Gear
SPECIAL REPORT
Want to free yourself from unnecessarily heavy gear this summer? Then THIS is the guide for you...
HOW MANY TIMES have you read the words ‘fast and light’ in association with piece of walking gear? Great, you may think, if you’re super-fit, super-nimble, and like to scale 3000ft summits and be back in time for breakfast.
The temptation is to think that if, like the majority of walkers, you take things a little more steadily, this kit isn’t for you. But why on earth not? There’s no law that says you have to walk at speed in lightweight gear; no in-built stink bombs that detonate if you drop below four miles per hour. There are many reasons why lighter, airier kit can and should appeal to every walker, not least the fact that plenty of walkers find heavier kit uncomfortable (especially when it comes to footwear). But right now, in the heat of summer, the primary benefit of lighter gear is comfort. Managing perspiration and staying cool in the heat are as relevant to someone on a lunchtime stroll as they are to someone who wants to summit three Munros in 20 minutes.
Whatever walking you’re planning this summer, if you want to feel light and free while you do it, then take a look at the featherweight options in this guide. They’re a little taster of what’s out there, and they might just add freshness and energy to your warm-weather yomps.
Baselayers
WHAT TO LOOK FOR: ● Less than 150g (180g long sleeve) ● Breathable fabrics like polyester or merino ● Venting panels under the arms and up the back
RRP: £65 Target price: £45 Weight: 161g Smartwool have a great reputation for athletic clothing that removes moisture and keeps you odour-free for days. And this top is impressively lightweight for one with long sleeves (you can shed a few more grams on its short-sleeved version), and also versatile. It will keep you pleasantly cool on a warm steep ascent and then, at the top, it forms part of a layering system that can stave off some quite serious wind chill. As you’d expect from Smartwool, 53% of the material is merino wool, while the rest is TENCELL Lyocell – a fabric made from wood. The Active Ultralite is comfy on the skin and very stretchy, so when your body moves, it does too. The odour control is pretty good (though Smartwool have better performers here), but overall this is a light, fresh and highly adaptable baselayer. MP ★★★★★
INOV-8 Performance T-Shirt
RRP: £35 Target price: £35 Weight: 86g British brand Inov-8 began lif
