As the mercury rises, lunch isn’t the only thing we’re taking alfresco. Lace up your boots, grab your all-weather kit and hit the trails, rain or shine

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

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

We’ve been busy testing in the past year. Here is what we’ve found that works

MCN STAFF RATE THEIR RIDING KIT

All the gear you need to tackle bold outdoor pursuits, from bikepacking through Wales to a Lake Como retreat