For the lo e of out there
Right now, someone is lacing up boots at stupid o'clock. Someone is squeezing a sleeping bag into a sack that's definitely too small. Someone is looking at a weather forecast, deciding it's fine, and going anyway.
The word 'amateur' - from the Latin amare - simply means to love. And love doesn't wait for the right conditions. It goes out in the rain. It takes the kids. It calls the hard days the best days. There's a hill with your name on it. Get your bag. Summer's waiting.
for
For the love of walking
Outdoor enthusiast Jen Lowthrop shares her story of walking 100 miles across England ’s ten national parks, raising £10,000 along the way.
The idea behind Jen’s epic walk was simple: “I did my ‘a walk in the parks’ adventure as both a personal challenge and to raise funds for Peak District National Park Foundation."
What followed was ten weeks of hiking through every national park in England accompanied by her dog, Cookie. Her 100 mile journey took in highlights from Northumberland to Exmoor.
“I walked through the incredible scenery our national parks offer, be it ragged undulating coastlines, epic views from mountain tops or winding country lanes with birds bobbing along in front of us.”
The experience quickly became more than a fundraising effort. It was an immersion into
landscapes she had long championed, offering a rare chance to slow down and truly connect with them.
Absolute contentment
Days on the trail brought both challenge and joy. Hiking continuously for ten weeks created a rhythm shaped by terrain, weather and the unexpected.
“There are so many memories, good and bad,” Jen says. One moment saw her and Cookie pinned against a stone wall by curious young cows, until passing hikers came to the rescue.
But it’s the quieter moments, the “absolute and total contentment” that have stayed with her most.
Walking in unfamiliar places sharpened her awareness too. “I rarely listened to music or podcast,” Jen recounts, “wanting to be alert to a turning I might miss, a new view I hadn’t seen before.”
Words and pictures by Jen Lowthrop
Find inspiration
your next adventure in our Mountain Journal
Changing track
Returning home, Jen found the impact of the journey lingered. “The feeling of calm and contentment in nature hasn’t left me,” she says. Time spent in the parks also reinforced her commitment to protecting them. She noticed the effects of climate change and land use firsthand, from eroded coastal paths to a lack of tree cover on hot days.
At the same time, she encountered inspiring people working to improve access and restore habitats. These experiences strengthened her belief in the importance of national parks, not just as places of beauty, but as spaces that support wellbeing and biodiversity.
Since completing the walk, Jen has begun reshaping her career to spend more time outdoors, helping others experience the benefits of nature connection.
“There isn’t a day that goes by when I don’t take myself back,” she says. And with plans already forming for a future anniversary hike, it’s clear the journey is far from over.
My time outside in nature getting to know our national parks up close has changed me.
Alpkit Foundation
Alpkit Foundation match funded the £10,000 that Jen raised, supporting projects that focused on accessibility and inclusivity, wellbeing and climate change across the 10 national parks.
‘Alpkit Foundation’ at alpkit.com
Celebrating our National Parks
Let's celebrate the wild places on our doorsteps. Sunday 24 May marks the very first UK National Parks Day Join Jen – and get out there!
warm(er) rain
We're obsessed with fabric. We develop our own using the latest technical and environmental developments. Breathable fabrics that protect us from nature and protect nature from us.
“Used the balance on a recent walking trip to Scotland. In two weeks we had about 8 hours of sunshine so the jacket certainly had a good test - and passed with flying colours. Stood up to all the rain we could throw at it - but was never sweaty or clammy.”
Balance
This is the ‘just right’ point between breathability and waterproof protection. The sweet spot for hiking, mountain biking, trail running, climbing, packing light and moving fast. This is everything we know about keeping dry, distilled into one brilliant all-rounder. Go anywhere and do anything, safe in the knowledge that the tough stretchy outer features our PFC-free durable water repellent, meaning it won’t leave any nasty chemicals in the wild places you love. £239.99
adjustable helmet compatible hood
Ben 3 layer durability: waterproof, breathable & abrasion-resistant
at home
IN THE MOUNTAINS
Home is where you pitch it. Built for mountain conditions, designed to be shared with your favourite people, our tents let you feel at home in the wildest places.
low-profile gives sit height and stability in higher winds
“A great family adventure tent! The Khort has become our home away from home. From three weeks cycle touring across the alps to our weekend wild camping trips on Dartmoor, we use it everywhere.”
