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Vax SpinScrub Power Plus review: 24 paws vs one carpet cleaner
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Vax SpinScrub Power Plus review: 24 paws vs one carpet cleaner

A dog, three cats, two kids and a lot of muddy walks were slowly winning the war against our carpets. I picked up the Vax SpinScrub Power Plus on a 52% deal and spent a Friday evening finding out exactly how much dirt a regularly cleaned house can hide.

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Best hiking boots UK 2026: 9 boots tested and ranked
boots

Best hiking boots UK 2026: 9 boots tested and ranked

The best hiking boots available in the UK right now, from a £45 NORTIV 8 budget pick to premium Mammut and Salomon boots. Nine boots ranked across every budget and use case, all with proven Amazon UK demand.

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KEEN Targhee III Mid WP review: why we no longer recommend it
boots

KEEN Targhee III Mid WP review: why we no longer recommend it

The KEEN Targhee III was our comfort and wide-fit pick, but recent Amazon buyer feedback tells a different story: too many reports of boots breaking down and leaking. Here is what changed, and the boots we point wide-footed hikers to instead.

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Mammut Mercury IV Mid GTX review: the premium boot that undercuts our editor's pick
boots

Mammut Mercury IV Mid GTX review: the premium boot that undercuts our editor's pick

The Mammut Mercury IV Mid GTX brings Swiss build quality and GORE-TEX waterproofing to the £120 to £140 bracket. Here's where it fits against the Salomon X Ultra 360 and who should buy it.

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Rab Cirrus jacket review: the insulated layer that changed how I think about kit
jackets

Rab Cirrus jacket review: the insulated layer that changed how I think about kit

My first proper premium purchase when I started hiking. 2.5 years later I've got rid of almost every other coat I own. Here's why the Rab Cirrus converted me to buying kit for performance rather than appearance.

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The Complete Rab Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)
jackets

The Complete Rab Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)

Nine jackets, from the entry-point Cirrus to the paradox that is the Mythic G. Here is how to work out which one is actually right for your hiking.

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Editor's picks

Osprey Daylite Plus review: the do-everything 20L daypack
Editor’s pick
daypacks★ 5/5

Osprey Daylite Plus review: the do-everything 20L daypack

The Osprey Daylite Plus 20L is the best-selling sub-£60 daypack on Amazon UK for a reason: it does dog walks, days out, commuting, travel and light trails without fuss. Here is who it suits and who should size up.

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Best base layers for hiking UK 2026: merino and wool-free, every weight band
Editor’s pick
baselayers

Best base layers for hiking UK 2026: merino and wool-free, every weight band

The base layer is the piece of kit that touches your skin all day, and getting it right matters more than most people think. Here are the best base layers for UK hiking in 2026, merino and wool-free, sorted by weight band and by who they actually suit, from the light top I live in to the heavy stuff for standing still in the cold.

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Salomon X Ultra 360 Leather Mid GTX review: the waterproof boot for British winters
Editor’s pick
boots★ 4.6/5

Salomon X Ultra 360 Leather Mid GTX review: the waterproof boot for British winters

I bought these when the Speedcross 6 started to feel inadequate in winter conditions. Lightweight, GTX waterproofed and comfortable from day one. Here's what they're like after a season of use on UK trails.

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Salomon Thernova Fleece Hoodie review: active insulation for the stop-start day
Editor’s pick
fleeces★ 5/5

Salomon Thernova Fleece Hoodie review: active insulation for the stop-start day

The Thernova is a PrimaLoft active-insulation hoodie built for the swing between working hard and standing still, and it is high on my shortlist for Finland. Here is the case for and against.

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Best budget walking trousers UK 2026: six capable pairs under £70
Editor’s pick
trousers

Best budget walking trousers UK 2026: six capable pairs under £70

Cheap and functional has a real place in a UK walking wardrobe. Six budget walking trousers from £28 to £70, from a waterproof Regatta to fleece-lined winter pairs, judged as what they are.

