I’ve long been a winter boot denier. My go-tos for winter riding have always been regular summer shoes (sometimes with vents taped up) plus overshoes and thermal socks. In really poor weather I’d swit

Are you getting started outdoors, gearing up for a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, or just need to save a few quid? We all need to get out, even in this economy. Here’s the lowdown on the best, more budget-friendly backpacking kit our team have reviewed over the last year or so, in one place for the first time

Kit reviews from Britain’s most experienced gear-testing team. Here, Steph Wetherell and Francesca Donovan n focus on two innovative new outdoor products

MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT

STAY WARM AND, HOPEFULLY, DRY WITH THESE COLD-WEATHER ESSENTIALS THAT CHAMPION FLEECE, MERINO WOOL AND HIGH-TECH WATERPROOFING

£145 | Weight 269.3g | Drop 10mm | Stack height37mm/27mm | Foam Nitrogen-infused Tech GuideRails | brooksrunning.com | Tester Rachel I While many shoe manufacturers are getting lighter with each itera