Gear Guide
We put the latest outdoor clothing and equipment to the test
1. Salomon S/lab Phantasm running shoes, £165
WOW! These are the lightest, most comfortable running shoes I have ever worn. You barely know they’re on your feet, yet they give plenty cushion and bounce. The stitch-free, seamless upper shoe gives a glove-like fit and the single layer of mesh provides excellent breathability. I do wear a thicker pair of socks with these as they don’t provide much protection from the colder weather. Although built for speed and racing, these bright and beautiful shoes provide plenty cushioning and comfort. And despite being featherlight they feel tough and durable too.
2. Keela Coyote MA Jacket, £74.95
THESE changeable spring days are a nightmare for knowing what to wear on longer runs. It might be cold, but you’ll work up a sweat soon enough, and you don’t want to keep stopping to change layers. This jacket is perfect for these occasions – it’s flexible and breathable, with enough protection to keep out the wind. It’s pretty versatile too – the sleeves zip off to turn the jacket into a gilet for those rare moments when the sun comes out and you find yourself too warm. The two hip pockets and single back pocket are enough for everything you need – keys, phone, face mask... sorted.
2. Vango Mica 25L rucksack, £30
BELIEVE it or not, this backpack is made from recycled single-use plastic. As part of Vango’s new Earth Collection, it focuses on sustainability – without sacrificing any comfort or practicality. This 25-litre rucksack is a great daypack, with Vango’s Airmesh back system keeping your back dry and comfortable in the shaped, adjustable harness. It has a padded laptop sleeve too for work commutes, and highly durable fabric for adventures. The side pockets are handy for things you might need on your walk too – water bottle etc. – and it’s really light, at only 0.55kg. An excellent all-rounder.
4. Merrell Fuxion GTX trail runners, £110
DURING lockdown I expanded my running routes to include beaches and forest trails, both of which are uneven and can get pretty mucky. So I needed waterproof trail running shoes and these from Merrell have been perfect. I chose Merrell as I had a great pair of waterproof walking shoes from them and hopefully these will be just as reliable. They are light and comfy and despite the GORE-TEX® membrane my feet stayed cool – this may change when the weather warms up. I’m even wearing them for general use as they look great and in Scotland waterproof anything is always a good idea.