Find the perfect gift for the trekker or mountaineer in your life with the Trek & Mountain Festive Gift Guide…
MONTANE HI-Q LUXE JACKET £170
Montane’s brand new Hi-Q Luxe Jacket delivers lightweight, highly compressible micro baffle mountain insulation to handle winter’s toughest challenges. It uses new, innovative PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Luxen which blends millions of water repellent PrimaLoft ultra- fine fibres together to create a luxuriously silky fillwith the warmth, compressibility and lightweight loft of down, but with the superior wet weather performance of synthetic insulation. A light, 100% windproof Pertex Quantum Rip-stop outer fabric with a superior DWR and engineered tailoring delivers the ideal combination for a range of multi-sport adventures, keeping youdrier and warmer for longer.
More info: www.montane.co.uk
BRIDGEDALE TREKKER SOCKS £15.99
Bridgedale’s best-selling sock, the Trekker, features the company’s unique WoolFusion Technology which brings together Enduro Wool and technical fibres to provide balanced insulation, fast wicking moisture control and durability. Celebrating its 21st birthday next year, the British-made Trekker has taken thousands of outdoor enthusiasts on comfortable walking journeys over the years. It makes the perfect Christmas gift for outdoor enthusiasts who love nothing more than trekking in the mountains and hillwalking. Its clever construction ensures dry, warm and comfortable walking, mile after mile. Trekker comes in men’s and women’s sizes and colours.
More info: www.bridgedale.com
AQUAPAC TRAILPROOF WAIST PACK £35
New from waterproof bag specialist Aquapac is the Trailproof Waist Pack – the perfect gift for outdoor enthusiasts. The Waist Pack is ideal for keeping valuables such as phones, wallets, keys and medicines safe and secure around your waist so you can have fun exploring the outdoors, worry-free. Pop in your items and roll down the seal to close. Velcro then holds it in place and buckles ensure it is securely fastened. For quick and easy access, the external pocket – which is sealed with a waterproof zip – is ideal for keeping your phone in and the all-welded construction means no sewing holes, so no leaks. Super-soft mesh padding against the skin ensures all-day comfort and sweat management and there are two vibrant colours available – green and blue.
More info: www.aquapac.net
MOUNTAIN HARDWEAR FAIRING JACKET £100
Keep the weather out this winter with Mountain Hardwear’s Fairing jacket, a super smooth softshell jacket with windproof AirShield that keeps the chill off. Super comfy to wear, it has a soft tricot liner that’ll keep you lovely and warm on chilly days. Whether it’s a day on the hill or just around town, this is a great Christmas gift for the do-it-all adventurer! Available from Blacks, Cotswold Outdoor and Countryside Ski and Climb.
More info: www.mountainhardwear.com
POWERTRAVELLER SOLARMONKEY ADVENTURER £85
Incorporating a 3500mAh internal lithium battery, the Solarmonkey Adventurer is a tough, compact solar charger compatible with a whole host of 5V devices. It can charge an iPhone/smartphone 1-2 times, a GPS 1-3 times or an iPad by up to 25%. It is also compatible with headlamps, hand-held action cameras and much more. The slim, compact design offers optimum weight-to-efficiency at just 265g. The kit includes a bespoke travel case and a karabiner so that the Solarmonkey Adventurer is well protected and can be firmly secured to a backpack. Get a FREE universal AC mains charger worth £10 when you purchase a Solar Monkey Adventurer by using the code UTC15 at the checkout.
More info: www.powertraveller.com
AKU FEDA GTX £179.95
As well as making top quality hiking boots, AKU also have a mountain-inspired range of great-looking shoes and boots for use on trails, wearing around town or when travelling, including the Feda GTX. Made from suede and full-grained leather from Italian tanneries, these stylish boots feature a Gore-Tex lining to ensure your feet stay dry, and a Vibram Ecostep sole unit to give you a sure step. AKU use a recycled die-cut EVA midsole for comfort and reduced environmental impact, and the stitching joining the upper to the sole unit is done entirely by hand. The Feda GTX is made by AKU entirely in Europe.
