The autumn and winter months demand warm, durable and usually highly technical outdoor clothing if you're planning to maintain your hiking regime but what about apres hike? Unless you want to look like Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde on and off the hill you'll need to fill your wardrobe with dependable, warm and most of all, stylish clothes from the outdoor brands you've grown to love.
Luckily we've done the hard work for you and picked out some of the most versatile and stylish items this winter.
Berghaus Explorer Fall Shirt | £60
With a classic check pattern, the Explorer Fall shirt is a timeless mountain chic piece. The heavyweight fabric is toasty warm and is treated with Argentium technology which keeps it smelling fresh for much longer than it should! The casual but not overly baggy cut sits well on most body shapes and, along with the colours and styling makes the Explorer Fall shirt a great looking piece of clothing. A UPF 50+ rating protects you for year-round use whether up on the mountain or sipping beers on the terrace.
Arc'teryx Kyanite Hoody | £140
The Kyanite Hoody is a great looking top that is technical enough to be worn for demanding outdoor pursuits. The Polartec Powerstretch material has four way stretch, and as usual Arc'teryx have built in articulated patterning and gusseted underarms. This makes the Kyanite feel absolutely lovely to wear, whether tramping up a hill or hanging out at the bar. The slightly shiny nylon face material gives abrasion resistance but doesn't look too garish when out amongst the general public, rather than with your grizzly mountain friends. Pull up the low-profile hood for an extra dose of warmth and use the full length 'no'slip' zip to regulate body temperature. The black, nighthawk, and triton colour options transform this hoody from a pure mountain garment into a versatile top that can be worn anywhere.
BAM bamboo shirt | £55
Treading the line perfectly between smart and casual the BAM Jersey Shirt is your ideal travel companion. The super soft bamboo and organic cotton mix is sumptuous next to the skin and the cut and detailing is eminently stylish with a curved hem and patch pocket. The fabric has a light stretch which adds to the comfort factor and the material is naturally breathable and thermo-regulating.
The 200gsm material is warm enough for autumn and winter use when worn with a decent tee underneath and the UV protective material and long sleeves will keep sunburn at bay in hotter climates.
The natural antibacterial properties of bamboo mean the shirt won't get too pongy too quickly, which makes this a fantastic option for multiple days of wearing.
Overall an excellent value, versatile shirt for year-round use.
Vaude Almvik Pullover | £85
The Almvik Pullover is a classic half zip hoody made from soft jersey material. The material is fairly lightweight making this a versatile layering piece which is easy to chuck in a bag for extra warmth when you need it.
The hood is big, with a high collar area that acts almost like a scarf, it's great for weather protection but also looks pretty good too. The zip enables you to dump excess heat quickly and easily. Coming in a two-tone colour combination with an option of two colourways, as well as both a men's and women's fits, the Almvik is perfect for pounding the pavements on a cold autumn or winters day.
Fjallraven Greenland Jeans | £120
A classic 5 pocket jean with a nod to the great outdoors. The Greenland trousers are made from robust G1000 heavy duty, a material that's tried, tested and loved by the Active Traveller team.
Sporting a front map pocket emblazoned with the Fjallraven logo, these are great functional everyday trousers for the aspiring outdoorsman. The fit treads the line between fashion and function, with a slim, straight leg and although these aren't out-and-out hiking trousers, the pre-shaped knees give you enough articulation to move around freely. The triple stitching on the rear adds a touch more durability to an already bombproof trouser. Overall, these are 'tough as old boots', they'll likely last beyond the life of a pair of Levi 501's and they look better too.
Berghaus Tulach 2.0 Fleece | £75
Great value, super stylish and quintessentially British 'mountain man', the Tulach 2.0 Fleece is the perfect top for chilly autumn and winter days.
This fleece is easily capable enough for a day spent rambling in the hills, but the great looks also lends the Tulach 2.0 well to nights spent sitting in front of a log fire at your local watering hole.
The half zip and high collar lets you tweak your look and, of course your body temperature and the smooth panel on the chest pocket with embossed Berghaus logo adds to the overall appeal. The zipped chest pocket is far from cavernous but can hold a key or credit card.
Overall, this is a stylish, comfortable and versatile fleece, what more could we ask for?
Fjallraven Singi Flannel shirt | £80
This functional flannel shirt has a touch of wool to add to the thermo-regulating and pong dispelling properties, other than that it's a classic, timeless flannel shirt with a comfortable fit that looks good wherever you go. The material is lightweight so requires layering underneath in cooler weather, a heavy weight version is available if that's your preference. There are three colourways on offer, all of which have a flannel shirt pattern using natural, earthy tones.
As is common with other Fjallraven clothing, the fit is loose and comfortable without being too baggy.
If classic good looks are your thing then check out the Singi Flannel Shirt.
Hanwag Makra Urban | £125
Despite the name the Makra Urban epitomises mountain chic, with technical detailing and build quality in an easy going, comfortable, and great looking shoe. Hanwag comfort levels are legendary among the Active Traveller team and the same can be said for the Makra, which feels more slipper like than shoe. Pounding the pavements in these shoes is a joy, in part thanks to the low weight of 780g per pair, which is comparable to a trainer. The breathable bio-ceramic lining is a pleasure to slip your feet into. The sole foregoes deep, well-spaced lugs in favour of a low-profile Lava Ultragrip' sticky unit which is perfect for wet greasy pavements and other smooth, slippery surfaces. The Makra Urbans are also happy on well-maintained lowland trails as well as the streets of your favourite ski resort.
