Mountains, rivers, forests, backwoods – all perfect places for adventure travel. But you'll need the right kit if you're planning to wander in the wild.
In our latest gear reviews, we look at a range of equipment designed for getting off the beaten track, whether it's a day-hike in a national park or a major trek across continents. And for inspiration on where to road-test your gear, check out the advice in Lonely Planet's National Parks of Europe.
Eagle Creek Cargo Hauler XL
Adventure means kit – wetsuits, tents, ropes, whatever – and the Cargo Hauler bag from Eagle Creek is ideal for transporting kit from camp to camp, on a raft down the Colorado, a four-wheel drive across Africa or a yak in the Himalayas. Access to the single internal compartment is easy via the large zipped opening. On the outside, there’s an external pocket and removable shoulder straps, plus handles for carrying or tying down. For its size, the Cargo Hauler is lightweight yet impressively strong, and it rolls down into a compact storage bag when not in use.
- Plus points: light, rugged, voluminous; small wheels help take the strain at airports and hotels
- Worth noting: the XL has 120L capacity; for shorter trips, 45L, 60L and 90L available
- Cost: US$169, UK£110, €140
- Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 8/10
- More info: eaglecreek.com
Montane Sonic T-shirt
For active adventures you need something next to your skin that keeps you warm when conditions are cold, and vice versa. Step forward the Sonic T-shirt from Montane. You can wear it on its own, or as a base layer under other clothes. In testing, including running and cycling in hot weather, we found it quickly wicked away sweat, making it ideal for short trips or long expeditions. And thanks to a special treatment called Polygiene you can wear this shirt for several days and remain odour free, which your companions may appreciate.
- Plus points: light, comfortable, fast-wicking, silk-like texture
- Worth noting: available in male and female cuts, long or short sleeves, various colours
- Cost: UK£30, €39.95, US$44
- Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 9/10
- More info: montane.co.uk; polygiene.com
MSR Hubba Hubba NX
If travelling deep in the wilds, MSR’s Hubba Hubba NX tent provides your room for the night. There’s space for two people, with two doors (so access is easy) and two porches for cooking or storage. In testing, we found it quick and easy to pitch; the main part of the tent is freestanding, with guy ropes required for porches and to keep outer fabric taught. Rated three-season, the Hubba Hubba NX may not withstand the most extreme weather conditions, but it’s ideal for backpacking, long-distance cycle-touring and similar active adventures.
- Plus points: excellent strength-to-weight-to-space ratio; single-person version (Hubba NX) even lighter
- Worth noting: ultra-lightweight tent pegs can be fragile when hammered into stony ground
- Cost: UK£390.00, US$ 399.95, €440.00
- Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 8/10
- More info: msrgear.com
Tilley Hiker’s Hat
Tilley hats are designed for outdoor activities, with the Hiker’s Hat specifically for hot conditions. Features include tough fabric, stiff brim, double chin loops, plus a ring of mesh for ventilation. There’s also a small sponge-like pad that you soak in water before or during your hike, which then slowly evaporates and cools the air inside the hat. It may sound wacky, but in testing we found it definitely works; it’s the high-tech alternative to simply plunging your whole hat in a stream. And when conditions take a turn for the worse, the Hiker’s Hat keeps the rain off too.
- Plus points: sun and rain protection, ingenious internal cooling device, unisex design
- Worth noting: if you don’t need the cooling pad, Tilley’s Airflow hat is similar in all other respects
- Cost: US$100, UK£90, €90
- Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 8/10
- More info: tilley.com
Opinel Explore No 12
For serious backwoods adventurers, penknives can be too small or fiddly. No such complaint with the Explore No 12 knife from venerable brand Opinel. This is a serious bit of kit with a 10cm stainless steel blade which’ll help you cut branches, build a shelter or whittle a fishing rod. The handle also contains a cutting-hook (useful for gutting the fish you caught), a fire-starter (so you can cook the fish) and a whistle for attracting attention in emergencies, or maybe even calling your companions to come and eat the fish.
- Plus points: extremely sharp blade, rubberised handle for comfort and good grip
- Worth noting: lock-ring in handle keeps blade safely open or shut
- Cost: UK£39.95, €40, US$49
- Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 8/10; value 7/10
- More info: opinel.com
Pyramid Premium Wedge Net
If your adventures take you to parts of the world where malaria exists, you need a net to keep off mosquitoes. The Premium Wedge from travel protection specialist Pyramid can be used anywhere: hanging from the wall in a hostel or from a tree if you’re out in the bush. Features include reinforced hanging points, permethrin insecticide treatment (an essential first line of defence) and a very fine mesh so even persistent mozzies can’t get through.
- Plus points: lightweight, easy to use; insecticide treatment lasts two years, net can be re-treated
- Worth noting: for open-air sleeping, even in malaria-free zones, a net keeps off sandflies and other bugs
- Cost: UK£27.95, €39.00
- Rating: quality 9/10; practicality 9/10; value 9/10
- More info: pyramidtravelproducts.co.uk
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How we review products
Our opinions are by definition subjective. Our testers (male, female, young, old) trial products in the real world, then give their honest opinion and scores for quality, practicality and value: 5/10 = mediocre; 6/10 = fair; 7/10 = good; 8/10 = very good; 9/10 = excellent; 10/10 = perfect. We don’t include anything that scores less than 5/10.
We aim for gender balance, and over a year cover an equal number of male- and female-specific items. We state where kit is available in male and female versions, or for everyone, unless it’s obvious.
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