Six Items That Will Improve Your Fitness This Spring.

It’s very nearly spring (in the Northern Hemisphere, the equinox officially falls on 20 March), which means that the window of opportunity to get anywhere near the semblance of that summer body you envisioned for yourself at the start of the year is rapidly closing. That doesn’t mean it’s too late, though, and now that the weather isn’t all snowstorms, there’s really no excuse not to escape the sweaty confines of the gym and get out more. When it comes to pushing yourself in the great outdoors, we understand that a good bit of kit can make all the difference between getting out and staying in. So, to help make your outdoor activities that little more appealing this spring, we’ve compiled a small list of things that we hope will give you that extra push in terms of performance, motivation, and just straightforward enjoyment. Godspeed!

2XU is a technology-focused sports performance company based in Melbourne that gets a kick from the finer details of design. Take these no-show cushioned socks for instance – as well as being designed to absorb impact while running and prevent blistering, are also moisture-wicking, finished with an antibacterial anti-odour treatment to keep your feet in tip-top shape, whether you’re on the treadmill or the track. Wear them with these spring-appropriate running shorts from Under Armour, which also come with an anti-odour finish to keep everything fresh, plus built-in compression tights that boost muscle recovery.

A decent cycling jacket is the foundation on which all good early-spring bike rides are built. This vibrant orange and black windstopper from Castelli is sealed at the seams and will keep you dry in light rainfall, but will also be highly breathable, making it the perfect garment with which to weather those imminent April showers. To give your cycle an extra boost, try these neoprene shoe covers, also from Castelli, which are designed to fit over athletic footwear and keep feet insulated from the cold. They’re finished with silicon on the sole to provide extra pedal grip, but also come with openings so you can still clip cleats into them if that’s how you like to ride.

This matching Polartec jacket and trousers from Japanese outerwear brand And Wander make for a hiking look with a difference. They’re both cut from High Loft fleece fabric that is both breathable and thermal, making them perfect for everything from brisk walks to long hikes. It’s practical, sure, but we also think it’s a shame to confine a tracksuit as cool as this to walks in the country where you might not bump into anyone to show it off to.