Alpkit Outpost - Issue 15

A N A L P K I T M O U N TA I N J O U R N A L P U B L I C AT I O N // I S S U E 1 5

M A K E SHORT WINTER DAYS L A ST F ORE VER

0 6 C O M M I T T E D K E E P I N G T H E F L A M E S O F PA S S I O N B U R N I N G / 1 2 S T O P L O O K L I S T E N F E E L T H AT C L O S E C O N N E C T I O N T O N AT U R E / 2 0 H I B E R N O T S U R V I V E O R T H R I V E THIS WINTER ? / 24 FELL FOODIE TIP S FOR YOUR F IRST TIME COOKING AL F RESCO / 28 WINTER TRAINING SUMMER WHO? NICK Y SPINKS ON HER LOVE OF COLD & DARK

andrewpbrooks

HIBERNATE OR

HIBERNOT?

Grab some friends.

Pack the van. A bike. Your tent. Your other bike.

And go. Eat. Sleep. Drink. Swim. Ride. Run. Hike.

Climb a tree. Cook. Laugh. Eat. Walk. Boulder.

Build a snow man. Sleep. Breathe. Recharge. Explore.

Make short days last forever.

Experience winter. Embrace Friluftsliv.

Hibernot.

4 / Warm and dry

Talini PrimaLoft, insulated midlayer.£99.99

Down

Cold Protection

Synthetic Insulation

alpkit.com

Heiko Versatile, windproof, packable, 100% recycled. £129.99

Filoment Hoody Lightweight, warm and packable, recycled down. £169.99

Halogen Featherlight, supreme warmth, low weight. £199.99

warm

‘Insulation’ at alpkit.com Katabatic Awesome PrimaLoft Gold, mountain active. £189.99

Solace Warm and dry hill and moorland comfort. £249.99

0Hiro From cold & dry to mild & wet, tough protection. £199.99

Fantom Big, warm, technical cosy hug. £229.99

Autumn / Winter 2023

Atalanta Hardworking waterproof designed for women. £119.99

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Argonaut Affordable, serious and cut for men. £119.99

Sigma Versatile recycled 3 layer, multi activity, packable. £169.99

Gravitas Lightweight, ultra performance, high activity. £199.99

‘Waterproofs’ at alpkit.com

+ dry

Waterproof

Breathable

Windproof

PFC-free

The outdoors is our playground. Don’t let the rain or cold stop play. Our insulation and waterproof families will have you covered no matter where you go or how big your plans. Use Fortitude them separately Hillwalking or together and waterproof protection. let’s win winter! £199.99

Balance Mountain waterproof, fully featured, durable. £229.99

Definition 4 season bombproof shell , tough, high altitude.£279.99

6 / Committed

REAL STORIES OF JOURNEYS, EXPEDITIONS AND ADVENTURE.

comMiTt Alpkiteer Ian Palmer on keeping the flames of passion burning when the temperature drops.

Words & pictures by Alpkiteer Ian Palmer

It’s over - summer is over! And we’re in the throes of autumn. I love autumn. I stop using a heart rate monitor, don’t look at my stats, and ride/run as much or as little as I feel like. The colours are changing, and it’s still relatively warm. But how do you keep your exercise focus as soon as the rain comes (and it does so in excess in the Lake District), and it seems perpetually dark?

As my old coach used to say, ‘you don’t own your fitness, you rent it for a while.’ I’m just trying to elongate the ‘while’ section. I’m trying to keep fit, stay fit and battle old age.

The prospect of a race really helps keep me motivated to get across that door threshold and outside in winter. I generally have a ‘season’ to train for, which usually starts in March, so I aim to begin

the formal training 4-5 months before this.

Once you’ve decided on a date you should be fit for, it helps to have a training plan to structure your week. I’m fanatical about my training plan as it keeps me on the straight and narrow all winter.

I try to complete a fitness test before I start my year to track progress, which boosts motivation.

They’re unpleasant tests to complete but they’re measurable – and that’s what matters.

Getting organised is another way to help ensure you stick to the plan. I make sure everything is set up and ready to go the night before a morning training session: kit laid out, bike on the turbo etc. If there are any obstacles (such as finding kit) when you’re already tired, the temptation to leave it for the day is high.

If I lack motivation because of what it looks like outside, I switch it up and train inside. I’ll sit on the turbo trainer and watch a film or do some strength training.

25TH OCTOBER Committed

‘Winter webinars’ at alpkit.com

But before you start wishing away those deep winter months, they have their advantages...

Training in the dark with a headlight can be quite fun, and returning to a warm house, shower or cup of tea after a cold evening session is very nice indeed. The roads are clearer of traffic, the fells have fewer people on them, the winter sun has a different way of lighting up the view. Plus you know that lots of people you’ll be racing against come spring will be struggling with their motivation, so every step or pedal-stroke is giving you an advantage.

