Thigh chafing is something most people will experience in summer, especially those who take part in intense activities such as running or cycling. 

Chafing occurs when repetitive motion and friction between the skin and clothing or other surfaces lead to irritation and inflammation, and boy does it hurt. Enter anti-chafe cream, a skin-saving product that helps by adding a protective barrier on the skin’s surface, reducing the amount of friction you feel.

Over the years I have tested out many chafe creams. Some have become faithful companions while others remain ignored at the back of a cupboard. And I want my fellow runners to avoid the torture of chafing too, so I’ve given my recommendations of the best chafe creams and one to avoid. While you’re here, why not check out our guide to taking care of your skin in the gym?

The Best Anti-Chafing Creams

While definitely on the pricier side, this chafe cream will see you through many a long run or hot day. I have used it many times and found that it lasts all day without needing to be topped up. It is both sweat- and water-resistant, so it’s able to withstand your most intense workouts. It is dispensed in a stick, similar to a roll-on deodorant.

This chafe cream is affordable and effective. It has a creamy texture and you rub it in like a moisturizer. I have used this on many long runs and hot days and have found it does not need to be topped up nor do you need to apply significant amounts to feel the benefit. It also contains moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil to help nourish your skin.

Another affordable option, the Lanacane gel comes in an ointment tube. When applied to the skin it feels similar to petroleum jelly and adds a thick layer of protection. Despite its texture, the gel does not leave any marks or stains on clothing and rubs into the skin nicely. Lanacane works perfectly for short to medium length activities, although for longer periods we’d recommend bringing it with you so you can top up. Thankfully, it’s pocket-sized so it’s easy to take along with you. 

You can’t go wrong with an old faithful like Vaseline. Both affordable and easy to find, this thick jelly adds a layer of protection to your skin to stop friction. While in my experience it’s not as good as some dedicated chafe creams for longer activities, it certainly does the job for shorter runs and comfort on hot days.

Anti-Chafing Creams To Avoid

Axletic Anti Chafing Cream

I really wanted to love this chafing cream. The price and quantity make it a pretty great product if you’re on a budget. However, that’s where the positives end for me. I tried this cream on both long runs and shorter treadmill runs and sadly with each I was left with chafed skin. During particularly sweaty sessions, the cream appeared to evaporate and what little effect there was disappeared completely. 

Although hitting the gym for a workout can be great for body and mind, your skin might not always reap the same benefits. All the sweat that builds up over your body can block pores, cause clothes to chafe against your skin and lead to spots, rashes and frustrating breakouts. It’s one of the few downsides to being a gym-goer. But there are ways to care for skin to keep it clear, smooth and glowing.

So, what exactly is happening to our skin as we exercise? Consultant dermatologist Dr Eva Melegh explains that when we exercise, blood rushes to the surface of the skin due to increased circulation and heat. This can trigger skin flares such as rosacea and heat rash.

“The excess of sweat can also cause sebum and external bacteria to pool in the skin pores and lead to break-outs, especially if mixed with cosmetics on the skin while exercising,” says Melegh. Sebum is an oily substance that is made by our sebaceous glands, located all over our body.

“After exercise, the skin quickly cools down and sweat dries on the surface of the skin, which can trigger itchy skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis,” Melegh adds.

It’s the high-intensity workouts such as HIIT, circuit training and Spinning that can cause the most problems with skin, according to Melegh. “These cause sudden raised temperatures due to the high-intensity exertion combined with an indoor environment. Often HIIT and circuit training workouts are partly done on exercise mats which can add to the sweat and bacteria build up. So, these types of high-intensity indoor workouts are most likely to trigger a skin flare and also cause the most amount of sweating in a short period.”

Ready to start making some changes to your gym-skin routine? Give these tips a try.

Remove Make-up Before Exercise 

You’ve probably heard it before, but Amish Patel, an esthetics practitioner and skincare expert at Intrigue Cosmetic Clinic, reiterates that it’s important to cleanse your face before the gym.

“Your body temperature rises as you exercise, and your skin needs to breathe as pores begin to open. If you have layers of make-up, bacteria and dirt on your face, this will affect your skin’s natural functioning, so cleanse your skin, apply a light serum and head to the gym make-up free.”

Clean Your Mat

“Yoga mats are a hive of bacteria,” says Dr Sophie Shotter, esthetic specialist and medical director of Illuminate Skin Clinic. “Even if you have your own, it’s still harboring a lot of dead skin cells and sweat.” Use a spray to clean off gym mats and equipment before and after use.

Wash Your Face Properly

Whether you’re straight in the shower after your workout or lingering in your kit for a while, it’s vital to clean your face.

“Exfoliation with a gentle exfoliant is the best way to clean the face after exercise as it quickly gets the build-up of sweat and oil out of the skin pores,” says Melegh.

She adds that a toner is a great way to get rid of traces of sweat and excess oil while balancing skin tone, which can often be blotchy after exercise.

“A toner also helps to close up open pores which may be more open due to increased heat and sweating.” 

There are also some spot-busting ingredients to look out for in your post-gym face wash, like salicylic acid, an ingredient shown by research to help with acne.

Protect Your Skin In Your Post-gym Shower 

If you’re hopping straight into the shower after your gym workout, that’s when skin may be highly sensitive due to the heat and exertion from your session.

“When showering after exercise it’s a good idea to avoid highly perfumed shower gels or washes as it’s the most likely time that you will get a skin reaction,” says Melegh. “If you want to smell nice after exercising, spray perfumes or body sprays on clothing after washing, not on post-workout skin.

“Skin may also have small areas of microdamage from chafing and rubbing during exercise making it even more vulnerable, so it’s important to use a product that is not only free from perfumes but is also moisturizing rather than stripping the skin of its natural oils.”

Your shampoo choice can also affect your skin. Melegh says that many shampoos contain harsh detergents. If you find that your skin is sensitive post-workout, try using a perfume and detergent-free shampoo.

Beat Bacne

“Back acne or ‘bacne’ is more common among gym-goers due to the combination of sweat build up and friction on the back area,” says Melegh.

“Bacne is caused by excess sebum during sweating as it reaches the skin’s surface, mixed with external dirt and bacteria plus friction from gym equipment and clothing.”

Try to limit the time you spend in your workout gear after exercising because bacteria can linger on skin. Sports bras, which sit tight against the skin, can be particularly irritating to skin.

When showering, look for ingredients in your cleanser such as salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide, which aren’t useful just for facial acne but acne anywhere on the body. Wash as normal, but let the lather from your cleanser sit on your back for a minute or two, rather than rinsing it off immediately.

You could also try exfoliating your back once a week with an exfoliating brush.

Stop The Chafe

Sudocrem is a staple product in many bathrooms and it’s great for helping with chafing. Apply a thin layer to areas where you experience friction such as inner thighs or under the armpits where your sports bra might rub.

Ingredients such as anhydrous hypoallergenic lanolin soothe skin, while benzyl alcohol has local anesthetic properties that help to reduce discomfort.

Avoid Swim-skin Dryness

Shotter says that swimming in salted or chlorinated water can be very drying for the skin, and can be a trigger for those with dry skin conditions like eczema.

“Prior to swimming I would suggest using a lipid-rich barrier cream to help reduce how much impact the water has on your skin. Afterwards make sure you shower thoroughly and cleanse your face to remove any residue of chlorine or salt. Then apply hydrating products like a lightweight hyaluronic acid serum and a moisturizer.”

About Our Experts

If you’re sniffing out grooming gifts, your nose has led you to the right place. We’ve compiled this list of absolute winners, from a couple of our favourite fragrances to the best beard trimmer that we’ve unleashed on our artfully crafted stubble. There’s a sponge too, which sounds underwhelming, but it’s not just any sponge. It’s a super-sponge.

If you're trying to nail all your Christmas shopping at once be sure to check out our other Christmas gift guides – we can help you pick out gifts for runners, gifts for cyclists and fitness gifts for gym-goers. And for those who have everything, check out the best experience days that make great gifts.

Best Grooming Gifts And Gift Sets For Christmas 2022

More About Grooming 

• Say goodbye to dry skin by choosing one of the best men’s moisturisers
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• Refresh your mug with the best face scrubs for men
• Choose one of the best electric shavers to keep your face fuzz in order

As if juggling exercise, work, social plans and family life wasn’t enough, factoring in a hair wash as well can be challenging. While there’s no better feeling than clean hair, especially after a sweaty workout, the wash, dry and style process can take up a serious chunk of time.

This is where dry shampoo can help. It broadly works by soaking up excess sweat and oil from your scalp and hair, leaving you feeling fresher and your hair looking cleaner. Powdered dry shampoo burst on to the scene several years back and made a big impression, but shaking powder over your hair can get pretty messy so spray-on dry shampoo emerged to make waves on the beauty scene. There are now dry shampoos targeted at different hair colours, because no-one wants to walk around with strange-coloured patches in their hair.

Not sure which dry shampoo is for you? Here are our favourites for refreshing sweaty, post-gym hair.

This dry shampoo uses tapioca starch and kaolin clay to absorb excess oil and dirt from your hair. Your post-gym tresses will smell a whole lot fresher too, thanks to extracts of frangipani, lemon and cedar leaf. This shampoo’s key ingredient is Alpha Keratin 60ku, which helps to repair damaged hair so you’ll get a clean and some hair healing all in one.

Buy from SpaceNK | £15 for 51g

A nature-loving choice, with 99.5% of its ingredients coming from natural and organic sources, this spray is not an aerosol but instead uses a pump so you’re less likely to accidentally breathe in the particles. The serious-looking packaging may say “I got this from the pharmacy” but the product works well and isn’t messy in the slightest. It absorbs oil and grease without drying hair out or leaving a greasy shine. Plus, it contains over 100 washes, so it should last you a while.

Buy from Beauty Naturals | £12.95 for 15g

This one comes out very white when sprayed on dark hair, but it disappears fast once you start massaging it in and does feel like a more effective clean. The conditioning agents also refresh your scalp. One of the other benefits is that it’s free of parabens, sulphates, silicone and phthalates.

Buy from Living Proof | £13 for 83ml

Applying this is simple: pull out the nozzle, puff it at the roots and then jiggle the fine power through your hair. The product is made from microfine vegetable and mineral matter, which sounds odd – but it works! When we tested this after a gym workout, the level of grease visibly decreased and there was very little mess. It might be more expensive than other dry shampoos, but it does the job.

Buy from Hairstory | £39 for 38g

An expensive option but it delivers, and it doesn’t leave white residue at the roots of dark hair. This product also adds plenty of volume to your hair – especially useful when you’re rocking that limp, greasy look and you don’t have time for a full wash. It’s also vegan-friendly, it’s free from parabens and sulphates, and it contains firm favourites like shea butter, aloe vera, argan and sunflower seed extract.

Buy from SBS Hair | £19.50 for 200ml

The first thing you’ll notice with this product – aside from the raspberry scent – is that rather than a spray, it’s a loose powder which needs rubbing into roots and hair. It may take a couple of attempts to get the hang of it, but it’s worth cleaning up a few scenes of powdery disaster in the bathroom to master the technique. Moroccan clay and rice powder absorb grease, leaving your hair clean – plus it’s available in a blonde or brunette version, reducing the incidence of annoying white traces. The main ingredient that binds the grease and dirt is called rhassoul, a mineral-rich clay from the Moroccan Atlas mountains. Fancy! Oh, and the packaging is completely recyclable.

