Brighten up your outdoor fan's Christmas with a special stocking-filler. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Christmas is fast approaching, and the search for last-minute prezzies for the outdoor person in your life can be fraught.
To save you the stress, we’ve scoured the outdoor scene to find some ideal stocking fillers for the man or woman who loves outdoor pursuits.
We’ve even put a range of gifts to the test to give you first-hand views of goodies suitable as a festive treat for your adventurer. Here’s our selection of treats to brighten the Christmas of outdoor fanatics.

Some of Kleen Kanteen's range

Klean Kanteen’s colourful range of stainless steel cups, bottles and canisters will brighten up any day. As the name suggests, Classics are the best sellers of the Klean Kanteen line. They come in a range of sizes – including one for kids – and will make staying hydrated a breeze. Brew lovers will love the Wide Vacuum Insulated which keeps hot drinks piping for up to 8 hours and iced drinks frosty for 24 hours.
The range sells for between £3.25 and £62.95.

Go Travel Slimline Power Bank

Go Travel’s Slimline Power Bank keeps batteries topped up with a 2300mAH capacity that charges a smartphone in 1½ hours and easily recharges kindles and other USB devices. Available in two vibrant colours, the Slimline Power Bank features a robust aluminium construction and a high quality Lithium-ion battery. At just 57g, it’s guaranteed not to weigh you down and comes complete with a micro-USB cable for easy re-charging when the battery starts to dwindle. The Slimline Power Bank is available for £17.99.

Bridgedale Classic Hat

Mini test: Bridgedale Classic Hat
Price: £22
Weight: 78g
Country of manufacture: China

This chunky-look beanie-style hat kept us nice and warm on the hill as the temperature dropped.
The combination of merino wool and acrylic in the knit worked well insulating the head from cold and wind, and the broad polyester microfleece-type band lining the hat makes for a comfortable fit and also helps keep the wind out around the ears.
The Classic hat is ideal for cold winter days whether you’re on your favourite mountain or just on the daily commute.
The Bridgedale hat comes in two colourways and one size.

Edelrid Novalite Headlamp

Mini test: Edelrid Novalite Headlamp
Price: £30
Weight: 72g including batteries
Country of manufacture: China

No-one should head for the hills in the winter months without a torch. Just a short delay on your trip can mean darkness descending, and the chances of a safe descent without some kind of illumination are slim.
Even when the days are longer, carrying a torch is a good idea and a headtorch is the best bet as it leaves your hands free to steady yourself or use your walking poles.
This lightweight headtorch has found a permanent place in our rucksack so we’re never without a means of lighting our way when darkness falls. It has a central LED beam offering up to 134 lumen, with a range of 60m, plus two floodlight LEDs for closer work.
Pressing the control button on top of the unit cycles though the main beam modes: medium, high, low, and strobe. Holding the button for two seconds switches to flood, with high, low and strobe modes.
The Edelrid Novalite weighs just 72g complete with its supplied single AA battery. The lamp housing has five click positions and elasticated headband is easily adjustable.
The headtorch is water-resistant to IPX6 standards. Main beam burn time on full power is a stated nine hours. At the lowers eco setting, the Novalite should give 35 hours illumination.

Zippo Hand Warmer

Zippo Hand Warmer
Warm your loved one’s hands and heart this winter with a Zippo hand warmer. It provides up to six hours of gentle, consistent heat. Fill the cup, light the burner, and go! Price: £19.95.

Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Camper SV

Mini test: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir Camper SV
Price: £130
Weight: 896g
Country of manufacture: Ireland

For the dedicated camper, this full-width, full length inflatable mattress is a great buy. The SV stands for Therm-a-Rest’s clever Speed Valve, a wide-necked opening that you blow into from about six inches away, enabling a quick inflation.
You then fold over the neck closure and click it shut to keep the air in. We found in practice you could then use the small additional conventional valve to get exactly the required firmness for you – let a little air out for a softer feel; blow a few breaths extra in to get fuller inflation.
The ThermaCapture technology and WaveCore construction, which combines hundreds of internal cells and efficient, radiant heat capture made for a nice warm mat and lots of comfort in the tent.
The 3in (7.6cm) of loft means there’s plenty of support for heavy sleepers, and deflation is very rapid when you’re striking camp. Just unclip the Speed Valve, unroll it and in a couple of seconds the mat is ready to roll up into its supplied stuffsack.