Tted

Even if it’s not about racing for you, getting out in the winter months can be a joy, whatever the weather.

Winterise your

Training kit list When the temperature drops, the first to suffer are your extremities. Warm up from the outside in with accessories that level up the kit you’ve already got. These are Ian’s picks for warming up his winter kit.

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1. Kepler Draught Excluder – Merino neck warmer, bandana, helmet liner, beanie, face mask, ear band, wrist band, neckerchief.

Luxurious and lightweight however you use it. £24.99 2. Specta Pullover Glove – Running gloves with stowable windproof pullover mitt £22.99 3. Stratus Glove – Waterproof cycling gloves with high-vis features for winter riding £53.99

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4. Kantju – Stretchy and breathable running gaiters to keep out slush and muck £24.99 5. Epic Overshoes – Tough off-road neoprene overshoe to keep feet warm and protected £49.99

‘Win Winter’ at alpkit.com

8 / Halogen

Halogen Featherlight secret weapon.

Supreme warmth and incredibly low weight which stows away into its own pocket. 100% recycled nylon with a PFC-free DWR and 800FP RDS-certified down.

Available in 6-20 and XS-XXL.

£199.99

Outerspace Mercury

NotActual size

‘Halogen’ at alpkit.com

Autumn / Winter 2023

Actual size (255 grams)

Your new

SECRET

WEAPON FOR ENDURANCE I’m exhausted and every bone in my body aches.

The temperature tanked as the sun went down.

3 days in and I’m racing alone, have been for the last 34 hours. Good call to ride the night as I’ve just under 200 miles to go.

Halogen is my secret weapon - small enough to carry and unwraps to a warm duvet put it on and you’re gonna smile.

No rational person would ever do this but in this moment I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Pete McNeil - Bike Adventurer, Racer, and Expedition Leader

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10 / Winter Treats

alpkit.com

Treat yourself - or someone you love!

We’ve brought together our favourite bunch of cracking gifts that we’d be over the moon to unwrap, whatever outdoor activity tickles your pickle.

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‘Winter treats’ at alpkit.com 1. Waffa from £49.99 • 2. Boulder Bucket from £27.99 • 3. Haline Glove £49.99 • 4. Idaho 16L £109.99 5. Black Yak Blackberry Stitch £21.99 • 6. Refresher 500 £13.99 • 7. Colca £35.99 • 8. Qark £39.99 9. Books from £5.99 • 10. Eddy t-shirt £25.99 • 11. TiMigos £22.49 • 12. Path t-shirt £25.99 13. Glint £39.99 • 14. Tyndall Lantern £39.99 • 15. Wave £29.99

Autumn / Winter 2023

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made in

NOTTINGHAM We’re incredibly proud of the products we make right here in Nottingham. Our team of expert makers scrutinise over design detail, prototype, test and create products to the highest standards.

They make bikepacking bags, bouldering mats, backpacks and chalk bags. Every piece is built to last with care and pride in our UK factory. That’s why we cover every piece with our 25-year Alpine Bond. Our dedicated custom makers are incredibly talented. If you want to geek out over the details with them and customise your kit, email customise@alpkit.com

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‘UK Made’ at alpkit.com

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16. Chalk Bag from £27.99 • 17. Nanolite Pole £39.99 • 18. MyMokka £12.99 19. Juice Cube £24.99 • 20. Juice Boost £19.99 • 21. Juice Holder £29.99 • 22. Juice Tank £24.99 23. Tippla £24.99 • 24. Refresher 1000 £15.99 • 25. Cutlery Roll £6.99 • 26. Mica Glove £42.99 27. Brevent 25L £167.99 • 28. Griffon Half-Zip £49.99 • 29. Kitbag 40L £69.99 • 30. Gravel Bag £59.99 31. Cwtch Bobble Beanie £34.99 • 32. Radiant £29.99 • 33. Knot T-shirt £25.99

12 / Stop, look, listen

alpkit.com

STOP

LOOK LISTEN Empty your head of the every day and take a moment to really notice nature.

You’ll feel a whole lot better for it.

I’ve loved walking outdoors since way back when.

My earliest memories are of walking the local footpaths with my grandad, stopping to look at berries and butterflies, and listening to birdsong.

However, I realised that in recent years, although I still loved walking, I’d stopped really taking the time to notice nature. I know there have been times when I walked my usual dog walk routes without being aware of nature around me at all, preoccupied with thoughts of my next work call, remembering to pay a bill or working out what to cook for dinner.

But then I moved jobs to work for the RSPB, the largest nature conservation charity in the UK, where there is a strong commitment to connect more people to nature. Research shows that people with a greater connection to nature experience improved mental wellbeing, greater vitality and happiness, and are more satisfied with life. It can also positively impact a range of health conditions, including stress, anxiety and

depression and inspire us to take greater care of the natural world.

