We’ve endured blistering heat this summer, which has made it pretty much impossible to do anything other than walk to the end of your road.
My gym has been impossibly busy, thanks to the fact it has both an air con and a pool. It’s no wonder that, as temperatures climb, people are flocking towards anywhere that’s cold.
It’s even seeped into our travel habits: instead of travel to another scorching hot country (that’s probably not dissimilar in clime to the UK, let’s be real) people are increasingly going on ‘coolcations’ to places where they won’t have to plan what they do around the heat.
As winter approaches, research by SportsCover Direct shows that searches for ‘coolcations’ have risen a whopping 74% year-on-year, with 65% of holidayers saying they’d rather avoid travelling during the hottest time of year. Fair.
If you’ve given in to the allure of bathing in a natural bath while surrounded by ice caps, or can think of no better excuse to get off your phone than to be surrounded by the great outdoors, you’ll want to make sure you’ve packed the right thing.
It goes without saying, but what you shove in your suitcase undoubtedly needs to be different from what you wear on the beach.
While you might have conquered the shorts and vest look for hiking in hot weather, you’ll need to prepare more for hiking or cycling in the winter, explains Natalie Wolfenden, author and hiking enthusiast at GO Outdoors.
“A change in weather shouldn’t signal an end to your outdoor plans,” she says. “Some of the most enjoyable days in the hills can come when conditions are cooler, and the trails are quieter.
“The key is being properly prepared, with the right clothing, equipment and a clear understanding of how conditions can change throughout the day.”
To save you time, we’ve asked Wolfenden to round up her ultimate packing guide for a coolcation.
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