Having not been able to get out and about recently due to my knee, I've had a lot of time to sort through my kit and have a bit of a clear out. In the process of doing this, it's highlighted those key bits of kits that I go back to time and time again. So I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite pieces.
Rucksack: Osprey Tempest 20l
This bag seemed like a huge investment at the time and it was one of the first 'expensive' bits of kit I bought myself, but my gosh do I love it! I was a bit worried at first that a 20l bag would be too small, but it's perfect for day hikes and seems to hold a lot more than others of a similar capacity. It has multiple pockets, a hydration bladder slot, adjustable backpanel, trekking pole attachments, helmet clip and so many more great features. I find the external clip perfect for drying my bikini on after a dip!
I really wanted a bag with both waist and chest support straps, but found several of the ones I tried on didn't sit right on my shoulders and rubbed on my neck. Thankfully this one has been really comfy, even on long distance hikes when packed to the brim. I also love the fact the the pockets on the waist belt are big enough for both my phone and snacks (extremely important).
Waterproof Outer Shell Jacket: Arc'teryx Beta AR Jacket
I had been looking for a shell jacket for a while and kept putting it off due to how expensive they seemed. But after having a very long chat with a friend and him talking me through all the different features of Arc'teryx jackets I ended up going for the Beta AR and I was not disappointed. I bought mine from the outlet website, I think it was just the last seasons style but was nearly 50% off, so it's worth keeping an eye out. I love this jacket for so many reasons... it's waterproof, windproof, packs down small and is a longer length (which is perfect for my awkwardly long torso).
This is definitely an investment piece and something I hope I won't need to replace for a while. But I do need to get better at looking after my kit and making sure I keep on top of drying out and waterproofing etc.
Compact Insulated Jacket: Mac in a Sac Polar Jacket
Mac in a Sac are a company which took the packable mac world by storm with their high performance waterproofs. They have more recently created their range of down products and I was lucky enough to be sent some pieces from their collection to test out.
The polar jacket has become an absolute staple for me. Not only does it pack down super small (so is perfect for taking on adventures), it's also water repellent, is made with responsibly sourced down and is also reversible, which I love! It comes in a choice of three different colour combinations. I went for the black/teal version and find it super versatile.
I would highly recommend adding this to your collection if your on the look out for additional layers.
Walking Boots: Keen NXIS EVO Mid Waterproof
I have worked with Keen for a couple of years now and back in January they sent me a pair of their NXIS Evo boots to test. I honestly love these boots and they have become my go to when hiking. They also do a low rise version, but I prefer the additional ankle support from a higher rise boot. I've worn them in all kinds of weather and found both the waterproofing and grip to be great. I've also had no issues with rubbing or having to 'wear them in'. I usually wear boots with a regular pair of ankle socks and then hiking socks on top, however the fit of these is a little more snug and I've found I don't need two pairs and just go for a pair a hiking socks.
Walking Shoes: Merrell Bravada Waterproofs
I was gifted these shoes back in March and I'm not going to lie, I was a little bit apprehensive at first about the colour, as most of my kit is black haha. However, they have quickly become my go to summer walking shoe.
They're lightweight, super comfy and being waterproof makes them perfect for keeping my toes dry on coastal walks. I've always been a boot wearer, but these are the first pair of low rise shoes that I've found work for me and provide enough grip and support whilst being out on adventures.
If you're not keen on the bright colours, they do have more muted ones available, but I've grown to really like the pink and green combo!
Beanie: Seashell Merino Well Beanie
As you can tell from my pictures, these hats go pretty much everywhere with me. I now have three different colours, one was sent to me by Seashell and the other two I bought myself because I love them so much. They're, warm, comfy and so so soft. I absolutely adore this brand for their products, quality and just for being lovely people. You can get 5% off all products on their site via this link.
*Some of the products mentioned in this post were gifted to me. I have highlighted these throughout the post. Though they were gifted, they are bits of kit that I love and use time and time again. This post does also include some affiliate links and if you make a purchase through these links I may receive a small amount of commission, these are highlighted in italics.
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