Buy from Foamie | £6 for 40g

Instead of a spray, this product is a foam and claims to offer a 60-second cleansing “wash” with no visible residue. Rubbing it into roots leaves hair looking wet, but it quickly dries and definitely removes that greasy, itchy feeling you get from unwashed hair. A word of advice: less is more when applying.

See related 

• The Best Women’s Gym Bags
• The Best Gym Bags For Men

Fudge products never disappoint and this one is no exception. It refreshes hair and the clean feeling lasts far longer than with many other dry shampoos. It also doesn’t leave much white residue and you don’t have to wait around for it to dry.

Buy from Fudge Professional | £13 for 200ml

The most glamorous-looking of the dry shampoos, with a gold bottle that looks great in your bathroom, handbag or gym bag. You get to hang on to it too because you can buy refill packets in cardboard sachets. The product itself was tested on a blow dry, and it certainly prolonged the style, cleaning roots and hair strands, whilst also leaving hair smelling lovely. It’s also available in a version for fair hair. Top tip from the brand: cold blow-dry this dry shampoo into your hair to distribute it evenly.

Buy from Tabitha James Kraan | £19 for 15g

The pioneering dry shampoo that many of us know and love, it has a fresh fragrance and leaves hair feeling restored and clean. Just be sure to jiggle the spray through your hair to avoid white patches.

Buy from Boots | £3.25 for 200ml (currently reduced to £2.17)

You don’t need to follow a full-on Patrick Bateman-style grooming ritual every morning to look after your skin. Dabbing on a little moisturiser after you shower, maybe more often when the weather is cold or when you have dry patches, will do the job for most people.

Which moisturiser you use will depend on your skin type. People with very dry skin need a rich moisturiser, while those with oily skin should use a lighter product that won’t block their pores. If you have sensitive skin you’ll also want to avoid products that use any chemicals or fragrances that irritate – sadly, the only reliable way to discover this is through trial and error. If you’re lucky to have skin with no clear type, then just go nuts and pick the moisturiser that pleases you most, whether that’s down to the scent, texture or price.

We’ve tested a wide range of moisturisers and that extensive research has yielded both silky-smooth skin and the following selection of our absolute favourites.

Frankincense and mandarin are two big, bold scents, and in combination they only become bolder, producing a sweet, spicy and festive mix that lingers on the skin in the best way. The lotion itself doesn’t linger, though, sinking in quickly so you’re not left feeling greasy, and it spreads easily so a little goes a long way.

This luxurious moisturiser is a little thicker than others, but still sinks into the skin quickly so you’re not left feeling uncomfortably slick after applying it. The scent is rich too, and the combination of the texture and smell leaves you in no doubt that your skin is going to be seriously hydrated after application. It might be a little too much for those who prefer a lighter lotion, but it’s a great pick for the winter months when your skin needs all the help it can get.

If you, like us, are excited to find out what other tasks a moisturiser can tackle beyond moisturising, then you, like us, are probably a bit disappointed that the second task is just moisturising after a shave. However, the product itself is not disappointing in any other way, offering a delightfully refreshing herby scent and a tingly feel that lingers on the skin in the best way.

The Black Reserve range at Jack Black is where you’ll find the company’s really fancy stuff, such as this excellent body lotion. The combo of cardamom and cedarwood is a winner on the scent front, especially since it’s supplemented by bergamot, lavender, coriander and patchouli notes – it’s a roll call of the best smells. The lotion is also light on the skin and absorbed quickly, despite containing shea butter and oils to lock in moisture.

Designed to keep your skin hydrated at overnight, this facial moisturiser for faces feels light on the skin and has a pleasant, slightly floral scent. The list of ingredients includes such exotics as kakadu plum and horopito, which sound to us like items from a Legend of Zelda game, something that only makes us rate the moisturiser more highly. No doubt these impressive ingredients are partly behind the high price of the cream, but on the morning after an application of the stuff we noticed the difference.

This is not just the best-smelling moisturiser on this list, it’s probably the best-smelling thing we’ve come across in our lives. Even better, the smell lingers on the skin after application, so you keep getting hints of that warming, spicy scent for hours. It’s the kind of scent that makes you pause when writing about it and go put more on, in fact. The lotion sinks in quickly and doesn’t leave a greasy feel on the face or body – and there’s also a fireside shower gel, if you want a double hit during your morning routine.

Bulldog’s moisturisers do a great job of hitting the sweet spot between budget skincare options and luxury lotions, offering great quality for under £10. They’re often found in big supermarkets too for extra convenience. The Original Moisturiser has the best scent, but the Protective Moisturiser carries a delightful bergamot-heavy fragrance and it’s a very handy option for the summer, boasting an SPF 15 rating without feeling thick and sticky like standard suncream does.

The key ingredients in this light moisturiser are hyaluronic acid and allantoin. The former is one of nature’s most hydrating molecules, according to Manual (Mother Nature did not respond to our request for comment), and the latter soothes and regenerates skin. It’s a winning combo on paper and in practice too – Mr Moisturiser rubs in easily and smells fantastic, and it’s designed for use on your face, body and hands.

This is a great everyday option for the budget-conscious. It’s priced very attractively in the first place, and it also has a pump dispenser that limits the chances of squirting too much on your hand so it’ll last longer. It hydrates so well that we found Brisk’s directions to apply twice a day overkill – once did the trick for us. It requires more rubbing in than other moisturisers we’ve tried, but it doesn’t leave an oily residue.

If you’re a man keen on avoiding any kind of scent with your moisturiser, either because you have sensitive skin or just hate the idea of your skin being slathered with something smelly, then this is a good bet. It’s odour-free, non-greasy and aims to hydrate sensitive skin without causing any irritation.

When the temperature falls, outdoor exercisers face an unpleasant choice: let your skin face the cold unprotected during your activities, or moisturise beforehand and risk excessive sweating due to the cream. This light moisturising spray provides a third way, offering protection from the elements without blocking pores or making your skin feel greasy. It has a subtle, refreshing scent and sinks in the second it hits your skin. While it might not be as richly moisturising as the other options on this list, it’s a great option for runners and cyclists venturing outside during winter.

The dark rum fragrance of this lotion might lead you to think you’ll walk around smelling like you’ve had a heavy night out, but you’d be wrong. The scent is subtle and it’s one of our favourites of all the moisturisers we tried, which is saying something. The lotion rubs in easily and doesn’t feel greasy at all.

Nivea Men Creme is good value and available at all supermarkets, making it a great pick for those who want to keep things simple. It takes a little time to sink in, but has a refreshing scent and it’s designed to be used on both the body and face.

Rubbing in a cooling moisturiser like this one on a sunny day or after a sweaty workout is one of life’s great pleasures, and this refreshing lotion is also great to use after shaving. It’s absorbed by the skin quickly, leaving a pleasant tingle in its wake.

We were unimpressed with this moisturiser when we first put it on because it’s not so great at sinking in. Be prepared for smeared, white skin for a little while after application. However, it’s very much worth it because the cooling menthol tingle on your skin is a treat, especially after exercise or a day in the sun.

The fragrance sounds aggressively floral but in reality it’s very subtle, with a pleasant hint of lavender. The lotion itself is the most fluid we tried, which means it’s absorbed instantly, making it easy to apply to large patches of skin without excessive rubbing.

A more divisive scent this, with a fiery ginger fragrance that only fades a little over time. We like ginger, however, so it’s two thumbs up from us, especially as the zingy smell is somewhat invigorating. Tropic has marked this down as a face moisturiser, hence the diminutive 50ml tube – you’ll go through it in a week if you use it on your body as well.

Hopefully we don’t need to sell you on the merits of using shower gel, but we would like to sell you on the benefits of upgrading whatever body wash you are using right now to one of our picks below.

Sure, you can grab whatever’s discounted at your local supermarket and it will get you clean, but with the right gel you can enjoy a real experience every time you step in the shower. You don’t have to spend loads either – although there are some very pricy options below, we have options to suit all budgets.

“Mandarin, green tea and ginger equals reinvigorated skin that’s deeply cleansed” is the claim made with this body wash, and we cannot fault a word of it. Truthfully you can pop a little bit of ginger in almost anything and we’re going to be fans, but the combination with mandarin creates an especially excellent scent.

Buy from The Fellowship | £15 for 300ml

Invigorating is certainly the right word for this citrusy body and hair wash, with grapefruit and bergamot combining into a delightful herby scent that spices up a shower. It lathers up nicely if you’re using it to clean your hair too, so it doesn’t take too much to get a great wash, which is handy because otherwise the rather small 200ml bottle would empty in short order.

Buy from Neal’s Yard | £15.50 for 200ml

This new Irish brand has included magnesium and arnica in its all-natural formulation to “relieve sore muscles and joints”. It’s a bit hard to tell if it’s doing its job, but the peppermint is certainly invigorating and we stepped out of the shower feeling refreshed.

There are seven different oils in this body wash, which is specifically designed for sweaty athletes. Some of these oils might sound made up – kanuka oil is just a little too close to manuka oil to be real, surely? – but all of them are in there for a specific reason, whether it’s suppressing bacterial growth or providing a relaxing scent. The overall smell is distinctive: it reminded us of a mechanic’s workshop in truth, which is manly for sure but not necessarily to everyone’s taste. The body wash can be put to many other uses too, including as a shampoo, a conditioner and a shaving gel.

Buy from Vigour8 | £30.75 for for three 270ml bottles

The Eurosport Active Skin range contains a number of products specifically aimed at the sporty. What that means with regard to this hair and body wash is that there are ingredients designed to prise the most firmly embedded dirt and grit out of your skin. Ideal if you’ve been mountain biking down dusty trails all day. We found that the wash is still pretty gentle on your skin, so even after a deep clean it won’t dry you out too much.

Buy from Eurosport | £10 for 150ml

The standard range of washes and moisturisers from Jack Black contains some of our favourite products, so we were very pleased to find Black Reserve body wash stays true to form. There’s a lot going on with the smell of the stuff beyond the headline cardamom and cedarwood, but the overall effect is still fairly subtle and very pleasant, and the gel left our skin feeling fresh and not at all dry.

Buy from Jack Black | £11 for 88ml, £25 for 355ml, £48 for 975ml

This body wash is quite the multitasker: it can wash your hair, face and body and even lather up for a shave. It certainly does froth up a treat in the shower, and the sandalwood and neroli scent is just noticeable enough to be pleasant without becoming overpowering. Another plus point is the sizeable plunger. We love a good plunger. Who wants to hold and squeeze a bottle when you can just pump away? It also means you don’t squeeze too much of the stuff into your hand, because the way this gel foams up means you really don’t need a lot.

Buy from Triumph & Disaster | £28 for 500ml

As far as we know, there’s been no conclusive research into what the freshest scent known to humankind is, but we’re happy to go on record as saying it’s pine. And more specifically the towering pine forests of Scotland on a chilly morn. Do you want to be transported to those forests every time you shower by the incredible smell of this shower gel? Trust us when we say you do.

Buy from Noble Isle | £21 for 250ml

Mio has created a Workout Wonders range of grooming products to help invigorate your skin before and after training. This body wash is, naturally, designed to be used afterwards – unless you like to be really clean before you sweat. The gel contains eucalyptus for a refreshing scent and feel, and it creates a pleasant, cooling tingle on the skin that you can boost further by also using the Muscle Motivator gel from the range.

