Hiking

Filson Tin Cloth Field Jacket Founded in 1897 to outfit hunters, loggers and explorers, Filson has a rich heritage in top-quality workwear, ideal for adverse outdoor scenarios. Its field jacket is made from a very hard-wearing, tightly woven, wax-sealed 14oz cloth, supplied exclusively by waxed-cotton experts British Millerain, meaning it will resist tears, punctures, wind and rain. Admittedly this makes it a heavier jacket, which will take some time to wear in – but once it has, you will have a coat for life that is rubber-stamped by its guarantee. £550 

Le Chameau-Lite LCX Low 7” Boots Slipping these smart-looking, hard-wearing boots on and off couldn’t be easier and, thanks to a sole designed in collaboration with tyre manufacturer Michelin, once laced up you’ll be thoroughly protected on muddy or rocky walks. As one would expect, they’re totally waterproof, breathable and made from a high-performance full grain leather but, unlike the walking boots of yesteryear, they’re pleasantly lightweight at 1.25kg and comfortable too – plus they don’t require any kind of laborious breaking-in period. £249, lechameau.com

HJ Hall ProTrek Adventure Trek Socks A really nicely weighted sock suitable for walks long or short, and in all weathers. They’re made from a durable and technical wool composite fabric, so are supportive and breathable and give just the right level of cushioning to avoid hot spots from rubbing footwear. They also have an antibacterial finish – so they won’t get too smelly. £12.50, hj.co.uk

Leica Ultravid BR Compact 8×20 These binoculars happily fit into a regular-sized trouser pocket, yet with a powerful 8x magnification they have many practical uses. Very high-quality optics provide a near-flawless viewing experience, plus they are waterproof to 5m and very light at just 240g. The body is made from aluminium and coated in a durable rubber armour, so they can withstand really hard use. £559, from cliftoncameras.co.uk 

LEKI Black Series MVC Trekking Poles Made from 100 per cent high-quality carbon and weighing just over 210g per pole, these top-flight adjustable trekking poles are very lightweight, stiff and built to handle anything you throw at them. Composed of three sections, they fold down in seconds to just 40cm, so are easily stored, and have an extra-long foam grip for versatility of use. They also come with an adjustable strap so you can use them while wearing gloves – or share them with others in the household. £175, leki.co.uk

LED Lenser P7R CORE Rechargeable LED Torch This neatly sized torch, measuring around the length of your hand, delivers a beam up to 300m away via an immensely bright setting of 1,400 lumens. It is constructed from aircraft-grade aluminium, so as well as being really durable and corrosion-resistant (you get a seven-year guarantee), it’s also dust- and waterproof to 1m. Twist to adjust the focus from a spot to flood illumination and charge it via magnetic contact points – this is your must-have adventure-ready aid. £109.95, from ledlenser-store.co.uk

VSSL First Aid When there’s no time to think, grab this first-aid kit, throw it into a backpack or car glove compartment and you’re good to go. The waterproof aircraft-grade aluminium canister measures just 22cm long and 5cm in diameter. It houses a curated roll-out of 46 mini essentials, from tweezers to 3M steri-strips. Also, very handily, on either end is a 200-lumen light and oil-filled compass, just in case you need a backup. $125

Osprey Talon 26 Backpack Osprey’s reputed Talon pack has been updated with recycled nylon, making it a good sustainable choice. It’s a hardwearing and versatile backpack that’s water resistant, comfortable and easy to use. At 26 litres, it’s an ideal size for a walk, offering sufficient storage while not being excessively bulky. It has side pockets for quick-access gear, internal mesh pockets and a very comfortable back system, and is hydration-pack compatible. £130, ospreyeurope.com

Arc’teryx Palisade Pant Designed specifically for hiking, these trousers are more breathable, lightweight and fast-drying than conventional strides. As they’re made from stretch nylon, they’re very durable and offer a good level of comfort. £125, arcteryx.com

Norrona Wool Round Neck Whatever the weather or activity, a good base layer is a must-have when venturing outdoors. This athletic fitting round neck is made from 89 per cent merino, which feels luxurious but, given that it’s a natural material, has the perfect properties for temperature regulation and wicking. The wool mix also includes a hint of polyamide, so it’s quick-drying and durable. £89, norrona.com