Moving jobs made me realise how I’d lost some of that connection. I still loved being outdoors but I wasn’t noticing everything around me.

Now, I’m working with healthcare professionals to bring nature into the daily lives of their patients. We’ve named this work ‘RSPB Nature Prescriptions’.

We know it works thanks to wider scientific research. The good thing is you can find nature wherever you are – by opening a window, by walking along a pavement, by sitting quietly in a park.

There’s no better time to change how you take in nature than when the seasons move on.

So wherever you are, I urge you to take time to really notice, spot, see, listen, observe and feel that close connection to nature. It’s transformative and wondrous – and it makes us feel better!

Autumn / Winter 2023

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Hannah’ s

When we are with nature, we are awake

FAVOURITE

GEAR

Our Ilkley store hero Hannah loves nature photography.

We asked for her five essentials for a day out on the hills.

-- John Muir

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1. Idwal beanie Made from 100% responsibly sourced lambswool. £34.99 2. Jura mountain smock Pile fleece-lined windproof smock jacket. Reviewers call it “superb”! £159.99

October

March

3. Shiel gloves Winter gloves made from synthetic insulation that mimics down.

Fuss-free, packable warmth. £32.99 4. Chillkoot All-rounder softshell trousers.

Wicking, wind-resistant and stretchy. £99.99 5. Kepler long sleeve Breathable, supersoft base layer for chillier activities.

Made with non-mulesed Merino. £59.99

Sarah Walker RSPB

rspb.org.uk/natureprescriptions

Waxwings Murmerations Daffodils Beech Bats go into appear trees hibernation Wild garlic turn to Snow Winter gold Swallows Queen Bees Solstice drops and Frogspawn emerge 23/12 Martins Winter leave Robins Swallows return

14 / Solace

NEW!

‘Solace’ at alpkit.com

WINTER PROOF

warm meets dry Black

Reed

Solace One jacket to rule them all! The Solace is the first of its kind in the Alpkit family. Our brand new insulated waterproof is made with damp-proof synthetic insulation that keeps you warm when it’s cold, and dry when it’s wet. Supremely versatile, the Solace can be used as a walking jacket, a ski jacket, or for instant warmth after a winter swim or ride. It’s got hand warmer pockets and glovefriendly cuffs to accommodate ever-cooling extremities. Made with 100% recycled lining, 70% recycled insulation and a PFC-free DWR so it won’t leak nasties into the environment.

A winter one-stop-shop layer.

£249.99

This is * what we do *

And it’s all because of you.

Every purchase helps people get outside. Thank you.

, £600 000 Over 2000 projects!

Scan Here to see the full 2023 impact report

18 / Winter camping

alpkit.com

Fresh The nights are longer, the air fresher, that can only mean one thing - winter camping season is here. Select your 10 hour hibernation pod and pack your bags. Great locations, easy check-ins, rare finds and billion star ratings await.

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22nd November

Winter Camping ‘Winter webinars’ at alpkit.com

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1. Bergen Tough troos with a relaxed cut for people who want more from their kit. Made with recycled polyester and organic cotton.

Designed by climbers for climbers. £99.99

2/3. Loki Fully recycled instant warmth that’s lightweight, breathes well, and dries quickly. A hard worker that’ll be in every kit bag. £59.99

4. Idwal Beanie Stop your brain from becoming a BRRRRR-ain. £34.99 5. Viper 240 lumen head torch with a reactive lighting mode. £25.99

6. Escapade 4-way technical softshell trousers. Breathable, moisture wicking, protective with contoured fit for all day comfort. £69.99

Autumn / Winter 2023

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Kangri 2 people, 4 seasons. 1 big night out.

Light enough to carry, strong enough to cope.

The Kangri 4 season 2 person mountain tent carefully balances durability, strength and weight to deliver a structure that will cope with the harsh conditions you’ll face on any expedition.

When you’re high in the mountains, your pitch options will be limited. The Kangri’s geodesic design creates a large living space with good head-room for a relatively small tent footprint.

Two

4.3kg

12 mins

Ø19x60cm

117cm

£399.99

‘Camping’ at alpkit.com

1. MytiStax 3 Titanium 3 piece cooking set with 2 pots and a pan. £109.99 2. Koro High powered titanium camping stove weighing 124g. £54.99 3. Whisper Insulated, inflatable camping mat: full length, 7cm thick, 720g. £79.99 4. SkyeHigh 700 Lightweight, 4-season sleeping bag: -7°C limit, RDS-certified down fill. £219.99

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5. Refresher 1000 1000ml double walled stainless-steel bottle. £15.99 6. Soundbite Bluetooth speaker and camping lantern. £34.99 7. Juice Tank Powerbank charger. £24.99 8. Drift Inflatable pillow. £13.99

20 / Hibernot

alpkit.com

HIBERNOT

Zahra Rose is an outdoor enthusiast, social media influencer and senior member of the Muslim Hikers team. When the temperature drops, she ditches binge-watching and hibernating inside for thriving outside.

