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Cold-water surfer in wetsuit carrying a surfboard down to the water

What to Pack for a Cold Water Surf Trip in a Van

Quick answer: Pack a five-four-millimetre winter wetsuit with hood, booties and gloves, a fast-changing robe, an insulated flask, dry-bags for the van interior, and a midweight cotton mid-layer that doubles... Read more...

Aerial view of a small bush plane on the wet sand of a remote BC beach

What Arctic Bush Pilots Wear: The Cold-Weather Kit That Survives Minus Thirty Pre-Flight

Quick answer: Arctic bush pilots wear a wool base layer, a heavy brushed-cotton mid, an insulated coverall or down parka for the pre-flight walk-around at minus thirty, and gauntlet gloves... Read more...

Wood burning stove with kindling in a rustic mountain cabin, the typical heat source in a bothy

Bothy Etiquette: The Unwritten Code, the Kit List, and What to Bring

Quick answer: Bothy etiquette is the unwritten code that keeps a hundred unlocked stone shelters open across Scotland, Wales, northern England, and the wider mountain world. Carry out everything you... Read more...

A hiker on an exposed ridge wearing a layered system with a shell over a midweight top

What to Wear Hiking to a Summit: The Layers That Earn the Last Hour

Quick answer: To hike a summit, wear a merino base, a midweight brushed-fleece or cotton-poly mid, a packable softshell for windline gusts, and stretch softshell trousers for scrambling. The last... Read more...

Misty woodland at first light, the conditions a dawn chorus walker dresses for

What to Wear for Sunrise Birdwatching and the Dawn Chorus

Quick answer: For sunrise birdwatching and the dawn chorus, wear a merino base layer, a midweight brushed-cotton mid-layer, and a wind-blocking but quiet outer you can shed when the temperature... Read more...

Coastal headland cliffs above the sea, the standard working environment for a coastal birder

What Coastal Birders Actually Wear: A Field Guide to Cliff, Headland and Estuary Kit

Quick answer: Coastal birders wear a quiet windproof outer, a wool or brushed-cotton mid-layer, and trousers that survive wet rock and salt spray for a four-hour cliff sit. The kit... Read more...

Outdoor content creator with camera in a mossy forest

What Outdoor Content Creators Actually Wear (and Why Most Fashion Brands Miss the Brief)

Quick answer: Outdoor content creators wear pieces that work on camera, off camera, and across an eight to fourteen hour solo shoot day. The standard kit is a midweight cotton-poly... Read more...

Documentary film crew working on a mountain location with a tripod-mounted camera

What Filmmakers Wear On Set: The Editor-Shooter Kit Guide

Quick answer: Filmmakers on set wear quiet brushed-cotton or cotton-poly mid-layers, soft trousers with usable pockets, and shoes that move silently between camera positions. The kit has to survive a... Read more...

Landscape photographer with tripod at sunset in a green mountain valley

What Landscape Photographers Wear: The Layering System Behind the Magic Hour

Quick answer: Landscape photographers wear a brushed-cotton or wool mid-layer, merino base, and a quiet softshell or oiled cotton outer, sized to sit for 20 minutes to four hours at... Read more...

A photographer with a camouflaged telephoto lens in a sunlit field, bird photography in practice

What Bird Photographers Wear in the Field (A Practical Kit Guide)

Quick answer: Bird photographers wear a muted brushed-cotton or wool mid-layer for hide sits, a quiet softshell outer for cliff work, and a dropped-shoulder cut that does not catch on... Read more...

A van, folding chairs and a small campfire under a starry sky at a remote camp

Van Life Campfire Setup: A Quiet Evening Kit Guide

Quick answer: A van life campfire setup is the small, repeatable evening kit that turns a parked van into a place to sit with the day. Quiet stove, a real... Read more...

Solo wildlife videographer behind a tripod-mounted video camera in tall grass

What Wildlife Videographers Wear in the Field (and Why Photographers' Kit Falls Short)

Quick answer: Wildlife videographers wear soft-shell or brushed-fleece outer layers, merino base layers, and avoid any nylon, GORE-TEX shell, or velcro that creates microphone noise during 30 to 90 second... Read more...

Pair of Atlantic puffins perched on a cliff edge by wildlife photographer Kevin Morgans

Puffin Watching: What to Wear, Where to Stand, and How Close You Can Actually Get

The single biggest mistake first-time puffin watchers make has nothing to do with their lens or their timing. They show up in a bright red jacket. Puffins are skittish birds.... Read more...