Fjällräven Abisko Trekking shirt This shirt has a traditional look but is made from a highly technical fabric that means it’s very lightweight and breathable and will perform brilliantly on a demanding hike or in hotter climes. £110, fjallraven.com

Leatherman Charge+ G10 Multitool This palm-sized 226g engineering wonder offers 19 tools in one slick gadget. The knife blade is made from high-end S30V stainless steel, reputed for its excellent edge retention and rust resistance, and the eye-catching red handles offer great grip and are immune to corrosion. Store in a nylon sheath, attach to your belt and, with a 25-year guarantee, it’ll be a trusty go-to companion to get you out of many sticky situations. £229.95

Fjällräven Keb Fleece Hoodie This Swedish outdoor brand is known for its attention to detail and fit, and the Keb hoodie is brilliantly executed. It has a light fleece lining on the inside, providing a moderate level of insulation while dealing with moisture brilliantly, and the exterior flat-knitted matt finish – subtly reinforced at the shoulder to withstand contact with backpack straps – is hardwearing. The fit sits nicely between athletic and relaxed, and it’s ideal for use as a mid layer under a water- or windproof jacket or simply worn over a T-shirt on milder days. £185, fjallraven.com

Schöffel Hybrid Aerobloc Gilet This subtle and more casually styled gilet is great when worn as an extra layer below a jacket (when you don’t want the extra bulk of sleeves) or simply thrown over a shirt or jumper. The quilted front sections of the gilet offer insulation, while the lambswool collar and back are reinforced with a windproof liner. £199.95, schoffelcountry.com

Montane Alpine Pro Waterproof Jacket This British brand is reputed among the outdoors fraternity for its high-quality pieces at reasonable prices, and this outdoor shell jacket is your perfect walking companion. Made from Gore-Tex’s premium “Pro” fabric, it’s waterproof, windproof, breathable and exceptionally hardwearing. It has all the features you need: zipped hand pockets, velcro adjustable cuffs, a hood with a stiffened peak, two-way zips under the arm pits for ventilation, an adjustable hem – and at 453g it will happily stash into a backpack. £360, montane.com

Berghaus Paclite Gore-Tex Overtrousers Prepare for rain showers on a day-long hike by packing these high-quality Gore-Tex waterproof overtrousers in your backpack. Weighing just 228g, they’re lightweight and fold down well, so won’t weigh you down if you don’t use them. They have roomy proportions and an elasticated waistband and are easily pulled over your normal trousers, with waterproof zippers running down the entire length of the outside leg for ventilation, if needed. £120, berghaus.com

Hestra Fält Guide Gloves This brand has been producing quality gloves for 80 years. At this price, they are an investment but will be a trusty outdoor companion for a lifetime of adventures. The gloves are made from two types of quality leather – a durable goatskin on the palms and knuckles, with a more supple cowhide on the upper providing flexibility. They have a knitted wool terry cloth liner, which can easily be removed (and replaced with others if you prefer), and clip together for safe keeping. £115, hestragloves.com 

Garmin Montana 700 GPS Navigator If you’re exploring an area for the first time or perhaps looking to discover new footpaths in your usual stomping ground, this recently upgraded handheld GPS navigation device is a must-have. Waterproof and drop-proof, it has a generous 5in colour touchscreen, which is about the same as an iPhone. Upload the highly detailed “TopoActive” maps for your location, route, topographical markings and all the details you will need for easy navigation. £529.99, garmin.com

Helinox Chair Zero Perhaps the ultimate lightweight and packable chair, stash this 490g engineering wonder in a capacious side pocket of your backpack and you’ll forget you’re even carrying it. When packed it’s just 35cm long, but can carry a weight of up to 120kg in use. There is no need to be precious with it either – just wash with soap and water – as there is a five-year manufacturer’s warranty too. €119.95, helinox.eu

CamelBak Chute Mag 750ml Keep hydrated on your walk with this reusable water bottle. The flip-back screw-top cap is kept in place by an integrated magnet and at 750ml it’s just the right size for tucking inside a pocket in your backpack. €15.99, camelbak.co.uk