One of the most common things we see in adventurous groups are questions about hiking gear. What’s any good? What should I look for in a…?
If you’ve got a piece of kit related to hiking that you love (we’re thinking everything from boots and trousers to gaiters and snacks) then have a rave about it below. Tell us what it is, how long you’ve had it and why it’s great.
No need to restrict yourself to just one thing either, if you’ve got lots to recommend.
Love my Merrell Moab wide mid boots. Comfortable right out of the box; good ankle support. (I have high arches and bunions and these support my feet very well.)
I l<3ve my Trangia cooking stove! It is not the smallest or lightest of stoves, but it is versatile, robust and simple to use. You can cook any kind of food on it. Two cooking pots, and a lid that doubles as a frying pan. If you put one of the pots upsidedown on top of the pan, you have a small oven. I got my first Trangia in 1988 (for my 18th birthday), and I still use it! A love that does not rust (as we say in Danish ;-) ). For solo or lightweight hiking I might choose a ligther cooking device, but you will also find me on week days, giong to the forrest og beach to cook my dinner on my trangia :-)
I hear you on this! Mine was a 17th birthday present after I raved about how great they were on DofE! I've knocked over lighter cookers and will deal with the extra size and weight for the stability and reliability of a Trangia.
Today I found a multi-use disc accessory, it looks great. Can be used as a lid, with holes on one side to drain food, and also as a stand in snowy ground to stop everything sinking.
I have a small hip bag that slides onto the waist belt of my back pack. In reality it was just a pencil case and my Mum sewed some tabs on the back. It is the perfect size for holding my camera, muesli bar, lip balm etc. I don't leave home without it!
I bought an older model pack on clearance recently. Its belt pockets are too small for today’s phone sizes and I’m guessing that’s why it was on clearance. So I’m going to use your idea to make a pocket that does fit my phone.
Another option is to go to an Op Shop and have a look for a very small handbag. I have one like this too and it has a couple of extra pockets and zip sections. It's a shame we can't attached photos here and I could show you both.
My Alpkit brukit stove is amazing. I've been using it for years and would probably just buy a direct replacement if I ever lost it! I pretty much live in the dart tshirts from Montane - I've picked up a few on sale in the long and short sleeve versions and love them. They're a good fit and cope well with how sweaty I get.
I also started using a water bladder from Osprey a few years ago and I'm now much better at staying hydrated because I don't have to faff about taking my pack off to reach my bottle.
I find it really difficult to find outdoor clothing that fits properly. I’m a size 16 with larger thighs and bum and often it’s the most expensive brands that do the stretch material, but that’s not always affordable. Sometimes I can’t get sizes big enough, or they aren’t offered. This is a massive issue and one I’d like the outdoor media to address. Many women struggle to get clothes that fit and enable them to do the activities they love.
For years I had to put up with wearing leggings to hike-which we’re not flattering and made me feel self conscious.
On the positive side, I have recently discovered Hokka one one boots/trail shoes and they are brilliant for my long distance hiking (ultramarathons and multi day hikes).
Some small brands are doing great things, and that kickstarter is a great example. However, its the large brands that really need to step up if we are to make a greater diversity of sizes and fit available across the board. Small brands just don't have the capacity or scale. We need both!
I totally agree! But, seeing that the larger brands hesitate and suggest that the market for larger sizes does not really exist, I believe that supporting smaller brands who make larger sizes is an important step.
The Acai Thermal Outdoor Leggings are so comfy! I wear them around the house and out walking. I'm going to have to buy another pair I think. It'll be too warm to wear them soon, but for now just right!
I've heard a lot of good things about Acai trousers, but I just can't believe they're perfect for everything. Maybe one day I'll splash out and try them...
Love my Merrell Moab wide mid boots. Comfortable right out of the box; good ankle support. (I have high arches and bunions and these support my feet very well.)
They sound great! I've just been for a short walk in some new boots, I got a pair of Altberg's in an extra wide fit. All good so far!
