The great outdoors: adventure gear for men

13 Jan 2020 | Updated on: 27 Sep 2022 |By Luxury London

"I didn't go up there to die. I went up there to live." – Reinhold Messner's response when asked by a reporter why he climbed Mount Everest without the use of compressed oxygen 

Mountain shirt

McNair’s heavyweight merino shirts might be made in Yorkshire but they’re meant for the mountains. These heavyweight merino numbers from the Yorkshire-based clothing company are comparable with heavyweight fleeces, just a lot more stylish. Established in 2013 by Richard Hamshire, Natalie Stapleton and Neil McNair (a professional snowboarder), every McNair shirt is weaved, milled, raised and steamed within a 10-mile radius of Huddersfield – a city that’s to wool, what Northampton is to shoes.

Heavyweight merino Ridge shirt, £375, mcnairshirts.com

Protective cap

This cap and protective face mask is made from Nylon Metal, one of the most versatile fabrics to come out of Stone Island’s legendary textile research department.

£235, stoneisland.co.uk

Glacier sunglasses

With their removable side shells, Vuarnet’s Glacier shades have become legendary – as evidenced by their onscreen appearance in James Bond’s Spectre.

£420, eyeshop.com

Arkiv R6 field pack

San Francisco-based Mission Workshop manufactures what are arguably the most robust, hardwearing backpacks in the world. Originally developed for the cycling community, each bag is designed to be “as tough as it is beautiful”. The company’s Arkiv R6 Field Pack boasts a six-rail modular packing system for the secure attachment of weatherproof accessories to the exterior of the bag. Additional compartments range from simple mobile phone pouches and tool pockets to larger organisers and laptop sleeves. The pack can be used in either ‘roll-top’ mode, or in a traditional ‘flap-down’ configuration. All Arkiv bags are weatherproof and backed by a lifetime warranty.

40L, £460, missionworkshop.com

I.N.O.X. V watch

Victorinox makes more than Swiss Army knives, including this stealthy wristwatch. It has SuperLuminova-coated hands and a removable protective shield.

£479, victorinox.com

Urban orienteering

Equally at home on Ben Nevis as on Bond Street, these handmade, full-grain leather hiking boots from Brunello Cucinelli represent a sartorial investment for life – and one that will only get better with age. Treads made of TPU rubber – a super resilient plastic-rubber composite – ensure that your knees will give out before the boots do. Robust rubber-lug soles, plush linings and padded felt collars mean you won’t be reaching for the blister pack, while a combination of rich brown leather, copper ringlets and contrasting red laces are sure to appeal to orienteering aesthetes.

£1,100, mrporter.com

Don’t sweat it

Exemplifying Moncler’s affinity for all things outdoors, this sweater references popular skiing resort Aspen in Colorado’s Rocky Mountains. Crafted from a luxury blend of cashmere and wool, it takes the novelty ski jumper to new heights.

£605, harrods.com

Flight of fancy

Leatherwork specialist Loewe has created a modern interpretation of the timeless aviator jacket – note the traditional double-buckled throat latch and classic contrasting collar, cuffs and hem.

£2,900, mrporter.com

In your mitts

Martin Magnusson, Hestra’s founder, settled in Småland, Sweden, in 1936 and began making gloves for lumberjacks. Today, third generation Magnussons continue his mitt-making legacy.

£120, mrporter.com

Tools for the job

Basel-based artisan carpentry brand WohnGeist imbues the spirit of Switzerland into each product it builds. Each tool is held in place by magnetic retainers, and the box is available with personal engraving. WohnGeist is a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Wood Group, committed to fashioning sustainable products that will stand the test of time.

Approx. £750, woodandluxury.com

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