Gear guide
Putting the latest outdoor clothing, accessories and equipment to test
1. Vango Radiate Heat Mat, £ 45
You know that blissful feeling you get when climbing into a warm bed at the end of a cold, hard day in the hills? It’s not quite the same getting into a cold sleeping bag, is it? With this heat mat, you can carry that comfort with you. It has four different heat settings, and measures 40x60cm (15.7x23.6in) when rolled out. It isn’t too heavy or bulky either at 220g (7.7oz), and the size of a small flask when rolled up. I used the mat on my first ever bothy trip. It was a bitterly cold evening, even with the fire still glowing in the grate, so I preheated my sleeping bag with the heat mat to ward off the chill. Bliss!
2. Primus Trailbreak EX 1L Flask, £ 45
I found this flask too large for solo outings, but if you were on a longer trip with a larger bag then it would be ideal. The silicon cover gives excellent grip and protects fingers and hands from freezing. There’s the usual lid that serves as a cup, but there’s also the option to drink straight from the bottle with a dual opening and twistto-open mouthpiece. The double lid also keeps heat in. I liked this feature so I could get a warm drink without stopping to pour it. The vacuum insulated double wall helps keep your beverage warm making it the perfect companion for snowy walks.
3. Hanwag Trek Socks, £ 16
As soon as I put these socks on I knew they were my new favourites. They fit so nicely, so snug, cosy and soft. They somehow feel like they’re holding my feet, supporting them. The extra padding at the heel, ball of the foot and instep make them ideal for longer treks, but I wear them pretty much whenever they aren’t in the wash! For the thickness, they don’t overheat my feet and are surprisingly fast drying, so I don’t have to wait long to get them on again. Despite having been washed many, many times since I got them, they still look good as new.
4. Lowa Renegade GTX W Mid Boots, £ 190
Lowa had maximum comfort in mind when they created these hiking boots for women. They fit like a glove, and the highly cushioned sole is a dream over long distances or trickier paths. The boots don’t skimp on technical advantages either – the nubuck leather outer is supple and flexible, and is combined with a GoreTex lining to keep feet dry. The tread isn’t hugely deep, but I was pleasantly surprised by the traction from the Vibram soles. They’re the ideal pair of threeseason hiking boots, and they come in a variety of colours and in narrow, normal or wide-fit styles.