Buy from Mio | £19 for 200ml

The four-strong range of Bulldog shower gels all offer splendid aromas and we had a hard time picking our favourite, but although the Peppermint & Eucalyptus gets extra points for its refreshing sensation, we plumped for the citrusy, patchouli smell of the Original in the end. The gel feels like a luxury option for a fraction of the cost, especially as you get a sizeable 500ml bottle of the stuff, and we found that it didn’t dry out our skin at all.

Buy from Bulldog | £3 for 500ml

Four evocative scents are available here – redwood, shiso, stone and fig – of which redwood is the standout. Who wouldn’t want to smell like an awe-inspiringly massive tree, after all? The gel lathers up nicely but it’s best avoided if you have dry skin because it left our skin feeling a little, well, dry.

Buy from Harry’s | £5 for 250ml

Black pepper, ginger and vetiver are the key ingredients in this spicy, luxurious shower gel, and it’s an awesome combination, even if we had no idea what vetiver is. Google reveals it’s a fragrant perennial grass, a bit like your friend and mine lemongrass.

Buy from Molton Brown | £22 for 300ml

It’s a favourite of anyone used to hunting down £1 shower gel deals in the supermarket, but let’s not undersell the quality of this classic body wash. Your skin will tingle after using it and that’s just a great way to start the day.

Find retailers through Original Source | From £1 for 250ml at Tesco

See related 

• The Best Dry Shampoo To Throw In Your Gym Bag
• The Best Men’s Moisturisers Of 2021
• The Best Facial Cleansing Brushes

Another classic of the supermarket shelves, Dove’s body wash smells good, has a moisturising effect and offers great value. Our only problem with it is that it’s dashed tricky to get the final few squirts out of the bottom of the bottle owing to the unyielding nature of the plastic used.

Buy from Boots | £2 for 400ml

If ever there were a year to experiment with possibly ill-advised facial hair, 2020 was it. Britain’s men were given free rein to grow and style their beards within the safety of their home – you can always turn off video on a Zoom call, after all.

But with the prospect of lockdowns becoming a thing of the past in 2021, it’s time to consider how to get your facial hair back in order. If you’ve become quite attached to your fuzz, you’ll need a beard trimmer and we’ve spent the past few months testing the best to make sure you don’t end up buying a dud.

If you’re thinking “a trimmer’s a trimmer”, you’re both right and wrong. While there’s not much difference to the finish you can expect with any of the models we tried, the overall experience in getting there – from how long it takes to how much battery life it has to how the settings are altered – can be dramatically different between products.

After our main choices, we’ll tell you about a couple of samples we tested which didn’t quite reach the required level for a recommendation.

The Best Beard Trimmers

Battery length 100min | Cutting lengths 0.5-20mm | Gradients 39 | Extras Contour edging head, detail trimmer head, hair clipping adapters, Gillette Fusion 5 ProGlide razor, travel pouch

Our pick of the bunch is this excellent all-rounder which comes with plenty of extras. Rather than making buyers juggle dozens of different-length heads, the Braun Beard Trimmer 7 comes with just two, which combine with the built-in dial to allow for 39 different lengths from 0.5mm to 20mm. It feels good and makes light work of even a dense lockdown beard.

As with most beard trimmers, it does struggle a little with the edges of one’s face, but the extras push it over the edge. Not only does it come with a detail trimmer head for fine-tuning your look and a mini foil shaver for extra-close cutting, but the company throws in a free Gillette Fusion 5 ProGlide razor for good measure. Incredible value.

Buy from Braun | £74.99 (currently reduced to £49.99)

Battery length 300min | Cutting lengths 0.4-25mm | Extras Foil shaver, nine hair and beard combs, travel pouch

In truth, there’s very little to choose between our Braun pick above and the Remington T Series here. Both give an excellent finish, and the T Series actually has superior build quality, aesthetics, cutting length options and battery life. The travel pouch is spacious and stylish, too.

But it’s a close second for a couple of reasons. First, we spent a fair amount of time emptying it of trapped hair, which isn’t great if you’re in a hurry. Second, while beard lengths of 1.5 to 5mm are dealt with by the adjustable dial built into a single head, Remington includes an extra nine hair and beard combs ranging in size from 1.5mm to 25mm for different lengths. You might appreciate the flexibility in theory, but these quickly fill up that spacious carry case without really adding anything for most people.

Still, it’s worth checking whether Amazon’s ever-shifting prices mean this is substantially cheaper when you’re thinking of buying, because that could put its nose in front.

Buy from Remington | £79.99

Battery length 50min | Cutting lengths 0.5-30mm | Gradients 59 | Extras Travel pouch

The Panasonic ER-GB86 certainly won’t win any beauty contests. It’s bulky and, compared with the other beard trimmers we tried, frankly a bit ugly. It’s also light on extras and has a tendency to trap hair underneath the heads, too.

But it’s not without its strengths. It provides an excellent finish, for starters, and the three heads have 59 cutting lengths between them, easily and precisely set by the rotating dial embedded into the middle of the shaver. This clear read-out provides peace of mind that the length you want will be uniform across the shave, and the dial itself offers enough resistance that you can be sure it won’t slip to the wrong length while in use.

Buy from Boots | £99.99 (currently reduced to £79.99)

Battery length 120min | Cutting lengths 0.5-12mm | Gradients 23 | Extras Hard fabric case

It’s the svelte, lightweight design that justifies this trimmer’s place in the list. While it offers limited customisation compared with the others here, there’s no need for extra attachments: the 23 cutting lengths from 0.5 to 12mm all come from the built-in head.

Performance is generally good, even on the tricky edges of the face, though it does take a couple of passes for thicker beards. Its real achilles heel, though, is the unorthodox head design: the borders either side of the blade make it a little tough to judge what you’re aiming at when undertaking precision trims. But if you’re just after a good, no-fuss, lightweight beard trimmer, then this is an easy recommendation. Especially as it’s often available for under £40.

Buy from BaByliss | £80 (currently reduced to £53.33)

See related 

• How to Trim a Beard
• The Best Beard Oils
• The Best Electric Shavers To Keep Your Face Fuzz In Order
• The Best Shaving Subscriptions Of 2020

The Also Rans

The Wahl Aqua Blade Hair Trimmer has a lot going for it, including a very close shave and a quick charging feature that gives you three minutes’ use from 60 seconds spent by the plug socket. But it was guilty of some painful hair tugging, which none of the other samples had, making it a tough one to recommend – unless you actually like that kind of thing.

The Philips 9000 Prestige, on the other hand, didn’t put a foot wrong. In fact, it’s excellent, with incredible customisation letting you cut to one of 30 lengths from 0.4mm to 10mm with only one additional head. The problem is that it costs £120. By all means buy it if money is no object, but the performance gains are pretty marginal compared with its more affordable rivals. We were a hair’s breadth away from recommending it, but couldn’t shift the feeling that it doesn’t do enough to justify pushing the price into triple digits.

Remember when footballer Harry Maguire turned up for his first England camp with his gear in a bin bag? How we laughed! There are lots of things to admire about Maguire, his noble slab of a head being number one, but we urge you not to follow in his footsteps when it comes to kit bags.

Instead peruse this list, which includes bags to suit all needs. Whether you’re after a functional bag full of different compartments for organising your gear, or something more stylish, we have the perfect gym bag for you right here. Leave the bin bags in the bin.

Storage and sturdiness are the key selling points of this duffel bag. The storage comes in the form of a large main section with a zipped valuables pocket, a zip side compartment for your shoes and a drop-in mesh pocket on the other side. On the durability front the base is water-repellent and abrasion-resistant, and the hardy strap and handles will last several years of slinging the bag around locker rooms.

Buy from New Balance | £44

This is the gym bag for anyone who just has to carry a huge amount of kit with them at all times. The Transporter’s cavernous main compartment has a clamshell opening so it’s easy to rummage around the ridiculous amount of stuff you’ve crammed in it. A semblance of organisation is provided by the inside mesh pocket for valuables at one end, and an outer pocket on the other end for easy access to your gym pass. The single shoulder strap has a comfy bit of padding, but there are also hidden backpack straps to break out if you have to hump the bag a long way.

Buy from Osprey | £100

British-born Jim Bag has one simple idea – to strike the balance between traditional functional sports bags that only look good in the locker room and high-end weekend getaway bags that you’d be reluctant to use for your gym kit. We’ll let you check out the range, including this weighty drawstring duffle, and judge whether or not Jim Bag has nailed it (clue: it has).

Buy from Jim Bag | £37.99 

If you’re not the type to have a closet dedicated to your collection of bags, but don’t want to sully your day bag with sweaty gym kit, you’ll be pleased that this duffle bag packs up into its own internal pocket making it easy to store in a draw on non-training days. You might think the lightweight nature would make it flimsy but Herschel is one step ahead of you, lining the bag with a tough, waxy material so it’ll stand up to whatever you throw in it.

Swimmers with a lot of gear take note: this rucksack boasts an ample 30 litres of space, so you can pack your fluffiest towel. The rucksack also has a waterproof pocket for swimsuits and the base is made from a water-resistant fabric, so it can sit on wet floors without the contents getting drenched.

Buy from Speedo | £45 (currently reduced to £31.50)

How do you like to carry your gym bag? One diagonal strap over the shoulder? Two-strapping it like a rucksack? In both arms in front of you like a sack of rice? This canny bag from Adidas gives you all those options, though we wouldn’t recommend the sack-of-rice style – it’s just not very practical when out and about. As well as the convertible straps, this duffle has a separate ventilated pocket for shoes and an array of small internal pockets to stow your valuables in.

Buy from Adidas | £34.95 (currently reduced to £20.97)

When hunting down a cheap and cheerful option it’s always worth checking out what’s available at Decathlon, and its in-house gym-gear brand comes up with the goods when it comes to gym bags. Six separate compartments allow you to organise your gear (read: quarantine your sweaty socks), and there are designated pockets for gym essentials like your locker padlock, shower gel and water bottle. There are also straps on the bottom to hold a yoga mat – ideal if you’re fed up with lying face-down on the sweaty shared mats at your gym.

Buy from Decathlon | £17.99 (currently reduced to £11.99)

If you’re the type of person who likes everything to have a place, this bag is a great pick. There’s a side compartment for your shoes, one internal pocket for your valuables and an external one for valuables you need to have to hand, as well as a side flap for the contents of your washbag. Then of course there’s the main compartment, which is a sizable 30 litres. It’s not bad to look at, either.

A worthy upgrade on the basic drawstring bag, the Nike Brasilia is made from a durable, water-resistant fabric, has an internal divider to organise gear and features a zipped pocket for valuables.

Buy from Nike | £10.95

See related 

• The Best Men’s Gym T-Shirts
• The Best Gym Trainers
• The Best Gym Shorts For Men
• The Pros Pick The Best CrossFit Trainers
• The Best Women’s Gym Bags

This rucksack is a great commuter/gym bag combo, with a laptop sleeve and plenty of useful pockets for work accoutrements, as well as space for your workout gear including a separate shoe pocket. The Hustle 4.0 is also water repellant, so your valuables and kit won’t get wet if you travel to the gym in the rain, and it comes in a pleasing range of colours.

It’s easy to get down about the end of summer and the grim descent into eight months – er, nine months – er, 11 months of cold, grey, rainy weather. But ever the optimists, we see the winter not as a massive bummer, but as the chance to indulge in the biggest sartorial shopping spree of the year: seeking out a new weatherproof coat.