The Matador Freerain 24

The NeoAir Camper SV also comes with a repair kit.
Quality is good and the mat comes in two sizes, both 196cm (6ft 5ins) long: L is 63cm (2ft 1in) wide and XL is 75cm (2ft 6ins) wide.

When your main priority is travelling light, the Matador Freerain 24 is the backpack that ticks all the right boxes.
It’s lightweight (156g) and packs down to the size of the palm of your hand. It’s waterproof, innovative, durable and amazingly compact. It’s so small and takes up so little room in your luggage, chances are you probably end up double checking you’ve packed it. Price: £49.99.

The Kupilka Gift Box set. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Mini test: Kupilka Gift Box
Price: £25
Weight: 176g
Country of manufacture: Finland

Strike a blow for originality on the campsite with this quirky set from Finnish brand Kupilka.
The cup, plate and spoon are made from a 50-50 blend of natural pine fibres and thermoplastic, which means not only do they have a great rustic Nordic look, but have good insulating properties too, so no more burnt fingers when you’re enjoying that invigorating morning coffee.
This gift box of traditionally styled dishware makes a great stocking filler and comes in a presentation box. We loved the feel of the Kupilka cup and plate and they were easy to clean too, with nice smooth surfaces.
The cup, plate and spoon all have loops built in from which they can be hung to dry. We used the twine from the tag to suspend them while we were camping – another nice touch.
These great-looking pieces of tableware are also lightweight – they combine to tip the scales at less than 200g, and have found a permanent place in our camping kit box.
And when you pack up and go home, you can still use the Kupilka ware as they are all dishwasher-safe.

Smartwool’s new PhD sock

Smartwool’s new PhD performance sock collection features patent-pending Indestructawool durability technology.
This new, high performance wool-based durability construction, makes the socks ready for any and all the adventures on your list on the road less travelled. In addition, the socks have redesigned mesh zones, a Virtually Seamless toe and Smartwool’s 4 Degree Elite Fit System, and are gender specific.
Building on the success of the patented Reliawool technology, Indestructawool offers merino-based durability solution that improves abrasion resistance for the market leading PhD collection by 33 percent, as determined by independent garment testing.
Designs include: PhD Outdoor Light Crew, PhD Outdoor Medium, PhD Outdoor Heavy, PhD Ultra-light, PhD Ultra-light micro in Ski, Snowboard, Trekking, Hiking mountaineering & run – with styles, colours and patterns and lengths (from knee high to no-show) to suit everyone where ever their adventures take them.
The full range can be seen on the SmartWool website.

Robyn models the Isbjörn Frost lightweight jacket. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Mini test: Isbjörn Frost lightweight jacket
Price: £89.44
Weight: 200g
Country of manufacture: not stated

We like to kit ourselves out well when we venture into the outdoors, and it’s easy to overlook the little ones with us.
Swedish brand Isbjörn’s Frost jacket uses PrimaLoft Black Insulation Eco to keep its junior users warm when the temperature drops.
The PrimaLoft padding means the jacket is not only super lightweight – just 200g for the smallest version we tested – but also packs down small.
The outer shell is in lightweight nylon fabric that offers windproofing, breathability and a modicum of water repellency.
The Frost features contrast binding on the hem, sleeve cuffs and the edging of the hood, which is detachable using five press-studs. The contrast-coloured zip has a baffle to keep out those sneaky breezes, and there’s an interior mesh pocket to keep those kiddy essentials in.
Sleeve cuffs and the collar are lightly elasticated, and quality from the Scandinavian brand is good throughout and the fabric is bluesign approved.

Lifeventure Flip-Top Thermal Mug

Our junior tester Robyn said the coat is great as it’s lovely and warm but is lightweight and not bulky like a lot of children’s coats so it doesn’t restrict her movement.
Robyn particularly likes how snuggly it is with the hood up so she can play out in the snow.
The Frost jacket comes in five colours and seven sizes, from 86/92cm to 158/164cm.

Lifeventure Flip-Top Thermal Mug
Perfect for the daily commute or the great outdoors, Lifeventure’s new Flip-Top Thermal Mug makes a great stocking filler for any caffeine addict in your life. Available in three colours, each mug pairs its advanced thermal insulation with a leak-proof flip-top lid that makes it easy to enjoy your favourite warm, or cold, drink on the go. Price: £14.99.