More info: www.aku.it/en
INOVA STS HEADTORCH £29.95
We’ve all been a little longer on the hill than we thought we’d be, and one item that should always be with us is a head torch. The INOVA STS Headlamp is an absolute backpack essential, making brilliant hands- free illumination simple, versatile and comfortable. It features an innovative Swipe-To-Shine interface that allows for simple access to multiple modes, all with a swipe of your finger, as well as a high quality woven strap and waterproof construction. This lightweight, adjustable headlamp shines up to 142 lumens of brightness and casts a wide beam for your night-time hiking. If you’re looking for an enhanced comfort level with minimal fuss and weight, the Inova STS is the headtorch for you.
More info: www.niteize.co.uk
DEUTER GUIDE 45+ £135
The Deuter Guide pack is perfect for winter mountaineering and climbing. As used by the guides at Plas y Brenin, the Guide is not only well equipped but can stand a beating as well. Its slim shape and body-hugging fit provide complete carry control even over difficult ground, while the ergonomically-shaped, flexible Vari Flex hip belt allows freedom of movement. The Deuter Alpine back system ensures great comfort and fit at all times, while the pack’s side zip enables easy access to kit when you need it. The pack comes with numerous practical gear attachment options as well as a detachable rope lashing strap. The Guide 45+ is available in the standard version as well as a women’s specific SL fit and is a great choice for this winter.
More info: www.deutergb.co.uk
OS CUSTOM MADE MAPS £16.99
Add a personal touch this Christmas with an OS Custom Made Map. Centre your map anywhere in Britain, add a title and upload your own cover photo to create a unique map with the same quality as the rest of the OS range. Whether you are walking the Pennine Way, climbing Ben Nevis or exploring your local area, an OS map will help you get the most out of your trips and discover Britain’s amazing landscape. Ordnance Survey Custom Made maps are available as either an OS Landranger Map at 1:50,000 scale or OS Explorer Map at 1:25,000 scale, and are available folded for active use or flat for framing. Visit www.oscustommade.co.uk to use the simple map creator and you can have this unique gift with you in just a few days.
More info: www.oscustommade.co.uk
HYDRO FLASK £24
Here’s a great stocking filler for this Christmas – a 21oz insulated stainless steel Hydro Flask. Thanks to Tempshield insulation, Hydro Flask will keep temperatures constant for hours, so you can wave goodbye to lukewarm as it keeps hot drinks hot for six hours and cold for 24 hours. Hydro Flask is available in nine vibrant colours that span across its range of hydration and beer products, so there’s something for everyone. All colours are formulated using Hydro Flask’s proprietary powder coat for easy grip and extra durability. Also available are the 12oz, 18oz, 24oz, 32oz and 40oz flasks, as well as a 64oz Growler! Available accessories include an Insulated Sport Cap. Hydro Flask also make a Food Flask which comes in two different sizes – with a sleek new look and improved temperature control technology, you can now keep your favorite foods at their ideal temperature even longer than before.
More info: www.hydroflask.com
ICEBREAKER VERTEX LONG SLEEVE HALF-ZIP FAIRISLE £110
‘Tis the season to be wild with Icebreaker! Whether worn as a warm midlayer on chilly winter hikes or as a heavier weight baselayer on cold days of skiing, the Vertex is a versatile favourite. Made from warm, stretchy and incredibly soft midweight 260gm, 100% merino wool, the Vertex’s half-zip design lets you easily adjust to changing temperatures. The secure zippered arm pocket stashes your ski pass and other small items. Icebreaker merino is warm, breathable, comfortable and odour resistant. Matching leggings are also available, priced at £75.
More info: www.icebreaker.com
ASOLO FUGITIVE/STYNGER GTX £150
The Fugitive GTX for men and the Stynger GTX for women offer superb ankle support and comfort, making for incredibly versatile boots for first-time users and hill climbing veterans alike. The upper is constructed from water-resistant suede 1.6mm-1.8mm and a high tenacity nylon, while a Gore-Tex lining adds to the high performance capability and comfort of the footwear. The Fugitive and Stynger utilise Asolo’s patented ‘Duo Asoflex Technology’, where two elements are melded together. The first element is constructed of a stiff anti-torsion rib to help prevent pronation and supination while the softer layer offers shock absorption on tougher terrain.