Words & pictures by Zahra Rose

As we go through the motions in our mundane day-to-day lives, we can often find ourselves missing out on the subtleties of seasons changing while our routines remain the same. Life and beauty never stop. Especially not in winter.

It was only last year that I realised that the biggest barrier to getting outside was myself. I thought that making the most of winter meant surviving indoors rather than thriving outside. Growing up I never knew people (beside dog walkers) who would voluntarily leave their homes as it became chilly.

I decided it was only right to try to enjoy my first active outdoor winter at 29 years old, but I was ill equipped. So I invested in some electric hand warmers, waterproofs, a flask and some base layers. My adventures started small, ensuring I had the fortification of a tearoom – something to look forward to. I would invite a friend along, and we’d make a day of it.

After two or three walks I came to understand that outside of the comfort zone is where growth and adventure lie. It was when my feet (or poor

navigation) lead me off route that I truly felt alive, I was no longer fixated on how cold the air was, how stiff my fingers were, or “how long left?”.

I now see nature in ways I hadn’t even ever acknowledged it. Tiny glimpses of life in every direction, winter blooms, mice scurrying along, bunnies, squirrels, howling winds, teeny tiny mushrooms, snowflakes, the sounds of partially frozen rivers, moments to just sit, and observe.

It was in those slower paced moments that I felt a sense of acceptance of winter. What a shame it would be to miss the stillness of it.

What was once a short walk became several longer more purposeful hikes – many in the company of like-minded people – Muslim Hikers.

When I find my strength to leave the warmth wavering, I remind myself that “the comfort of home is all but a couple of hours away, get uncomfortable, get excited and be adventurous, life is short”. It never fails me. Winter is not for everyone, but when the crowds are no more, tranquility befalls me in nature. It’s addictive.

muslimhikers.com

Autumn / Winter 2023

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Freya’ s

FAVOURITE

GEAR

Our Hathersage store hero Freya just loves being outside.

She’s a hiker, swimmer, runner, rider and climber. Here are her must-haves for wintry walks in the Peak District.

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1. Heiko PrimaLoft® insulated jacket our most sustainable yet. £129.99 2. Picu A short-sleeve base layer that dries 4x quicker than cotton £34.99 3. Kepler long sleeve Breathable, supersoft base layer for chillier activities.

Made with non-mulesed Merino. £59.99 4. Escapade Tougher than leggings and flex-ier than trousers. Slim-fit, 4-way stretch women’s walking legwear. £69.99 5. FKT brief high-wicking, fast-drying underwear for building your layering system from the bottom up. £10.99

My ears perk at every crunch around me, my nose devours the mossy smell of decomposed leaves and moss, my eyes long for familiarity in every direction, a road, a store, anything, but instead I see nature in ways I hadn’t even ever acknowledged it, those ‘blink and you’d miss it’ moments.

22 / Fortitude

Mizzle, Drizzle, Clarty, Smirr, Dimpsey, Squall & Deluge.

Fortitude Jacket Designed for maximum protection in bad weather, the Fortitude is our most sustainable waterproof shell to date and has set a new standard in environmentally preferable waterproofs.

Merging high performance technologies with environmentally responsible choices.

Hardshell protection for horizontal squalls, driving winds and so-hard-it’s-raining-upwards downpours.

It’s got a longer cut because the rain never stops at waist height, and a relaxed fit to give plenty of room for layers on colder days. The tough 100% recycled outer features our PFC-free durable water repellent, meaning it doesn’t leave any nasty chemicals in the wild places we love. Fortitude is built for those dawn to dusk days in the hills, earning the good weather and getting closer to nature.

£199.99

‘Fortitude’ at alpkit.com

pack me up before yo u go go

y All dag lon

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Soggy trousers in winter will soon affect your core temperature and kill those big day vibes. Overtrousers give you that just-in-case protection in your pack.

While waterproof trousers are comfortable to wear all day and create a ‘bring it on’ mentality straight from the trailhead. The design team loved these trousers in testing and wear them year round, we are super proud of the Equinox and Cloudburst.

1. Equinox All day long! Put them on and keep them on to stay warm and dry all year long. They’re warm waterproof trousers with a built in feel good factor: they’re comfy next to skin, semi-elasticated and articulated. £129.99

2. Cloudburst Overtrousers made by hillwalkers for hillwalkers. They’re loose to fit over other legwear, but not so loose that they get in the way. Light and packable with lower leg zips for lastminute outfit changes on the hill. £79.99

24 / Fell Foodie

alpkit.com

FELL FOODIE Unless you are against the clock in a race or braving a challenge in some of the world’s harshest climates and locations, there is always a window for knocking up something wholesome infused with fresh air.

