Essentials For An Outdoor Adventure

As hard as we try to stay active in the winter months, the weather, especially for us Brits, is truly stacked against us. The dark mornings and short days. The cold and inhospitable weather and the general gloom that permeates the daylight hours can really sap your proactive nature. As Seasonal Affective Disorder sets in, the urge to stay in bed as late as possible and spend evenings huddled up on the sofa can be difficult to quell. However, with the right gear, you can experience an outdoor adventure all year round!

Whatever your favoured outdoor pursuit, it’s vitally important that you pursue it with the right kit. Thus, we’ve compiled a list of awesome gear and gadgets that will be beneficial to any active outdoor adventurer. Whether you’re a seasoned outdoorsman or a wet behind the ears type. Whether you’re on a budget or looking for a gift, we’ll try to include something for everyone.

Camping

It might be that you don’t intend to go camping at all. Perhaps you’re more of a hotel or B&B person?

However, if you do intend on camping, do check the tent for holes before you leave. There’s nothing worse than sleeping in a tent while it’s raining and having cold drips hitting you all night long. It’s enough to drive you crazy! Plus it will also mean your clothes are wet for the next day so you won’t be able to enjoy your adventure as much. 

You should also ensure you check your tent still has all it’s hooks and pegs and other little accessories. You can sometimes pick spares up along the way (depending on where you go), but you shouldn’t count on this being a possibility. If you can, be extra prepared and take a few spares. Then, there is obviously things like your sleeping bag, a torch or lamp of some kind. Firelighters, gas and utensils for cooking and eating. 

The Right Clothing

Probably the most important thing on the list is to make sure you have the correct clothing. For example, you’re going for a walk in the UK you probably won’t want snow gear. However, especially at this time of year, you’ll want to make sure you have a good jacket, gloves, hat…etc. For your jacket especially, i would highly recommend you spend a bit extra and invest in a good quality jacket. I got mine (below) from Blacks. It’s a super insulated, lightweight, water resistant jacket. It’s perfect for wintery walks here in the UK, plus, it’s currently in their sale!

A Watch

In the urban jungle, a watch is a fashion accessory. However, your watch takes on a whole new level of importance while on an rural adventure. A rugged timepiece is essential on these types of adventures.

There are so many different types of watches to use, making it hard to know which would be right for you. Below are a list of things you should look for when considering this type of watch…

• Shock resistant
• Water and pressure resistant
• Luminescent digits (for adventuring at night or in dark conditions such as caves)
• Scratch resistant
• Accuracy
• Anti reflective coating

First Aid Kit

Nobody expects to encounter injury on their adventures, but every adventurer must be prepared for it. While different activities bring with them their own risks, a good all round first aid kit is a great investment. If you’re going camping, hiking or into an area where access to medical supplies may be limited, you’d be well served to pack as comprehensive a first aid kit as possible.

To cover all bases, a basic first aid kit should contain the following…

• Plasters
• Butterfly bandages
• Gauze pads / roll
• Antiseptic cream / ointment
• Sterile wipes or saline solution
• Painkillers
• Anti-inflammatories for sprains
• Cream for bites and stings
• Tweezers, scissors, safety pins
• Sunblock
• Anti-diarrhoea medication
• An antihistamine for allergic reactions
• Antibiotic ointment
• Hand sanitiser
• Emergency blanket
• Any medications you may require
• Superglue – as gross as it sounds this can be used to quickly patch up larger cuts until you can get them properly seen to

The Right Footwear

Finally, whatever activities you’ll be partaking of on your outdoor adventure, it’s imperative that you do so in the right shoes. All too many of us have a pair of trainers that we wear for pretty much any situation. From a stroll in the park to a mountainside hike.

However, without the right shoes you can, at best, find your feet in great discomfort and at worst, do yourself a serious injury. Whether you’re hiking, camping, cycling or running a marathon the right shoes can make the difference between excellence and injury. Walking boots are made to help protect your feet and ankles so should be worn, especially when going for long walks/hikes on uneven ground.

A Rucksack

Then of course, you’ll also need a really high quality rucksack to take all your bits with you on your epic adventure. You don’t want to take something way bigger than you need to, but it has to be comfortable. If you can, try to get one that has a fastening around the front as well.

You’ll find this takes a bit more of the weight off your back and it won’t move around as much. Plus, another thing to look out for is to ensure it has padding on the back and on the straps. I actually have two. One 20 L rucksack, and this Berghaus 30 L rucksack which is perfect for going on day walks and adventures. However, if you’re going for longer, you’ll need something bigger. I love that this one has side pockets which is perfect for keeping snacks in for easy access. Oh and if you’re quick, you’ll be able to get this in the Blacks sale too!

What would you take with you on an outdoor adventure?