More info: www.asolo.com
BLACK DIAMOND VECTOR HELMET £75
Combining lightweight protection, excellent ventilation, a striking design and ‘barely there’ comfort, the Vector represents the evolution of climbing helmet design. Ideal for long routes, alpine climbs and other weight-sensitive missions, the geometric, co-moulded EPS foam and polycarbonate shell provide full-coverage protection while remaining incredibly lightweight and comfortable. The ratcheting suspension tucks away for easy storage in your pack, and when the sun gets down before you do, the Vector’s in-mould headlamp clips provide an ultra-secure attachment. The Black Diamond Vector helmet comes in two different sizes and is available in four colours: Black, Blizzard, Orange, and Ultra Blue.
More info: www.blackdiamondequipment.com
MOUNTAIN EQUIPMENT RANDONEE GLOVE £59.99
The Randonee from Mountain Equipment is the modern glove of choice for everything from cold weather trekking to alpine climbing and ski touring. Its Schoeller Dryskin Extreme fabric is exceptionally breathable and helps keep meltwater and snow at bay. A Pittards Armortan leather palm provides durable protection and the fibre pile lining offers dependable warmth. The pre-curved finger design and 3-part thumb construction give improved dexterity and the Velcro cuff adjuster easily creates a snug fit to retain heat inside the glove. These gloves are a highly versatile option for cold weather excursions. Available from Ellis Brigham, Cotswold Outdoor and leading outdoor retailers.
More info: www.mountain-equipment.co.uk
HAGLOFS ESSENS MIMIC £160 (JACKET) £180 (HOOD)
The Essens Mimic is no ordinary micro baffle jacket, filled with a blown synthetic down insulation, designed to ‘mimic’ down’s properties, but still keeps you toasty warm when it gets wet. The fill is equivalent to 700-fillpower down, and it’s all made from 100% Bluesign-approved recycled Polyester. The Mimic offers the ease of care and water resistance you’d expect from synthetic fills, but with fantastic warmth-to- weight ratio like down and it’s pack-compatible and cut for easy movement. This is a perfect jacket for the British winter weather! The soft and durable Pertex microlight outer offers good weather resistance, while complementing a good layering system.
More info: www.haglofs.com
JÖTTNAR FENRIR DOWN JACKET £200
A hybrid, hooded, lightweight, 850 fill power hydrophobic micro down jacket for use as a mid or outer layer in cold and damp conditions. Featuring water-repellent down, this jacket by British company Jöttnar maintains loft and insulation up to 10 times longer in wet weather than conventional down. Potential wet-out zones at the cuffs, hem and collar are reinforced with synthetic insulation, meaning even less fear of moisture. A lightweight, robust rip-stop face fabric allows the down to achieve full loft and its Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish resists rain. Highly versatile, the Fenrir down jacket is at home in the vertical as it is in everyday use. The Fenrir down jacket is available in men’s and women’s versions.
More info: www.jottnar.com
NIKWAX DOWN WASH DIRECT £6.49-£13.99
Nikwax’s very latest aftercare innovation, Down Wash Direct, is the award-winning safe and easy way to clean all your down clothing and sleeping bags! Simply add to your washing machine at home to effectively remove dirt and contaminants. Down Wash Direct revitalises insulation and restores the water repellency of hydrophobic down gear, plus improves the water resistance of regular (untreated) down. It also maintains the water repellency of the down item’s outer fabric to keep you warm and dry in any weather! Down Wash Direct comes in two sizes, with a 300ml bottle costing £6.49, and the 1L bottle priced at £13.99.
More info: www.nikwax.com
STERIPEN FREEDOM UV WATER PURIFIER £95.95
When you’re embarking on a journey, whether it be a trek or travelling abroad, you don’t want to be worrying about water quality or be weighed down with heavy bottles. That’s why the SteriPEN Freedom is the ideal gift for explorers and adventurers, providing peace of mind and an easy way to purify water, wherever your travels may take you. Compact and lightweight, the Freedom is the world’s smallest UV water purifier which makes water safe to drink in as little as 48 seconds. Do more and carry less with SteriPEN Freedom. Freedom treats 40 half litres of water on one charge and with 8000 treatments, you’ll feel secure on your trips for years to come.
