Gear to get active this April

Regatta X Giovanna Fletcher Collection

Outdoor clothing brand, Regatta, has teamed up with blogger, podcaster and presenter, Giovanna Fletcher, to create a collection of spring wardrobe staples.

Featuring a selection of waterproof rain jackets, hoodies and gilets, the eight-piece collection has a nautical theme with pops of colour that’ll see you stand out on coastal camping trips. One of our faves is this Birdie Waterproof Jacket (pictured above) with a powder-blue ticking stripe, which is made from recycled plastic bottles. It’s available in sizes 8-20 and currently priced at £69.95 (RRP £100) in the Regatta sale. 

The Carmine Quilted Jacket, also from the Giovanna Fletcher Collection, is a super-stylish transitional jacket that'll take you from spring, to summer and back into autumn again. Featuring Thermoguard insulation and a water-repellent finish, it's finished with a trendy diamond-stitch design. It's available in three colours, pictured above in navy, in sizes 8-20, and currently priced at £62.95 in the Regatta sale (RRP £90).

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HJ Hall ProTrek Adventure Trek socks

When it comes to trekking, the power of a good walking sock should never be underestimated.

Featuring high-density cushioning, ventilated mesh zones, arch support and ankle bracing, reinforced heel and toe areas, plus a smooth toe seam, the new ProTrek Adventure Trek Socks from sock specialist, HJ Hall, is a middleweight walking sock designed for all-season trekking.

Made using super clever WoolTech ultra-durable fabric that provides moisture wicking and breathability, the socks have even benefited from a treatment that inhibits the growth of bacteria to reduce odours, keeping you fresh as a daisy even after a day in the hills.

The socks are available in five colours, in sizes 4-11.

Price: £13.99

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Quiksilver Scallop Boardshorts

It’s fair to say that surfers are, and always will be, cool. Quiksilver recognised this, forming in 1969 to make shorts that were specifically designed for surfing the waves.

If you weren’t cool enough, old enough or blonde enough to be part of the surfing community the first time around, you can now with Quiksilver’s Scallop range. The company was the first to introduce the scallop hem, in 1971, creating greater freedom of movement.

This new version, the Original Scallop and Highlite Scallop is made from a new four-way stretch fabric (combining cotton and recycled plastic). The Highlite has, apparently, micro-perforated sections to reduce weight, and both have an eco quick-dry treatment. So, whether you have a ratty VW T2 called ‘Sunshine’, or a palace on wheels, you can go surfing in comfort and style again... or you can just stroll to and from the beach.

Price: from £47

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Roxy Active by Nature range

Inspired by women who like to exercise outdoors, and using a bright colour palette and super-comfy textures, the new Active by Nature range from Roxy could be the perfect feel-good fitness-wear range for summer.

Including sports bras, technical shorts, sports T-shirts, technical leggings, oversized tees and swimwear, in an array of bright colours and patterns, each item is also made using eco-conscious fabric so you can exercise safe in the knowledge that you’re being kind to the planet, too.

Price: from £27

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Snugpak 2nd Skinz

Don’t you just love the great British weather? One minute you’re hot, the next minute you’re cold… and it can be hard to know what to wear when exploring outdoors. How about a base layer that keeps you at the perfect temperature all day long? Check out Snugpak’s 2nd Skinz.

They’re designed using clever Coolmax fibre technology to keep you warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm. Plus, super-fine hairs on the inside of the fabric capture moisture from the skin and quickly disperse it over a wider surface area to aid natural evaporation, ensuring you remain sweat-free and comfortable. The unisex crew-neck long-sleeved top and long johns both have a relaxed fit, and weigh just 260g each (medium size). Available in sizes S-XXL.

Price: £26 each

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Sprayway Vectis & Fen jackets

New for 2023, the Vectis (men’s) and Fen (women’s) jackets from Sprayway are made from lightweight HydroDRY 2.5 stretch fabric with a PFC-free DWR finish. They’re packable so can be folded into your backpack until the weather turns, weighing just 250g (Fen) and 295g (Vectis).

Designed for hiking in changeable conditions, each jacket has a hood with semi-elasticated opening, two zipped hand pockets with mesh lining and a central zip with an internal storm guard. The Vectis is available in three colours – Blazer, Dark Spruce and Bosana (pictured above left) – and in sizes S-XXL, while the Fen is available in the same colours (pictured above right in Dark Spruce), in sizes 8-18.

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Berghaus Cuillin Insulated Hoody

(Photo courtesy of Berghaus)

Berghaus has put a real focus on responsible materials and manufacturing with its new Cuillin insulated hoody. It uses bluesign-approved materials, including the brand’s own Hydroloft Heatball and recycled Pertex Quantum – not sure what any of that means? Well, it’ll keep you warm and dry, and is made using recycled materials, so is much kinder to the planet.

