Alright, so you swiped right on someone who reckons they’re into hiking and the outdoors. Big deal – everyone says that on dating apps. It’s like claiming you love dogs or declaring strong opinions about pineapple on pizza. Besides, you’re very partial to a stroll and a pub lunch yourself, as it happens.
Trouble is, once you start going on actual dates with your new match, you realise that if anything they were downplaying how much they love the open-air life. When they said they enjoyed a Sunday walk, they meant getting up at 6am to knock off a 15-mile mountain circuit. It turns out the profile picture where they're running rapids in a kayak wasn't taken at a hen/stag do 8 years ago, and the border collie they're cuddling in one of their photos is actually theirs.
Bring it on, you think – but your gear disagrees. That spray jacket from your brief stint on the university rowing team hasn't been waterproof for at least a decade, and your sleek metrosexual backpack with its slim webbing straps was made for carrying a laptop from the tube station to the office. The cold wind cuts right through your running leggings and your jeans chafe something terrible in the rain.
Obviously you want to impress your new squeeze by looking the part – but beyond that, you want to enjoy spending more time in the outdoors without being cold, wet and uncomfortable. Crucially, you'd like to do it without breaking the bank.
Fortunately at WildBounds we've got you covered. Alongside our high-end stuff, we stock plenty of solid mid-range offering tried and tested kit that'll make all the difference – leaving you free to focus on your new partner instead of your ever-increasing collection of blisters. And whether or not the fledgling relationship goes the distance, you can at least be sure that your gear will.
Truly, it is very hard to love someone when they're cheerily buttoned up against heavy weather while you're soaked to the skin in a 20-year-old cagoule that saw active service on school DofE expeditions. One flippant comment along the lines of 'there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing' and it's back to Bumble for both of you.
Give things a fighting chance by investing in a good weatherproof jacket. You're looking for something reliably waterproof, durable and versatile. Bonus points for breathable fabric so you don't boil in the bag.
The Patagonia Torrentshell ticks all those boxes and more. It regularly features in magazine round-ups of the best mid-priced waterproof shells, and reviewers are often impressed by just how much jacket you get for your money. Patagonia are a long-standing outdoor brand known for their impeccable environmental credentials, and hardwearing build quality is a big part of that. Treated half decently, the Torrentshell should give you many years of service.
Start walking longer days and you'll soon realise that the smart-casual backpack you use for your work commute isn't ideal. After all, it's designed for a different environment, where useful features like compression straps or stash pockets are surplus to requirements. While minimalism is great in town, an outdoor backpack needs padding in the right places, plus durable materials and plenty of adjustment for a secure, comfortable fit.
For versatile, well-designed daypacks, Osprey is the go-to brand for thousands of adventurers. They've got a dizzying range of different packs, but one of their bestselling lines is the extremely versatile Talon (men's) & Tempest (women's) series. Not only are they great value, but they also come in gender-specific sizes, and they're seriously adjustable so you can lock in a really comfy fit.
Fed up with blisters and sore feet? Before you start dropping hundreds of pounds on new hiking boots, simply upgrading your socks could make a huge difference.
Rather like car tyres, super-cheap hiking socks can be a false economy, since they'll soon wear through if you're doing decent mileage in them. Instead, it's worth spending a bit more for something that's literally guaranteed not to wear out. Hailing from Vermont, Darn Tough are so confident in the build quality of their socks that they offer a lifetime no-quibble guarantee if you manage to walk them to bits.
Their Hiker range of socks is a good starting point. Available in lightweight or midweight versions with full or partial cushioning and in a range of lengths, you can pick the style that suits you best. If you're not sure which to go for, try a mid-weight hiker sock in 'micro-crew' length that's designed to hit just above the cuff of your average hiking boot.