More info: www.whitbyandco.co.uk/steripen
SHERPA RIMJHIM £25
A great way of showing support for the Nepalese people this Christmas as they continue to rebuild their country is to buy these beautiful handmade Sherpa Adventure Gear hand knit accessories. Rimjhim means ‘colourful’ in Nepalese, and these hats and wristwarmers are certainly that! Your Rimjhim is a unique piece of wearable art like no other. Made from the remaining yarn after knitting our other hats, the hills and valleys created by the stitch remind us of our high mountain roots. The riotous medley of colour will uplift you on the gloomiest of days. Hand knitted in small women’s co-ops in the ancient city of Bhaktapu, just outside Kathmandu, this 100% lambswool hat is lined with Polarfleece adventuregear.co.ukfor comfort and itch-free warmth.
More info: www.sherpaadventuregear.co.uk
SALEWA NORTH-X AXES £150
Salewa North-X axes (available in adze and hammer versions) are designed to be versatile axes which master all activities related to technical mountaineering, without compromises; whether that’s approach, climbing in steep mixed or ice terrain, building an anchor, or crossing glaciers. A balanced weight distribution and a 20° offset shaft guarantee an optimal swing and allow for efficient belay mounting, while the leash, rated to 5kN, is perfect for self belays.
More info: www.salewa.co.uk
LOWE ALPINE ECLIPSE 35L £85
With winter on its way, it’s time to consider your gear selection carefully. The Eclipse 35L pack is built to perform in the harshest environments without compromising on weight and functionality. The TriShield fabric is light yet durable, and the Adaptive Fit Harness ensures a precise fit and the stability and comfort so crucial to the requirements of a multi-purpose end user. It has you covered for every season – from holding ice axes to walking poles, hydration bladders to vacuum flasks and climbing hardware to extra layers. It features a huge clamshell zip entry system that allows you to access everything in the pack quickly. The Eclipse is the definition of versatility and will carry you through the festive season and beyond!
More info: www.lowealpine.com
RAB GROUP SHELTER 2 £35
The Group Shelter 2 is designed as an emergency shelter for 1-2 people, to be used when the storm hits or for planned stops in bad weather. Made using a lightweight and windproof polyester fabric, support is provided by the users within. Features include waterproof seats, weather-resistant ventilation windows and recesses in the roof of the shelter to allow poles to be used as braces. The Group Shelter 2 comes in a safety orange colour and features reflective piping for high visibility. Weighing only 320g, the shelter uses its windows and vents for airflow and is supplied in a drawcord stuff sack.
More info: www.rab.equipment
BUFF MICROFIBER & POLAR HAT £22.75
This soft hat from Buff Headwear’s debut hat collection is perfect for low-to-medium intensity outdoor sports – trekking, hiking, bouldering, climbing, or skiing – and is their best seller for a reason. The hat has two layers – one of microfiber and the outside using Polartec fleece – creating an air cushion and maintaining head temperature. The Buff Microfiber & Polar hat has excellent breathability and humidity control as well as a Polygiene treatment within the microfiber to allow the fabric to remain cleaner for longer by avoiding bacteria growth and preventing odours.
More info: www.buffwear.co.uk or www.kitshack.com
SATMAP ACTIVE 12 £320-£400
The Ultimate Sports GPS, the multi awarding-winning Satmap Active 12 mapping GPS makes the ideal Christmas gift for the serious mountain trekker. Sporting a large hi-resolution screen, crystal-clear mapping, elevation data, barometer and Bluetooth, the Active 12 is one of the most easy-to-use GPS devices on the market. It’s the choice for many of the UK’s Mountain Rescue teams, cyclists, hillwalkers and trekkers and is available with a wide range of detailed topographic mapping, such as Ordnance Survey 1:25k Explorer and international Satmap Adventure Maps. It’s built with a rugged design that’s weather-resistant and shockproof. Benefit from a 30% discount on most maps by entering the promo code TREK-30-OFF when you visit the website.
More info: www.satmap.com