The men's and women's Rohan Cold Harbour coats

Mini test: Rohan Cold Harbour Coat
Price: £179
Weight: 1,048g
Country of manufacture: Vietnam

We all love our outdoor clothing, with its technical attributes helping us keep warm and comfortable both on and off the hill, but sometimes the occasion calls for something that looks like you haven’t just stepped down from Crib Goch.
Rohan’s Cold Harbour Coat combines the formal looks of a pea coat with technical aspects that maximise warmth and protection.
The fabric is a blend of 58 per cent wool and other fabrics, including polyester, acrylic and viscose. But the coat also benefits from Insuloft synthetic filling, which boosts warmth on those cold winter days.
We wore the Cold Harbour on some bitterly biting days and the double-breasted design kept us warm and blocked out the wind. For extra protection, the collar also has a tab that buttons across the neck and provides a good seal against heat loss and the sneaky breeze.
The lining is quilted and there are two internal pockets, one zipped and the other with a button fastening. The coat also has two brushed tricot lined hand-warmer pockets.
The sleeve cuffs also have button adjustment for keeping out draughts.
Styling is good, with robust fabric available in either dark grey marl or navy blue. The coat’s length is to mid-thigh, which again adds a little extra warmth.
The Cold Harbour coat is machine washable and Rohan says if you get caught out in a heavy shower, the coat will dry in about 10 hours.
The Cold Harbour has become our coat of choice for those times when we want a technical jacket that doesn’t shout ‘outdoors’ when you’re wearing it.
A differently styled women’s version of the Cold Harbour is also available for £149.

The Nite Ize Slaplit

Mini test: Nite Ize SlapLit
Price: £9.95
Weight: 34g
Country of manufacture: China

Being seen is important if you’re out in the dark on the road.
Nite Ize’s SlapLit uses the same design as those slap it bracelets that were the rage at one time, but has a glowing LED to make you visible in the dark.
The SlapLit can be worn on the arm, ankle or wrist, or even wrapped round a cylindrical item such as a bike’s saddle post. It uses a replaceable CR2032 lithium coin cell to provide either a steady or flashing red glow along the length of the strap.
It’s great for runners, cyclists or walkers who need to take to the road during the dark winter hours and weighs just 34g. It can also be used by event organisers as a marker beacon.
The SlapLit can be stored either in its coiled form or, by pressing lightly on each end, in a straight form. The battery provides 100 hours of illumination and the LED slap wrap comes in a choice of three colours: red, neon yellow and neon pink.

Coleman 2 Way Panel Light+

Coleman’s all-purpose 2 Way Panel Light+ is a boon on the campsite and at home. A multipurpose magnetic back panel allows you to attach the light to all metal surfaces. The two-in-one construction enables you to use it as a panel light for area illumination and as a torch for directional light.
Its patent-pending Battery Lock technology prevents battery drain and ensures you have light that lasts.
The panel has 200 lumen output and the torch 100 lumen, giving 12 hours and 20 hours illumination respectively. The 2 Way Panel Light+ is water resistant to IPX-4 standard and runs off three AAA batteries. Price: £29.99.

Haglöfs Tajga LS Shirt

Mini test: Haglöfs Tajga LS Shirt
Price: £90
Weight: 384g
Country of manufacture: Portugal

This Haglöfs shirt is another technical garment styled in a more traditional way.
The Tajga is made from bluesign-approved 100 per cent recycled polyester microfleece, providing good warmth either out on the hill or on the way to the pub on those freezing winter nights.
It has press-stud fastening on the complete length of the shirt front and the single breast pocket also has a press-stud fastening flap concealing a small zipped compartment that will just accommodate a standard-sized smartphone.
The elbows and cuffs have reinforcement panels and there is also a hanging loop for the shirt. Cuffs have press-stud adjustment too.
In use, the Haglöfs Tajga performs exactly as you would expect a technical midlayer to do, with good wicking, insulation and windblocking. The fabric is stretchy and felt comfortable, with no restriction of movement.
Seams are flatlock-stitched and placed for comfort while wearing a rucksack.
The Tajga is a great dual-use shirt: wear it on the hill to keep warm and dry, or slip it on for those strolls to the pub or the shops when the temperature dips towards zero. It’s available in three colours.