It’s got an insulated hood, two-way front zip, two zipped hand pockets and an internal pocket for your valuables.

It’s available in different versions for men and women in sizes XS-XXXL and 8-20 respectively, and in four colours. Weighing in at 409g (size large) and 375g (size 12) respectively, it also packs neatly away into its own internal pocket, so won’t take up much of that valuable space in your rucksack.

The hoody, as with all of Berghaus’ products, is supported by the brand’s free Repairhaus service, so it’s a jacket that should – and could – last for many years to come.

Price: £190

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Dare2b Soaring II Jacket

For those of you bucking the trend and not braving Benidorm this Easter, you’ll be needing a good old rain mac and some nice wellies for all those great British adventures. Don’t forget that our springs are akin to the rainy season in tropical quarters of the world, too, so it can get pretty hot and humid, which means your toasty winter coat will not do – well, not unless you want to end up looking like a boil-in-the-bag lump of rice…

We’re sure you don’t need that to contend with in your caravan, canmpervan, motorhome or tent, so we’d recommend something nice and lightweight, like this Soaring II jacket from the trendy brand, Dare2B, which is small enough to roll up and shove in a backpack, too. It’s got a slight stretch to the fabric as well as reduced seams and adjustable cuffs, which help with movement and comfort, and is breathable and waterproof. Plus, it is made out of 11 recycled plastic bottles.

It’s available in men’s sizes S to XXXL and in a range of funky two-tone colours.

Price: £65

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Montane Women’s Tucana Mission Pants

We have probably tested hiking trousers from every brand under the sun over the years but, just when you think you’ve seen it all and surely there’s nothing left to be invented, along comes something that really is different and quite innovative.

On the face of it, here’s yet another pair of expensive technical trousers, boasting everything you’d expect for the price tag, being lightweight, soft shell, stretchy, windproof, water resistant and durable. They also feature two zipped side pockets and two zipped back pockets. So, what’s new?

Well, they aren’t trousers… No, these are the jeggings of the hiking world! Whilst they look just like ordinary trousers when you’re wearing them, you’ll notice that they do not feature a front zip or any buttons. Instead, there is an elasticated waist and you just pull them on. This initially struck us as odd when we first pulled them out of their packaging, but we were pleasantly surprised, as they are amazingly comfortable. If you like the comfort of sports leggings but prefer the more robust nature of trousers with pockets, you will love these, as they offer the best of both worlds.

Available in sizes 8 to 16 and in a choice of black or blue.

Price: £100

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Smartwool Hike Light Socks

If you think the price of campervans is ludicrous these days, have you ever checked out the price of technical footwear? However, if you were suffering with blisters halfway down Everest, or even Snowdon, you’d exchange a whole wodge of cash for comfortable footwear. And your very expensive technical boots can only perform as well as the socks inside them. Opt for regular cotton trainer socks and you’ll soon have wet feet from perspiration, which will cause friction and blisters, so it’s best to get some socks designed for the job.

American brand, Smartwool, specialises in Merino wool (non-itchy!) undergarments for all the family. The Hike Light sock is available in a range of funky designs and colours. As you’d expect, it features stretch zones and mesh sections in all the right places, as well as cushioning, and in men’s or women’s specific fit.

Price: £24.99

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Tilley Trail Toque Beanie

(Photo courtesy of Tilley)

A little beanie hat is pretty much an essential item to stuff into your backpack when heading out for a springtime hike, and we love this beanie from Tilley.

It’s made with 50% soft Merino wool, so it’s extremely warm, naturally breathable and moisture wicking – and it’s also odour-resistant. Even when wet, wool will keep you warm so it’s the perfect hat to keep you toasty if you’re heading off into the hills, while being stylish enough to be worn as you go about your day-to-day business. We love the waffle design and know it will be a trusty companion for years to come.

Price: £24

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Sprayway Escape Skort

A skirt might not be the first thing you pull out of your wardrobe ahead of a day on the hills, but a skort? If you’re heading straight to the on-site pub for a post-hike tipple and fancy something a little more ‘dressy’, this could be your answer…

Part skirt, part short, the Escape Skort from Sprayway is made of lightweight, versatile TecWeave fabric, which stretches to provide complete freedom of movement with a water-repellent finish. There’s a zipped security pocket, a semi-elasticated front waist and the skort even provides UV protection of UPF 50+.

Price: £55

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Sprayway Compass Versa Pant

These light and durable, water-repellent ‘pants’ (yes, they’re trousers, we know!), are designed for year-round adventures, made from clever TecWeave fabric which gives a little stretch.

They’ve got two zipped hand pockets, two thigh pockets and one rear pocket with a handy D-ring so you’ve got somewhere to stash your keys, phone and dosh. Plus, a semi-elasticated waist, belt loops and webbing belt are included. They’re available in sizes 30-40in in short, regular or long lengths.

Price: £85

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