Travel gear

With Phoebe Smith

KEENEvofit One, £100 With a sock-like fit, superb breathability, four-way stretch and comfortable anatomical footbed that feels as though you’re wearing slippers, Keen’s sandals kicked all the competition out of the park. Despite competing against full-on walking boots, mid-height footwear and trainers, they stood out as a travel staple suitable for any destination. “Whether walking around a hot dusty city or padding around an Alpine hut, these are so lightweight you could always throw them in your luggage just in case – and they’d be comfy on a plane too,” said one judge. Special mentions to Haglöfs’ Skuta Mid Proof Eco and Teva’s Arrowroute Utility Mid, which came second and third for their versatility and, in Haglöfs’ case, their green credentials.

PATAGONIA

Micro Puff, £250 An insulated jacket is an undisputable travel essential, vital for cosying up inside following a hike, when outside watching wildlife, or waiting for the northern lights to show. Key is its weight-to-warmth ratio – a weight-conscious traveller needs something as light as possible that doesn’t compromise on insulation. Enter the winning Micro Puff. Made from water-resistant, ultralight synthetic fill, and featuring a grid-like network of filled baffles, even if it gets damp, it will still keep you warm. So with this you can be hot – in every sense of the word. It’s also worth highlighting Haglöfs for its Essens Down Hood, which not only uses traceable waterproof down, but also features no nasty fluorocarbons and employs recycled fabric. And another goes to Rab’s Microlight Alpine, whose 750-fill waterproof down is ethically sourced.

SHERPAYatra Everyday Pack, £50 From specialist hiking packs that double up well as hand luggage to stand-up paddleboardingspecific numbers and vintage-look canvas sacks – we had it all in this category. There were some exceptional contenders, but by far the standout was the retro-looking Yatra, which hides a fleece-lined and padded pouch for a laptop or tablet, and handy pockets for passports and tickets, all wrapped up in a hard-wearing fabric that’s water-resistant. Even better, for every pack sold, a book is donated to a school in the mountain villages of Nepal – a win, you might say, for everyone. Second and third place respectively went to Alpkit’s stylish Brevent wax-coated pack and Haglöfs for its Shosho enviro-friendly bag.

Our resident gear expert and her panel of judges have once again tirelessly prodded and probed to uncover the best kit to accompany your adventures. Drum roll please for this year’s winners…

wanderlust.co.uk March 2019