THRILLING ADVENTURE TECH
Pick up an exciting new pastime with this great gear for aspiring adrenaline junkies
VIA FERRATA
1 OAKLEY SPLIT SHOT SUNNIES
One of the hidden secrets of the mountains, via ferrata (iron way) mean you can get into astonishing scenery in safety. But the sun beating down on a reflective south-facing rock face can easily get taxing on the eyes. Even in less extreme circumstances, the Oakley Split Shot’s polarised lenses will protect and improve your vision in difficult light, as well as looking pretty damn awesome into the bargain. A retaining cable makes them almost impossible to drop from the face… or sit on in the cafe afterwards.
£192, oakley.com
2 ARC’TERYX ALPHA SL GLOVE
Following the steel safety cables and precarious footholds of via ferrata routes may be less perilous than traditional mountain climbing but you’re only as safe as your gear. Apart from the mandatory safety kit, you’ll need some excellent gloves, which these ones from Arc’teryx emphatically are. Lightweight, windproof and highly dexterous, you’ll be able to handle gear easily but stay warm and avoid minor scuffs and grazes into the bargain.
£90,
arcteryx.com
SURFING
3 GARMIN INSTINCT SOLAR – SURF EDITION
Surfing is one of the rising stars of the UK outdoor sports scene, due to the impressive range of coastline in the UK, and partly due to the minimal amount of equipment needed to have a boatload of fun. It’s even more fun if you’ve invested in the Instinct Solar. With precision tide times for wherever you are, as well as the inevitable range of heart rate and activity tracking tools, you’ll never miss a wave again.