Adam
Khort
Khort maximises liveable space, practicality and all-weather protection to give camping comfort for up to four people. It has a compact pole design that packs small and weighs only 3.65kg. Khort carries easily in a backpack or by bike for long weekends, cycle tours and Grand Randonnées. Ideal for young families, small groups or duos wanting extra space to breathe.
£349.99
naturally pfc-free with ripstop construction for durability
Compact pole design is lightweight, packable and portable
twin porch for easy access, flexible storage and minimum disruption
Wake feelingup Radiant
Our sleeping mats provide superior insulation, support and comfort when camping, backpacking and bikepacking. They're perfect for creating your overnight home away from home.
some like it hot - are you a warm or cold sleeper?
• Consistently warm air and ground temperatures
Suggested R-Value for warm sleepers
Suggested R-Value for cold sleepers
• Cool air temperatures morning and night
• Possibility of mild frost
• Cold air temperatures morning and night
• Possibility of heavy frost
What the R-Value?
R value is an international measurement for how well your sleeping mat resists heat loss. The higher the R number, the better the insulation from the cold ground – and the warmer you’ll be camping out.
• Below freezing air temperature
• Cold to frozen ground
compact pack size weighing just 640g
20l pump sack included r-value of 7.2
100% recycled outer
Radiant
Our best selling 4-season inflatable sleeping mat with an unparalleled warmth-to-weight ratio. With a high R-value of 7.2 thanks to internal radiant heat technology, and weighing just 640g, it’s the ideal choice for year-round backpacking, bikepacking and campsite nights out when being cold just isn’t an option. 9cm of thickness keeps you separated from the ground even as a side sleeper - with a wide rectangular profile that gives space to move around. A quiet, 100% recycled outer fabric means undisturbed sleep (for you and your fellow campers!). Inflates easily with the included 20L pump sack.
£109.99
“This makes for such a good sleep! It gives a great comfort and warmth underneath and it's thickness means you can sleep on your side. It is small enough for multi day hikes too.” Emily
For the love of camping
Words by Georgie Duckworth
Out on a school night? Georgie Duckworth shows us how a spontaneous night out –with campfire, family and open skies –turns the ordinary Wednesday on its head.
Find inspiration for your next adventure in our Mountain Journal
A typical Wednesday evening at home: dinner squeezed between homework and clubs. A bit of washing up. Bags packed for the next day. Maybe half an hour of television before everyone drifts off to bed ready to do it all again tomorrow. Perfectly predictable, but rarely memorable. But what if our bags were packed for camping? A night outdoors flips that routine on its head.
First, I check the weather. We can be totally flexible when it comes to weekday camping; if clear skies are coming tomorrow, why camp in the rain tonight?
Second, I don’t wait for a free evening because those don’t exist. But clubs and non-essential commitments can usually wait…
Fancy sleeping out tonight?
Usually, the decision happens the night before, or even that same morning. I’ll ask the simple question, ‘Fancy sleeping out tonight?’ and, despite now having generally disgruntled tweens and teenagers, the answer is still always an enthusiastic yes!
Once school and work are finished, we quickly pack the essentials: sleeping bags, warm layers, headtorches and a few simple cooking bits. No need for the full camping setup, just enough to stay warm, comfortable and fed.
Then we head off. We’re lucky to have a beautiful campsite down the road from our home in Somerset. Run by a local organic farmer, it’s an open stretch of green space edged by thick hedgerows, alive with birdsong and the excited wing flutters of the sparrows which nest in the barns nearby. We like to pitch on the bank above a shallow valley where, in the early morning, a light mist gathers and deer often graze.
Don ’ t wait for the perfect schedule. Pick a clear evening, pack the basics and go. You might find that those simple, slightly spontaneous nights become the ones you remember most.
As evening falls, the big Somerset skies glow gold and orange as the sun sets. It’s hard to beat.
The campfire is lit, we flop into chairs around it and cook something simple on the gas burner, our usual go-to is a food pouch with some chunky break – really easy and quick.