Sea to Summit X Mug

Mini test: Sea to Summit X-Mug
Price: £12.50
Weight: 64g
Country of manufacture: China

Campers with an eye to saving space in the pack will appreciate the X-Mug from Australian brand Sea to Summit.
The collapsible food-grade flexible silicone cup has a capacity of 480ml and is BPA-free.
When in use it stands 8.5cm tall and is suitable for hot or cold drinks. Collapse it down and it occupies a height of just 1.5cm and has a diameter of 11cm.

Snugpak Snuggy Pillow

Drinking from the cup was trouble free thanks to its rigid rim, and it also nests for storage with the brand’s X-Bowl. The X-Mug comes in three different colours. It’s a great addition to the camper’s kitchen.

Snugpak’s Snuggy Pillow is a practical headrest that packs away into its own integral bag. It provides a good amount of support for the head and neck and uses high quality sleeping bag insulation and fabrics. It is now available in a new bright blue colourway. The Snuggy Pillow is priced at £6.95.

MSR Windburner 1.8l

Mini test: MSR WindBurner 1.8l
Price: £135
Weight: 588g
Country of manufacture: USA

We’ve previously tested MSR’s WindBurner stove system, but this larger 1.8 litre version is designed for two to three campers and backpackers rather than solo travellers.
The beauty of the system is that everything fits inside the single unit, so you don’t have to go hunting around in your rucksack for all the elements you need to cook. The cooking pot, with a maximum capacity of 1.8l, sits on top of the burner which in turn screws into a standard 110g butane/propane gas canister. This can be stored within the pot when not in use, along with the three-legged canister stand which attaches to the bottom of the gas canister using a rubberised stretch triangle in its centre.
The pot, which has an insulated cosy around it, incorporating a handle, has a heat exchanger in its base which, along with the enclosed burner of the stove, make for rapid water boiling or heating of your meal.
The pot also has a lid incorporating a strainer, and the whole system is completed by a 600ml plastic bowl, which sits on the bottom of the unit when you’re storing it.
The pot secures to the burner unit securely with a short bayonet turn, and the insulated cosy can be slid off for cleaning.
The big advantage of this 1.8l version over the 1l Windburner is its ability to fit the bigger gas canister within it when stowed, a boon for cooking for two people.
The MSR Windburner also has a pressure regulator which helps keep the flame at a near constant level even when the gas canister is getting lower on fuel. The effect of wind on the burn time is minimal thanks to its enclosed construction and the heat exchanger in the pot. A glowing metal strip indicates that the burner has lit properly.
We found the 1.8l Windburner great for cooking larger portions for sharing between two people and also for fitting in boil-in-the-bag prepared meals – our favourite option for wild camping when all you’re left with is hot water rather than a messy pot to clean.
The whole kit comes in a not much more than 500g which is great for weight-conscious backpackers and campers.

Lifeventure Titanium Long Spoon

Mini test: Lifeventure Titanium Long Spoon
Price: £9.99
Weight: 20g
Country of manufacture: China

This super lightweight spoon from Lifeventure is particularly useful when you’re using deep pots such as those that come with modern heat-exchanger stoves.
The spoon is 21.5cm (8½ inches) long, so enables the user to get right to the bottom of the pot or cup.

Nite Ize GlowStreak LED Ball

It added a mere 20g – less than an ounce – to our pack weight, thanks to its food-grade titanium construction. The material is as strong as steel but almost half the weight.
The Titanium Long Spoon is a great little stocking-filler for the camper in your life.

Nite Ize GlowStreak LED Ball
Don’t forget your pet at Christmas: get your dog something he is bound to woof – like the colourful GlowStreak LED Ball from Nite Ize.
The most technologically advanced night-time fetch ball ever made, it holds up to the best arm or ball launchers around. This robust rubber ball has motion-activated colour-changing lights which turn on with a simple bounce. Price: £13.95.