To give you a head start we’ve pulled out our favourite parka jackets – the biggest and baddest boys of the winter jacket brigade – and laid them out below for your viewing pleasure. We’ve got classic fur-trimmed offerings, modern hybrids and everything in between to suit your budget, style and outdoor intentions.

With 190 years of weather-beating performance under its well-worn belt, acclaimed American brand Woolrich is a name you can trust when keeping the warmth in and the wet out. But that’s not to say it’s stuck in its ways, as shown here. Woolrich has taken everything it knows about outerwear and packaged it up in one thoroughly 2020-ready parka. Those four big pockets get five big thumbs up from us.

Buy from Woolrich | £695

When you’re synonymous with a fur-trimmed hood, you can’t claim to be the world’s most ethical choice of winter jacket. Unless, that is, you’re shopping with German-born, Chinese-made eco-outerwear brand LangerChen. It places fairness, consciousness and sustainability at the heart of everything it makes in its GOTS-certified (Global Organic Textile Standard) facility in Shanghai – which only makes working out which of its fantastic jackets to buy all the harder. We’ve opted to big up the Dunton, as it’ll keep you warm when it’s wet and looks the biz.

Buy from LangerChen | €249 (around £212)

Whether you’re battling through the elements in the city or the wilderness, this 100% recycled polyester (sourced from plastic bottles) parka looks and feels more than ready to leap on your back. Combining an uber-cool Scandi aesthetic with a fully waterproof construction, adjustable hood and big fat pockets, there’s no doubt that this is a real all-conditions workhorse.

Buy from Tretorn | £420 (currently reduced to £210)

You know who knows a thing or two about working in harsh conditions? The Canadian Special Forces. The fact that they had a hand in the design of this hip-length cold-beater indicates how insanely hardcore it is.

Buy from Canada Goose | £750

Don’t expect this thing to crack a smile – it’s serious. Expedition-grade serious. Field-tested-in-Antarctica-and-the-Arctic serious. Performs-at-30-below-zero serious. London brand Shackleton may have only been around for three years, but already its products have been put to the test in the most extreme conditions, decking out polar explorers, environmental scientists and intrepid photographers that like to call the sub-zero their office. The ultra-light yet ultra-warm flagship Endurance Parka is handmade in the UK and packs down into a tiny little bag when not in use, whether that’s after reaching a Pole at the ends of the Earth or at your desk following a particularly frosty commute.

Buy from Shackleton | £1,295

A waterproof, breathable and fleece-lined parka for under £190? What year is it? Who’s the president? We’re not quite sure what Vermont fisher-king Orvis’s game is, pitching this element-besting and smart-looking coat at such a friendly price, but we like it. We like it a lot.

Buy from Orvis | £189

With a whacking great 750-fill European goose down insulation, Gore-Tex protection and a streamlined silhouette, Arc’teryx isn’t messing around when it comes to keeping you warm and dry. The Down Contour Construction and Down Composite Mapping features combine to allow all that soft filling to form to your individual body shape. Wow.

Buy from Arc’teryx | £600

You don’t often see a deviation from the classic monochrome approach in parka design, but this bold colour-block coat takes things up a notch while providing all the waterproof, windproof benefits you expect. The icing on top is its eco-credentials – the 365 Millennial is made with 100% recycled synthetic insulation, while the shell’s made with 100% recycled materials too.

Buy from Jack Wolfskin | £200

See related

• The Best Pea Coats For Men
• The Best Men’s Leather Jackets
• The Best Men’s Ski And Snowboard Jackets For Your 2018 Ski Trip

This is a real eco-warrior from the most excellent punk of the surf scene, Volcom. Check out the very 1990s grunge red flannel lining and the pillowy hood, then look a little closer and get your fingers on that Teflon EcoElite finish – the first renewably sourced, plant-based and non-fluorinated fabric treatment giving this lean green machine a whacking great 5,000mm water resistance too. Brilliant.

Buy from Volcom | £150

The brand adored by mountaineers and urban explorers in equal measure, this is probably what you pictured when you read the words “best parka” up top. The hood and fur trim are removable to suit your surroundings, and the whole caboodle is waterproof. This is the sort of jacket that you’ll want to spend 11 months living in.

Buy from The North Face | £400

Because what Liam Gallagher and his clothing brand don’t know about parkas isn’t worth knowing.

Buy from Pretty Green | £150

You know where’s really nice this time of year? Outside. Outside is really nice this time of year, especially because those people who complain about it being absolutely freezing and perpetually damp stay away, and all you need is the right protection to get out there and enjoy it.

A puffer jacket – stuffed with either duvet-like feather down or a synthetic version like Primaloft – is one such choice of protection. It’s the go-to jacket for Himalayan explorers and high-street cool kids alike, and because it has firm roots in the outdoor industry, it often comes with the added bonus of being able to go absolutely anywhere, without the fear of it falling apart on your back playing on your mind.

Yep, deciding to wear a puffer jacket this season is the easy part. Deciding which one, though, is not. Pretty lucky, then, that we’ve trawled through the very best puffer and down jackets out there to bring you a concise snapshot of the very best on offer this season. We’ve got a timeless classic from The North Face, a homegrown climbing essential from Rab, a retro sportswear doozy from Fila, one made from corduroy courtesy of H&M, and a puffer from streetwear masters Stussy that’s so loud it’ll leave your ears ringing. Take a look, why don’t you?

Do you consider your carbon emissions when picking up a puffer jacket? Probably not, but that’s OK, because Patagonia does it for you. The latest edition of this line is made with PrimaLoft recycled polyester insulation, which is cosy even when it’s wet, and its liner and shell are completely recycled as well. The jacket is windproof and water-resistant, and there are high-neck jacket and vest versions as well – the latter is an underrated option for the UK winter, which usually contains many milder days when a full jacket is overkill.

Buy from Alpine Trek | £195

Sure, it’ll work around town, but this one’s a smart buy if you’re planning on going off the beaten track as this 750-fill power jacket is both at the upper end of that warming scale and slim enough to work as a midlayer – it can even pack into its own pocket when you’re working up a sweat yomping up hill and down dale. It’s not waterproof, but the filling is hydrophobic so you don’t need to seek shelter at the first sign of rain (not a good look among your fellow intrepid explorers). It’s also a steal at the moment, having been reduced to well under three figures.

Buy from Wiggle | £130 (currently reduced to £71.50)

Close your eyes and draw yourself a puffer jacket from memory, and the likelihood is that you’ll be staring down at a Nuptse when you finally peel back your peeper lids. Introduced in 1992, adored by everyone from peak-seeking athletes to hip-hop royalty, and worn everywhere from Base Camp to Birmingham and Manhattan to the Matterhorn, it’s safe to say it’s the puffy archetype. This version, which harks back to the glorious mid-90s and smartly packs down into its own pocket even though it uses real goose down, is a real stand-out thanks to its eye-catching fleecy print.

Buy from the North Face | £250

Filson does not mess about when building hardy garms to withstand the harshest conditions. The company, based in the rugged Pacific Northwest, has learned all there is to know about clothing that lasts in dire winter conditions through its 120-plus years of existence, and as such, we feel confident vouching for this ultralight but exceptionally warm down jacket (filled with responsibly sourced and traceable goose feathers) as a top-off-the-food-chain puffer.

Buy from Filson | £335

Just because it has half the zipper doesn’t mean this smock from Rab is any less of a puffer. The Kinder Smock cut its teeth on the dark gritstone walls of Yorkshire, where Sheffield’s hardy climbing scene fell in love with its hydrophobic treated down and warmth, eye-catching colour, and shape that allowed it to be worn without getting in the way of the equipment. And because climbing is very much the hobby du jour, there’s been no better time to dress like you’re about to go *checks How To Talk Like A Climber notes* send a slabby 8c+ with Alex Honnold.

Buy from The Brokedown Palace | £170

Do we bang on about Uniqlo too much? Quite possibly! But are we still childishly excited when we pick up its wares, feel the quality and gaze down at the frankly ludicrous price on the tag? You’d better believe it. Spend less than fifty notes on the Ultra Light Down Compact and you’ve near enough stolen a warming puffer, one with a unique V-neck collar that makes it just as good-looking worn as a top layer as it is functional under your big woolly number.

Buy from Uniqlo | £49.90

See related 

• The Best Waterproof Jackets For Men: True Weather Beaters
• The Best Parkas For Men
• The Best Pea Coats For Men

Would you just look at the high neck on this jacket? It just screams snug, especially since the Reflect lining on the jacket bounces your body heat back at you. While the jacket isn’t fully waterproof, it will repel mild showers, and Berghaus’s hydrophobic Hydrodown material doesn’t get soggy and heavy when wet.

Buy from Berghaus | £200 (some styles currently reduced to £140)

Whether you’re looking to fill your quota for heritage sportswear or slightly confused Neapolitan ice cream colourways this season, you’re on to a good thing with this cosy coat from Fila. Even more so at that nice price.

Buy from Fila | £100 (currently reduced to £50)

Main image by Collins Lesulie

Shifting plaque, cleaning around the gum line and keeping cavities at bay are important elements in improving dental hygiene and an electric toothbrush can help with all of them. This is no flippant claim, either. A Cochrane Review, which gathers and assesses a wide range of scientific evidence around a topic, examined a range of studies in 2014 and found powered reduced both plaque and gingivitis (gum inflammation) over three months versus manual toothbrushes.

You can certainly keep your gnashers in good condition with a standard toothbrush, but many find electric toothbrushes to make it easier – particularly with two-minute timers making sure you’re not cutting your cleaning short. And there’s certainly plenty of new tech that attempts to help. That includes features such as rotating heads that focus on brushing one tooth at a time and sonic brushes that vibrate at high speeds and frequencies to buff the surface. We’ve rounded up a selection of the best buys to suit your budget and brushing style.

This toothbrush has artificial intelligence, includes the word “genius” in its name and costs £340 (though it’s currently reduced to £130 for an introductory offer). Those three things will make a lot of cynical people recoil (we did), but as soon as you stick it in your gob the Oral-B Genius X will win you over.

It has six different clean modes that take full advantage of the powerhouse brushing motors, but the truly remarkable feature is the way it recognises your brushing and lets you know if and how you’re doing it wrong. And you probably are, because according to Oral-B 80% of adults are missing at least one area of their mouth regularly.

The Oral-B Genius recognises how long you spend in each area of your mouth, and points out the spots that aren’t getting enough attention. It can do this live if you link it to the Oral-B app, which will guide you through your brushing session and assess how well you did afterwards with a brushing score. If you don’t want to take your phone into the bathroom everyday, it will track your brushing over time and deliver feedback periodically to help you up your dental hygiene game.

Buy on Amazon | £339.99 (currently reduced to £170)

Cheaper electric toothbrushes tend to look it. Not so with Ordo’s smart-looking Sonic+ – the rose gold looks especially stylish, but there are attractive charcoal grey and white/silver colourways too, and the wide base means it stands up on its own without any trouble. It’s got useful features too, like four modes including whiten and sensitive, and a silicone X in the middle of the head to gently polish your teeth. We were left with a feeling close to that of having seen a dental hygienist. The three-week battery life is impressive, too.

Another reason to go with Ordo is that it offers a subscription refill service for toothbrush heads, toothpaste, floss, mouthwash and interdental brushes. If you’re as guilty as us of not replacing your toothbrush head as often as is recommended, it’s a useful convenience and one less thing to think about.

