Walkers/hikers/outdoor types

[lastqueenofscotland]

I love hiking and have for years but haven’t replaced any of my gear since I was in my late teens and I’m finally having to concede it’s pretty knackered.
Going to treat myself to some good stuff and happy to invest if I’m going to get over a decade out of it like I did my last stuff. All my old gear is berghaus, is their quality still as good?
Any other brands worth looking into?

To add I don’t to much “technical” blen cathra or crib goch on a dry, clear day is the absolute limit of my technical ability! So don’t need to worry about crampons and things like that, but do often do big distances over many days so comfort and durability is very important.

Most of mine is Rab, Jack Wolfskin and Lowe Alpine. I find a lot of hiking kit to be weirdly shaped i.e. I've got a large-ish bust but just going up a size makes the item uncomfortable. I find those brands have the best fit for if you've got a bum/chest!

I have Berghaus, I really like them. Fleeces, waterproof jacket, padded jacket.

I bought Acai walking trousers but not sure how long they will last. I found thick leggings the best thing for hiking in, with waterproof trousers in my bag. Or running leggings in the summer.

I don't do 'technical' either btw! Boots are Keen/Merrell.
If I was ever in the market for a new coat, I'd look at Paramo. I live in the Lakes and all the hardcore walking oldsters have Paramo coats.

Bobbins I have literally no boobs or bum. I could potentially look at smaller men’s gear with my build!

Thank you for the paramo suggestion! I suspect I could be in for a pricy afternoon :)

I like Trespas t shirts and vests too for summer.

I just bought some craghopper warm walking leggings and they are fabulous.

I have a mix of brands, I find that some decathlon is good, cotswold outdoors is better than go outdoors for customer service and that price isn't always an indicator of quality.

@FurForksSake

I just bought some craghopper warm walking leggings and they are fabulous.

I have a mix of brands, I find that some decathlon is good, cotswold outdoors is better than go outdoors for customer service and that price isn't always an indicator of quality.

Agreed - I watched one of my siblings drop £300 on a coat which disintegrated surprisingly quickly, yet DH has got a manky old Trespass jacket that is still going...! Trouser-wise it's about being comfy and not retaining water if it rains. I usually wear running/gym leggings if it's not icy cold.

You don't need to buy brands and spend a lot - Decathlon has an excellent technical clothing range. I've got their padded waterproof jacket and it's brilliant. Base layers and fleeces from Aldi! I'm in muddy Derbyshire but get out and about as much as I can - at this time of year a pair of M&S waterproof snow boots are some of the best footwear I've ever had.

I'm mainly a Rab girl, but really like Patagonia (pricey though) and Alpkit - smallish company based in the Peaks, very ethical, and well thought out kit. Not too expensive compared to other brands of the same quality.

Yes, my best base layers are from Decathlon!

@SweatyBetty20 just looking at Alpkit - never seen this brand before; it looks great and their cycling stuff tempts me a lot!

Would also endorse pp's comments about Cotswold Outdoor customer service. It's really good, they discount a lot of kit (last year's lines etc) and they give discounts to every man and his dog on full priced kit - e.g. I've got one for 15% with the British Mountaineering Council, but Cycling UK have one too, as do blue lights, teachers, scouts groups etc etc etc, so worth looking into.

I have a hotchpotch! My jacket is mountain warehouse, highly recommend, it's their max waterproof one and never has leaked even in the Peak District in torrential rain, my trousers are north face and 20 years old, never leaked, I have winter walking trousers from Aldi (put waterproofs over as only resistant), my boots were expensive though, £150 but are crampon compatible, Salomon brand, I needed full ankle support too. Socks I got from a factory in Leicester unbranded!

Don't overthink it.

@BobbinThreadbare123 - friend's husband works for them, (unfortunately I don't get free stuff!) and another friend who is a mountain leader/outdoor instructor swears by their kit. I've just bought two sleeping bags for me and OH for wild camping for around £250 each and the Rab equivalent would have been about £400.

I think the founders used to work for other companies and wanted to set up and do things ethically - they do things like kit repair and the Alpkit Big Shakedown which is a festival thing that benefits the foundation they set up.

Can't go wrong with alpkit tbh

I’m the same OP, I’ve been out this morning in my 20yo goretex berghaus coat. I have gradually been replacing things over the last year or so.

I got new Acai leggings for Christmas and they are very cosy, and I recently swapped from big heavy leather Scarpa boots to Salomon goretex boot which have been an absolute game changer - so light in comparison!

I really need a new coat but as a more curvy shape, I’ve not managed to find a new coat that fits well. My current one is huge on me but the same size in a Berghaus today doesn’t even zip up!

@SweatyBetty20 it certainly looks like Mountain Equipment-type stuff with a different logo and a much better price!
Oh for Covid to end so it's possible to go to Ambleside/Keswick again!

Arcteryx is also great

Oh dear, I think I’m about to spend all my Christmas money at Alpkit!

I love the look of arcteryx but it’s a) expensive b) weirdly popular with the drug dealers in my area

Thank you for all the suggestions, my DP is big into outdoors stuff but is such a brand slut and won’t leave tarmac unless head to toe in montane! so good to get some other suggestions

@BobbinThreadbare123 oh I hear you! I'm in Mcr and trying to tick off my Wainwrights but it's too far for us to be allowed to travel - it's killing me! Trying to do the #walk1000miles this year instead as some kind of interim target.

@lastqueenofscotland I've got a mate like that - Haglöfs everything....I don't even think it's that good. Our local drug dealers wear North Face

I only started regular walking last year and often wear my M&S jeggings as it is very muddy round here and I find walking trousers just get soggy.
I need to replace my walking boots but have fairly narrow feet. Any suggestions welcome.