Gnara zip trousers £137
Women are historically often poorly served with outdoor gear, but there are a growing number of brands taking aim at this issue. The Gnara Go There pants are properly-made hiking trousers, with a DWR coating and harness compatible fit, but they have a second rear zip to make al fresco loo stops less exposing and easier. Dubbed the GoFly zipper, it “allows you to unzip and pee comfortably and safely without removing clothing” according to the company.
Pole Sonni Bike £4,775
Finnish mountain bike brand Pole refuses to make bikes out of carbon because it’s tricky to recycle. By contrast, this Sonni enduro e-Bike frame is designed to be fully recycled at the end of its lifespan. That sustainable angle continues into the electrophoretic clearcoat, a chemical-free alternative to traditional anodising. It’s manufactured in Finland too, and boasts a five year transferable warranty and extras like a CNC-machined drive unit protector.
Oru Camp Pop Lounge £151
From the company which bought you the fully-functional origami canoe comes the Oru Camp range of camp furniture. Our favourite is the Pop Lounge, a chair that flat-packs for portability, weighs a mere 3.2kgs and contains storage in the seat unit to boot. The design features “living hinges,” rated for 20,000 folds, and will support persons up to 136 kgs, according to the company. It only takes a few seconds to unfold and assemble too.
Vollebak Firefly Jacket £695
Few jackets are as ludicrously innovative as the Vollebak Firefly, a 5-layer shell jacket that incorporates both fluorescent and phosphorescent membranes. The result is a chameleon-like garment that shifts colours in different lights. Under that show-stopping visual trickery it’s also just a perfectly sensible wind-and-waterproof shell, with velcro cuffs, side pockets and a decent hood. Guaranteed to attract attention absolutely anywhere, from the hill to a rave.
VesperGuard £59
Biting insects are a pain in the proverbial, and in some cases (the dreaded Scottish midge) can make otherwise amazing outdoor experiences into something of a trial. Step forward the VesperGuard, a battery-powered mozzie and midge repeller that will clear a 30ft area of the pests, allowing you to BBQ, camp or simply relax in peace. Powered by a 13,500mAh rechargeable battery, it’ll run for 16 hours—plenty of time for even the booziest picnic.
Waschii £79
Anyone who’s done a longer travelling trip will immediately see the value in the Waschii, a folding, hand-operated washing machine. Clothes can be placed into the TPU bag, detergent added, then easily sloshed around before being dried as usual. Weighing a mere 149 grams and folding down to 12cm, it’s perfect for backpackers and bikepackers heading off the beaten track, as well as parsimonious travellers who mistrust the hotel laundry.