And then, relax. I’m always amazed at how quickly my mindset shifts. There’s a freedom to being ‘out’ that elevates the spirits. The kids have the space to run around like wild animals, and I can feel the tension in shoulders lifting and my constant inner monologue quietening.
Make the most of everyday We all smile more on our camping nights –I’ve noticed that. Conversations flow more easily too. The kids tell us stories from school we probably wouldn’t have heard otherwise. Someone inevitably spots a satellite crossing the sky. We debate whether that bright dot is a plane or a planet. We listen to owls hoot as the fire crackles. Dreamy.
from mountain camps to family weekends away
tpu windows for natural light pitch-able door creates a covered outdoor area self-supporting semi-geodesic structure for stability in strong winds
Axiom
Axiom is a 4-person, 3-season basecamp tent built for families and groups who want something lighter, stronger, and simpler than your average campsite fortress. Inspired by our mountain tents, it gives you more freedom — whether you're road-tripping with the kids or camping with friends by the lakeside. £389.99
“Amazing tent that was able to stand up to heavy rain and a lot of strong wind. Room to stand in the porch and more than enough space to get ready and stay comfortable.” Dyllan
Growing family? We've got a tiny home for any size tribe. ‘Tents’ at
just right sleeping bags (for the Goldilocks in everyone)
Cloud Peak Technical, Thermolite® Ecomade synthetic fill. From £84.99
Ultra Ultralight, ultra-packable, with PrimaLoft® Gold synthetic fill. From £179.99
SkyeHigh Lightweight, versatile, made with RDS down fill. From £189.99
Pipedream Ultralight, class-leading warmth-to-weight, DownTek™. From £199.99
AlpineDream High-performance for high altitude, DownTek™ fill. From £469.99
ArcticDream DownTek™ fill for polar and high-altitude expeditions. From £649.99
Our sleeping bags use advanced, lightweight, technical fabrics to keep you warm and comfortable. We have a range of sleeping bags for every trip, each one built to last a lifetime of adventures.
As the weather gets warmer, comfort and freedom of movement are key. We've developed a range of fast drying, moisture-wicking shirts that will keep you cool and dry all day long.
polygiene® odour control for all day freshness
UPF 50+ sun protection
articulated shoulders
Cotton-feel hot weather outdoor shirt with Polygeine® antiodour and UPF50+ protection. £64.99
Aneto
Wear More. Carry Less.
Kanza
A cycling-specific fit featuring articulated shoulders, a drop hem and side splits gives you better reach, extra coverage and freedom of movement. Snap front opening and cuffs allow one-handed operation for easy venting on the go. Fast-drying, sweat-wicking performance fabric with UPF 50+ keeps you cool, dry and protected when working hard on summer rides. Polygiene® odour control allows minimal washing on multi-day trips. £69.99
Lightweight, wicking and quick-drying shirt. Polygiene® anti-odour and UPF 50+ protection. £69.99
High-wicking, quick-drying, odour resistant, temperatureregulating shirt. £84.99
Cadiz
Woodsmoke
Trust footingyour
Adventure begins at ground level. Where the tread meets the trail. Your intention is set as you tighten the laces. Where will you head?
One path stretches ahead: a thin line drawn up moorland. Your feet brush through heather and traverse the grough. Your stride settles as you cross the weatherbeaten flagstones, reaching that easy rhythm that lets your thoughts wander miles ahead of you.
Another trail gains more height. Below the cloughs fold and refold, green stitched into shadow. Loose stone now underfoot. Cloud rolls in low and slow, reducing the world to what you can trust beneath your soles. Or choose the route that dissolves into rock, hands joining feet in the work. Grip becomes confidence as you ascend. Or stand at the foot of winter, your breath fogging into the morning, and clip crampons onto stiff boots. Move carefully, move with purpose. Move because moving is the point.
Comfort Guarantee
Love 'em or return 'em.
All our footwear is backed by our 28-day Comfort Guarantee, allowing you to return your boots if they’re not right for you.
