Spring is finally here! The leaves are budding, the flowers are sprouting and nature is coming back to life. It's the right time to boost your immune system in the fresh air and build fitness for more challenging hikes and mountain tours. Angela Faber presents 5 products that make every outing a real pleasure.
1. Over hill and dale
If you leave the paved roads and go into nature, you need shoes in which your feet feel comfortable without any restrictions. For a simple spring hike, a lightweight mid-cut, or mid-height shoe that combines comfort and stability, is best. The sole must not be too stiff, but it must offer enough grip to provide a secure foothold on muddy alpine soils as well as stony paths or when crossing a stream. When it comes to uppers, vegan leather is the current trend: animal rights activists in particular are opting for products made from natural plant-based materials or plastics for the sake of a clear conscience.
Product tips:
- Light& ultra comfortable: the Cloudridge from ON.
- For fast hikes: The Spire Woman GTX by LA SPORTIVA.
- Soft as on springs: The Speedgoat 4 from HOKA.
2. Sun protection
The sun unfolds great power already in spring: its rays are so strong that the sun-weaned skin, as well as the sensitive eyes and head need protection. The protection factor of the sunscreen should be chosen rather higher than lower. When it comes to eyeglasses, the quality of the lenses and thus reliable protection against dangerous UV rays is paramount. Glasses must fit well during sports activities. If the style fits, the chic piece becomes a fixed companion in daily life. Hats are hip and real lifestyle eye-catchers. Thanks to sun protection factor, such headgear not only performs well on the mountain, but also on the beach.
Product Tips:
- For sports and leisure: the Basou by Evil Eye.
- Always chic: The Luna Hat by Sunday Afternoons.
- Protecting the skin: Anthelios 50+ from La Roche-Posay.
3. Backpack
In a backpack there is room for everything you need on a light hike or an extended spring walk. An extra layer of warmth, a first aid kit, a refreshing drink and a hearty snack. A few kilos quickly accumulate, so the backpack should fit well and lie flat against the body. When buying, make sure that the back length is right and that the straps run comfortably around the shoulders. A backpack adapted to the body helps to distribute the weight evenly. For a day trip, a volume of 20 to 30 liters is recommended. For women, there are backpacks with a shorter back section, narrower cut straps and a narrower hip belt that takes a lot of the load off the shoulders.
Product tips:
- Light& functional: The Tempest Pro 28 from Osprey.
- Clearly arranged: The AC-LITE 21 SL from Deuter.
- All-rounder: The Traverse 30 from Ortovox.
4. Snack
Environmental awareness also extends to drinking vessels and lunch boxes. Colorful products made of high-quality stainless steel, which are free of harmful plasticizers, offer a good alternative to plastic and are also nice to look at. With the bottles, the vacuum insulation keeps drinks hot for 12 hours or cold for 24 hours. Instead of tin lunchboxes, colorful lunchboxes are the way to go these days. They are not only light, but also keep the snack nice and cool.
Product tips:
- Colorful& sustainable: containers from Hydroflask.
- Elegant stainless steel: containers from Klean Kanteen.
- Nordic simple: Bottle by Lars Nysom.
5. Warm and breezy
Even on beautiful spring days it can get uncomfortably cool in the shade. A warm jacket is therefore a standard piece of equipment for hikes in the transitional period. Since no one wants to carry a heavy backpack, it is worthwhile to look at the weight when making a purchase. Innovative high-tech products made of artificial down and graphene, a Nobel Prize-winning material, have great thermal performance despite being flyweight. Great wearing comfort, a stylish cut and attractive colors ensure a wide range of use.