Atlantic puffin portrait by Kevin Morgans

The Difference Between Puffin-Themed Clothing and Clothing Designed for People Who Love Puffins

If you search for puffin-themed clothing, you'll find hundreds of options. Puffins on tote bags. Puffins on mugs. Puffin t-shirts printed from stock illustrations that have never been anywhere near... Read more...

Hiker and dog on a rugged mountain trail beneath dramatic clouds

What to Wear Hiking: The Layering System Every Guide Swears By

The Short Answer: Three Layers, Nothing More What to wear hiking comes down to three layers working together: a moisture-wicking base that pulls sweat away from your skin, an insulating... Read more...

Hiker enjoying a scenic mountain view with a pack on their back

Gifts for Hikers Who Already Own Everything

The Problem With Buying Gifts for Hikers The hiker in your life already has a pack. They already have poles, a headlamp, a water filter, and at least three different... Read more...

Father and child hiking in the mountains at golden hour

Father's Day Gifts for Outdoor Dads (That Aren't Another Multi-Tool)

I've bought my dad the wrong Father's Day gift more than once. A multi-tool he already had in a better version. A waterproof notebook that sat unused in a drawer.... Read more...

Angler fly fishing in a creek surrounded by nature

What to Wear Fly Fishing: The Layers That Actually Matter

Fly fishing clothing matters more than most anglers admit. You can read the water, pick the right fly, and place your cast perfectly, and still have a terrible day because... Read more...

Atlantic puffin in flight captured by wildlife photographer Kevin Morgans

What Wildlife Photographers Actually Wear in Hides, on Stakeouts, and on Stalk Approaches

Wildlife photography clothing is not hiking clothing with a longer lens strap. The moment you pull on a bright-blue softshell outside a wading bird roost, or reach into a crinkly... Read more...

A camper van travels through a mountain landscape with bicycles mounted on the back

Van Life Gifts That Aren't Another Coffee Mug or Fairy Light Set

If you're looking for van life gifts, you've probably already scrolled past forty versions of the same thing: a personalised mug, a string of fairy lights, a tote bag that... Read more...

Person carrying a backpack hiking along a scenic mountain trail

What Is a Trailkeeper? (And Why It Matters More Than You Think)

A trailkeeper is someone who maintains, protects, and preserves trails for others. Traditionally, the word describes the people who clear fallen trees, repair eroded sections, and keep paths safe and... Read more...

260,000 Puffins and They All Come Back to the Same Island

Witless Bay Ecological Reserve in Newfoundland holds over 260,000 breeding pairs of Atlantic puffins, the largest colony in North America. The Atlantic puffin is Newfoundland and Labrador's provincial bird. They... Read more...

Norwegian fjord landscape with hiking trail

Why Every Country Has Its Own Word for Walking

Six countries, six words for walking, and none of them mean the same thing. Norway calls it friluftsliv, and nearly nine in ten of Norwegians participate every year. Scotland codified... Read more...

Beach Camping: Where to Go and What to Pack

There is something about falling asleep to the sound of waves that no mountain campsite can replicate. Beach camping sits at the intersection of two of the most popular outdoor... Read more...

Person wearing an AukCliff hoodie outdoors - eco-friendly premium outdoor apparel

Eco-Friendly Hoodies: Sustainable Choices for Outdoor People

Choosing a hoodie sounds simple. But when you start looking at what goes into making one, the picture gets complicated fast. The global fashion industry generates 92 million tons of... Read more...

Best Hiking and Trail Apps 2026: GPS, Tracking, and Navigation

Your phone is now one of the most useful pieces of kit you can carry on the trail. The right app can mean the difference between confidently navigating a remote... Read more...

Beginner Mountaineering: How to Start Climbing Mountains

Mountaineering is one of the fastest-growing outdoor pursuits in the world. The global mountaineering market hit $3.0 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach $5.5 billion by 2032 (FutureDataStats),... Read more...

Best Backpacking Destinations Around the World

Backpacking is one of the most rewarding ways to see the world. You carry what you need, you move at your own pace, and you end up in places that... Read more...

City Trails: Best Urban Hiking Routes Around the World

Urban hiking has quietly become one of the fastest-growing ways people engage with outdoor spaces. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, 61 million Americans participated in hiking in 2023, and... Read more...

What Is Bouldering? A Beginner's Complete Guide

Bouldering is climbing stripped to its essentials. No ropes, no harnesses, no belayers to manage. Just a climber, a boulder, and a problem to solve. Problems is the right word,... Read more...

