Michael Gilchrist

After enough muddy walks, I got fed up with the car looking like a farm track. These are the bits I keep close at hand for wet paws, filthy boots and the inevitable shake all over the seats.

A proper day out with the dog means carrying for both of us. These are the things I pack for Lake District walks, changeable weather, muddy stops and keeping the dog safe and comfortable.

UK summer hiking is rarely just shorts-and-T-shirt weather. In the Lakes I still pack for wind and rain, but I want everything lighter, breathable and quick to dry. These are the men's layers I would choose for warm climbs, breezy summits and the inevitable shower.

Most of my walking is in the Lake District, so these are the small extras I've found genuinely useful on long Wainwright days. Nothing flashy—just kit that earns its place in my pack.

I love proving that a 3–4 day Europe trip doesn't need a cabin case. These are the space-saving things I use to fit everything into one personal item and still bring clothes I actually want to wear.

I regularly clock 20,000 steps on city breaks, so good-looking shoes are no use if they wreck your feet by lunchtime. These are the men's pairs I'd trust for long days of sightseeing, cobbles and airport miles.

Marrakech is brilliant, but the heat, dust and crowded souks make the wrong kit annoying very quickly. These are the things I'd pack to stay comfortable, organised and ready for long days exploring.

Busy streets and packed public transport in Rome, Barcelona and Madrid made me much more careful with valuables. This is the simple anti-theft setup I use without looking like I'm wearing tactical gear.

Cold city breaks in Kraków and Warsaw taught me that warmth matters, but so does not hauling a huge suitcase around. This is the compact winter kit I'd take for freezing streets, cafés and lots of walking.

Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Orvieto taught me that packing for an Italian summer is mostly about staying cool without carrying half your wardrobe. This is the practical kit I'd take again.

Weekend trips with a Border Collie and a Fox Red Lab need a little more planning than travelling alone. These are the things that keep the dogs safe, comfortable and slightly less muddy in the car and accommodation.

Everything I’d genuinely pack for a European city break. After travelling to 70+ countries, these are the things that have earned a permanent place in my bag.

A few things that make flying a bit less of a hassle. Some are for keeping everything charged and organised, while others just make the flight more comfortable.

These are the bits I’ve found genuinely useful for keeping my Border Collie and Fox Red Lab safe, comfortable and slightly less messy on road trips, long walks and weekends away.

Most of my hiking has been spent working through the Wainwrights in the Lake District and climbing Munros around Scotland, but I’ve also taken on 4,000m+ peaks in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains and the Peruvian Andes. This is the gear I genuinely rate for long days, steep climbs and the sort of weather that rarely sticks to the forecast.