Buy from Boots | £50

One downside of going electric is the possibility of your brush running out of juice halfway through a clean, leaving you with little option but to ineffectually rub the now static brush over the rest of your teeth. That fear is almost entirely banished with the Foreo Issa 2, which lasts 365 days on a single charge. So even if you have some extensive travel plans in mind once the COVID-19 pandemic is over, you’ll have no need to take the USB charger with you.

The soft silicone outer bristles are designed to massage your gums, while the polymer inner ones are more effective in removing plaque. There are 16 cleaning modes so you can select the perfect intensity for you.

Buy from Foreo | £149

Flossing is something that every dentist recommends doing daily, but it’s also a real faff. So try using a water flosser, which shoots a thin stream of water at your teeth to remove plaque and chunks of food left from dinner in a gentler (and frankly far more exciting) manner than old-school flossing string or tape. Do make sure you use the water flosser over the sink, though, and check your angles carefully otherwise you, like us, might end up with water spraying all over the bathroom when you first turn it on. The flosser comes with five different tips, including options that work especially well for people with braces or orthodontics.

The toothbrush in the set is no less impressive than the flosser, with three settings available – high, low and massage – and a month-long battery life. Combining both in one bundle will save you space and a power socket in your bathroom, and rid you of the irritation and waste involved in string or plastic-pick flossing forever.

Buy on Amazon | £129.99

If you’re wondering how an electric toothbrush can be described as “luxury”, it starts with the colour – this brush is not merely black but “black onyx” – and finishes with the astonishing £500 price (although you’ll rarely, if ever, actually have to pay more than half that in reality). Between the colour and price, there are unique and useful features.

The toothbrush contains a pressure sensor and will show a red or green light to tell you if you’re brushing too hard, while a timer on the colour display helps you stick it out for the full two minutes with each brush, if only for the smiley face that’s displayed if you do. There are seven brushing modes to choose from, including one for sensitive and another for super-sensitive teeth, plus a whitening option.

It’s the Oral B iO9’s brushing action that really sets it apart, even from other high-end picks. The vibrations are more subtle and friendly to your gums, but still effective in giving your teeth a good clean. The only downside is that the iO uses a different kind of head from most other Oral B brushes, and those heads are not cheap to replace at £15 for a pack of two.

Buy from Boots | £500 (currently reduced to £250)

See related 

• 8 Products To Use For Whiter Teeth
• How to Avoid Fillings and Stains: The Secrets of Dental Health

It might not look as sleek as some of our other picks but this bargain brush is lightweight, compact and comes with a handy snap-on lid so you can sling it in a wash bag to freshen up on the road. The battery life is impressive given the price (you’ll get 40 brushes out of a charge) and it runs quietly. There’s only one sonic speed setting and no rotation so it’s not as effective at shifting plaque as it could be, but it’s an affordable option for frequent travellers.

Buy on Amazon | £49.99 (currently reduced to £19.99)

The cheapest of Oral-B’s CrossAction models delivers the same 40,000 pulses and 8,000 oscillations per minute as the more expensive editions, and is compatible with the range’s 3D White, Sensitive, Precision and FlossAction heads. You won’t have as many brushing modes to pick from, but the daily clean and gum care settings should be sufficient, and the round brush heads do a great job of cleaning teeth and getting into the gaps. It feels sturdy and scores points for including a travel case.

Buy on Amazon | £79.99 (currently reduced to £33)

Dandruff is a chronic condition, which means that if you have it you will have to deal with it at times throughout your life. That’s the bad news. The good news is that treating it is pretty simple, and the treatment – anti-dandruff shampoo – is both easy to get your hands on and works quickly.

After making its name in the world of shaving products, grooming brand Harry’s has now turned its attention to anti-dandruff products, launching a range of shampoos, scalp creams and scrubs to help prevent and treat the condition.

We spoke to US-based dermatologist and Harry’s ambassador Dr Carlos A Charles about dandruff, what causes it and how best to go about treating it.

What is dandruff and what causes it?

Dandruff is a dry, itchy, red, flaky scalp. It’s very common. It’s a chronic condition, so it’s something that comes and goes. We see it in what dermatologists call sebaceous type people who produce a lot of oil. It’s caused by a whole host of factors – stress can really trigger it and certain people tend to have flare-ups at certain times of the year – which cause the scalp to produce excess oil. That excess oil sets up an environment where different yeasts go after this oil, or sebum, which produces inflammation in the scalp, which leads to the production of skin cells and flaking, redness and itching.

Is it more common in people who have dry skin and suffer from conditions like eczema?

It’s not really linked to eczema and dry skin, it’s something we often see as a one-off. Someone’s skin can be great but they have dandruff.

How can you prevent it?

Prevention is always the best way to go. The Harry’s product line has a couple of things to help in this regard. The scalp cream is emollient and soothing and keeps the dryness in check, and the scalp scrub that you can use once a week can help exfoliate the scalp and promote scalp health. It’s preventative in that respect.

How can you treat it?

The tried-and-tested zinc pyrithione, an ingredient in shampoos, acts like an anti-fungal treatment for dandruff. The Harry’s line also has natural ingredients like jujube bark extract, which acts as an anti-inflammatory. The different products have a different range of strengths too, for mild or intense dandruff.

See related 

• What Men Can Do About Hair Loss
• The Best Dry Shampoo To Throw In Your Gym Bag

How can you tell how bad your dandruff is?

Mild can be something like a few flakes in your hair a few hours after washing it, or a little bit of redness. Then in the middle you have more flakes and you’re itching, in which case you need something to go after the cause of the dandruff – zinc pyrithione goes after the organisms that cause the dandruff. Then the intense stuff – I’ve seen guys who come in and their hair is full of flakes, they feel like they need to wash it a few times a day. That’s when you need the heavier guns, the extra-strength anti-dandruff shampoo.

How long does it take to go away with treatment?

Within the first week of using them you should see a significant improvement, but I want to emphasise that dandruff is all about maintenance. Symptoms are going to go away quickly, but you need to make sure you continue to use the products on a regular basis.

If anti-dandruff shampoo doesn’t work should people see a dermatologist?

There are other conditions like psoriasis that mimic dandruff, where the lesions on the scalp may not go away with these topical products. So if you’re using these things but you’re still uncomfortable, or maybe you’re even having some bleeding, it might be time to have a professional take a look.

While a stroll through the trendier part of your town might make you believe that shaving is a thing of the past, most men still opt for a clean shave each day. Some view this as a chore to be endured, while others relish the me time. But whatever your view on shaving is, no-one enjoys going to the supermarket to pick up supplies.

That’s because razors are expensive, and, at times, impossible to comprehend thanks to the space-age technologies that are seemingly inserted into every blade. Then there’s the time and emotional cost of actually going to a shop to consider. No, no, no, no, no. There must be a better way.

There is. Shaving subscription boxes are here to save the day. Sign up online, then sit back and relax. All the necessary shaving gear you need will be arriving at regular intervals and it will probably cost you less than buying it in a shop. At least in the emotional sense.

Here are the best shaving subscriptions to consider, in alphabetical order.

Bearded Colonel

There are two design elements on the Bearded Colonel’s heads that promise to minimise irritation. The first is a roller on the leading edge of the head so more shaving cream gets to the blades, acting as a lubricant. The second is wider spacing of the blades so they don’t get clogged up. There are two tiers to Beard Colonel membership. The standard one costs £10 to start and then £10 a delivery thereafter, and for that you get your handle and four five-blade heads in each delivery. The VIP tier nets you a fancier stainless steel handle and a tin to store it in alongside the blades, but this is currently invitation-only so you have to contact the Colonel himself (or an intern manning the inbox) to ask for a spot.

Subscribe to Bearded Colonel

Blade Box

Aside from the cheapest option from Dollar Shave Club, Blade Box offers the best-value shaving subscription we’ve come across. Subscribe to the three-blade razor service and it’ll set you back just £4.49 a month, and if you simply must have five blades on your razors, that subscription is still only £7.49 a month. You can change the frequency of your deliveries to four, six or eight weeks, depending on how often you shave, and naturally the handle comes free with your first order. Both the three- and five-razor blade heads feature a vitamin E and aloe lubricating strip to minimise skin irritation and, while lacking some of the marketing bluster that accompanies a lot of the blades on this list, they’ll get the job done in terms of a close shave.

Subscribe to Blade Box

Cornerstone

If you want Cornerstone to take care of pretty much every part of your grooming routine, it can do so, because alongside razors and blades it’ll deliver shampoos, soaps, hair loss treatments, toothpaste and even condoms to a schedule you set. We’re going to focus on the shaving stuff here though. You can get six five-blade cartridges plus a handle with free engraving for £14; subsequent deliveries cost £14 too and can be spaced one, two or three months apart. The head has a trimmer blade and an aloe vera strip, but its neatest trick is that it will stand on its wide, flat base.

Subscribe to Cornerstone

Dollar Shave Club

This shaving subscription service has proved wildly popular in the US and has now made its way to good old Blighty, where the currency in its title makes no sense at all. It’s not as straightforward as the branding suggests – it took a bit of digging around on the website, but we unearthed a dirt-cheap option.

Dollar Shave Club offers a starter pack for £5, which includes DSC’s “executive” razor handle, a pack of four six-blade cartridges and a travel-size tube of shaving butter. Thereafter, you have the option of getting four- or six-blade razor top-ups for £6 or £8 (both work on the executive handle), but you’re locking yourself into the more premium cartridges. If you want the cheapest possible plan, though, swerve the starter set and go for the two-blade “humble twin”: you’ll pay just £3 a month for five cartridges, with the handle included free in the first delivery.

If you happen to be a big spender, DSC is keen to sell you more. If you add in any extra grooming products from DSC’s seriously extensive range, you – sound the upselling klaxon – get a bigger discount applied to all of your purchases.

Subscribe to Dollar Shave Club

Gillette Shave Club

No doubt keen to see off the competition from all these upstart blade vendors, the grandaddy of shaving goods has got in on this newfangled subscription malarkey. After a slow start it seems Gillette now means business, offering a starter kit that includes a handle, one cartridge, travel-size shaving foam and a travel case for the head for just the £3.95 cost of delivery. You can choose between three razors in that kit too – the Fusion5 ProGlide, the SkinGuard or the Fusion5. Once you’re up and running you can also set the frequency of refill deliveries, with each package of four new heads priced between £10 and £11.50.

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Harry’s

Harry’s makes everything you need to enjoy a top-quality shave and is keen as mustard to send it to your door at a frequency of your choice. A trial set of razor, shaving gel and a blade cover costs just £3.95 (pictured above), and from then on you pick what you want – cartridges and gel, or just cartridges – and when you want it. Getting your blade heads and gel from Harry’s will set you back £19 per delivery, while just getting eight heads costs £14.

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The Personal Barber

These guys have zero time for your four/five/13-blade razors – they reckon you only need one sharp blade to enjoy an excellent, irritation-free shave. TPB will send you that blade in safety-razor form along with a fancy shaving brush and soap or cream in your first box, which also includes step-by-step instructions for the perfect shave. Then your next box keeps things fresh by including different shaving creams and pre- and post-shave products. The wet shave subscription box, complete with blades and mystery items, costs £24.95 every six or 12 weeks.

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We don’t need to tell you about the merits of finding a well-fitting pair of jeans. Pulling on denim that not only looks good but feels good after days, weeks, probably months of searching, is one of life’s great pleasures. Glorious stuff.