Final piece of the jigsaw
Sleeping bags, tents, waterproofs, hiking poles. We have been making technical outdoor gear for over twenty years. We have designed kit for everything from Scottish winters to Himalayan objectives to camping kit that pulls the rest of your family into your world of adventurous escapades.
There is one thing we are always asked about: “When are you making footwear?”
It’s been the missing piece of the jigsaw. Until now. Our new footwear range completes our head-to-toe system for technical performance gear for outdoor adventure.
Made in Italy, worn everywhere
Footwear is arguably the most important piece of gear. From big mountain days and rocky hut-to-hut trips to weekend hikes in our favourite wild places, what’s on your feet matters.
We’ve taken our time to do it properly – working with the best manufacturers in northern Italy and testing in real conditions, refining every detail, and focusing on what really matters when you’re moving through wild terrain.
The result is a collection intended to cut through complexity, offering you the right boot for your next adventure.
Get a grip
Grip gives you confidence. Simple as. Our footwear is specced to match the challenge with either Vibram® XS Trek or our very own REACT soles: responsive all-terrain technology. Our dualdensity PU soles have been specially designed and developed to provide cushioning and responsiveness for maximum comfort and performance on long days. The thread compound guarantees grip and durability on both dry and wet surfaces.
For the love of product testing
Andy Dexter returns to the Lakes to see what the new Alta Rocca boots can really do — steep scrambles, changing conditions and long days outside. Grip where it counts, comfort that lasts, and confidence to just keep moving. Words by Andy Dexter
Having lived in the Lakes 10 years ago, I moved back just three months ago, and it already feels like home in the way only wild places can. I was drawn back by the steep fells and the promise of adventure just out the front door. And today, on Jack’s Rake, I’m reminded exactly why.
It’s one of those routes that never gets old for me – I've been up it in sun, rain and ice, and it still remains one of my favourite Grade 1 scrambles in the Lakes. More than a hike with just enough exposure to keep you honest, and options of lines in the gully or on the exposed edge.
As I pick my way up the narrow line etched into Pavey Ark, I can feel the rock warm under my hands, the air moving differently as the ground falls away. Below me, Stickle Tarn sits still and dark, like a held breath, and beyond it the Langdale valley rolls out in soft greens and shadows. It’s a view I’ve seen before, but it never lands the same way twice.
It's hard to find a rhythm on Jack’s Rake. You start to get into one – step, reach, pull, repeat – but then an awkward chockstone, or a wet patch, interrupts that quiet focus and makes
To me, places like this aren ’ t just landscapes – they are ideas and invitations. To explore, to challenge yourself, to reconnect.
jack'srake
you think a bit more. And today, I’m testing out Alpkit’s new Alta Rocca boots. Comfortable on the approach, secure on the rock, grippy where it counts, giving confidence to step up on small edges, and still comfortable enough that I’m not thinking about them unless I choose to. That’s the sweet spot, really. Good footwear disappears when you need it to, and shows up when it matters.
On the steeper sections, where the rake narrows and the rock gets a bit more polished, that confidence counts. I’m not second-guessing my footing, I’m just moving. Foot to here, hand up here. Repeat. I lift my head, take in the view of rock and sky. It’s that connection - to the rock, the movement, this place - that’s why I’m here.
Reaching the top, there’s that familiar rush. Wind on my face, space all around, and that quiet sense of having earned the view. The Lake District National Park stretches out in every
direction - fells layered into the distance, each one offering more own lines to follow.
To me, places like this aren’t just landscapes –they are ideas and invitations. To explore, to challenge yourself, to reconnect. Moving here was about answering that call more often, making it part of everyday life rather than something saved for later.
and days like this? they remind me I made the right call.
alpine dreaming
From notepad dreams to sketchy trails, what started as an idea has finally stepped off the page. Meet Alta Rocca - and make alpine ridges your playground.
vibram® xs compoundtrek
tepor® waterproof/ breathable lining.
