How to stay dry, cool and comfortable on warm-weather hikes
Men’s Hiker Sock ¼ Cushion Darn Tough, £19, trekitt.co.uk
Wise hikers take their socks seriously. With a low cut ideal for summer walking, in shoes rather than boots, these close-fitting and wellcushioned socks are supremely comfortable even after miles on hard, hot trails. The 61% merino wool naturally keeps feet feeling dry and odours at a minimum.
Men’s OutDry Extreme Mesh Waterproof Shell Jacket, Columbia, £225, columbiasportswear.co.uk
This technically excellent jacket is extremely light (225g), highly waterproof and pleasantly breathable. Unlike the vast majority of waterproof jackets, you’ll never need to re-proof it. The hood is much improved from similar Columbia jackets in recent years.
Without a ‘face fabric’, the jacket has a slightly shiny, plastic appearance that may divide opinion, but from a functional point of view, this is a great jacket for summer hiking and backpacking.
Dart T-Shirt Montane, £28, montane.com
A close-fitting T-shirt made from a soft and stretchy polyester fabric treated with Polygiene to keep it smelling fresh, even after repeated wearing, the Dart is great for hiking holidays. It feels dry to the touch even when damp with perspiration. On hot days, some might find it a smidge too warm.
Trail 2650 Campo GTX walking shoe Danner, £190, global.danner.com
These handsome shoes are super-light and super-comfortable yet feel sturdy. The hardwearing outsole performs exceptionally well on wet and slippery surfaces. The Gore-Tex Invisible Fit membrane is waterproof but breathable and the leather and textile upper has a high-quality finish. My only gripe was the tight access – it’s a real wriggle to get them on.
Jura Mountain Smock Alpkit, £134.99, alpkit.com
On chilly summer days and nights this windproof, insulated layer will keep you warm and comfortable. Based on the classic, pull-over smocks traditionally worn by mountaineers, it can be worn over a base layer. The fitted shape is flattering, a breathable fleece lining keeps you cosy, while the hardwearing outer repels light rain. Long side zips allow for adjustable ventilation, and there’s a central ‘kangaroo’ pocket in which to tuck chilly hands. The detachable hood is cosy and fleece-lined, too.
Pac Plus XT Waterproof Pants Montane, £160, montane.com
Keep your legs dry with these lightweight over-trousers, made from Gore-Tex’s new and highly breathable Paclite Plus fabric. Thigh-high zip vents keep you cool and when worn over shorts, the fabric feels comfortable against your skin. A tough and durable fabric protects the ankles from scuffing.
32oz Wide Mouth Bottle, Hydro Flask, £41.95, hydroflask.com
An insulated 946ml bottle that keeps drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12 hours. Made of stainless steel, it’s tough and dishwasher-safe. Available in 14 colours.
For more reviews of outdoor gear, go to countryfile.com/country-kit
Walking jeans
Acai Outdoor Slim Fit Jeans, £110, acaioutdoorwear.com
Walking clothes that are also stylish can be hard to find, but when I wore the Acai Outdoor Slim Fit Jeans into the office my colleagues agreed that they really do look like normal, fashionable jeans.
Acai, a British brand “created by women for women”, has a wide range of walking clothing that is both practical and stylish. These slim-fit jeans had a lovely close but comfortable fit around the waist while not being too tight on the legs.
These are not made with classic denim but from a thin, breathable and lightweight material. Designed with ISKO’s Blue Skin technology, the fabric is just under 70% cotton combined with 22% polyester; the rest is Elastane, to allow for maximum movement.
The fabric also has a water-resistant coating which copes well with light showers. Heavier rain will soak in, but the fabric dries faster than normal jeans, drawing moisture away from the skin – although not as fast as the fabrics used in most specialist hiking trousers.
I often worry about stretchy jeans going baggy at the knees, too – but these have kept their shape after several wears, with lots of walking, crouching down and sitting.
These jeans are so versatile they will take you from the office to hiking in the outdoors to an evening meal at the pub afterwards.