Words & pictures by Harrison Ward (aka Fell Foodie)

17th January

Cuisine for the cold Harrison cooking up a storm on his bulletproof Vagabond Stove £79.99

Cooking in a purpose-built kitchen is going to be easier and perhaps more efficient than al fresco cuisine crafting.

For me though, it’s not always about doing things that are easy.

Even if I’ve had to lug a bit more equipment with me to construct something gastronomic outside, then so be it. The quality of our food on adventures is often seen as one of the lowest priorities if it ensures certain macros to fuel us on. But I have never enjoyed convenient cuisine, or the fast-food culture.

Here are my tips for your first time cooking outside...

Do...

• Check the weather and plan the meal appropriately, you don’t want to be cooking a slow, long dish if the wind and rain are roaring through.

• Try something you are familiar with cooking at home first.

• Prepare your ingredients before you go.

Don’ t...

• Rely on your pre-adventure meal.

Anything can happen when in the outdoors, but going hungry is often something we can avoid on a planned excursion.

‘Winter webinars’ at alpkit.com

• Forget a first aid kit – accidents can happen even when just going on a walk in the park. Add open flames, sharp knives and potentially hot water to that mix and the risk level goes up.

• Wash equipment in waterways.

Whatever gets into our waterways can get into an ecosystem, avoid the effect on wildlife and vegetation by carrying your pots and pans with you to wash in a more suitable place.

‘Fell Foodie’ at alpkit.com

Autumn / Winter 2023

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TuscanBea n Stew One of my regular go-to meals. Comes together easily and satisfies any hunger. You may have seen me cooking up this dish on Channel 5’s Winter on the Farm with Dr Amir Khan. The roasted peppers are essential, adding smoky sweetness, but you can replace the cannellini beans with any rogue white beans taking up space in your cupboard.

Serves 4

Method:

Equipment:

Finely dice the onion and add to the saucepans with some oil on a medium heat. Peel and finely dice the garlic and add to the softened onions.

Ingredients:

Squeeze some tomato puree into the mix with the paprika, oregano and bay leaves and cook out for a few minutes.

Stir through the beans and add the chopped tomatoes and 3 roasted, skinned and chopped peppers. Add a splash of balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon of sugar and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer, cook for a few minutes and serve with flatbreads and salad.

Stove, fuel, knife, chopping board, saucepan, spatula. ½ red onion Oil 2-3 garlic cloves 1 tbsp tomato puree 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp dried oregano 2-3 bay leaves 300g cannellini beans (dried weight) 400g shopped tomatoes 3 roasted peppers Balsamic vinegar 1 tsp sugar Salt Pepper Salad leaves

If making flatbreads, create them first.

Tip:

Roast, skin and chop the peppers at home. Cook with a splash of oil and salt in the oven at 180c until blackened.

Cover to steam for 10 minutes and then peel off the skin.

Also available pre-prepared in jars from the supermarket.

26 / Woodsmoke

Woodsmoke.

Is it a shirt Is it a jacket Is it a fleece The most comfortable shirty jackety jumpery thing you’ll ever own. It looks like a shirt but because of the clever ThermocoreTM hollow fibre fabric, it traps heat to work like a fleece. It never needs ironing so is perfect for a throw on jacket as you run out of the house/hut/tent. Wear it riding, hiking, climbing, working, relaxing (and maxing), you’ll never want to take it off. And with Polygiene® anti-odour technology you won’t need to. Wear it for longer between washes, perfect for multi-day trips by bike or foot. It’s light, soft, fast wicking, quick drying, looks and smells fresh and rolls away neatly so you can always have it to hand.

Your new favourite do-it-all shirt. Buy well, put less in your wardrobe.

‘Woodsmoke’ at alpkit.com

£89.99

Buffalo

Nemo

Slate

Available in 6-20 and XS-XXL

turns out everyone loves the woodsmoke...

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From left to right: Filoment Hoody £169.99, Woodsmoke £89.99, Altai £139.99

“The perfect shirt” Pippa

“The best shirts” Paul

“Fantastic shirt!” Scott

“Love it love it love it” Alex

“Great riding shirt” Kevin

“Go to shirt” Jay

“So comfortable” Sze

“Brilliant piece of kit” Phil

“My go to shirt” Mark

“What a shirt” Chaz

“Versatile” Jonathan

“Love this shirt” Matthew

“Love this shirt” Kathryn

“Lovely stuff” Si

“Best shirt I own” Andy

“I wear all the time” Tom

“I own 5” Swayndo

“This has everything” Rich

“Best shirt ever” Dave

“Gorgeous shirt” Bec

28 / Winter training

alpkit.com

I winter training

British ultra endurance runner Nicky Spinks breaks records for fun.

