Gearguide

Putting the latest outdoor clothing, accessories and equipment to test

1.

Forclaz Women’s Merino Trek 500 Shirt, £29.99

You simply cannot beat merino baselayers for hiking in winter. This one is excellent – the sleeves and body are good lengths to tuck into waistbands and gloves, and the small collar wraps tight around your neck to keep wind chill away. The merino wool fibres absorb moisture and prevent odour, and the shirt is light, soft and comfortable. The only things the Trek 500 shirt is lacking are thumb-loops to make sure the sleeves don’t ride up your arm when you’re changing top layers. If I had my way, there would be thumb-loops on all winter clothing.

2. Mountain Warehouse Softshell Gloves, £19.99

Gloves are perhaps the most important piece of kit on winter walks. I always take at least two pairs, and these ones are great for stashing in your pocket for cold spells. They’re flexible and windproof with touchscreen capability on the thumb and index finger. This is really handy as it means you don’t have to remove them to adjust your compass or read your GPS, which saves losing a lot of heat on freezing summits. They’re not waterproof, but they’ve been designed to sit close to the skin so that waterproof gloves can be worn on top. I always pack both when I’m heading out.

3.

Berghaus Arkos Reflect Down Jacket, £250

For the warmth this provides, it’s incredibly light – 750g – largely thanks to heat-trapping Reflect tech. It packs super-small and the Hydrodown and Hydroloft fill works even when wet. Pockets accessible in a harness. I’ve used it on lunch stops on cold mountain tops. It’s toasty and the pockets heavenly for bare hands. On freezing early morning walks, worn with just a baselayer, it’s almost too hot. Itching to use it as a belay jacket, for which it’ll be perfect. Get a size up to fit over other layers. Durable material on hard-wearing areas. Love the retro look – think 1975 and The Eiger Sanction!

4. Specialized Turbo Vado SL 4.0, £2,900

I’ve always mocked electric bikes but secretly wanted to try one – so here was my chance! First, I was shocked by how light, just 15kg, and easy to handle the SL is – it does stand for Super Light after all. I tested the Vado SL on my short commute and on a longer ride – and overall it was great fun. It’s a different experience to a road or mountain bike, but if you’re looking to extend your distance gently and get a decent workout then the Vado SL delivers. It looks stunning and with quality integrated lights, easy gear shifting, a charge lasting 80 miles and a comfy ride, I was loathe to give my new pal back.