But what we can – and will! – tell you about are the very best trusty blues (and blacks and beiges and whites). For we have seen the future (read: spent a very long time trawling through the wares of our favourite masters of denim) and can report that your legs are about to look better than ever.

From the stripy to the stretchy, right through to a set of Welsh-made winners and a pair of having-a-moment striped carpenter curveballs, these are the best jeans you can bag yourself this season.

We hope you’re sitting comfortably, because we’re about to impart a heartwarming story. In spite of the name, the Welsh town of Cardigan is steeped in jeans history, so much so that at one point 10% of its population was employed in the denim industry manufacturing a staggering 35,000 pairs per week. That was until production was moved to cheaper pastures, but the knowhow remained and many years later Hiut Denim Co employed that skill to get the denim industry of Cardigan humming again. Now you can expect high-quality, low-run selvedge denim created by hands that know how to do it best.

Buy from Hiut | £240

From the accident-prone coffee spiller to the wannabe hip-thrusting Iggy Pop to the full-time mime artist, everyone needs a pair of brilliant black jeans in their arsenal. And Edwin’s dark dark denim in the brand’s most popular silhouette definitely fits the bill.

Buy from Edwin | £110

Of course the most American-looking jeans are a set of true blue yee-hawin’ boot-cuts. Unless… unless you’re gazing at a pair that takes colour inspiration from the sandy canyons of the western states which – would you believe it? – you absolutely are. They’re made from organic denim and in a comfortable but flattering slim-fit straight-leg cut, and we’d like nothing more than to ride off into the Friday sunset wearing these.

Buy from Nudie Jeans | £120

If you’re running after your kids or chasing down a bus, denim – particularly the stiffer selvedge stuff – can feel a bit tight. Not in Levi’s 501 Skate jeans, though. Engineered to withstand regular beatings from kick-flipping cool kids, each pair has Lycra fibre woven into it, Cordura fibre added for super strength and a reinforced construction on stress points for extra durability.

Buy from Size | £70

From respected designer Ichiro Nakatsu – who, after years of collecting rare and heritage clothing, has built an unrivalled knowledge of vintage fashion – OrSlow is one of the most talked-up brands in menswear right now. Nakatsu’s clothes, including these denim winners, take the silhouettes and cuts from his extensive archive, and add modern details. In short, these things are extremely cool.

Buy from Mr Porter | £240

We really could have done with these in early June, when we struggled with the shock of transitioning to actual trousers after weeks of wearing nothing but lockdown joggers. Clearly inspired by the rising popularity of the climbing trouser, incorporating the same relaxed-to-baggy fit, drawstring and throwback 90s vibes, these jeans couldn’t be more off-duty if they tried.

Buy from End Clothing | £169

Shock! Horror! The cheapest pair of jeans in our run-down aren’t from a high street shop, but grease ’n’ dirt-loving American workwear wizards at Dickies. Splatter them with paint. Tear them on barbed wire. They looove it.

Buy from Dickies | £65

Levi’s, Wrangler, Carhartt, FCUK and GAP are all throwing fuel on the carpenter jeans fire right now. It’s a trend that’s got the fashion-forward jeans lover looking as if they’re about to lay some serious flooring at the weekend. Loops, hooks, big pockets and a baggier fit are the components of this style, and of all the options we’ve seen, Dubbleware tops our wish list.

Buy from Dubbleware | £165

Could there be a more city-ready set of jeans than this regular-fitting organic denim pair with a cropped leg that gives just the slightest ankle flash? Wear them with white Reeboks and some vintage sportswear up top for a foolproof weekend outfit.

Buy from Arket | £69

Bruised and battered jeans are an acquired taste. For those who fancy a little worn-out edge but prefer not to look like they’ve had a run-in with a hedge trimmer, Acne’s beat-up Max Slim-Fits are a solid choice.

Buy from Mr Porter | £270

War. What is it good for? Absolutely nothing… apart from giving rise to one of the world’s favourite footwear options in the form of the desert boot.

In 1941, when the planet was sinking deeper into the terrors of the Second World War, a young infantryman deployed in Burma noticed the shoe of choice among officers was a lightweight and durable ankle boot, made from suede and a firm-gripping crepe sole. That soldier was Nathan Clark, as in Clarks shoes, and the boot was a form of the chukka familiar in southern Africa, by way of Cairo’s cobblers. Clark brought the idea home and developed his family’s company’s most enduringly popular shoe, the desert boot.

Flash-forward 70 years and it’s still a firm favourite. It’s still being made by Clarks, as well as lots of other brands. While you won’t find many pairs that deviate too far from the time-honoured design, look a little closer and you’ll find subtle differences – materials, colours, details, height, fit – that mean not all pairs are created equal. Pretty good news, then, that we’ve hand-picked the best desert boots on offer to you, right now.

We’re kicking things off with the tried-and-tested crowd-pleaser. You won’t put a foot wrong with the holy trinity of nutmeg suede uppers, sheepskin lining and a crepe sole.

Buy from Clarks | £110

Punched into the inner soles of each of Astorflex’s Italian-born boots is the phrase “la scarpa buona”, meaning *checks Google translate* “the good shoe”. It’s a statement we’re in no way inclined to argue with, given its genuinely beautiful construction (from quality vegetable-tanned suede) and ability to look primo with anything from date-night chinos to your beat-to-heck down-the-pub denim.

Buy from End Clothing | £125

The London smart boys of Russell & Bromley head over to Portugal to make their Jermyn desert boots, where unrivalled craftsmanship and top-drawer materials help make these blue beauties look and feel a bit special. All that Iberian sunshine doesn’t stop them from adding a distinctly British detail, though – a sturdy rubber sole for those treacherously slippy city pavements.

Buy from Russell & Bromley | £195

Barbour makes the cut thanks to its bravery in tweaking the magic desert boot design formula, with an outstanding two-tone heel panel. And it works! We’re also extremely big fans of the secret pattern on the bottom of that buttery crepe sole too – lift your feet in a muddy field and a dapper gent will be staring up at you from your tread imprint.

Buy from Barbour | £99.95 (currently reduced to £60)

See related

• The Best Chelsea Boots For Men
• The Best Men’s Weekend Bags
• The Best Button-Down Shirts For Men

These stripped-back boots scream comfy, thanks to those chubby rubber soles beneath the soft calf’s suede uppers. If you scoff at 10,000 steps, then get these on your hard-working feet.

Buy from Hugo Boss | £299

More streamlined and pointed than most, Fairfax & Favor’s pair are treading dangerously close to rock’n’roll Chelsea boots. And that’s no bad thing – pair these with tailored slacks and a crisp shirt when the dress code asks for something a little sensible (Mon-Fri) and with slim-fit denim when you feel like driving a Rolls Royce into a swimming pool (5pm Fri-Sun).

Buy from Fairfax & Favor | £195

It’s all about the textures with this entry in the desert boot stakes. Deep grainy leather and a rough crepe sole give off a strong geography-teacher feel, leaning more towards the “spiritual awakening in the Borneo jungle” end of the spectrum rather than “1994 Vauxhall Astra and coffee breath”.

Buy from Pretty Green | £100

We’d expect more from a high-end brand like Loake. And by that, we mean we’d expect these to cost more. With Loake’s coveted leather brogues often going for around £400, just breaking three figures seems like a bit of a steal for these desert boots – especially when you factor in the delicious suede and 140 years of shoemaking expertise that goes into making them.

Buy from Loake | £115

Take a bow, Dune, for delivering a set of good-looking and wallet-friendly beauties that stick a tick in all the right desert boot boxes. What more could you ask for?

Buy from Dune | £85

American smart-casual meets Aussie shoemaking heritage in this solid, sturdy and simple set of suede boots. The biscotti colourway has left us wanting something to dunk in our tea, too.

Buy from J Crew | £279

After months and months of hiding them inside trainers, boots, shoes and those novelty slippers your other half bought that you’ve not managed to successfully sneak into the bin yet, bringing your feet out of hibernation for a summertime airing can feel daunting. Will you be revealing your horrendous Hobbit toes to a chorus of terrified shrieks and wails? Who can say? But what we can confidently declare is that doing so in a set of crisp, cool and stylish flip-flops vastly reduces the chances of onlooker horror. We’ve rounded up the best sets money can buy right now.

There’s sustainable fashion and then there are these flip-flops from the future. Made from regenerated nylon (yawn) and a midsole foam derived from algae (what?!), harvested using a method that cleans and filters water. Serious sci-fi stuff as well as seriously stylish.

Buy from Toms | £44

Now that it’s safe to admit you like Crocs without fear of public shaming let us introduce the Bayaband. It’s a coming together of two of the plastic clogmaster’s most famous silhouettes – the Baya and the Crocband. In other words, a double dipper of guilty pleasure.

Buy from Crocs | £29.99 (currently reduced to £17.99)

Danner makes seriously good walking boots, which is great news for hiking in the hills but bad news when the heat ratchets up. At least it was, before the release of the Lost Coast Sandal – a flip-flop that takes its cues from the brand’s popular Mountain 600 hiking boot. The result is an extremely comfortable and very handsome option that you can wear all day long, at almost any altitude.

Buy from Danner | $100 (around £84)

Here comes the curveball. Step into summer with all the style of a samurai in these traditionally-made cedar thongs, crafted in Hita in Japan, but updated with an EVA sole. Tenner says you won’t come across anyone else padding through your local park in these this summer.

Buy from Snow Peak | £70

See related 

• The Best Men’s Sliders For Summer 2020
• The Best T-shirts For Men
• The Best Men’s Shorts For Summer

The bigshot brand of peak-seeking exploration has gone ultra-cushy, opting for an egg-box design on the topsole as well as arch support for extra comfort. All that, and the legendary Base Camp material for a strap – a fabric that’d probably survive the apocalypse, let alone the hail of foodstuffs falling from your overflowing BBQ plate.

Buy from The North Face | £30

Nothing over-the-top about this grown-up pair. These thick-soled flip-flops are made from premium calf leather and a cotton toe-post for all-day comfort.

Buy from Barbour | £59.95 (currently reduced to £36)

One of the premier names in flip-floppery takes the extra-cushioned Mush topsole, which promises to mould to your foot, and adds a canvas upper. It wouldn’t look out of place whether you’re on a sun-kissed beach in Hawaii or Hastings.

Buy from Teva | £30

Anyone who grew up on the coast during the early 2000s already knows the sneaky little surprise the Reef Fanning flip-flops have hidden on the underside. For those who didn’t all we’ll say is, in these, you’ll never be short of a device to crack your beer bottle open with. Cheers to that.

Buy from Surfdome | £48.07

The Aussie brand is “on a quest to find the perfect flip-flop” and we think it’s got pretty close to the final destination with these, especially with a mix of recycled rubber, selvedge cotton and natural fibres.

Buy from Gumbies | £25

Years of style chat under the bridge, and we’re yet to discover a time, place or item of clothing that Paul Smith’s famous colour bands are not absolutely ideal for.

Buy from Paul Smith | £45 (currently reduced to £23)

While the UK summer is traditionally unpredictable, we’re confident in saying there will be a heatwave at some point this year – and with no end to the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, you may well find yourself working in an uncomfortably hot and stuffy home. That’s why it’s prudent to have an effective cooling system to help you concentrate if you’re working from home, as well as making you comfortable enough to sleep in 20°C-plus heat.

There are a few key things to consider when making your choice. One of the most important factors is the amount of noise you’re prepared to put up with. That’s especially important if you plan to have it on at night and are someone who’s easily disturbed when sleeping.