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Fenix HM65R V2 vs HM65R-T V2 review: the head torch I trust for serious nights
Editor’s pick
headtorches★ 4.9/5

Fenix HM65R V2 vs HM65R-T V2 review: the head torch I trust for serious nights

A serious performance head torch for real night use on UK coasts, mountains and forests: 2200 lumens, a 230m throw, a proper red mode and a cold-swappable battery. Two versions compared, and the one I chose for my whole family.

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The Complete Mammut Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)
Editor’s pick
jackets

The Complete Mammut Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)

Eight insulated jackets from £210 to £680, and the names tell you nothing. The full Mammut range explained: down vs synthetic, every verified spec, and which one you should buy.

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Best Men's Waterproof Trainers UK 2026: 26 GORE-TEX shoes tested and rated
Editor’s pick
waterproof-trainers

Best Men's Waterproof Trainers UK 2026: 26 GORE-TEX shoes tested and rated

The best men's waterproof trainers for UK hikers in 2026. 26 GORE-TEX and membrane shoes compared on grip, breathability, fit and weight, from trail runners to everyday crossovers.

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Mammut Lithium 25 review: a feature-rich Swiss 25L daypack
Editor’s pick
backpacks★ 4.6/5

Mammut Lithium 25 review: a feature-rich Swiss 25L daypack

Mammut's Lithium 25 packs more features and organisation into a 25-litre daypack than almost anything at the size: integrated rain cover, fold-out phone pocket, a ventilated back. It costs premium money, and it earns most of it.

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Best non-merino base layers: wool-free options if merino makes you itch
Editor’s pick
baselayers

Best non-merino base layers: wool-free options if merino makes you itch

Merino makes some of us itch, and being told it is the only 'proper' base layer is how people end up wearing nothing, or worse, cotton. It is not the only option. Here are the wool-free base layers I would actually buy, why a synthetic top is nearly as good as the wool you cannot wear, and how to pick between polypropylene, polyester and bamboo.

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adidas Terrex Anylander Mid review: the mid-tier sweet spot
Editor’s pick
boots★ 4.5/5

adidas Terrex Anylander Mid review: the mid-tier sweet spot

The adidas Terrex Anylander Mid is the taller version of our best value waterproof pick: RAIN.RDY membrane, gusseted tongue and Traxion grip at £75 to £85. Here is why it is the sweet spot between budget boots and the £120-plus tier.

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Best hiking fleeces UK 2026: grid, midweight, warm fleece and technical picks
Editor’s pick
fleeces

Best hiking fleeces UK 2026: grid, midweight, warm fleece and technical picks

The fleece is the layer that does the quiet work between your base layer and your shell, and the right one changes how a whole day feels. Here are the best hiking fleeces for the UK in 2026, sorted by type, from light grid fleeces you wear moving to the high-loft warm fleece you pull on when you stop.

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Best winter hiking trousers UK 2026: lined softshells, fleece linings and what to actually buy
Editor’s pick
trousers

Best winter hiking trousers UK 2026: lined softshells, fleece linings and what to actually buy

True fleece lined winter hiking trousers barely exist at quality level. Here is what the big brands actually make instead, the budget fleece linings that do exist, and the layering system that beats both.

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The Complete Rab Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)
Editor’s pick
jackets

The Complete Rab Insulated Jackets Guide (2026)

Nine jackets, from the entry-point Cirrus to the paradox that is the Mythic G. Here is how to work out which one is actually right for your hiking.

Read more
Salomon XT-4 OG GORE-TEX Review: A Seriously Capable All-Round Waterproof Shoe
Editor’s pick
waterproof-trainers★ 4.9/5

Salomon XT-4 OG GORE-TEX Review: A Seriously Capable All-Round Waterproof Shoe

The XT-4 OG GORE-TEX pairs a seam-sealed membrane with an aggressive Mud Contagrip outsole and the Agile Chassis platform. A capable all-round shoe for wet British walking.

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Staying hydrated on the trail in a heatwave
Editor’s pick
hiking-over-40

Staying hydrated on the trail in a heatwave

How much to drink, how to pace it, and why plain water on a long hot hike is not enough. Plus the reservoir, bottles and electrolytes I actually use, and why hydration changes as you pass 40.