Edelrid Bodhi Ambient Light

Mini test: Edelrid Bodhi Ambient Light
Price: £45
Weight: 90g plus 14g for lead
Country of manufacture: China

This neat little light is another great addition to the camper’s kit. It gives a nice even light, thanks to its removable soft-touch diffuser. It has three different lighting levels: just click the switch once to turn it on to full power; click again to reduce it; click a third time to take it down to its minimum level.
A fourth click turns it off. Holding the switch down for two seconds puts the lamp into its SOS strobe mode and it actually flashes SOS in Morse code.
Removing the diffuser gives a more direct light. The Bodhi has a plastic fold-out stand in its base, with adjustable angles. There are also a couple of magnets built into the stand so you can attach the lamp to the side of a vehicle, for instance. The base also has a fold-out plastic hanging bracket which can be used with a carabiner.
The light is rechargeable and comes with a micro USB lead which plugs into a socket covered by a soft tab when not in use. Light output is a useful 180 lumen at top power, giving usable illumination up to 20m away for 6½ hours before needing a recharge. Should you need it, Edelrid says the Bodhi will flash for 200 hours in SOS mode.
A recharge of its polymer lithium battery takes about three hours.
We found the Edelrid Bodhi a useful piece of kit while camping. It’s compact – less than 5cm tall with a diameter of 5.5cm, so it takes up very little room in the pack, and it weighs just 90g. It’s also water resistant to IPX6 level.

Wacaco Minipresso NS

It’s good to have one or two little luxuries on the campsite and the Wacaco Minipresso makes proper coffee to perk you up in the morning or revive you after a hard day on the trail.
There are two models, the original Wacaco Minipresso GR which is compatible with ground coffee and the new Wacaco Minipresso NS, which is compatible with Nespresso capsules.
At only 350g in weight and 175mm in length the compact and lightweight coffee maker can provide an authentic espresso wherever you may be. The Minipresso NS works with the help of the semi-automatic piston, small quantities of water are injected into the coffee adapter. After few pushes, the optimal extraction pressure is achieved. A rich espresso is extracted.
The Wacaco Minipresso retails at £48.

Fjӓllrӓven Övik Folk Knit Sweater

Mini test: Fjӓllrӓven Övik Folk Knit Sweater
Price: £145
Weight: 596g
Country of manufacture: China

How about a piece of stylish Nordic-designed knitwear for those cold winter days?
Fjӓllrӓven’s Övik Folk Knit Sweater is inspired by Scandinavian folklore and has a traditional pattern in 100 per cent wool.
The sweater has a round neck and ribbed sleeve cuffs, along with a similarly contrasted hem.
It’s warm – we can vouch for that – and keeps the winter chill out. You can even use it on the trail thanks to the wool’s wicking properties, but it’s equally at home keeping you warm while you sip your favourite winter tipple watching the sun set over the mountains.
The Övik Folk Knit Sweater has become our first choice top for those days when the temperature plunges towards zero. It’s a quality garment, as you would expect from the Swedish brand, and Fjӓllrӓven fans will be reassured that the little leather Arctic fox makes a subtle appearance on the left upper arm of the sweater.
A women’s version is available but is of a different design, weighing less and retailing at £120.

Darn Tough Via Ferrata Boot Sock Cushion

Mini test: Darn Tough Via Ferrata Boot Sock Cushion
Price: £20
Weight: 104g/pair
Country of manufacture: USA

No Christmas stocking should be without a good pair of socks and these fully cushioned ones from the Vermont brand are ideal for winter walks, thanks to the 68 per cent merino wool content. They also contain 28 per cent nylon for durability and four per cent Spandex for foot-hugging stretchiness.
The socks wick sweat well and have good temperature regulation and odour control.
There’s a medium underfoot cushioning and the stretch cuffs keep the socks in place without slipping down. Length is mid-calf.
Comfort is enhanced by the seam-free construction and the socks come with a lifetime guarantee against wearing out.
They are available in three colourways and three sizes.

Mora Companion Knife

The Mora Companion Knife is a useful festive gift for lovers of the great outdoors.
The colourful Companion Stainless Steel Knife from Swedish experts Mora is perfect for all types of outdoor adventurers, and a kit bag essential for bushcrafters, campers, hikers and all other adventurous loved ones.
The powerful blade, which travels down the Companion three-quarters of the way, is made from high-quality Swedish stainless steel for outstanding durability and longevity. The 2.5mm thick blade is complemented by a soft-friction grip handle made from TPE rubber, which means the knife feels safe and steady to work with.
For safe storage while not in use, the Companion Stainless Steel comes complete with a protective polymer sheath that features a practical belt clip for keeping the knife close to hand.
Available in a number of bright colours, the Companion Stainless Steel is a versatile knife perfect for many types of outdoor pursuits. Price: £15.