She broke her own Bob Graham record twice. Held the fastest women’s times for the three major rounds simultaneously and became the only person to complete a double of the Paddy Buckley and Ramsay rounds.

Nicky’s training happens in winter - and joyfully. She shared with us her top tips on how to stay safe now the nights are drawing in.

Words & pictures by Nicky Spinks

I’m looking forward to the winter (as I always do!). I love my winter training.

Summer is so busy with races and holidays and is way too hot for me most of the time.

When we were farming, I was forced to run at night as the motto was “if it’s daylight, we’re working,” so summers were just very long workdays where I had no time and no energy for running.

I used to spend the summer recce-ing routes across the moors that I could run in winter.

I have a plethora of winter jackets, tights and head torches, plus trail-type fell shoes as the going is typically soggier in winter than in summer. I even made collars for my dogs with reflective material, having found that nothing I could buy did what I needed.

So, how did I prepare for winter to train better than I could in summer and come out the other side in great shape for spring racing? or to attempt a round, as April and May are the best months for that.

Firstly – I have to feel safe. The farm was in quite an urban area, so running from home meant I was likely to meet people, some of them not always savoury. On the moors, the dangers are getting lost, falling over, injuring myself and getting cold/wet.

5 ways to stay safe this winter:

1. Organise to run with people. This is a great

motivator as even if it’s lashing it down. I run with my dogs as much as possible, which is reassuring and good company.

2. If you’re on your own, tell someone your

route and what time you expect to be home.

Let them know when you’re back.

3. Get some good kit and carry extra, no matter whether you’re urban or rural. Another good tip: if it’s foggy, carry your torch in your hand at waist level. You can see the ground and don’t get a “glare back” reflection off the fog.

4. Recce routes in summer that you then know

for winter. Think about how easy it is to follow the paths and what they might be like in winter. Some lovely dry summer paths turn into mud or bogs in winter.

5. Turn around if things get tricky, the mountains will be there for another day.

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Samuel’s

FAVOURITE

GEAR

Our community coordinator Samuel runs every day, all year round. When it comes to winter, he’s got his layering system sorted.

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1. Morphosis Half-Zip Fleece-lined windproof built for breathability, no matter your activity. £89.99 2. Koulin Trail Long Sleeve Fast-drying, sweat-wicking, breathable base layer.

With Polygiene®, for wearing more and washing less. £29.99 3. Koulin Trail Tights Leggings made with 85% recycled nylon, designed for trail running. £39.99 4. Gravitas The lightest waterproof we sell, for worlds apart comfort and full protection at fast paces. £199.99

What motivates me to go out?

• Having a spring or summer goal for the following year.

• The weather – I love winter training. There’s none of this getting too hot. You can push yourself hard and stay at a comfortable temperature.

• Being out there on my own, in all weathers.

• I’m starting to embrace the snow as well. If you’re new to it, start slow and go out with someone more knowledgeable than you. It opens up a whole new world.

• Lack of vegetation! Honestly, so many footpaths are covered in nettles in summer and in winter they are amazing.

5. Specta Pullover Glove Midweight fleece running gloves with stowable windproof pullover mitt £22.99 • When I venture out to the mountains in winter, I have the place to myself.

winter

webinars 19th DEcember Love Winter

‘Winter webinars’ at alpkit.com

30 / Merino

A sheep in wolf’s clothing Under every hardshell lies a big ol’ nature loving softee.

Our Merino baselayers are made from the finest grade 100% Merino wool, nature’s original performance fabric.

Naturally pong free qualities and super soft seams make them perfect for multiday adventures. Nothing quite compares to the inner warmth and comfort you get from Merino, and as winter warmth starts from the inside, you’ll be ready for anything mother nature throws your way.

The softest fabric for the toughest days.

ness Soft

We use ultrafine 100% natural Merino from non-mulesing farms.

You can’t get finer.

TRUE FACT

‘Merino’ at alpkit.com

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8 1. Kepler Liner Beanie Lightweight, low-profile, superfine Merino hat. £24.99 2. Kepler Vest 100% pure Merino wool vest. £44.99 • 3. Kepler Short Sleeve Merino tee for hiking, riding, running and climbing. £49.99 • 4. Kepler Long Sleeve Breathable, super soft base layer for chillier activities. £59.99 • 5. Kepler Draught Excluder Luxurious and lightweight however you wrap it. £24.99 • 6. Kepler Liner Glove Liner to boost the warmth of your gloves. £28.99 7. Kepler Boxers Odour-resistant and super soft. Build your base layers from the bottom up. £29.99 8. Kepler Leggings / Long Johns Temperate-regulating leggings for cold weather layering. £64.99

32 / Definition

alpkit.com

‘Definition’ at alpkit.com

Nemo

4 season bombproof mountain hardshell. Our most technical waterproof to date, designed to thrive in the toughest conditions and built to last. This is the Definition of winter protection.

