You’re not a tourist, you’re a traveller – but before you hit those pioneer trails (or that overgrown beach path), best get tooled up for adventure

SIERRA DESIGNS FLEX CAPACITOR

£165 / sierradesigns.com

Whether you’re hiking to a country pub for lunch, summiting Snowdon or heading out on a multi-day self-supported adventure, you’re going to need a rucksack – and few designs can do it all quite like the Flex Capacitor. Why ‘Flex’? Because using six compression straps and a gusset across the front, the user can adjust its capacity from 40L to 60L and every size between.

It’s a seriously versatile and cleverly executed innovation that means you’re always carrying a well-balanced bag, whether you need to be packing a tent or just a waterproof and enough snacks to get you through to teatime.

Ain’t that a tough

The main fabric is a mix of 100D and 420D ripstop nylon/polyester, which is tough and water-resistant, although not waterproof, so dry bags might be worth bringing if you’re expecting a monsoon.

To save you having to rummage through the main cavity, Sierra Designs has included loads of stretch pockets and straps to keep water bottles, phones and Twixes within easy reach. The hip belt has two large zipped pockets too and, like the main section, also comes in a variety of sizes to accommodate all body shapes.

MORE WILD WISHES

RAB MYTHIC ULTRA 180

If you’ve ever considered cutting the handle off your toothbrush to save valuable grams in pack weight, this is the only sleeping bag for you. Weighing in at an impossibly light 400g (pack size 32x16cm), the Mythic Ultra 180 is the best bag you can get for toastiness on the go.

£550 / rab.equipment

THERM-A-REST NEOAIR UBERLITE

At 250g this is the lightest full-length insulated sleeping pad available, and it still manages 6.5cm of blissfully bump-free cushioning. It takes about 30 seconds to inflate using the one-way valve and rolls up to about the size of a beer can.

£190 / thermarest.com

VANGO F10 NEON UL 1

Carrying your own accommodation is hard work – ask any snail – but there are solutions. This is the world’s lightest pole tent, weighing just 460g. OK, it’s tiny, and we wouldn’t have guests over, but the carbon poles help maximise space and it packs away to the size of a water bottle.

£455 / vango.co.uk

LIFESTRAW PEAK SERIES 650ML

When you’re deep in the wilderness, clean water is a must – but even the most idyllic mountain stream can contain nasties. This silicone bottle and filter is the perfect solution: seriously clever and potentially lifesaving tech that will clean up to 2000L of water before the filter needs replacing.

$33 / lifestraw.com

PRIMUS LITE+

This packable and lightweight 500ml aluminium stove system is ideal for on-the-trail brews and rehydrating camp food such as instant noodles. Impressively, the burner will bring half a litre of water to boil in under three minutes, which also makes it invaluable for festival coffee.

£130 / primusequipment.com

SNOW PEAK TITANIUM SPORK

Premium Japanese outdoor brand Snow Peak makes some of the most desirable camping equipment on the planet. Sadly, much of it is beyond the budget of most mortals, but their titanium cookware, mugs and particularly this spork are superb value, very light (16g) and built to last.

£9 / snowpeak.co.uk

NOW APP THESE

WHAT 3WORDS

This famous app has given every 3m 2square of the planet three random words to identify it. There’s been criticism, but it remains handy for sharing your location, finding people at festivals or getting emergency help.

£free /Android, iOS

MAMMUT MOUNTAIN SCHOOL

The opposite of an app: learn wild camping over two days in the Lake District with mountain pros who’ll show you the ropes and bring you back in one piece, whatever the weather.

£506 / mammut mountainschool. co.uk