If you think you can stand some noise you can get away with a cheap fan: in general, as the price goes up, the decibels go down. If you want something that can operate quietly even on higher settings you’ll probably need to spend a bit more.

Another thing to consider is the size of the area you’re trying to keep cool. A simple desk fan will keep the immediate area breezy, but if you want something that will keep the temperature steady in a lounge or bedroom you’ll need to look at floor, tower or pedestal fans that are able to push out more air. Those types of fan are also likely to have more settings and the ability to oscillate – move back and forth to affect a larger area.

If you live in Britain, kitting out every room with a fan for the occasional heatwave can feel like overkill, but a plug-in fan that you have to unplug and move between your home office, your living room and your bedroom is a pain too. This cordless fan solves those inconveniences with its 14-hour battery life. It charges up in six hours, it has four speeds and its vertical angle can be adjusted, although it doesn’t sweep from left to right. There’s also a lamp in the base which makes it king of the fan-and-nightlight niche.

If you’re looking to keep cool while you work but don’t want to splash out on anything fancy, the HT900E could be perfect. It’s one of the best desktop fans available, with a 40W motor (many other fans of this size are around 20W or below) and the ability to tilt up to 90° so you can direct the air flow where you want it. Though it’s great sitting on your desk, if you struggle for space or just can’t get the position right, it can be mounted on a wall. The only drawback is the amount of noise this fan emits – up to 39dB, which could be a dealbreaker for some.

While the Honeywell HT900E is a great budget option, this Meaco model is best described as an overachiever. Though it’s not exactly cheap, for the price you get whisper-quiet function (as low as 15dB) on its lower settings and 12 more options that range from a cool breeze to strong wind for the hottest summer days. The touch-sensitive controls and oscillation are bonuses that make the fan feel pretty high-tech, and the USB cord allows you to run the fan from a power bank if you’re too far from another power source or even plugged into a laptop if you’re short on plug sockets.

This model can be used as a large desk fan or a smaller floor fan, handling both jobs with aplomb. While most fans oscillate 90°, this can be set to turn 30°, 90°, 180° or the full 360°. If you want a quiet fan this might not be for you, however, as anything above the lowest settings causes noise that most people might consider excessive. That said, options like night mode and remote control more than compensate.

There’s a reason Dyson’s fans have reached almost legendary status, and the Pure Cool Me does this reputation no damage at all. It promises to purify the air with HEPA filters and activated carbon. The futuristic-looking fan blows cool air out from either side of the structure, cooling the room in whatever direction you’ve set via the position of the dome, which can also be changed by remote control. The Pure Cool Me is pretty much silent on its lowest settings (ranging from 1-10) and, despite its diminutive size, is powerful enough to cool an entire room.

The 1.2m Dimplex Mont Blanc comes equipped with three fan settings and remote control, and it’s sleek enough to sit inconspicuously in a corner. It’s a good choice for bedrooms because its ability to switch between natural and the much quieter night setting will ensure it keeps you cool as you sleep without keeping you up.

A Dyson fan to rule them all. If the iconic design of the Cool AM07 isn’t enough to tempt you, then consider its advanced cooling technology, which uses the base to draw in air and the hoop to blast it out across an impressive distance. If you have a large area you need to keep cool, this will do the job without making a racket (though it can reach 64dB on its highest settings) and, with ten modes and an added 90° oscillation option, it can adapt to any job. It also looks great – beating classic-design fans for style every time.

It’s pricy for a pedestal fan, but if you’ve got the cash then the EcoAir Zephyr is an investment you won’t regret. For one, it’s energy-efficient, using a whopping 70% less power than a conventional fan of its size. It also keeps the noise to a minimum and there’s an almost dizzying array of speed settings – 35 options in all, nine of which are silent. If you’re interested in making your home appliances smarter, you can program the fan to turn on only when the temperature is 20°C or higher, or set it on nature mode, which mimics the rhythms of a cool outdoor breeze within the walls of your home. A truly customisable cooling system.

Yeah, you’ve earned it. After five full nine-to-fives of clock-watching, you deserve that long-awaited two-day getaway to somewhere, anywhere, that’s far faaar away from the inbox.

How you make your escape, though, is the important question. We’re not talking choosing between the car and the 19.03 to Somewheresville, but the luggage you choose to pack your essentials in. Too small, and you’ll be forced to make sacrifices you shouldn’t be forced to make – the blue shirt or the pink? Shower gel or shampoo? Gah! – but too big and you’ll be spending that precious weekend energy on lugging your heavy bags through hell and high water. See, we think about these things. We also think that these 13 luggage options are absolutely perfect for your short-lived but much-needed break, no matter where you’re headed.

If you’re not actively seeking a more environmentally friendly way to go about your daily life in 2020, what exactly are you doing? Born among the lofty peaks of the Lake District, Millican’s high-grade bags are created from 100% recycled PET fabric, while being lightweight, hardwearing, minimalistic and really rather handsome.

Buy from Millican | £155

Spanish lifestyle brand Lefrik has gone for the archetypal American summer camp duffel bag with its overnighter design, bringing it out of the teen horror movies and right up to date by constructing it using recycled plastic bottles. It’ll look just as at home in your chic city break hotel room as it will at the end of a bunk in a haunted cabin in the woods.

Buy from Lefrik | £46

Bring a good-times attitude to your trip with the bright and bold colour blocking in this 22-litre backpack-duffel hybrid. The Aztec strap detailing adds a big Pacific Northwest vibe to the piece, helping you to look as if you’re ready to get lost among giant redwoods and misty coastlines, even if you are just sat on the Megabus to Cullompton.

Buy from Alpine Trek | £67.96

You’ve booked the last flight out of town and you’ve been kicked out of your B&B. Do you sit in the bar all day, bag beneath your feet, or do you wear your wardrobe on your back to see every last crevice of where you’re at? If it’s the latter then this duffel is for you, thanks to the zip-away backpack straps that transform it from a sleek-looking duffel to a sleek-looking backpack.

Buy from Osprey | £100

You’d be forgiven for thinking this Canadian brand was from a couple of trendy Montreal natives named Matthew and Natalie. In fact, the name comes from the words “material“ and “nature”, reflecting the brand’s drive to make stylish products with fabrics that won’t harm the environment. This weekender is made from faux leather and recycled nylon, and wins extra points for looking somewhat like a doctor’s bag.

Buy from Matt & Nat | £180

You look like you appreciate a good zip when you see one. On that extremely half-baked basis alone, we’re betting you’ll love this do-it-all holdall, which comes with a frankly ludicrous level of zipper action. Whew, where to even begin?!

Buy from Luke | £65

Forty litres, Arc’teryx believes, is the ideal volume to see you through a two- or three-day trip. And with sealed seams, a polyurethane coating and a very exciting-sounding storm flap, you can bet your bottom dollar that this hardy duffel will stand up to whatever your weekend throws at it.

Buy from Arc’teryx | £120

No bells, no whistles, just a solid mini-break holdall, an extremely tempting price and a whacking great slice of heritage sportswear branding. If you like the simple things in life, you’ll like this.

Buy from Fila | £45 (currently reduced to £31.50)

“Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket” is the motto emblazoned on the side of this eye-catching holdall, and a mantra you’ll want to repeat over and over as you boldly hand over a whopping half a grand to get your mitts on it. But this is the price we must pay if we wish to throw a cavernous and luxurious leather tote from the mind of musical genius Pharrell over our shoulder.

Buy from Billionaire Boys Club | £500

Surf don Quiksilver is doing its part to mitigate the godawful damage the fashion  industry is doing to the environment with the Repreve collection – a clothing line made from traceable and recycled polyester blend which, to date, has turned more than 200m ocean-clogging bottles into board shorts. It’s the same material used in this 43-litre holdall, complete with a spacious main compartment and another smaller one for your shoes. And since it’s less than £50 you can use the money you save to take the train instead of a low-cost high-polluting flight.

Buy from Quiksilver | £42

A top-tier, timeless classic – one your grandkids will be delighted to have handed down to them once it’s outlived you. Seattle’s Filson wasn’t messing around when it came to making this water-resistant duffel, using saddle-grade leather, solid brass and the brand’s abrasion-besting cotton twill. Handily, it’s carry-on size as well.

Buy from Filson | £365

See related

• The Best Backpacks For Men: Models To Suit Every Style
• The Best Gym Bags For Men
• The Best Sun Creams Of 2021 And What To Look For When Buying

Sliding off for a few nights in one of Europe’s slickest seen-to-be-seen cities? Bundle your garms into this cool customer from Paris-born Cote & Ciel. Made from nylon and boasting the ability to transform from sleeker to bigger, the clean lines and jet-black colourway gives us some serious Tom Ford and “park up the superyacht would you, Jeeves?” vibes.

Buy from Côte & Ciel | €195 (around £162)

If your getaway is part business, part pleasure, then you’ll need a bag that’s built for your Jekyll and Hyde schedule. And because wearing your beat-up Nike Blazers to your very important board meeting will almost definitely earn you an appointment with HR come Monday, you’re going to need to pack a stack of shoes. Hex’s Terra duffel has your back, with two compartments for sneakers and smart shoes alike, and plenty of room for everything else.

Buy from Hex | £176.95

This legendary luggage has been venturing out to the highest mountains with some of exploration’s elite since 1986 and, thanks to its hardcore credentials, makes it home in one piece time and time again. Can it stand up to your boozy golf weekend, though? Yes, it can.

Buy from The North Face | £110 (currently reduced to £82.50)

We’re big fans of the carabiner detailing on this respectable waterproof weekender. We’re also big fans of the tough bottom, reinforced detailing and rain-draining design in the outer pockets that means a faster drying time should you be caught out by Mother Nature on your UK break from the grind. Which, of course, you absolutely will be.

Buy from Tretorn | £85

The experts at Rains have taken everything they know about their famous rubber jackets and stitched it into this all-weather winner. It’s from the same matt waterproof fabric that has us drooling over the brand’s flagship raincoats, which is probably why a stream is forming under our chins just looking at this thing.

Buy from Rains | £59

The kind of bag you want if you’re stepping off a plane and straight into a cavalcade waiting for you by the runway. Or, y’know, if you’re in the market for getting close to that feeling, as you hit the steps of your EasyJet flight into Brussels. That’s right, you are our best hope of enhancing European relationships in the beer taverns of Belgium. Godspeed!

Buy from Remus Uomo | £149

From sustainable heroes to wardrobe staples, from big bold prints to timeless stripes, these are the all-new tees to reach for when the temperature rises.

Vans Off The Wall Tee

The kings of cool Californian footwear don’t just make waffle-soled shoes for skaters to beat to death – if this teched-out tee is anything to go by, they do great casualwear too. Think this is just your run-of-the-mill tee? Take a look inside and you’ll find a unique waffle print that pulls moisture away from the skin.

Buy from Vans | £28

The designers at Nike have had a lot of fun with the logo recently, from slicing it down the middle and sticking it back together off-centre to tripling it up on top of each other. Here’s another great example, with a mirror image that’ll make for many a double-take.

Buy from Nike | £29.95

Yep, we’ve absolutely no friggin’ clue as to what business a running pineapple, complete with sunglasses, has on your chest but whatever it’s selling, we are buying.

Buy from New Balance | £23

Top tip: buy this retro-tinged beauty one size too big for a bang-on trend oversized look. Pair with your finest trunks before making for the nearest beach.