Nite Ize Steelie

Mini test: Nite Ize Steelie car mount kit
Price: £24.95
Weight: 72g
Country of manufacture: China

Most of us now use our smartphones for much more than making calls, and the Nite Ize Steelie is a great little kit for attaching your phone to a car dashboard so you can use navigation apps or similar software on your way to your outdoor adventure.
The kit comes in two main parts: a 2cm diameter magnetic disc with an adhesive backing that you attach to your phone’s back or its case (it needs to be a hard case, not a soft one). The other part is a steel ball in a mount with a similar, slightly larger diameter base that you fix to your desired position on the car dash.
The Steelie also comes with an alcohol wipe to make sure the surfaces are clean before attaching the adhesive pads. For phones such as the iPhone 4, which have a glass back, there’s an additional clear plastic circle that needs affixing before you apply the pad.
Give the adhesive 24 hours to cure and the Steelie system is ready to use.
The phone sits easily and assuredly on the ball mount, and it’s easy to turn it from upright to horizontal orientation for different apps.
The Nite Ize kit is great if you’re using your phone for turn-by-turn navigation apps or others such as music-playing software. It shouldn’t need stating that you should only use it this way when you’re not likely to be distracted changing settings or for any other purpose that could reduce the attention you’re paying to driving and what’s happening on the road.
The neodymium magnet on the mount is safe to use with phones but it is strong, so should be kept away from items that could be susceptible to damage such as bank cards, hard drives or even pacemakers.
Once you’ve fixed the magnetic disc to the back of your phone, it can be used to temporarily mount it on other steel surfaces such a fridge or shelving.
Additional mounts and fixing kits can also be bought separately for second vehicles.

Lifeventure Dristore Map Case

Mini test: Lifeventure Dristore Map Case
Price: £17.99
Weight: 110g including lanyard
Country of manufacture: China

Take an unlaminated map out in typical rainy British weather and you’ll soon learn that paper and water don’t mix very well if you want to preserve your vital navigation tool.
So a map case is essential if you want to protect your map from the elements.
The Dristore case is made from thermoplastic polyurethane, which has a fairly soft feel and allows the contained map to be folded fairly easily.
We’re not big fans of hanging a map case round your neck as it has a tendency to blow up into your face at inopportune times, but the Lifeventure case has a detachable lanyard which unclips easily and is also adjustable for length, so can be used over the shoulder too, with the map tucked under your arm to stop this happening.
The surface of the map case also holds the silicone feet of a compass in place well, without slipping, when taking bearings on the map.
The case has a roll-top secured by two full-width Velcro strips which kept the water out on rainy hill days.
The 290 x 385mm Dristore case allows a 6km x 6km area of a 1:25,000 map to be displayed on each side of the case. The bottom edge of the case also has lanyard attachment loops to it can be hung with roll-top at the bottom or folded in half and held by the lanyard clips.

Snugpak Dri-Sak

Snugpak has recently launched a brand new 40-litre Dri-Sak with valve, which is perfect for keeping belongings dry when it’s wet outside.
Thanks to the new valve, it’s easy to compress your belongings by expelling the air from inside the bag. Made of 70D Nylon with TPU film backing, the Dri-Saks have taped seams to ensure the ultimate protection if the weather turns wet. Lightweight and durable, the new Dri-Sak is useful for storing sleeping bags, clothing and any other items that need to be kept dry. Price: £19.95

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Shoe Sack

Mini test: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Shoe Sack
Price: £16
Weight: 30g
Country of manufacture: Vietnam

This lightweight bag is great for protecting the contents of your pack or case protected from dirty shoes.
We’ve been using the Pack-It Specter Shoe Sack for months now in situations as diverse as wild camps, business trips and foreign flights.
The pack unzips for its full length, allowing a pair of shoes to be placed in and kept wrapped up to prevent them contaminating the rest of your clothing and gear. The Shoe Sack also has a grab handle at the top and two fabric loops for hanging.
The ripstop nylon construction is water- and stain-resistant and can be washed if it gets soiled.
It easily accommodated a pair of trail shoes and can even take a couple of pairs of sandals. We struggled, but just managed with some folding, to get a pair of mid-height lightweight boots in the pack.

