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?

Craghoppers kiwi pro stretch are my go to trousers, for boots I find scarpa hard to beat. I don't tend to spend much on micro fleeces etc, I just buy them on offer from trespass/mountain warehouse. Strangely, my best waterproof coat has been a regatta one 😬

Paramo all the way. Very definitely worth the money.
My boots are Scarpa. Ditto.

I can't recommend Kari Traa enough for merino wool base layers 😍😍. It's minus 18 here today and their stuff is perfect. I use timberland wool lined walking boots, also awesome and very very comfortable. Bergans of Norway for outer layer trousers and jacket.

@AnotherDelphinium I have acai skinny trousers and thermal leggings. I'm in between a 10 and 12, and needed a 12. I love the leggings but they are an effort to get into!

Best Walking Boots I have found (since Meindl started coming up smaller and narrower on me) are Altberg www.altberg.co.uk/.
I like Merrells for other casual outdoor shoes.
Recently got a lovely warm water-proof coat with fleece, which zips inside, from Peter Storm.

Paramo. Dry, warm, cool. Will repair for low cost (say after a bum sledge down mixed terrain in the leggings )) . Lasts forever and money off if you trade in old for new if you lose weight

Alt berg. So many different lasts to fit all sort of feet. Factory store in Richmond will sell different sizes for each foot , as well as stretching , can be resold twice

To be honest I reckon that, apart from waterproof or technical jackets, most outdoor gear is pretty much of a muchness, especially fleeces and merino wool base layers. I've done a lot of miles in clothes from all different brands, much of which I've bought second hand on eBay and it's all done well. It's just down to personal preference. Best buys have been Paramo jacket (very expensive but has lasted well), Keela Munro jacket (it really does keep the bad weather out!), Peter Storm trousers (fairly cheap yet have worn brilliantly, I'm very impressed with them) and Keen Targhee shoes (I've had a couple of pairs, and could wear them for miles straight out the box with no blisters).

If you only go out a couple of times a year, Blacks, Milelets ountain warehouse own brand. If your more keen, low Apline, Rab,, North face, Beurghouse. I remeber camping in the spring I and 1 other had a cheap sleeping bag from Argos when other had expensive brands. In the Morning it turned out our Argos bags had kept us warm when others haden,t so names def not everthing. I have a Karmore rucksack had for about 20 years and still going strong. Not the cheapest but it has an adjustable back that some brands don,t have.

I love osprey rucksacks. Running vests make good day packs though.
Running leggings from decathlon. They do some fab thermal ones.
Most of the year I hike in trail shoes, but at this time of year my meindl boots do the job. Uniqlo for base layers.
Loads of people seem to like injii socks but I like bridgedale.

Placemarking for when I'm allowed to leave London again.

I like to jog.... haven't for some time though but recently got some new gear from decathlong. Really good quality really good price. The new thing I think is shorts with tights underneath so I ordered and they look great. Just waiting for my trainers to arrive and I'm ready to jog again.

I am on the lookout for some short gaiters that fit over both boots and skinny ankles. I'm a bit fed up of fishing stuff out of my boots.
I also need some new gloves preferably touch screen, after losing one this week.

@OhYouBadBadKitten try decathlon for gloves. If you've got a tape measure they have sizing info on the website to make sure they actually fit.

I have children's ski gloves from Decathlon as I have small hands - no VAT on them.

Would spats work instead of gaiters @OhYouBadBadKitten?
www.spatsleisuregear.com/

Yes!! spats! thank you. They look just the ticket.
Thanks for the heads up on decathlon for gloves. Good idea.

At last, a style thread I can contribute to!
To add another brand, I do like Rohan, especially their trousers, as they do a good petite and technical range. They often have worthwhile sales and codes knocking about so check first.

You're all a bad influence, and it's not at all my fault for looking.

I've got approx 14yo Craghopper fleece lined trousers. Last few weeks they've either been on me, on the airer or in the washing machine but they are too long and really they are baggier than I'd like. Can anyone recommend similarly robust and warm but leggings style rather than big and baggy? I'm 5'1 so short leg length is a strong selling point!

You sound like me OP, I live in a national park and regularly roam the hills. Casual half day strolls are scarpa/salomon/meindl, Smartwool socks, leggings (any brand), uniqlo thermal top (raved about on style and beauty) and a Buffalo (they advise wearing very little underneath). Longer days call for Rab/Mountain Equipment. Recently swapped my Osprey rucksack for Berghaus which I find heavier but more hard wearing. Also a Platypus bladder.
One thing I have learned from living in a few countries over the years is that brands tend to design kit based on their climate. Uk brands, designed for our maritime climate, tend to go the distance.
Tiso offer a good range in store and online, also AlpineTrek (online only).

I like Lowe Alpine rucksacks- they are lifted away from your back, so you have air flow and don’t get sweaty.

@LlamaofDrama

You're all a bad influence, and it's not at all my fault for looking.

I've got approx 14yo Craghopper fleece lined trousers. Last few weeks they've either been on me, on the airer or in the washing machine but they are too long and really they are baggier than I'd like. Can anyone recommend similarly robust and warm but leggings style rather than big and baggy? I'm 5'1 so short leg length is a strong selling point!

Açai! They do thermal lined leggings style.

I spent a small fortune on Icebreaker stuff the other day. Can’t wait for it to arrive!