30K hydrostatic head offers exceptional waterproof protection and 20K breathability means you’ll keep dry inside even when you’re active. And because this jacket is for the high mountains and for climbing, it’s a slim active cut with a helmet compatible hood and pockets set high to clear your harness or hip belt. YKK Aquaguard® zips help to keep you dry, and reinforcing them is an internal storm flap and chin guard. And of course it is built to last with abrasion resistant, super durable fabric. A PFC-free mountaineering jacket that doesn’t leak nasty chemicals into the earth. You don’t need to compromise to consider the planet.

The Definition £279.99

Chilli

Autumn / Winter 2023

NEW! Ardent The Ardent trousers are what we’d pick for winter walking, climbing and mountaineering.

They’re warm, protective and abrasion-resistant, and reinforced on the seat and the knees.

Built to last you forever and ever and ever and ever. £124.99

‘Ardent’ at alpkit.com

Wa

From an icy dip in Snowdonia to plunging into the Norwegian Fjords, if it’s not frozen solid, let’s get in.

Int swimming brrrrrrrrilliant.

Winter comes with extremes, with the weather and the daylight hours being some of the greatest.

There’s 11 hours difference in the sun rise and set between the long meandering summer nights and the cold short dark days of winter. It would be easy to go into hibernation mode as the nights draw in but that’s often when the best adventures are had.

It can often be hard to protect adventure time with friends, especially at this time of the year, so planning a social activity like wild swimming on a non moving event - say the full moon, is the perfect excuse to get together and have a laugh.

‘Swim’ at alpkit.com

th rm o

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hts ug

THRILL OF THE CHILL

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Bring hot drinks, food and warm, warm layers.

The winter months can take a bit more internal dialogue and standing on the frozen bank of emotion.

You won’t regret that rush of freezing cold water lighting a furnace within as you find your rhythm in the blue.

Whether you’re in a wetsuit or your birthday suit the important part is coming out to an array of woolly jumpers, hats, trousers and a big slurp of hot chocolate. Don’t let the weather stop you this winter, just adjust your equipment and while you suss out what your comfort zones are… pack warm - pack big!

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Hurley Long sleeved swim top using ECONYL®, for extra warmth and sun protection.

Men’s and Women’s £39.99

Dulsie Long-sleeved one-piece swimsuit using ECONYL®, with extra warmth and sun protection. £44.99

Bredon & Hythe swim shorts Streamlined swim shorts using ECONYL®, for warmer waters or short, sharp plunges.

Bredon £19.99, Hythe £24.99

Haven Warm and weatherproof changing cloak for cosiness before and after activity. £129.99

When warm thoughts just... aren’ tenough 1. Outdoor Swimming Cap £32.99 2. Silvertip Thermal Wetsuit £224.99 3. Outdoor Swimming Gloves £32.99 4. Nori Tow Float £36.99 5. Outdoor Swimming Socks £37.99 Towel also works in warm conditions £19.99

recycle your OLD wetsuit!

‘Wetsuit Recycle' at alpkit.com

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Even the most beloved wetsuit will reach breaking point at some stage.

Keep the memories and send us your old wetsuit to continue its journey.

With a number of options, starting with our repair stations, we also work with partners who help us to reuse, rehome, recycle, repurpose, reignite a products life. Help us to continue the journey and avoid the unnecessary slide into landfill.

R U O Y D L I W RE-

R E T N I W 28 Day Ride Guarantee

If for any reason you don’t love your Sonder bike or Sonder wheels you can send them back for a no-quibble refund within 28 days.

Accident replacement Scheme

Our accident replacement scheme was created to soften the blow of accidental damage to your beloved Sonder products. If a product is beyond repair we will offer you a discount on a new replacement.

Broken Road – Wilderness trail bike Wildness, true ‘in the middle of nowhere’ wildness is a necessity for the human soul.

Remote places surrounded by giants make us feel small. They remind us of our place in all this. There’s no better time than when the mercury starts to drop to feel the true power of nature. The air is fresher, the views crisper and the silence louder.

Hibernate on the couch nest of doom or take the lead role in the best show on earth?

The mountains are calling, on your bike.

Builds from £1,949 Monthly payments available

‘Broken Road’ at alpkit.com

You know your bike and setup better than anyone - grab a custom frame bag from the expert seamsters in our UK factory. You'll personalise size, colours, zips, pockets and dividers to your heart’s content. Organise your bits and bobs just how you want them. Or even just match your bag to your frame. Email customise@alpkit.com to get started.

‘UK Made’ at alpkit.com

CUSTOM Corner

Order by 24th November so Santa can get it to you before the big day.