Leatherman EDC Rebar

Mini test: Leatherman EDC Rebar
Price: £84.95
Weight: 180g + 16g pouch
Country of manufacture: USA

Leatherman has built up a reputation for quality multi-tools that incorporate all the items you might need, packaged in a clever fold-out way.
This particular version of the Rebar is a full-size too that omits a knife blade, which is useful in situations where possession of a knife might be questionable.
The EDC Rebar still packs plenty of tool into its 10cm (4 in) case, including spring-loaded scissors, pliers, screwdrivers, bottle opener, can opener, mini-saw, awl and wire cutters.
The tools lock in place when they’re deployed and can be released by pressing a spring-loaded tab on the handle. There are 15 tools in total, and the Leatherman EDC Rebar comes with a tough-feeling pouch with belt loop. The multi-tool also has a lanyard loop built in.
We’ve used the EDC Rebar on the campsite in lots of situations but it’s also great for those little jobs round the house, where you know so many tools are in one place.
The high-quality stainless steel multi-tool comes with Leatherman’s 25-year warranty.

MSR Trail Lite Duo System

Mini test: MSR Trail Lite Duo System
Price: £65
Weight: 602g
Country of manufacture: China/Thailand

This neat set of camp ware from Mountain Safety Research consists of a 2-litre cooking pot into which for storage nest two bowls and two mugs, with the whole kit topped off by a straining lid.
The hard-anodised aluminium pot has a ceramic non-stick coating that’s PTFE- and PFOA-free. When stored, the handle, which has a plastic insulated section, folds inwards and clips into the lid’s handle to keep everything neatly together.
The nice deep pan is shaped to make the best use of compact camping stoves and we used it both for boil-in-the-bag meals and also cooking our standard dehydrated fare. The pot was easily cleaned afterwards.
The bowls are deep too and are good for either breakfasts or main meals, with a good capacity. The two mugs come with lids that have drinking slots so you can keep your drinks hot for longer went the temperature drops.
The whole kit packs neatly and securely into the 15cm diameter and 16cm tall pot for carrying and has is good quality as you would expect from MSR.

Wigwam Point Reyes socks. Photo: Bob Smith/grough

Mini test: Wigwam Point Reyes socks
Price: £19.95
Weight: 58g/pair
Country of manufacture: USA

The Point Reyes socks are part of Wigwam’s Peak 2 Pub range, and the US brand says they are equally at home on the trail or on the path leading to your favourite hostelry.
The Point Reyes are 50 per cent nylon, 47 per cent merino wool and three per cent Spandex.
They come in bold Aztec-style patterns and have a seamless toe closure, have cushioning on the underside, particularly the heel, and an elasticated hem to keep them in place.
Temperature of our feet was kept at a good level thanks to the large merino content, which also helped control odour.
These Wigwam socks worked well in boots but are thin enough to use in trail shoes too, while keeping a good amount of warmth on colder days.

UST Survival Cards

UST Survival Cards
Want to scrub up on your outdoor knowledge? Then look no further. Ultimate Survival Technologies have a selection of Survival Cards. A great tool to learn the basics of survival in the outdoors and a fantastic stocking filler for budding explorers.
The step-by-step instructions with photographic illustrations are broken up into five sections: fire building, cloud cards, way finding, knot cards and shelter building. Price: £3.95 per pack

Páramo Beanie

Mini test: Páramo Beanie
Price: £18
Weight: 40g
Country of manufacture: Colombia

A hat is another essential piece of winter equipment to stop all that heat escaping. And anyone who has been on the hill in a biting cold wind will know how important it is to keep your ears warm too.
Páramo’s Beanie is a close fitting, stretchy hat that uses the brand’s Parameta G fabric with its insulating grid pattern on the outside and smooth microfleece-type material on the inner face, making for a warm and comfortable feel.
The polyester construction of the Beanie helps it wick sweat well and it’s also quick drying.
The fabric also blocked wind well too.
The Beanie is a product of Páramo’s Miquelina Foundation in Colombia.

Falke Warm Baselayer

Mini test: Falke Warm Baselayer
Price: £34
Weight: 160g
Country of manufacture: not stated

The German brand’s new Warm Baselayer has a 73 per cent polyamide 27 per cent polyester construction and provided good wicking in a variety of temperatures.
On cold days the Falke long-sleeved top kept us warm and we also liked its performance when the temperature went up a few degrees. It’s a fairly loose fit, unlike some baselayer tops, and its ventilation zones under the armpits and, unusually at the point where the elbow crooks, helped keep perspiration down.
It’s a simple design, with a crew neck on our men’s version – the women’s model has a v-neck – but it worked well and dried quickly too.

