Winter is around the corner and today’s blog post is for all the fair-weather adventurers out there!
I’m the first to hold my hands up and admit I’m a fair weather adventurer. It’s easy to get out for a hike, go paddleboarding, camping, wild swimming or any other outdoorsy activity when the sun is shining and the temperatures are warm.
It’s not so easy to have an adventure in the depths of winter when temperatures are hovering just above freezing, it’ll probably rain and the cosy sofa looks much more inviting!
But we all know it’s worth it when we make the effort to have winter adventurers so here are 10 things you need to get on your winter wishlist that will make winter adventures a little easier!
1. A great pair of waterproof walking boots + great socks
Starting from the bottom up, you can’t have a winter adventure without a decent pair of boots! They need to be comfortable, waterproof and warm or you’ll feel miserable with cold, soggy, sore feet.
adidas have some gorgeous womens walking boots that will see you through all your winter adventures. Don’t forget some good socks too for extra warmth and cushioned softness.
2. A heated jacket
I’ve tried lots of heated jackets so I’ve got a whole blog post about them here: The best women’s heated jackets.
If you’ve already got a good, waterproof winter coat then I’d recommend getting a heated gilet because it’ll fit nicely beneath your winter coat but give you a toasty extra layer of warmth!
3. A cosy/emergency basket in your car
Most people will focus on what they need during their winter adventure but it’s equally important to think about what you’ll need immediately afterwards. There’s nothing worse than having a full day out and that feeling of being tired, cold, soggy and hungry and still having a long drive home!
I pack a tub for the back of the car with things like a change of clothes, blankets, towels, a hot flask for drinks, sweets and chocolate. This is especially great with kids because if they get tired and start dragging their feet on the way back to the car then at least you can encourage them with the promise of sweets when they’re finished! The same applies for adults too!
4. Great thermals
It’s your base layer that can make or break your winter adventure. I know it sounds dramatic but good thermals can really make all the difference. I like fleece lined thermals from M&S and opt for the thinnest ones I can find so they don’t feel restrictive.
5. Hot food flasks
I’ve only recently started using a hot food flask and this is a game changer. I’ll make something like a chilli, bolognaise, casserole or curry in the slow cooker overnight and then you’ve got a delicious hot meal to quickly pop in your hot food flask in the morning. It’s so much nicer than taking a sandwich!
6. Hot drink flask
It’s not a winter adventure without a flask of something hot! I actually don’t really like tea or coffee in a drinks flask but I love having hot chocolate or soup in mine. Sometimes I just fill it with boiling water to have a warm drink at the end of the day.
7. Hand warmers
Hot Hands hand warmers are one of those things that aren’t entirely necessary but they’re so lovely to have when things get really cold! Take them out of the packet and these little sachets heat up automatically. You can then pop them inside your gloves or your pockets but for a boost of warmth that can last up to 10 hours.
They’re great for snowy days, especially if you have kids who will be playing in the snow and making snowballs!
8. A changing robe
Photo obviously not taken during the winter!
A changing robe is an absolute game changer for winter adventures, especially if you’re going in water or getting changed outdoors. They’re great, even if it’s just really cold and rainy.
I often wear mine for winter dog walks along the beach and it makes me happier to go out no matter what the weather is doing because you feel safe and warm inside your little bubble.
9. Waterproof and fleece lined trousers
I’m sure most of us know it’s a good idea to have a waterproof jacket for winter adventures! But waterproof, fleece lined trousers are an absolute game-changer. I have some from Acai and I love them.
10. A sunrise alarm clock
The best winter adventures often happen first thing in the morning. Winter is a great opportunity to get up before the sunrise and be at the top of the mountain to watch it come up, especially midwinter when sunrise is so much later!
In my experience, you often get nicer weather first thing in the morning before it clouds over and becomes grey and miserable for the day.
If you’re struggling to get up early for your winter adventure then consider getting a sunrise alarm clock. I’ve had mine for a few years now and I love it. It wakes me up with a sunrise effect light and the sound of birds chirping which is much nicer than the bleep of a traditional alarm clock!