outdoor CLOTHING GUIDE

Dress for your activity

Your choice of clothing will depend massively on which activities you’re taking part in. If you’re climbing Mount Snowdon, even in freezing temperatures, you’re unlikely to feel cold while you’re on the move.

If you’re immobile for any length of time, sitting in a birdwatching hide or stood around a telescope in the dark of night, the cold will inevitably seep in, starting with your extremities.

Pick your clothing accordingly, and consider taking extra layers, which can be thin and lightweight, but will still be effective.

Static activities can also be made much more comfortable by adding hand-warmers to your kit.

Waterproof

There’s a small but very important difference between ‘waterproof’ and ‘water-resistant’ outdoor clothing.

For the serious outdoor enthusiast who heads into the hills in winter, fully waterproof is essential. The other option might better be defined as ‘showerproof’.

Cheaper jackets often claim to be waterproof, and the material might well keep out the water, but they’ll often leak at the seams if you’re caught in a proper downpour.

Taped seams that offer you 100% waterproofing are