WINTER ACCESSORIES
GRIVEL / STEEL BLADE £50
Cleverly designed to slide onto the end of an ice axe (a Grivel ice axe, naturally) this shovel blade weighs a shave over 400g but is an invaluable tool for the harshest winter days – from digging a sleeping platform, to a snowhole, to a pal out of an avalanche. There are plenty of weedy shovels out there, so it’s good to have an option that is both lightweight and tough, reassuringly monikered with Grivel’s livery.
BRIDEGDALE / STORMSOCK £38
New from Bridgedale is a new generation of waterproof socks, constructed from merino wool in the inside and different weights of technical fibres on the outside, to ensure a sock that is well-cushioned, durable and likely to last a lot longer than a normal sock. Waterproofing comes courtesy of a stretch PU membrane, making them ideal for winter, for use in approach shoes or boots without a membrane, or padding about the campsite.
TRAIL / #EVERESTANYWHERE MOUNTAIN CRAVAT £13
You won’t get these anywhere else – and they do look awfully cool. Taking inspiration from the Nepal prayer flags that drape the Himalaya, these cravats were commissioned as part of our #EverestAnywhere challenge but have gained a cult following far beyond our expectations! There are still some left – so join the Everest club today!
EXTREMITIES / PINNACLE GLOVE £65
A classic winter glove with an X-Dry waterproof membrane and Primaloft insulation, this supple, well-articulated glove has a durable full-leather palm, a wriststrap to cinch draughts out and a deep wrist gauntlet for extra protection. Also comes with a pleasing soft patch on the back of the thumb to wipe glasses, goggles and, um, your nose. Perfect for the UK hills in any weather.
SNUGBUG / CROCHET CAP £20
Made in Nepal from beautiful New Zealand wool, these lovely hats are snug as a bug (as the name suggests) and come with the cache of having been made beneath the highest mountains in the world to exacting standards of worker welfare. Now that’s a cool story to carry around on your very warm and cosy head.
GP BATTERIES / XPLOR PHR15 £35
With features you’re far more likely to find on much pricier headtorches, the GP Xplor features a distance sensor which automatically adjusts the strength of the beam depending on the proximity of what you’re looking at. With a tilting body, this has a high weather-resistance rating of IPX-6, which means there is pretty much no weather that will stop it working and lighting your way. Superb value.
JULBO / CAMINO £50
Sunglasses – along with suncream – are arguably more critical for winter than they are for summer. Reflected UV off the snow and the general brightness of ground covered with shiny crystals beneath a low sun means that a pair of sunglasses can mean the difference between a day in heaven or one in hell. Pick a category 3 or 4 pair with side protection, like these.
AMAMAYA / LUKLA BASE LAYER £45
If you like to accessorise for the hills with a youngster, make sure they are accessorised with something that will keep them warm no matter what. Amamaya makes super cosy hoodies, hats, gloves and base layers for kids from merino wool, the most versatile natural fibre there is, making sure they are comfortable so they can focus on enjoying the day, and in so doing sowing the seeds for a lifetime of adventure.
PETZL / ACTIK 300 £40
A superb 92g torch that combines the aesthetic of the pricier Reaktik and the robust frugality of the now classic Tikka. With a long burn time and a very powerful 300 lumen beam, the Actik also features helpful touches like a whistle in the headband, reflective piping, a red light for preserving night vision and two variations of beam pattern.
It can also be used either with standard AAA batteries or a rechargeable CORE battery (available separately).
HYDROFLASK / STANDARD MOUTH FLASK £30
A flask of tea or something warm and tasty is often the number one winter essential (well, luxury) you find on the kit list of mountain professionals. This has a lovely soft-touch outer and is a perfect size for one, at 710ml – though 532ml and 621ml versions are also available. Keeps cold things cold for 24 hours and hot things hot for 12. Looks nice, works well and comes in loads of different colours with several different lid options – thought you will need to take a cup if you want to share!
EQUAFLEECE / JUMPER £35
Dogs might need coats in the coldest weather – despite being wrapped in one already – and Equafleece has got them covered. Made from Polartec fleece that stays warm when wet, this will keep your pooch protected from the wind and the snow, or serves the useful purpose of drying a wet dog during the drive home like a kind of wearable towel. Clever!
BUFF / MERINO £26.75
The classic Buff is an excellent piece of kit – and in this merino wool version gets a warmer, cosier feel that resists odour and stays warm when wet. You can get even warmer Buffs – the Polar Buff for one – but beneath jackets and cosy base layers you may only need something like this to keep draughts at bay. Plus, you can use it all year round.
LIFESYSTEMS / ULTRALIGHT SURVIVAL SHELTER 2 £60
If the worst happens and you need something to huddle in – or, just as pressingly, need a cup of tea and it’s blowing a hoolie – this is the perfect stash-away shelter. The warmth that generates inside these wonderful bits of kit is astounding, and now there is finally one that’s small enough to pack without a second thought.
PATAGONIA / CAPILENE AIR HOODY £140
Patagonia describes this as its warmest base layer yet, and having worn it out in chilly conditions we can attest this to be highly likely. Made of 51% merino wool and 49% recycled polyester, this is near-instant drying, seamless and built with a unique structure that is stretchy and traps air effectively to keep you warm and sweat-free all day.