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1. Pulsar Roll it, pack it, stuff it; but always take it. A waterproof smock is the piece of kit you didn’t know you needed. No zip means no faff and extra comfort on the bike. The Pulsar is a 2.5 layer lightweight legend of a jacket that moves with you and keeps you dry. £149.99 2. Spectra Anti-fog cycling eyewear. Protection from mud, grit and the elements without restricting your field of vision. With three sets of lenses s o that you can adapt to the conditions. £15.99

3. Cirrus Glove Weatherproof gloves that give ultimate dexterity on the handlebars and protect the hands from wet weather on- or off-road. £37.99 4. Floe Trouser Keep off wind, mud and rain on wintrier mountain bike rides.

The Floe trousers are comfy, breathable and designed for pedalling. Space for your knee pads but not so much that they’ll snag. £99.99

‘Cycle Clothing’ at alpkit.com

38 / Winter Gravel Series

It’s a joy to spend time with customers at our stores over winter for the Sonder Winter Gravel Series.

More events added all the time Scan for further event details and future events.

15TH OCTOBER Keswick 29TH OCTOBER Hathersage 5th NOVEMBER Ambleside 19th NOVEMBER Inverness 3rd DECEMBER Metro

17th DECEMBER Bristol 14th JANUARY Kingston 28th JANUARY Edinburgh 4th FEBRUARY Ilkley 18th FEBRUARY Betws-y-Coed

10am start!

‘Gravel Series’ at alpkit.com

The company, the routes, the whole day – just brilliant. And the best thing is, you can ride these routes whenever you like. From all corners of Britain, here are the routes of this season’s Sonder Winter Gravel Series. And there’s even a special prize if you ride them all!

Get 10% back to USE or GIFT! It’s free. It’s easy. It’s wonderful.

All you have to do is create a customer account.

Become a member and get access to exclusive rewards and benefits.

Get 10% back: Earn as you go. Get 10% back

If you’ve already got an account just login.

Otherwise:

with our 10% Discount Dividend. Gift to a friend, school, group or use yourself.

1. Create an account: Click ‘register’ on the account page and use the email address you use to shop with us.

Get£5 per review: We love your feedback and pictures of your gear. Earn £5 back for every product review on our website.

2. Click the activation link in your email: Check your emails for an activation link we’ll have sent you.

Get Access To Alpkit Outlet: Get exclusive access to our outlet and save with our biggest and best deals.

3. Log in: Click the Member Rewards section

alpkit.com/pages/member-rewards-info

on the left-hand side. In here you'll see details of your rewards.

winter

webinars

Here’s just a little taster of all the good wintry stuff coming.

As always there are lots of ways to get involved in Alpkit family discussions and outings. th th th

25 OCTOBER

13 DECEMBER

17 January

Join Alpkiteer Ian Palmer on keeping the flame burning through the cold of winter.

A fireside chat with Jenny Graham and Al Humphreys.

Demonstrations and Q&A with Fell Foodie.

Winter Camping Paul Messner on why you should embrace winter camping.

Cuisine for the cold

19th DEcember

14th February

British Ultra Runner Nicky Spinks on learning to love winter and making longer nights work for you.

RSPB on noticing nature and finding peace outside.

Love Winter

Stop, look, listen

,251 12 REPAIRS IN THE LAST YEAR!

The longer you keep kit going, the smaller your impact on the planet. It’s the reason we’ve always repaired our own products, and the reason we’ve been repairing outdoor kit from any brand, since 2004.

All our stores offer repair and reproof services - and they’re all online too! We repair any brand and we can do any modification you ask for. All time is charged at a fair hourly rate.

Just get in touch at support@alpkit.com

‘Repair Station’ at alpkit.com

Mending isbetter than endinG

More details here

FREE

DELIVERY

FREE

22 November nd

Protecting winter adventure time

RETURNS

Committed

And all backed by our

alpine bond

No need to rant and dribble.

Our guarantee is defo no quibble.

Prices correct as of October 2023.

COME AND JOIN US, LET'S

‘Win Winter’ at alpkit.com

WINTER PROOF

warm meets dry

NEW!

Solace One jacket to rule them all! The Solace is the first of its kind in the Alpkit family. Our brand new insulated waterproof is made with damp-proof synthetic insulation that keeps you warm when it’s cold, and dry when it’s wet. Supremely versatile, the Solace can be used as a walking jacket, a ski jacket, or for instant warmth after a winter swim or ride.

It’s got handwarmer pockets and glove-friendly cuffs to accommodate ever-cooling extremities. Made with 100% recycled lining, 70% recycled insulation and a PFC-free DWR so it won’t leak nasties into the environment.

A winter one-stop-shop layer.

£249.99

‘Solace’ at alpkit.com