DO YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR?
When it comes to outdoor gear, the old adage is mostly true.
Pay a bit more and you’re likely to get a product that works better and lasts longer.
That said, we’ve tested plenty of ‘affordable’ kit that has given higherpriced gear a run for its money. Look at brands such as Regatta,
Decathlon, Vango and
Anatom, who specialise in well-made gear at reasonable prices. Even the occasional bit of super-cheap kit from Aldi, while unlikely to last quite as long as a specialist brand’s work, is great for just getting you out there. And the important thing is TLC: whatever you buy, ask the seller for advice on how to look after it. Most decent outdoor kit is made to be restored and revived over its lifetime, so even when it’s bashed about and beaten up, you can usually find ways to bring it back to life.