two colours.
Lululemon Rulu Run Cropped 1/2 Zip Top
£88 (lululemon.co.uk)
Ideal for winter running – or wearing under a waterproof for cold-weather walks – this body-skimming top has long cuffs and thumb holes for keeping hands warms, plus a discreet zipped pocket for storing keys. The sweat-wicking, four-way stretch fabric is gorgeously soft and the waistline is an ideal length for fans of high-waisted leggings.
OS Packing Cubes
£32.99 (shop.ordnancesurvey. co.uk)
Ordnance Survey has a great range of kit and accessories. We love these packing cubes, featuring maps of the highest peaks in Scotland (Ben Nevis), Wales (Snowdon) and England (Scafell Pike). Having designated pouches to keep items separate in their backpack or suitcase will make packing much easier – not to mention being able to quickly find things without a ton of rummaging.
Sundried 30L Trekking Backpack
£65 (sundried.com)
A fab all-rounder whether they’re hitting the hills, gym or just lugging kit on the daily commute, this roomy backpack is loaded with pockets and compartments to keep shoes, bottles, clothes and essentials separate.