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Osprey Talon 33 review: the day pack I didn't know I needed
Editor’s pick
daypacks★ 4.8/5

Osprey Talon 33 review: the day pack I didn't know I needed

I upgraded from the Osprey Daylite Plus when my kit started outgrowing it. The Talon 33 changed how I hike, hydration bladder, hip pockets full of Haribo, dry bags inside, Fire Maple in the main compartment. Here's why I wouldn't go back.

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NORTIV 8 waterproof hiking boots review: the £45 entry point that actually works
Editor’s pick
boots★ 4.3/5

NORTIV 8 waterproof hiking boots review: the £45 entry point that actually works

The NORTIV 8 waterproof hiking boots cost £40 to £50 and carry nearly 25,000 Amazon reviews. As a first pair they are an outstanding entry point. Here is what the feedback says, where the limits are, and when to upgrade.

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Best women's walking trousers UK 2026: seven pairs from £35 to £185
Editor’s pick
trousers

Best women's walking trousers UK 2026: seven pairs from £35 to £185

A women's walking trouser is not a men's pair in a smaller size. Seven pairs worth buying in 2026, from a £35 Peter Storm to the Fjallraven Keb Agile, with the fit details that actually differ.

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10 best waterproof shells for autumn hiking in 2026
Editor’s pick
jackets

10 best waterproof shells for autumn hiking in 2026

After the driest summer in memory, the rain is coming back. These are the waterproof shells worth buying for autumn 2026, reviewed for the 40+ hiker.

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Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX 20 Years Review: The Mud Shoe Turns 20
Editor’s pick
waterproof-trainers★ 4.9/5

Salomon Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX 20 Years Review: The Mud Shoe Turns 20

A pre-launch look at the special-edition Speedcross 6 GORE-TEX 20 Years: the same 5mm Mud Contagrip chevron lugs and waterproof membrane that built the Speedcross name, in an anniversary colourway.

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What I pack for a warm summer day walk: the honest kit list
Editor’s pick
hiking-equipment

What I pack for a warm summer day walk: the honest kit list

Not a generic checklist. This is what I actually carry on warm summer day walks in the UK, what I leave at home, and why the answer always depends on the walk.

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Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX (Women's) Review
Editor’s pick
waterproof-trainers★ 4.8/5

Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX (Women's) Review

The Salomon Genesis 2 GORE-TEX is our top women's waterproof trainer for 2026: a women's-last fit, a full GORE-TEX membrane and Contagrip that grips wet British chalk and mud.

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How to stay cool on the trail: hiking in hot weather
Editor’s pick
hiking-equipment

How to stay cool on the trail: hiking in hot weather

The tactics and kit I use to stay cool hiking in a UK heatwave: starting early, shade, wetting a cap or buff, cooling towels, and the sunglasses I never leave home without.

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Black Diamond Trail Explorer 3 trekking poles review: the reliable all-terrain workhorse
Editor’s pick
poles★ 4.5/5

Black Diamond Trail Explorer 3 trekking poles review: the reliable all-terrain workhorse

Three-section aluminium, FlickLock adjustability and Black Diamond build quality at a price that makes sense for most UK hikers. Here is the honest picture on the Trail Explorer 3 after real use on demanding terrain.

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Best cool boxes UK 2026: cool boxes, cool bags and electric coolers worth buying
Editor’s pick
camping-gear

Best cool boxes UK 2026: cool boxes, cool bags and electric coolers worth buying

The best cool boxes, cool bags and electric coolers available in the UK right now. From budget bags to a £325 YETI, covering every use case from a day at the beach to a week of wild camping.

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Best walking sandals UK 2026: 8 pairs that earn their place on the trail
Editor’s pick
walking-sandals

Best walking sandals UK 2026: 8 pairs that earn their place on the trail

The best walking sandals for UK trails in 2026. Eight picks from Keen, Teva, Merrell and Birkenstock, judged on wet-rock grip, strap security and drainage rather than how they look at a picnic.

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