Skiing in England: Indoor Slopes, Dry Slopes, and Where to Go

England is not the first country that comes to mind when you think about skiing. The terrain is wrong, the elevation is modest, and the chances of real snow on... Read more...

Hiking in Canada: Best Trails from Coast to Coast

Canada has more trail kilometres per person than almost any country on earth, and a population that uses them seriously. According to Statistics Canada, seven in ten Canadian households participate... Read more...

Coastal Lifestyle: Living Between the Shore and the Trail

Coastal areas hold more human density than almost any other environment. According to NOAA, 40% of the US population lives on less than 10% of the country's land area, the... Read more...

Best Hikes in Washington State: Rainier, Olympics, and Cascades

Washington State has more hiking trail miles than almost any other state in the continental US. According to Washington's Department of Natural Resources, the state has over 5,180 catalogued trail... Read more...

Best Hiking Locations in the UK: A Walker's Guide

The UK has a walking culture unlike anywhere else in the world. Sport England counts 19.7 million adults in England alone who walk for leisure, and National Trails across Britain... Read more...

What Does Apres Ski Mean? The Culture Behind After-Ski

If you've spent any time around ski resorts, you've heard the phrase. But the full meaning of apres ski goes considerably beyond drinking beer in ski boots. It's a culture... Read more...

Best Birdwatching Jackets and Outdoor Clothing 2026

Birdwatching has become one of the most widely practised outdoor activities in the world. The US Fish and Wildlife Service counts 96 million Americans who engage in birding, representing 37%... Read more...

Backpacking Adventures: How to Plan Your First Trip

Backpacking participation has grown dramatically over the past decade. The Outdoor Industry Association reports 61 million US hiking participants in 2023, an 89% increase since 2010. That growth includes millions... Read more...

Belay Technique: The Essential Climbing Safety Guide

Belaying is the single most important skill in roped climbing. Get it right and you give your partner confidence to push their limits. Get it wrong and the consequences can... Read more...

Hiking as a First Date: Why It Works and How to Plan It

Most first dates follow a predictable script. Sit across from each other at a restaurant or bar. Stare at menus. Ask the same questions. Wonder if the other person is... Read more...

Adventure Hoodies: Why a Premium Hoodie Is Essential Trail Gear

Walk into any trailhead parking lot on a cool morning and count the hoodies. You will see more of them than anything else. More than softshells, more than fleece pullovers,... Read more...

Best Mountain Biking Trails in the World

The best mountain biking trails in the world share a few things: sustained investment, thoughtful trail design, varying difficulty that genuinely caters to different skill levels, and scenery that gives... Read more...

How to Bike to Work Without Getting Sweaty

Cycling to work is one of the most effective things you can do for your health. A landmark study by the University of Glasgow published in the BMJ found that... Read more...

Best Water Parks in Germany for Thrill Seekers

Best Water Parks in Germany: Therme Erding, Tropical Islands, and Beyond

Germany doesn't get the credit it deserves as a water park destination. Most people think of mountain trails and medieval towns, but the country is home to some of the... Read more...

Backpacking Arches National Park: Routes and Permits

Arches National Park is one of those places that exceeds expectations even when you know it's coming. The density of named arches and fins, the colour shifts from dawn to... Read more...

Hiking the Black Forest: Germany's Most Beautiful Trail Region

The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) sits in the southwest corner of Germany, pressed against the French border and the Rhine valley. It's one of those regions that looks better in person... Read more...

The Bibbulmun Track: Western Australia's Epic Long-Distance Trail

The Bibbulmun Track runs 1,003 kilometres from the hills above Perth to the southern port city of Albany, crossing through some of the most biologically rich and visually striking country... Read more...

Hiking in Australia: Best Trails and What to Pack

Bushwalking in Australia is bigger than most people outside the country realise. According to AusPlay and Sport Australia, it's the third most popular physical activity in the country out of... Read more...

Durable Outdoor Footwear: What to Look for in Trail Shoes

Trail footwear is where most outdoor kit decisions get complicated. A jacket is easy to assess on feel. Shoes are different. The wrong choice can end a trip early, and... Read more...

Captain Puffin Sweatshirts: The Complete Collection Guide

Premium Wildlife Sweatshirts: Hand-Drawn Puffin Art on Heavyweight Fleece

What Makes a Premium Wildlife Sweatshirt Different Most branded sweatshirts are 7 to 7.5oz. The premium M2580, which is the blank used across the Captain Puffin sweatshirt range, runs at... Read more...

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