ESSENTIAL KIT NEW RELEASES FOR OUTDOOR LIFE

ESSENCE OUTDOORS

Anti Slip Camping Sleeping Mat

£70 | essenceoutdoors.com Tester Beccy

How can a sleeping mat pack down so small but feel so comfortable during the night? Everything you need is provided with the mat – a carabiner so you can attach it to a pack, repair kit, storage pack, survival bracelet, even a sleep mask and ear plugs. You’re unlikely to suffer from a slow puncture either, as the material is tear resistance. It’s easy and quick to inflate and deflate and at 595g it’s fairly light to carry. The mat surprises with both its comfort and its durability, and somehow it doesn’t move or slip underneath you when you move. This is a great year-round purchase for hiking, camping, backpacking – and even when friends come to stay.

How we test

Our kit is tested by real runners: passionate women with diverse running experiences, from dedicated marathoners to happy plodders. We wear the clothes, run in the shoes and use the tech on our usual runs to see if they go the distance. We then give each piece of kit our star rating. Prices are RRP and correct at time of printing.

Our testers include:

Susan Bonnar Promotions and marketing manager, mum of three, discovered running in her mid 40s.

Sarah Gardiner Works for England Athletics, coaches, completed 25 marathons, now runs for pizza.

Beccy Lord Dog walker and Team GB underwater hockey player, runs for mindfulness, adventure and competition.

Geraldine Perrier Wife and mum, travels the world for work, loves off-road running and discovering new trails.

Caroline Trowbridge Actress, children’s author, reiki master and mum of two, loves running for wellbeing.

Claire Kelson Photographer and mum of two, who enjoys mixing gym with miles on and off road.

STM Myth 28L Backpack

£119.95 | stmgoods.com Tester Geri

This backpack feels high quality from the moment you use it. It’s comfortable, lightweight and looks great. The design of this backpack is stylish, with a textured, water-repellent material. The shoulder straps are super padded and there is no sweaty back with the Myth pack as it has an air channel between bag and back. The internal compartment is lined and keeps your laptop really secure – you won’t feel it move as you go over bumps. This bag has so many pockets it’s unreal. Your sunglasses, mobile phone and other devices will be kept safely and away from any scratches. For cycling to work this would be a perfect buy, or, if you are looking for a bag to take on your next adventure. It’s impressively light, too.

SPEEDO Fastskin Xenon Trisuit

£70 | speedo.com Tester Laura

Put this trisuit on and you immediately know you’ve made the right choice for race day. The fit is comfortable and true to size, with an auto-lock front zip. The suit feels light and flexible in or out of the pool for ease of movement and offers good support in all the right places. The built-in chest support, however, offers medium support for the bust, so a sports bra underneath may be a consideration for larger boobs. The leg hems are long and stay in place without riding up, thanks to the thick, silicone leg grips on the edges. The seat pad is hardly noticeable when swimming and running, but does supply more than adequate protection in the saddle and dries quickly, thanks to the drain holes. The suit keeps you feeling dry and ventilated once out of the water, as the moisture is managed and kept away, with help from the mesh ventilation you can find on the back panel. Two little pockets with covers are also cleverly tucked away on the back of this suit, ideal for carrying gels. The design is aesthetically flattering, thanks to the flash of colour on the waist that draws the eye in. A good all-rounder for the price.

BROOKS Spirit Short Sleeve

£30 | brooksrunning.com Tester Esther

This is the business. You know that top you wear over and over, and are gutted when it’s in the wash? This is that top. Floaty and light, perfect for running, camping, barbecues, hanging out at a two-metre distance from friends in the park – everything. It’s made from two distinct fabrics, with full coverage at the front, and a slightly lighter mesh at the back; and while I hate to say ‘flattering’ when it comes to sports wear, this is actually… flattering. The little cap sleeves with no seams hang just right, there are vents at the back for airflow, and the fit hangs just right. This is the one. All other running tops look like t-shirts next to it. Not all tees are created equal.

SPEEDO Proton Fullsuit

£140 | speedo.com Tester Laura