The best summer hiking gear

Fergus Scholes

Roula Khalaf, Editor of the FT, selects her favourite stories in this weekly newsletter.

Priced: £264

Click: lasportiva.com

These mid-cut boots offer great protection – even on multi-day hikes – but are lightweight and breathable. A Vibram sole and pronounced lugs help to tackle muddy and rocky terrains, and the boots are fully waterproof. They’re made from an anti-abrasion material to resist wear and tear.

Priced: £31

Click: darntough.uk

Summer socks need to be moisture-wicking and comfortable. These ones are 66 per cent merino wool (the remainder being stretchy and durable nylon and Lycra) for some welcome cushioning. They also have a lifetime guarantee.

Priced: £13.49

Click: physique.co.uk

A backpack essential for long hikes, this zinc oxide tape can protect blisters or be used as strapping for muscular support.

Priced: £49.95

Click: amazon.co.uk

This versatile USB-rechargeable torch has a powerful 650-lumen brightness (with up to 72 hours’ battery life), but is just 6cm long and weighs only 17g. It also comes with a magnet and clip for fixing almost anywhere.

Priced: £180

Click: osprey.com

Weighing just over a kilo, this hiking pack is lightweight but high-specification: from the injection-moulded frame with foam for support and the torso adjustment feature for comfort to the close fit with great ventilation. It can also be chosen in a women’s-specific version.

Priced: £125

Click: merrell.com

These new-generation hiking shoes provide trainer-like agility and comfort with added support and protection for use on technical trails. A great lightweight companion for speedier hikes.

Priced: £26.50

Click: expeduk.com

A fit-for-purpose but affordable camping mat that is lightweight and durable – and can also be used as comfortable seating mid-hike. It comes in three sizes.

Priced: £50

Click: columbiasportswear.co.uk

Ideal for summer hikes on hot days, this synthetic T-shirt is lightweight and moisture-wicking.

Priced: £54

Click: trekitt.co.uk

When hiking in remote areas, a compact water filter (complete with a 1l reservoir) is an essential. This one is just 100g, easily stowed in a backpack for emergency use, and removes 99.99 per cent of bacteria and protozoa from backcountry water.

Priced: £345

Click: shackleton.com

For cooler mornings or evenings, this relaxed fitting, packable jacket is invaluable. With 800-fill power, using responsibly sourced goose down, it has a high warmth-to-weight ratio, and the outer shell is a 100 per cent recycled ripstop fabric. A cosy microfleece lining in both the neck and external hand pockets add a luxurious touch.

Priced: £75

Click: rab.equipment

These lightweight shorts are fast-drying and stretchy, have multiple zip pockets and, as they’re nylon, are durable.

Priced: £45

Click: arcteryx.com

This cap is really comfortable, fits well, and has a soft, wide peak (so won’t lose its shape when stuffed into a backpack).

Priced: £84.99

Click: smartwool.co.uk

A merino fabric – with just 12 per cent nylon for durability – makes this base layer a good year-round essential. It’s highly breathable and helps manage moisture, as well as offering warmth and odour resistance.

Priced: £180

Click: trekitt.co.uk

With an extended grip system and rubberised head for extra control, these all-carbon poles are lightweight (243g per pole), stiff and fold down into five pieces to a length of just 40cm.

Priced: £150

Click: thrudark.com

This soft shell is very versatile: windproof, showerproof, warm and comfortable. It fits nicely, is snug around the neck with a compact hood design, and the fabric (which incorporates graphene for durability) is light, stretchy, packable and helps regulate the body temperature when worn.

Priced: £11

Click: seatosummit.co.uk

Keep the contents of your backpack secure in these recycled water-resistant nylon bags, which have a tear-proof drawcord closure. There are six sizes from 3l to 30l.

Priced: £210

Click: montane.com

A hiking waterproof shell to stash in a backpack, should conditions take a turn. It’s highly water-resistant (28,000mm H/H) and breathable, lightweight (365g) and is made in 75D Gore-Tex fabric.

Priced: £89.99

Click: solostove.com

This sturdy and compact stainless steel camp stove (measuring 20cm tall and 13cm wide and weighing 470g) burns twigs very efficiently and can handle anything from cooking to toasting marshmallows.

Priced: £195

Click: fjallraven.com

Wear for summer hikes. They have an elasticated waistband and are made from stretchy double-woven recycled polyamide fabric for unrestricted movement and durability.

Priced: from £599.99

Click: garmin.com

One of the best outdoor watches I have tested. It has a robust case, huge battery life, integrated mapping to assist with navigation on new footpaths, a very handy built-in LED flashlight, and all the fitness and wellness features you’d expect from a top end sports watch.

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