Go Travel’s Cabin Bottle Set

The Warm Baselayer comes in four colours for men and three for women. Sizes are S-XXL and XS-XL respectively.

If you’re heading abroad for your outdoor adventure, Go Travel’s Cabin Bottle Set allows you to lighten your load by decanting your favourite toiletries in seconds into this approved travel bottle set.
Ideal for most liquids, the clear 100ml bottles and transparent carry pouch comply with airport regulations for peace of mind. With a wide aperture for spill-free filling, the travel bottles come with two screw caps, one flip-top cap and a pump action spray atomiser. Price: £7.99.

Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Quick Trip

Mini test: Eagle Creek Pack-It Specter Quick Trip
Price: £20
Weight: 44g
Country of manufacture: Vietnam

This little wash-kit bag is another product from Eagle Creek’s Pack-It range and we’ve been using it for some months now.
The water-resistant toiletry bag comes in ripstop nylon with a zipped main compartment big enough for your wash kit on a backpacking journey or for slipping into your suitcase for those leisure trips.
There are also two zipped compartments running the length of each side of the Specter Quick Trip, so you can keep some small items separate.
The Eagle Creek bag comes with a webbing grab handle at one end and is hand washable. At less than 50g it won’t add much to your pack weight, yet can hold 3 litres of toiletries.

Snugpak Travel Towel Hands and Face

Mini test: Snugpak Travel Towel Hands and Face
Price: £10.95
Weight: 44g
Country of manufacture: Vietnam

Taking a conventional towel on your camping and backpacking trips adds to weight and bulk in your rucksack.
Snugpak’s Travel Towel is soft and absorbent and comes in its own mesh pouch. Anodised silver in the towel helps keep down bacteria and odours and the generous size, 80cm x 62cm, means it can be used as your main towel if bulk and weight need to be kept to a minimum.
The Snugpak towel is quick drying and has a webbing loop with a plastic clip fastener at one corner to it can be hung to air. It’s great value too, for its size.
We’ve used the Snugpak Travel Towel on a variety of trips, from wild camping to stays on established campsites, and found it resisted getting whiffy even on multi-day journeys.
When you get home, it’s easily machine washable.

Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner

Osprey Ultralight Pack Liner
When the weather turns wet, it’s important to know that your equipment will stay dry. Osprey’s pack liners are designed to do just that to seal the contents of your pack against the rain and mud.
Equipped with a fully waterproof roll-top closure, coated fabric and taped seams the pack liners ensure that all of your gear stays dry no matter what the conditions. They feature a rectangular shape which results in more efficient packing. When removed from your backpack, they’re able to stand unaided.
Line your pack and say goodbye to soggy equipment. The packs come in three sizes, for packs from 30-110 litres, priced £16-£24.

Primus TrailBreak EX Vacuum Bottle

Primus TrailBreak EX Vacuum Bottle 0.75L

This rugged expedition vacuum insulated bottle is made from high grade stainless steel making it rugged and durable.
A silicone sleeve improves the grip and prevents cold fingers or even frostbite if touching the steel in very cold conditions, and also offers extra protection to the bottle.
The cup is made from double-walled stainless steel to keep the beverage hot or cold and also serves as extra protection for the stopper.
The TrailBreak EX comes with two stoppers: one regular stopper for maximum temperature retention and one ClickClose-stopper. The ClickClose-stopper also doubles as a drinking stopper, making it possible to drink directly from the bottle. It can be taken apart, making the stopper easy to clean. The wide mouth makes filling and also cleaning of the bottle easier.
The 0.75l Trail Break EX Vacuum Bottle costs £35.

Aquapac waterproof waist pack

Aquapac waterproof waist pack
These tough little waist packs are designed to hold your essential kit when you’re outdoors.
They are part of the simple, affordable TrailProof range, but feature all-day comfort foam padding.
The secure waist strap will stay in place whatever you are doing, and if you roll the closure tight they are fully waterproof.
The waist packs are made from tough 500D vinyl to withstand all the knocks that you experience on the trail and a splashproof quick-access pocket is ideal for cash and phone. An internal zipped pocket gives security for the most important items.
The Aquapac waterproof waist pack is resistant to the weather to IPX-6 standard and costs £35.00.

Happy shopping!