Full toe rand boosts durability and protection
Alta Rocca
Built for challenging mountain terrain and scrambly ascents, this boot balances stiff edging support with just enough flex for long approaches. Sticky rubber grips cable rungs and limestone alike, while the reinforced upper shrugs off rock scrapes and scree. Go climb that mountain. £199.99
9 lacing point for precision lacing control
Sgurr nan Eag
Sgurr
Am Basteir Sgurr nan Gillean
Sgurr Dubh Mor Bruach na Frithe
Sgurr Mhic Choinnich
trail tested
Cuillin Ridge, Isle of Skye
This legendary route is universally considered the greatest mountaineering challenge in Britain, involving a full traverse of the 12-kilometer long Black Cuillin ridge over 22 peaks, including 11 Munros. The perfect place to make or break any boot.
‘Alta Rocca’ at
magnificent seven the
Seven styles, every one built for a specific mountain day. All killer no filler. Find the one for your next adventure.
Tierra
50% trail, 50% ride, 50% trainer. Tough, waterproof, built for multi-day adventures. Go anywhere, do anything. You do the maths.
£109.99
El Chorro
Rock-loving approach shoe seeks crags for hikes, scrambles and maybe more. Sticky REACT sole, tough upper, precise lacing. Approach shoe that actually approaches properly.
£99.99
Scotland Coast to Coast
All-in adventure. Bikepack from Mallaig to Montrose via the Cairngorms. Hike-a-bike up a Munroe to chase the descent. Or pick off the side hikes as you roll.
Latitude
Our most capable all-rounder. Lighter than a boot, up for the miles. Ideal for faster hikes and summer peaks. Class-leading waterproofness for navigating squishy tussocks.
£119.99
Stanage Edge, Peak District
Three and a half miles of the UK’s finest gritstone, running high above the Hope Valley in one unbroken sweep. Wander the edge or pick a line to climb. It’s simple, honest, and as classic as it gets.
9 Edges, Peak District
A big day of gritstone, this 32km classic connects nine edges across the Dark Peak. Best in mid-August when the heather is purple. Start at Ladybower, finish with a grin and a pint at the Robin Hood Inn.
Expert fit
Pop into your local Alpkit store for a personal boot fitting service. Our expert Store Heroes will help you find the right footwear and insoles to suit your feet and adventure plans.
‘Stores’ at alpkit.com
Atlas
Designed for long-distance trails and backpacking routes. Fully waterproof, tough as nails, and just the right weight for big days out without slowing you down.
Pilot
Alta Rocca
Fast, precise, technical mountain boot. Sticky grip for scrambles, stiff edging for rocky terrain, just enough flex for long days. Think Cuillin Ridges, and GR20.
£199.99
Classic leather boot. Built for British hikes and unpredictable weather. Waterproof, breathable, highly durable, out-of-the-box comfort.
Shine for years to come.
£139.99
West Highland Way
Shoulder your pack for this 154km hike from Milngavie to Fort William. It’s well-trodden for good reason: every day is a banger. Follow old drovers roads, dip in Loch Lomond, pause for a remote pint, and take in the wild expanse of Rannoch Moor. Midges included.
£159.99
Red Pike, Lake District
This 14km Lakeland classic rises steeply from Buttermere. Climb via Bleaberry Tarn to Red Pike before tracing a narrow, high-level ridge over High Stile and High Crag. Go on a clear day for the sharpest definition on the Western Fells.
Montee
Dependable technical performance for big mountain days. B2 crampon compatible, stiff where it matters, grippy on the slippy. Built for Scottish winters and alpine routes.
£249.99
Aonach Eagach, Glencoe
A proper Scottish ridge: sharp, narrow and exposed. Slicing high above Glencoe, winter definitely takes it up a notch. Crampons on, axes ready, and your head in the game. It’s airy, committing, and there’s no easy way off, but that’s part of the appeal.
‘Footwear’ at alpkit.com
A HIKING ADVENTURE worth £6,000 WIN!
To celebrate the launch of our all-new Alpkit footwear, we ’ re giving you the chance to win the ultimate hiking escape in the Dolomites.
We’ve teamed up with our friends at Much Better Adventures to offer the ultimate hiking trip. The Dolomites are where our footwear was developed, so where better to put it to the test? Hike through Val di Funes and Val Pusteria, follow alpine trails beneath the Odle, and enjoy a small group experience with expert local guides by your side. Fingers crossed you win.