If you want to look like a rookie, just turn up for a hike in jeans. For some reason, outdoorsy people in the UK are unreasonably snobby about denim, based on the well-worn argument that it chafes when it gets wet and it takes ages to dry. Never mind that plenty of people who work outdoors year-round wear jeans all the time (loggers, ranchers), or that you can get 'performance denim' that's specifically designed for active lifestyles.
What's true, though, is that there are much better materials out there. Modern technical trousers are durable, quick-drying, breathable and windproof, and some of the best in the business are the Fjällräven Kebs. Built in tough G-1000 polycotton with stretch panels for flexibility, you can even boost the weather-resistance by applying Fjällräven's Greenland Wax.
While we reckon they're well worth the investment, the Kebs are pretty pricey, so if you're looking for a cheaper option that still offers fantastic performance, check out the Patagonia Outdoor Everyday Pants. Constructed in 100% recycled stretch nylon, they're lightweight and incredibly quick-drying.
While your synthetic running top or a standard cotton tee will do the job, you'll find they have a tendency to smell a bit overripe by the end of the day, especially if you've been sending it on trails all day. Since romance and BO are not ideal bedfellows, consider swapping out your base layer for a merino wool one. This miracle fabric is comfortable, breathable, moisture-wicking and – crucially – naturally antibacterial. You can wear it for days without getting too fragrant.
For great everyday base layers and leggings, we really rate the ones from Kiwi brand, Mons Royale. They're particularly good for base layers that fit like actual tees – rather than the more skin-tight athletic fits favoured by some other manufacturers.
Alright, so every third advert on Instagram at the moment is for a retro-style fleece with 90s colour-blocking. But they do look good, don't they? On the off-chance that you don't already have one in your collection, KAVU and Patagonia both do some lovely bold designs that look like they could be vintage pieces.
For a more traditional vibe, opt for a warm woolly jumper from Sherpa Adventure Gear. Owned by actual Nepalese Sherpas, their superb merino sweaters are designed and manufactured in Nepal, and profits are reinvested in local projects. It's the kind of in-the-know gear that's bound to impress your date.
It's a well-known fact that deep water exerts an irresistible magnetic pull on designer sunglasses. And that's a dilemma right there – because you don't want to lose your £200 Oakleys when you fall off a paddle board, but nor do you fancy turning up to meet your beau/belle in a pair that cost you £2.25 off Shein and look like they came out of a Christmas cracker.
Can we let you in on a little secret? A big chunk of the cost of your designer sunnies is just the brand name. For comparable (and often better) build quality and seriously good looks at a much more adventure-friendly price point, check out the range from Californian brand, Sunski. They're a WildBounds favourite, with a great range of styles including classic aviators and some bolder vintage-inspired frames.
On a big, blustery day out in the hills, it's the creature comforts that make all the difference. A hot cup of sweet tea or a warming bowl of soup as you canoodle in a summit shelter.
Be honest, though, your old petrol station thermos may not be the finest specimen of its kind. The contents are tepid by lunchtime and no matter what you fill it with, it always comes out tasting of stale coffee and sour milk with a base note of Nesquik.
For a serious upgrade, Stanley have been in the game for well over a century, so they know a thing or two about insulated flasks. The double-wall insulation in their Legendary Classic Bottles will keep drinks hot for up to 26 hours, while their insulated coffee mugs are some of the best we've ever encountered. And if you fancy wowing your date (or even just your mate) with a bowl of homemade soup for lunch, then their handy food jars will keep it piping hot even in brisk weather.
For added comfort, consider taking something portable to sit on – whether that's a cheap and cheerful NEMO Equipment Chipper, the lightweight and packable Helinox chair, or America's sweetheart, the Crazy Creek trail chair.
When the day is done – the boots off, the bikes cleaned or the wetsuits hung up to dry – you can cuddle up by the campfire on this super-cosy Kelty loveseat (as road-tested by one of our office dogs) and toast to the future. Hopefully all this is the beginning of something beautiful, but if by any chance it isn't, at least you know your love affair with adventure is going to be a lifelong thing.