I l<3ve my Trangia cooking stove! It is not the smallest or lightest of stoves, but it is versatile, robust and simple to use. You can cook any kind of food on it. Two cooking pots, and a lid that doubles as a frying pan. If you put one of the pots upsidedown on top of the pan, you have a small oven. I got my first Trangia in 1988 (for my 18th birthday), and I still use it! A love that does not rust (as we say in Danish ;-) ). For solo or lightweight hiking I might choose a ligther cooking device, but you will also find me on week days, giong to the forrest og beach to cook my dinner on my trangia :-)
I hear you on this! Mine was a 17th birthday present after I raved about how great they were on DofE! I've knocked over lighter cookers and will deal with the extra size and weight for the stability and reliability of a Trangia.
Today I found a multi-use disc accessory, it looks great. Can be used as a lid, with holes on one side to drain food, and also as a stand in snowy ground to stop everything sinking.
I have a small hip bag that slides onto the waist belt of my back pack. In reality it was just a pencil case and my Mum sewed some tabs on the back. It is the perfect size for holding my camera, muesli bar, lip balm etc. I don't leave home without it!
How clever. I love “handmade” alternatives to all of this often pricy gear!
How clever. I love “handmade” alternatives to all of this often pricy gear!
Brands don't impress me. It is all about function. My backpack does have small pockets on the waist belt, but they are too small to be really useful.
I bought an older model pack on clearance recently. Its belt pockets are too small for today’s phone sizes and I’m guessing that’s why it was on clearance. So I’m going to use your idea to make a pocket that does fit my phone.
Another option is to go to an Op Shop and have a look for a very small handbag. I have one like this too and it has a couple of extra pockets and zip sections. It's a shame we can't attached photos here and I could show you both.
I love my Black Diamond carbon fibre collapsable poles. Regardless of what else I wear or carry, these are indispensable!
I'll second this! I spent a wee bit more on Black Diamond poles and it was well worth it!
My Alpkit brukit stove is amazing. I've been using it for years and would probably just buy a direct replacement if I ever lost it! I pretty much live in the dart tshirts from Montane - I've picked up a few on sale in the long and short sleeve versions and love them. They're a good fit and cope well with how sweaty I get.
I also started using a water bladder from Osprey a few years ago and I'm now much better at staying hydrated because I don't have to faff about taking my pack off to reach my bottle.
I find it really difficult to find outdoor clothing that fits properly. I’m a size 16 with larger thighs and bum and often it’s the most expensive brands that do the stretch material, but that’s not always affordable. Sometimes I can’t get sizes big enough, or they aren’t offered. This is a massive issue and one I’d like the outdoor media to address. Many women struggle to get clothes that fit and enable them to do the activities they love.
For years I had to put up with wearing leggings to hike-which we’re not flattering and made me feel self conscious.
On the positive side, I have recently discovered Hokka one one boots/trail shoes and they are brilliant for my long distance hiking (ultramarathons and multi day hikes).
Indeed, that is a problem, and we are many women to share it. Are you aware of the Kickstarter campaign? https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alpineparrot/ponderosa-pants-hiking-pants-made-for-womens-sizes-14-24/description
Some small brands are doing great things, and that kickstarter is a great example. However, its the large brands that really need to step up if we are to make a greater diversity of sizes and fit available across the board. Small brands just don't have the capacity or scale. We need both!
I totally agree! But, seeing that the larger brands hesitate and suggest that the market for larger sizes does not really exist, I believe that supporting smaller brands who make larger sizes is an important step.
The Acai Thermal Outdoor Leggings are so comfy! I wear them around the house and out walking. I'm going to have to buy another pair I think. It'll be too warm to wear them soon, but for now just right!
I've heard a lot of good things about Acai trousers, but I just can't believe they're perfect for everything. Maybe one day I'll splash out and try them...
I like that they are hard wearing and a close fit without being restrictive.