Outdoor with the Modern Prepper

There are so many stainless steel water bottles on the market, so how do you know which one to go for? Super Sparrow water bottles prove you don’t need to pay a high price for a great quality water bottle. What is it? Super Sparrow Wide Mouth £15.59 – £23.99 Super Sparrow Small Mouth £10.36 – £16.95 Overall Rating (4 / 5) Stockists Amazon.co.uk Super Sparrow Features Stainless steel, double wall insulation keeps contents hot for up to 12 hours and cold for up to 24 hours BPA free Leakproof Wide mouth features a flexible handle Rubberised, grippy base on the standard mouth version What we thought We’ve been lucky enough to receive two different versions of the Super Sparrow water bottles to try out and both of them have distinct benefits which we’ll look at in turn. Firstly, although I used it for water and juice, I also used the wide mouth as a flask, storing hot water inside it ready for a brew after my weekly open water swim. After a co...

What is it? CimAlp Summit 2 H – Men’s Softshell Jacket RRP – £129 Overall Rating (5 / 5) Stockists CimAlp Features 10,000mm waterproof membrane 2 large armpit vents with double zippers 2 large side pockets 3 inside pockets Adjustable cuffs with velcro Inner protective gloves 3-point adjustment hood suitable for a helmet Drawstring at the waist Hole for earphones Lightweight 790g (Medium Reviewed Here) What we thought With my urge to be outdoors increasing due to the lockdown restrictions, I hade been in need of a suitable jacket to see me through the UK’s very variable weather conditions, and on local walks during lockdown, and walks further afield in the Peak District, Wales and Cornwall, I’ve found plenty of opportunities to put the put the Summit 2 H Jacket to the test over the last few months. Jacket styling The first thing I want to talk about is the styling. I went for the black and red option and love the minimalist look of the jacket. There is noth...

The Vans all-weather MTE collection includes the Sk8-Hi MTE2.0 and the UltraRange ECO Hi MTE, fortified with heat retention and moisture management for protection against the elements. Blending comfort and performance, Vans all-weather MTE recognizes that protection from the elements calls for the toughest weatherised materials.  Since its inception, the Sk8-Hi has been a durable, versatile favourite for so much more than just skateboarding. This classic has been reimagined with a weatherproof upper equipped with both tongue and heel pulls for easy on and off, and a reinforced rubber toe cap for added durability. MTE 360 heat-retaining technology keeps feet warm and dry, while UltraCush moulded drop-in liner and added Achilles cushioning keep feet comfortable all day. This holiday, Vans is proud to unveil the Sk8-Hi MTE 2.0 DX and the UltraRange EXO Hi MTE, two new offerings that boast moisture management, heat retention, and extra grip.     ...

Leading UK outdoor equipment manufacturer, Vango, has launched its eagerly anticipated collection of tents, rucksacks, sleeping bags, awnings, essentials and furniture for 2021, in preparation for what is increasingly looking like a year of staycations and camping trips for many. The new range will ensure both new and established campers can camp “Better with Vango”. We were lucky enough to recently see a sneak preview of the new Vango 2021 collection and can confirm, it’s packed full of innovative products that campers and outdoor lovers alike will find supremely useful and practical in the great outdoors. Let’s take a look at some… Vango Earth Collection – Supporting The Environment With a strong history of supporting the environment, upcycling and recycling camping equipment through both Vango’s Camping Recycled business and its Spares and Repairs service, Vango’s new range takes the brand’s sustainable efforts one step further with the launch of the Earth Collection. T...

The National Trust is encouraging people to get outdoors this season to make the most of spectacular Autumn displays. The annual spectacle is set to be more dazzling than usual thanks to weather conditions that have been perfect to ensure particularly vivid foliage this year. As well as witnessing the colour of the leaves changing at various National Trust properties up and down the country, enjoying the beautiful colours is easy no matter where you are. Of course, heading to the countryside means you’ll see more autumn colour, but even urban parks can provide a dazzling display. Indeed, the photos acompanying this piece were all taken at Queens Park in Crewe. Boost your wellbeing with a bit of outdoors time Getting outdoors at this time of year is particularly important. With up to a third of the UK population starting to feeling the negative impact of shorter days on their mood, heading outside for a walk and making the most of the diminishing sunlight can help ...

Dressed in the proper kit, there’s no reason why Autumn and Winter can’t offer some amazing outdoor adventure opportunities. Get kitted out in style with our pick of the best Autumn/Winter gear… Berghaus Men’s Fellmaster Jacket £123.50 This is a lightweight but extremely capable jacket that benefits from Gore-Tex fabric making it waterproof and breathable. Ideal for both autumn and winter hikes with great styling. Jack Wolfskin Picadilly Convertable Tote Pack £50 This is a versatile tote pack with 3 different carry options, not dissimilar to the ubiquitous Fjallraven Kanken, but with enough visual differences, and a much keener price point, to help set it apart. It’s also made from recycled materials and is available in various different colours. Teva Men’s Gateway Mid £100 A water-resistant hiking boot made for the modern trail, the Gateway Mid is versatile enough for day hikes, overnighters and road trips alike. Craghoppers Miska VI Recycled Ladies Microfleece £35 ...