The prize:
• 7-night Dolomites hiking adventure for two (worth £5,000) or choose any trip up to the same value
• Guided hiking adventure with a small group of like-minded adventurers
• 7 nights in cosy 3* hotels with spa facilities
• All breakfasts + 6 dinners
• Airport + in-country transfers
• Fully kitted out for the journey:
- 2 pairs of Alpkit boots
- 2 Alpkit waterproof jackets
- Nikwax care bundle (worth £150)
competition runs 18 may - 3 july
alpkit.com/win
WALKING SOLVED by
No matter the scale, walking can have a big impact. The Alpkit Foundation has been delighted to support a number of community projects that bring people together to support, learn from and inspire each other.
The Loss Foundation
This nationwide series of relaxed walks supports people bereaved by cancer. They help by building more local, compassionate networks and ensuring fewer people feel alone in their grief. We recently added further support to fully equip a new group of volunteers with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to lead meaningful and supportive walks for those experiencing cancer loss.
Ashton Youth Club and Lindley Educational Trust
A group of young leaders planned an expedition to climb Toubkal, Morocco. Not only did they achieve their personal challenges but now continue to be involved as inspirational role models within their community to embrace adventurous outdoor activities. Showing that no matter where you live or your background, you can achieve great things.
£1M donated over 3,000 projects supported + counting...
Everybody Outdoors
The Alpkit Foundation provided funding for a wave of training and recruitment to increase the network of volunteer walk leaders for their community-run walks. The regionally-based walks across the UK aim to give plus-sized people a safe space, increase confidence, and provide new skills to better enjoy time outdoors and the many benefits it bring.
Every order opens up the outdoors to someone new
We put 1% of all sales into the Alpkit Foundation. This is our payback. We give small awards to support grassroots, direct action projects and passionate game changers. Together we make a difference: removing the barriers to getting outdoors and helping more people to benefit from time outdoors.
‘Alpkit Foundation’ at alpkit.com
Colca
Teleki
Lightweight, unrestrictive and taking up the minimum of rucksack space, the Teleki has been designed for two-season hillwalking, multi-day backpacking and summer hillwalking or alpine hiking. The Teleki's articulated fit is tailored for long days of leg-lifting. And a small amount of spandex in the fabric provides an unrestrictive two-way stretch for highstriding hikers. Lightweight yet deceptively abrasion and tear resistant, the dense weave of the material provides a high level of wind resistance. And, because nylon doesn’t absorb any water into its fibres, it's exceptionally fast-drying and great at quickly wicking away sweat.
£49.99
“Lightweight, quick drying and compact. Exactly what you want for a multi-day hiking trip.”
Simon
mesh-lined hand and rear pockets and a zipped thigh pocket
Lightweight, packable, wicking and fast-drying
articulated fit for complete freedom of movement
1.
Tough and durable technical trousers for peak bagging the UK's summits. Hardwearing with an articulated fit. £79.99
2. Motion
Lightweight stretch trousers that move with you. Durable, breathable comfort. £79.99
3.
Technical slim-fit stretch trousers for hillwalking, hiking and climbing. £79.99
Escapade
Arnison
RUN LIGHT.
There’s a lightness in your step as you climb. And it feels like flying as you run the ridge. New summits, different skies, same old legs.
Running feels best when it’s light. Light on your back, lighter on the environment too.
Recycled fabric. Just the essentials in your pack. And the feeling of pure freedom as your legs move. Our running gear proves that great kit doesn’t have to cost the earth.
Technical. Ethical. Sustainable.
“I can't recommend this highly enough. It is extremely waterproof whilst remaining breathable and extremely comfortable in use.”
