Travel Essentials

Travel Essentials

Everyone will have an idea on what they find essential, (and like all time and technology dated material - this too will become dated) a lot of course will depend on a whole range of issues, from where you are going, is it hot / cold, a jungle a polar desert or an actual desert. What gender you are, your ability and specific needs, medical needs and financial ability, none of which should hold you back. You might need to make some reasonable adjustments, but that comes with age and youth as well. In other words we are all slightly different, and so what might work for A might not work for B and visa versa. Over the years we have learnt from fellow explorers and adventurers and copied their ideas as well.

These are some brand we rely on. We don’t buy a lot but we but to last and extreme conditions you need kit you can rely on. Last thing you need is zips that fail or seams that burst.

• Swazi - The best water proof clothing SWAZI TAHR XP WATERPROOF ANORAK New Zealand Brand - but you can get widely online. Good enough for Ray Mears - good enough for us!

• Brnje - Norweigans understand the cold Brnje clothing works - their hats are amazing. We used these at the North Pole in -46c. they work.

• Norrona - Yet more Norwegian sports gear - it costs a lot (but it is not expensive, because it works and it lasts). *Expensive is when it doesn’t work!

• Devold - Marino Wool- ware, from you’ve guessed it Norway. Stylish enough for the restaurant and hotel - warm enough for the poles, nor them - the other ones! Although it is warm enough for them too!

• North Face - not all of it - but their lightweight shirts, gortex jackets and gloves work - We have used them day to day around the world and at the North Pole, and North West Passage. One of our favourite shirts is 23 years and still adventuring. They are still king of the expedition bag.

• Ortlieb - serious dive, cycle, expedition go anywhere waterproof bags. The best.

• Icebreaker - Marino wool underwear, for those arctic and polar expeditions. We have worn their long johns to all our polar travels.

• PHD - Specialist Polar Clothing. They resigned and remade our Polar Suit, following a seam split, with reinforcing at no cost in their factory - now that’s service. Little know brand, but one we would thoroughly recommend for serious expeditions.

• Marmot - Mountaineering and hiking, also Arc'teryx if your budget runs to it

• Canada Goose - gone a bit fashionista nowadays, but the base products like Snow Mantra jacket etc are classic cold weather work horses. We have several examples of Canada Goose jackets in the Museum collection.

• Mountain Hardware - Another brand that seems to deliver.

• Sorrel - boots - big felt lined - Cold weather specialist - they work

• Muck Boots - Arctic and slushy conditions - they are brilliant, they are also the horse yard boot of choice! Cold, wee, and horseshit proof - what more do you want?

• MSR - Mountaineering - camping - don’t look any further, the stoves are a masterpiece and we have used these on Aiguille du Midi and the Vallée Blanche. Vango do a good alternative as well.

• Trangia - Swedish made - Stoves - old fashioned simplicity, the little kettle is great.

• Zebra - Thailand made, great for cooking pots and pans and survival type cookware. A lot of outdoorsmen and outdoor centres use this brand.

• Oakley - For everything sunglass.

• Julbo - Cycling and Climbing sunglasses

• Garmin - GPS and Trackers

• Columbia - Trousers - zip on off legs - some with sun protection SP 30, they dry quick so you can wash and ware. Fly fishing clothing shirts- Farlows of London, and on line.

• Scarpa full leather hiking and scrambling boots - We have had just 2 pairs in 35 years - they are robust, comfortable and supportive, Vibram soles. We have done most of Steve Ashtons scrambles in Snowdonia in these boots. They take a bit of breaking in but you will end up with boots that don’t give you blisters and will last for 1000'‘s of miles of tough terrain.

• Berghaus are another brand we love - trainer type walking shoes and big packs - robust and comfortable.

• Rab - Sleeping bags and duvet jackets - we have used them for decades, robust comfortable - non smelly - also try Mountain Equipment.

• For packs and belt kits try Maxpedition and Pentagon, they are aimed at the military but you can get less camo’d up versions. Very robust and modular. You really feel like an expedition hero with this kit.

• iceni -Cycling kit is simple and works. We also like Cannondale for bikes, but like a lot of it is personal preference.

• Barbour - where would we be without at least one in the armoury - great for walks with the dog, muddy weekends, they last and last and last - 35 years plus. Transcends fashion.

• Normark - Finland made fishing knives are good value, and CKRT are our go to folder, whilst Leatherman still make the best multitools.

• Gränsfors Bruk make the best axes - period. They are Swedish and will last you a lifetime. In fact they will outlast your lifetime. They are specifically designed for a job. Each one is hand stamped by the maker.

We also buy Asda T-shirts - thin, they last are comfortable and are crazy cheap. M&S Cotten underwear - comfortable, low smelling and last for years. We could go on but hopefully there are a few brands that we have tried and liked - maybe you will too.

We guess ultimately there is no one size all fits brands and that certainly specialist excel at what they do - we wouldn't look past Musto for sailing kit or Apex for dive regulators, and Customs Divers for Tech diving, but like all things fame comes and goes, and there are some great products out there, but the quality of these brands seems to be perennial.