Knowledge

In winter, the weather can change quickly. One day, rain is sweeping across the hills; the next, you might find frozen ground and a crisp layer of frost underfoot. Having the right footwear can make a real difference to how comfortable and confident you feel on a walk. With muddy paths, slippery trails and cold, wet…

There’s something special about unzipping your tent to find the hills dusted with snow. Getting out of a warm sleeping bag might take some persuasion, but the view usually helps. Choosing the right shelter for those nights takes a little more thought. A four-season label is a starting point, but it doesn’t tell you how…

If you’ve ever shopped for walking boots, you’ve probably come across Gore-Tex. It’s one of the best-known waterproof technologies in outdoor footwear, and given how unpredictable British weather can be, choosing a waterproof pair might seem like the obvious decision. After all, nobody enjoys spending an entire walk with soggy socks.   But do you actually…

Unzip your tent to a frosty landscape, put the kettle on and watch the morning light creep across the hills. With quieter campsites and crisp air, winter camping gives you plenty of reasons to keep adventuring after summer has packed up. Tempted, but wondering whether you will spend the whole night shivering? That is an…

You’ve invested in a decent waterproof jacket, taken it out on a fair few soggy walks, and now something doesn’t seem quite right. Instead of rain beading up and rolling off, the outer fabric is turning darker and starting to absorb water. Before long, your jacket feels heavy, cold and clammy. Not exactly what you…

A Winter has a habit of exposing weaknesses in your walking boots. A slightly slippery outsole becomes much more noticeable on wet rock. A boot that feels supportive on a summer footpath might struggle once you’re carrying a heavier pack across rough ground. And, unsurprisingly, a leaky boot quickly becomes a problem when every puddle…

A good down jacket is one of those pieces of outdoor kit that quickly earns its place in your wardrobe. Lightweight, warm and impressively packable, down insulation can provide a lot of warmth without the weight and bulk of heavier winter clothing.  However, the best down jacket for a fast day on the hills probably…

The Fjällräven Keb and Vidda Pro are two of Fjällräven’s best-known trekking trousers. Both are tough, practical and designed for serious outdoor use, but they go about the job quite differently.  The Keb combines G-1000 with stretch panels to prioritise movement and ventilation. The Vidda Pro takes a more traditional approach, with extensive use of…

Three-person tents are surprisingly versatile. They can work for three friends travelling light, a small family heading to a campsite, or a couple who simply want more room to sleep and store their kit. The trick is finding one that suits how you actually camp.  A lightweight backpacking tent might be perfect for carrying into…