Nathanael
‘Gravitas’ at alpkit.com
Gravitas
Nothing feels quite like the Gravitas next to your skin, it’s a barely-there-barrier that’ll keep you dry inside and out when working hard. An ultralight, ultra-breathable and ultra-packable 3 layer waterproof with uncompromising protection in hostile weather. The 100% recycled outer features our PFC-free durable water repellent. £199.99
LIGHT. GO FAR
Koulin Trail tights
Technical trail leggings with stash pockets and excellent wicking and breathability. Lower impact with recycled polyester. £44.99
Arrowhead
Our new 6L running vest. Soft and breathable, ultrasecure fit and the innovative chest pockets provide effortless access to your flasks and gear. £49.99
For the love of wild places
When the global conversation moves away from environmental responsibility and social justice, some people just get stuck in - caring for wild places and leaving them better than they found them. Ben Boxer's 758km journey clearing rubbish from our coastline. Find inspiration for your next adventure
Mountain Journal Words & pictures by Ben Boxer
Getting on board
Originally the word ‘amateur’ meant 'one who loves’. It's the word to describes Ben. His passion for the outdoors – undeterred by his newness on the water – inspired him to hike and paddle 758km while clearing rubbish along the UK coastlines.
“I was new to stand up paddleboarding at the start of the year, but I soon got to grips with the technique and started to fall in love with seeing my home from the water.”
Equipped with his Longshore touring board –affectionally named Tilly - Ben combined hiking, bivvying and paddling into what he calls “from-the-door amphibious adventures.” With a board on his back and public transport linking routes, the barrier to adventure shrank.
“It’s been a great excuse to spend so much time doing the things I love in local nature - whilst raising some money to support those working to restore health to our blue isle.”
Immersed in the outdoors
Travelling slowly by paddleboard brought a new perspective. At around 5km/h, the journey became as important as the destination.
“It’s forced me to be more aware of winds and tides and given me a deeper respect for the sea than ever before”.
The rewards came in moments of pure immersion: paddling beneath starling murmurations, watching sunrise over the Seven Sisters, and encountering wildlife up close. “No two paddles have been the same, I was often greeted by energetic and charismatic species like fulmar, kittiwake, oystercatchers, terns, mullet and curious seals - and even a couple of fleeting sightings of porpoise and otter.”
His trip along the Jurassic Coast pushed things further—a two-day, 70km paddle linked by clifftop wild camps under star-filled skies.
For the love of the outdoors
Spending so much time immersed in the outdoors has sharpened Ben’s awareness of both its beauty and its fragility. Through his adventure, Ben cleared 758kg of coastal rubbish, often alongside local people equally invested in protecting these places.
“I’ve found unexpected joy and purpose in cleaning beaches whilst engaging with a local community”.
Ben's journey is a reminder that the best adventures are amateur at heart. Fed by a desire to explore the places we love, Ben shows how we can turn every hike, paddle or night under the stars into something that gives back.
Finding unexpected joy and purpose in cleaning beaches whilst engaging with a local community with a shared passion for giving something back to the places that give us so much.
Sedona came from a love of fast gravel — but also from knowing that speed should feel smooth. It ’s sharp, sure-footed, and clean. No distractions. Just you, the bike, and the next corner.
Neil Sutton Sonder Product Manager
The closest thing
to
flying without leaving the ground.
Sedona is gravel, evolved. It’s fast, modern, and built to race. Light enough to hammer big climbs, confident enough to dive into corners. Hydroformed titanium downtube adds stiffness for sharper, more aggressive riding. This is the bike for riders chasing podiums, chasing daylight, or just chasing that feeling of fast. Clean lines, sharp handling, zero wasted effort.
Sedona is what happens when you take the fun of gravel and add focus.
• Hydroformed downtube adds stiffness for sharper, more aggressive ride
• High-end aeronautical grade titanium
• Race-focused geometry with 71.5° head angle and 74° seat tube angle
• Shorter stack and 420mm chainstays for responsive handling
• 3 bottle cage mounts for multiple carrying options
• Accessory mounts on frame and forks
• Clearance for up to 700c x 45mm tyres
• Internal routing for clean lines
Full builds from £2,949
Available to purchase with cycle to work scheme.
Join Member Rewards and get 10 % back on every thing you buy (even bikes). alpkit.com/member-rewards
Raw Ti
Internal cable management
Fork cage mounts
3 bottle cage mounts for multiple carrying options
Clearance for 700c 45mm tyres
large porch fits lots of kit and undercover dining
pitches quickly using a trekking pole
Tarpstar 1
An ultralight, 1-person pyramid tarp tent that pitches using trekking poles. This is our modern take on a tent shape that's been proven for over 100 years. Packs small and light and crams into any corner of your pack. It pitches quickly using a trekking pole. With plenty of space in the porch area for lots of kit on longer trips. Pitch in different ways: go ultralight with just the 500g outer, or add the optional footprint for ultimate protection.
