As Group Editor of BBC Countryfile and BBC Wildlife, I spend a lot of time out and about, so I'm always on the look out for those perfect pieces of kit that make life in the great outdoors that bit more comfortable. These are my picks of my favourite gear for this summer.
Best camping kit for summer 2026
YETI Hopper Flip 18 Cool Bag
RRP £300
UK.Yeti.com
A solid cool box keeps picnics colder for longer, while a backpack cool bag is easier on a hike, but neither fully satisfies. Which is where the YETI Hopper Flip comes in, boasting a solid, rugged build that performs like a box, but with a soft shell, and sturdy strap and handles to make lugging your picnic far less of a chore. It’s not cheap, but it is very satisfying!
Best cool boxes and bags for ice-cold drinks and chilled food
VSSL Nest Pour Over Set Coffee Kit
RRP £54.95
vsslgear.uk
Like most of the best ideas, this all-in-one coffee maker and mug kit feels so obvious we’re not sure why it’s taken this long. It breaks down into stages: a chunky stainless steel mug; the nest dripper, which screws easily into the mug, and houses a trough to nest your stainless removable filter; and a sippy lid. Light and portable, this set makes the perfect way to start a day’s camping.
Best portable coffee makers for a brew with a view
Keela St Kilda T-Shirt with The National Trust For Scotland
RRP £29.95
keelaoutdoors.com
The Scottish outdoors brand Keela stands for quality and sustainability, so when they hooked up with The National Trust For Scotland on a range of gear that supports the conservation charity, we had to take a look. This t-shirt inspired by St Kilda’s rugged cliffs is just one part of a range that includes ponchos, hats, socks, hoodies and jackets. This design comes in two colours for men – a women’s version is also available.
Keen Zionic ADV Open-Air Hiking Shoe
RRP £125
keenfootwear.co.uk
Is it a sandal? Is it a hiking shoe? Is it a trainer? Is it a water shoe? The short answer is yes on all counts. A lightweight, multi-purpose shoe that offers ample support for heel and arch, while delivering on grip and comfort – it sounds too good to be true, but it’s just the sort of quality design and manufacturing that we’ve come to expect from Keen. Bonus points for excellent sustainability, and the natural anti-odour control.
Columbia Men's Konos™ Hiker 2-Strap Sandal
RRP £65
columbiasportswear.co.uk
For those of us who live in shorts and sandals from April to September, this classic two-strap hiker from Columbia is a great all-rounder. These took a little while of experimenting to get the various adjusters (forefoot, ankle and achilles) into a comfortable fit, but once we did, they performed as well on the daily commute to work as on a steep hike. Antimicrobial footbed, good cushioning on the heel, excellent grip, and they come in a selection of colours, in both men’s and women’s.
Best walking sandals tested for trails, beach trips and holiday rambles
Patagonia Men's R1 Air Fleece Jacket
RRP £130
eu.patagonia.com
This classic full-zip Patagonia fleece boasts 100% recycled polyester fabric, and Fair Trade credentials. But it’s the comfort that really sells it – warm and cosy, but with enough flex in the material make it great for layering. The stylish zig-zag pattern sets it apart from a standard fleece, making it more packable to boot. Zip-up hand pockets either side, plus a small phone or card sized zip-up chest pocket are useful, and the soft, stretch cuffs and waist keep the warmth in without losing shape.
Best fleeces for men and women tested: our ultimate guide to the must-have midlayer
Jack Wolfskin Wild Places 3-in-1 Jacket
RRP £230
jack-wolfskin.co.uk
We’re big fans of a 3-in-1 jacket – after all, you’re getting three tops for the price of one. This Wild Places piece from Jack Wolfskin is a real favourite, with its outer waterproof shell and detachable inner insulated layer. Wear them as a warm waterproof whatever the weather, or use them as a lightweight shell and a warm mid-layer. They clip and zip quickly, and a selection of pockets and adjusters make it ready for anything.
Rab Kangri GORE-TEX Jacket
RRP £340
rab.equipment
This hard-wearing water and wind proof is one of those tough pieces of gear that completely justifies the price tag. We’ve tried it on the South West Coast Path in the thick of winter and shoved it in a bag for springtime hikes, and it barely bats an eyelid. Lightweight but tough, PFAS-free, as adjustable as anything you could wish for and with a hood that makes you think it’s stopped raining, this is one for our kitbag for years to come. Men’s and women’s both in a variety of colours.
We test the best waterproof hiking jackets for men and women in 2026
Rab Quantra Pro Hoody
RRP £120
rab.equipment
This adaptable mid-layer uses a woven fleece technique to make a hoodie that has all the benefits of a fleece (warm, cosy) without the bulk. This makes it ideal for any kind of outdoors activity, in a variety of conditions. Use it to layer up, or on its own – we’ve found it as home at football training as it is on camping trips – it’s just right for an all-round ‘grab it and chuck it on’ jacket. (And it looks less stuffy than a fleece, which being young and groovy, works for us!)
Sunday Afternoons Ultra Adventure Hat
We don’t think we’ve ever seen such a high-spec sunhat as the Ultra Adventure Hat. Wide brim? Check. UPF 50+ sun rating? Check. Lightweight, packable, PFAS-free water repellent coating, wicking sweatband – check again. There’s also the French Foreign Legion style neck cape and a neat slot that locks in your sunglasses for when you want to rest your sunnies on top. It’s also very comfortable and we’re not taking it off regardless of whether we’re out for a day at the cricket or kayaking up the Wye Valley.
Best sun hats: Caps and wide brimmed hats for sun protection
Ayacucho Ben Nevis 65+10 Rucksack
RRP £135
cotswoldoutdoor.com
You can pay a lot more and get a lot less when it comes to rucksacks. In fact, once we’d properly kicked the tyres of this 65 litre pack, we couldn’t quite believe what you get for your money. Everything does what you’d want it to, from the ample waistband zip pocket to the easy access front panel, pole hooks, inner and outer hood zip pockets, and a sleeping back section that accommodates even a chunky bag, with room to spare. We can’t fault it.
Osprey Kestrel LT 45 Backpacking Pack
RRP £165
osprey.com
Down the years, Osprey has become something of a byword for quality when it comes to bags, and the Kestrel LT delivers on quality, comfort and features. Central to its success is the lightweight frame with mesh-covered foam pads to allow the weight to be evenly distributed, while keeping the load off your back. There are loads of great features, such as the stretch on front panel to quickly stash extra layers. Comes in men’s and women’s in a variety of sizes and colours.
Best hiking backpacks reviewed: rucksacks to carry your kit in comfort
