Power Up Your Weekends

Whether you’re a practised survivalist or aspiring outdoorsman, this packing list will ensure that your time away from the office hits the right pitch

01 The StandUp Buy

In this time of pandemic, Brits seeking adventure on home shores have brought paddle -boarding into the mainstream. This hi-tech inflatable board is lightweight and stiff, while packing away easily into a backpack or the boot of your car. You can save your roof rack for your bike.

STARBOARD 10FT 4IN IGO DELUXE SINGLE CHAMBER BOARD £799 SUP.STAR-BOARD.COM

02 The Great Protector

Whether you’re out on the water, or merely at the mercy of winter downpours, being able to guarantee that certain things stay dry can save your outing from becoming a damp squib. This hardy roll-top dry bag will safely stow your phone, spare clothing and wallet.

FILSON 4.5L DRY BAG £50 FILSON.COM/UK

03 The Featherweight Champ

When you want to escape at a moment’s notice, toting a mammoth bag somewhat spoils your feeling of freedom. A lot of packs claim to be super-light, but at just under 30g – less than a packet of crisps – this one actually is. Constructed from surprisingly strong fabric, it packs into a pouch the size of an egg, so it can be thrown into a bigger backpack as a secondary bag. Also handy for impromptu expeditions to Tesco.

BLACK DIAMOND CIRRUS 9 £36 BLACKDIAMONEQUIPMENT.COM

04 The Green House

Nothing feels more off-grid than overnighting in the wild with only what you’ve brought on your back. But you still need a roof over your head. The North Face’s Talus Eco fits two people (plus their backpacks), and its generous head height means you won’t have to crawl. The poles clip on the outside for quick pitching and the fly, canopy and floor are all recycled polyester.

TALUS ECO £270 THENORTHFACE.CO.UK

05 The Trail Guide

Small campsites, ancient woodlands and secluded trails are notoriously tricky to locate, especially when your smartphone map guides you to the back of a disused petrol station (“You have reached your destination”). TomTom’s version can adapt its route to accommodate camper vans and caravans, and it updates over Wi-Fi so you’re always on the right track.

TOMTOM GO CAMPER £379 TOMTOM.COM

06 The Hike-Tops

Leave the office behind with the most technically advanced all-terrain walking shoe from Adidas’s Terrex division. The sock-like upper fits your feet snugly, while keeping your feet warm and socks dry, and the responsive Boost midsole pushes you onwards and upwards, even when your head wants to give in. They’re slick enough for your urban expeditions, too.

TERREX FREE HIKER COLD.RDY £220 ADIDAS.CO.UK

07 The Fire Starter

A roaring campfire ignites a primal joy. But for the weekend woodsman who wants to knock up a warm lunch for the kids without having to coax wet twigs to catch alight, a canister stove is your portable hob. The Firestick, by market leaders Primus, weighs 105g and connects directly to a small can of camping gas. So save your fire-building skills for when you actually have time.

PRIMUS FIRESTICK STOVE £86.40 PRIMUS.EU

08 The Guiding Light

Being able to see what you’re doing in the dark has obvious benefits. You can charge Deciwatt’s NowLight at home, or use the solar panel on days out. But the shining feature is the cord, which provides two hours of energy for illumination or USB charging. You can also donate to provide packs to developing countries. A bright idea.

NOWLIGHT KIT £90 DECIWATT.GLOBAL

09 The Human Shield

Founded and operated by former British special forces soldiers, Thrudark tests its equipment in extreme environments and under the stress of scrambling up mountains, rappelling out of helicopters and tombstoning off cliffs. Its SF Hybrid has all the rugged functionality of a utility jacket in the stylish shape of a classic combat shirt. You’ll break before it does.

THRUDARK SF HYBRID JACKET £325 THRUDARK.COM