£179.99
Tarpstar
“This tent is superb. Taken recently on the Cape Wrath Trail. It's light, packable and performs very well in high winds and rain. The vestibule area was a godsend for cooking and storage."
Callum
bike
ultra-packable: pull the valve and stuff it straight into your bag
“Compact when packed, quick and easy to put up. Sturdy and inflates with a few big breathes. Looking forward to some bikepacking adventures in this super little tent."
Ash
Aeronaut 1
When you’re riding remote gravel tracks, portaging quiet lochs or hiking into the hills, the Aeronaut 1 gives you shelter without weighing you down. It’s a solo inflatable tent that packs small, pitches fast, and takes the stress out of setting up camp - because adventure’s hard enough without faffing with tent poles at the end of the day.
£169.99
inflates in seconds using a bike pump microturbineor
DREAM KITCHEN
From fast one-pot wonders to fresh brews and gourmet on the go.
Titanium is lightweight, very, very strong and super inert, perfect for minimal cook set-ups. All our Ti cookware now features a minimum of 30% recycled content without any compromise to performance. Recycled titanium cookware
do it all: add the optional coffee press or use any pan and go gourmet!
BruKit
For those time when you just need to boil water or make food quickly. It’s efficient, fast, and simple. Integrated system for faster boils. The built-in heat exchanger and windshield minimises heat loss so your fuel goes that bit further. All the BruKit’s bits can be stored inside its own pot, including a 100g canister, for easy packing. The built-in piezo ignitor makes lighting the BruKit faff-free. The neoprene cosy can be left on during cooking for easy handling.
£62.99
“The Brukit is a godsend! It is my favourite bit of kit, lightweight and well designed and easy on gas, all self contained too. Highly recommended."
Michael
boils 500ml in 2 mins 27 secs
builtpiezoin ignitor
EAT WELL. ANYWHERE lightweight adventures
MytiBurner
Lightweight and durable, MytiBurner is a titanium liquid fuel camping stove that slips neatly inside a MytiMug 400. Compact and reliable, it’s built to bring hot food and summit brews to every adventure.
£47.99
Kraku
Collapsible titanium camping stove weighing just 45g. Tiny pack size perfect for ultralight adventures and solo wild camping. Fits with 100g gas canister and folding spork in a MytiMug 650 for a super compact cook system - just 370g in total (including gas!). £25.99
A stitch in time
Thousands of repairs, one goal: make your gear last longer
Our skilled and experienced team will keep your favourite gear going - fixing zips, patching rips, washing and reproofing. Save your gear for more adventure, less waste.
Pop in to one of our stores, grab a brew and chat through what's possible. It's a truly personalised service we've perfected since 2004.
all repairs available online too
Lightweight and fully featured, the Atlas encourages you to take the long way round. The Tepor® breathable waterproof lining, supportive, shock absorbing PU midsole and REACT Grip sole allow you to take multi-day adventures in your stride. £139.99 For the South West Coast Path, Appalachian trail and Routeburn. Atlas is the boot that ’s made for backpacking.
‘Atlas’ at alpkit.com
CHAMPION RAINING of the world
10 stores around the UK
With tons of local knowledge, our friendly Store Heroes will help you plan your next adventure, many routes starting straight from our stores. Scan to find your nearest.
‘Sigma’ at alpkit.com
Sigma
TGO Magazine's best in test two years running. But who’s counting? We’re just getting started.
Tested by gear reviewers, battered by British weather, and trusted by thousands of wet, grinning hikers: Sigma is our reigning champ for a reason. All-day comfort and wet weather protection. Fully waterproof, properly breathable, built with a 3-layer membrane. Mono-monomer construction so it’s not only 100% recycled, but 100% recyclable.
Available in sizes 6 to 20 and XS to XXL.
£179.99
“Great waterproof! Brilliant at keeping the wind and rain out, and lightweight enough to pack away on my recent coast to coast walk. Highly recommended.”
James
Ethical. Technical. Sustainable.