Six brilliant bits of gear we can’t get enough of

From self-filtering water bottles to incredibly lightweight rain coats, here is the gear we won’t be leaving the house without this spring


Water-to-Go, 75cl bottle, £25

Water to go 2

Ideal for travellers and backpackers, this handy 75cl flask has an inbuilt filter that will eliminate 99.9% of microbiological contaminants. Developed for NASA, the 3-in-1 filter attaches to the lid, removing everything from bacteria to flouride, leaving clean, safe drinking water. The bottle itself is BPA free, durable and ergonomically designed. Plus, at 138g, it won’t weigh down your pack. We’ll drink to that!


Suunto Traverse, £325

Suunto-TRAVERSE - Amber -Perspective View - Breadcrumb UI- Metric - NEGATIVE copy

A navigation tool you can wear on your wrist. The Traverse is a GPS-enabled watch designed to revolutionise your route-planning and navigation. Plan a route with detailed topographic maps, determine your location with GPS and GLONASS sat nav systems and retrace your steps with the automatic breadcrumb system. It can even predict changes in weather! Like any good watch, its durable and easy to use, with a bunch of everyday bonuses such as calorie monitoring and text and call notifications. Pricey, but worth it.

Keen Wanderer, £120

Keen wanderer 2

Here’s a boot that walks the line between support and versatility. Featuring a semi mid-cut shaft, it offers enough ankle support for testing hiking adventures, yet offers the flexibility of a walking shoe. Part of Keen’s European Made collection, the quality is apparent throughout, with a membrane and liner built to keep water out while letting heat and moisture escape. Out of the box comfort comes courtesy of a contoured heel lock, a lightweight EVA footbed and soft collar.   

Berghaus Hyper jacket, £120

BerghausHyper jacket Forest-Lime

We still can’t get over how light this is! Weighing in at 100g for the men’s and 70g for the women’s, it stashes down to the size of wallet. Amazingly, it’s still waterproof and breathable, using Berghaus’ own Hydroshell Hyper fabric, which has a hydrostatic head of 15,000mm and breathability of 10,000g/m2/24hrs. Microtaping offers extra protection from the weather, and the ripstop face is impressively durable. It’s primarily aimed at trailrunners, but that tiny stuff sack makes it ideal for stashing in your backpack for those unexpected showers. 

Finisterre Waterproof Rucksack, £135

bag

Finisterre have combined forces with Ortlieb, creators of fantastic cycle panniers, to create a waterproof rucksack. The 20L capacity makes it ideal for day trips with comfortable waist and chest straps to help take the weight off your back. With a welded construction and a durable coated ballistic nylon, this rucksack is as durable as it is waterproof. The roll top closure can be rolled forwards or backwards to ensure water  is kept well away from your precious gear, even in heavy downpours. There’s a handy inner pocket to keep your valuables in and the rear pocket is built to hold a journal or tablet.


Sockmine Tread Comfort Coolmax, £11

Sockmine

It’s not too often we get excited about socks, but Sockmine have managed it! Their Coolmax technology wicks moisture away, keeping your feet cool, dry and blister-free. Our pick of the range is the Tread Comfort Coolmax, which features clever details like a slingshot heel and arch support to keep the sock in place, flex lines to stop bunching and generous padding in key pressure zones for comfort. Ventilation panels ensure you’re never left hot-footed.   

Taken from Outdoor Adventure Guide issue 142. Pre-order it here. 

OAG