Buy from Timberland | £35

See related 

• The Best Men’s Shorts For Summer
• The Best Men’s Sliders For Summer 2020

Now’s a great time to get to know Afends, the laid-back and super-cool Aussie clothing brand that is all about championing Earth-positive fashion. We’re talking organic fabrics, especially hemp, and dye processes that don’t burn a hole in the planet. With wares that look as tasty as this old-skool (and very, very comfortable) striped tee, there’s absolutely no reason not to get on board.

Buy from The Chimp Store | £39.95

A tee to match every colour of the Great British summer. We doubt very much that this was the thinking behind this tee from the streetwear kings at The Hundreds, but thanks for the reminder, nonetheless!

Buy from The Hundreds | £55.56

Perched atop a craggy cliff in St Agnes, Cornwall,Agnes is where you’ll find much-loved British surf brand Finisterre. This clean and modern print pays tribute to its rugged abode.

Buy from Finisterre | £30

What, pray tell, does one get in a T-shirt that costs £170? According to high-end Japanese outdoor outfit Snow Peak, it’s pockets. A whole lot of pockets. Designed with adventure in mind, this tee is lined with receptacles to keep your books, lighters, tent pegs, marshmallows and other outdoor essentials in.

Buy from Snow Peak | £170

We love a good staple T-shirt. You can throw one on with anything – jeans, a blazer, swimming shorts – knowing it’ll look great. And when it comes to good staple tees Sunspel bats in the big leagues with simple stuff done to a high standard. This particular silhouette is effortlessly enhanced with a mock neckline, and that red tipping into orange will pop when paired with some chino shorts or set off a smart-casual look.

Buy from Sunspel | £75 (currently reduced to £37)

Back in the 90s, mountain sports were a whole lot louder than they are today. Big prints, wild patterns, groundbreaking tricks and ascents. The design of The North Face’s Extreme tee throws us right back to that heady era.

Buy from The North Face | £30 (currently reduced to £21)

The arrival of shorts season is worth celebrating here in the UK. We don’t get long to let our legs out, so when we do, we should do it in style. And with summer just around the corner, now’s the time to get planning. We’ve got a bit of everything here, from adventure-ready winners to American workwear classics, and some bold and out-there prints too. Get stuck in.

Are these a summer-ready set of leg-flashers, or a stern reminder to water the houseplants you’ve completely forgotten about with all your outdoor frolicking? We’ll leave you (and your withering dracaena marginata) to decide.

Buy from Levi’s | £40

The American workwear giant has made these flattering chino shorts from a hard-wearing wrinkle- and stain- resistant fabric, meaning we’re yet to find a reason to take them off.

Buy from Dickies | £45

One for all the barbecue dads out there. This pair of Tims will not only look the business next to the grill but, with a little stretch woven into the organic cotton, are also more than ready to cope with your dramatic lunge to intercept a toddler moving at speed towards the coals.

Buy from Timberland | £65 (currently reduced to £45.50)

Bright red shorts with big bold prints mean one thing: keeping everything else in your outfit plain and simple. These shorts – which come from world-renowned skater Keith Hufnagel’s brand – just need a crisp white tee and some tidy white sneakers.

Buy from HUF | £80

We’re already thinking about all the summer essentials that we can stash in that front pocket. An icy cold beer on a hot summer’s day… that’s about as far as we’ve got, but there’s probably a whole bunch of other ideas.

Buy from The Hundreds | £95

The designers at Dutch brand Mr Marvis Marvis think, nay, they know, they’ve stumbled upon the fabled perfect short, hence why they promise to never change the winning fit they so staunchly stick to. Of the full spectrum of colours they currently stock, these feel particularly special – a petrol blue Liberty print fabric bedecked with yellow Caspian tigers. One for your next gin soirée under the Mediterranean pergola, we think.

Buy from Mr Marvis | £109

After a beasting in the gym or a hellish PB around the park, nothing feels quite like a hot shower and a pair of loose, soft and heavyweight jersey cotton shorts to pad around your abode in. Consider all of those boxes ticked with these.

Buy from Weekday | £35

See related

• The Best Men’s Sliders For Summer 2020
• The Best Flip-Flops For Men Of Summer 2020
• The Best T-shirts For Men

When it comes to summer staples, denim shorts are up there with T-shirt tan lines and losing your car keys in the sand. That means, you’re going to want to get your new pair absolutely right. Since Gothenburg’s Nudie never seems to put a foot wrong with its true blue (and black) jeans, you’re in safe hands. Pop on a slightly oversized white tee, these shorts and a set of chunky black hiking sandals – socks too if you’re feeling wild – for a look that will last you all summer long.

Buy from Nudie Jeans | £110

The kind of shorts that wouldn’t look out of place on Richard Dreyfuss’ Matt Hooper in Jaws – pre-washed, deep blue, with make-do-and-mend drawstring. Shorts that look ready for anything, even biffing a Great White right on the schnozz. A summer look we can all get behind, we think you’ll agree.

Buy from The Brokedown Palace | £50

Time-tested lightweight linen meets a contemporary silhouette in these tailored shorts from… oh come on, let’s be honest, despite the many winning details, the only thing we’re concentrating on is that absolutely delicious summer colour. Pale Clementine, we’re glad to have met you.

Buy from Orlebar Brown | £155

Bring a little sunny Santa Monica sexiness to even the dreariest of Skegness day trips with a splash of iconic Vans checkerboard across your feet. A synthetic leather strap with a comfortable neoprene lining and obligatory heel logo is all it takes to make these your new hot weather essentials.

Buy from Vans | £32

Fitflop has pumped these chunky sliders up with the bizarre-sounding microwobbleboard technology – the brainwave of two British biomechanists that ups the cushioning for more comfort. Not just a pretty faux-nubuck face, these things.

Buy from Fitflop | £85 (currently reduced to £59.50)

You’ll need deep pockets for this set of luxe sliders from the upmarket Spanish fashion house. While you’re on hold with your bank attempting to secure the requisite funds, we’ll inform you that they're made in collaboration with iconic Balearic boutique Paula’s Ibiza (cool!) and for every pair sold before the end of August, Loewe will donate €40 to educational projects for children affected by COVID-19 (charitable!).

Buy from Loewe | £350

Ah yes, el classico. And el cheapo too, at just 15 quid. Nothing to argue with here.

Buy from Umbro | £15

See related

• The Best Men’s Shorts For Summer
• The Best Polo Shirts For Men
• The Best Flip-Flops For Men Of Summer 2020

Detroit isn’t the first place you think of when imagining a great poolside getaway, but here we are, headed to Motor City with the grease ’n’ dirt kings at Carhartt for a pair of cool, casual and comfortable toe-revealers.

Buy from Carhartt | £49

Reebok’s wallet-friendly slides have been a post-workout shower staple for as long as we’ve been brave enough to bench. There are plenty of colourways to pick from, but few give us such a heavy dose of Ray Winstone Sexy Beast vibes as these soft pink ones.

Buy from JD Sports | £20

Who else is sensing a pattern here? Brands love to turn the straps into billboards, throwing a massive logo down there for all to see, as on this comfy pair from Levi’s. That’s right buddy – we are all nothing but marketing pawns in the summer slider game.

Buy from Levi’s | £25

Unless you’re knee-deep in mud and cider at a great British festival, there aren’t many reasons to crack out the wellies during the summer. Such was the realisation (probably) in the Hunter boardroom that resulted in this range of unexpectedly excellent summer sliders. Straps, toggles, mesh and a chunky sole make these look rugged and ready, while the lightweight construction means you can wear them from sunrise to sunset without any hassle.

Buy from Hunter | £55

Elevate your poolside style with a little suede on your slider strap, courtesy of Amsterdam’s Scotch & Soda.

Buy from Scotch & Soda | £59.95

Just your average, run-of-the-mill sliders with a cat throwing double middle fingers at you from the foot strap. The perfect retort to anyone who gets in the way of your rays on the beach.

Buy from Surfdome | £37.99

God bless the polo shirt – always there for when the work-shirt is too stuffy and a basic tee is too scruffy. As long as you abide by the two golden fitting rules – the sleeves should stop at your biceps and it shouldn’t be too snug around your middle – it’s not hard to see how the boxy and flattering fit, nabbed from the polo fields of the late 19th century, has earned its place as a true wardrobe essential.

Reason enough, then, to consider acquiring any of the following hand-picked polos to add to your sartorial arsenal. We’ve rifled through the stacks upon stacks of collared options out there, and have landed on the options that we think make the cut and then some. 

Terracewear at its absolute best. Pair this with some beat-to-heck denim, classic Reeboks and a pocketful of (very mild) derogatory chants about the opposition goalkeeper, and you’re all set for a morning of watching your six-year-old’s five-a-side team in action.

Buy from Stuarts | £40

Once dubbed the rebel of Savile Row, tailor Richard James has branched out from his suiting and booting of the rich and famous (Tom Cruise, Hugh Grant, David Beckham, George Clooney) with a range of everyday sports-ready casualwear, made with top-tier performance fabrics. Expect a perfect fit from this yolk-yellow polo, and round-the-clock wearability thanks to its Bodyfit cotton construction with a little touch of stretchy Spandex piqué.

Buy from Richard James London | £75

Step one: buy this from designer Shinya Hasegawa’s adventure brand Battenwear. Step two: fill the many pockets with one book, two cold cans, one pair of sunglasses, many snacks and some sunscreen. Step three: locate hammock, then occupy. Step four: ignore everything else that’s going on, for at least a full afternoon. Repeat. Then repeat. And repeat.

Buy from The Hip Store | £145

Stylish indie rockers like Miles Kane have made the knitted polo a wardrobe staple of sorts, albeit an elevated one, throwing you a lifeline every time you try to navigate the danger-laden seas of the smart-casual dress code. If you’re going to invest – and you should! – make a wise choice. Not in terms of price or style, but environmental good. Peregrine has managed to make this handsome option with zero waste, using organic cotton and employing skilled craftsmen based in England. Good stuff on all fronts.

Buy from Peregrine | £120

See related

• The Best T-shirts For Men
• The Best Sweatshirts For Men: New Styles For 2020
• The Best Bomber Jackets For Men: New Styles For 2019

The outcome of Lou Dalton and John Smedley – two powerhouses of Brit fashion – banging their heads together was always going to be something a little bit special. Behold!

Buy from Browns Fashion | £265

White polos don’t have to be boring. The designers at Italian brand Australian Alpina know that, having swapped in a baseball collar where your tried-and-tested angle flaps once sat. A lovely little touch.

Buy from Australian Alpina | £85

Plans to swing your way around 18 holes this weekend? Stand out from the fusty old duffers with this stylish number from Colmar’s golf range. Not just a pretty face, this thing’s made from stretch fabric, meaning you’ve one less excuse for somehow landing in the rough on the practice putting green.

Buy from Colmar | £83

Having unearthed a stack of long-forgotten pieces from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s in its warehouse recently – all sealed and in mint condition – Freddy P has meticulously recreated this archive polo with the very same fabrics, colours and modernist panelling as the rediscovered original. You’ll find it’s part of the very cool Reissues Collection.

Buy from Fred Perry | £85

Thought you had the Lacoste polo shirt all figured out, did you? Plain colour, short sleeve, snappy little croc friend? Sorry for bursting your bubble, but here it is with a blind-siding long sleeve, ideal for when the clouds crash your sausage grill-up.

Buy from Lacoste | £115 (currently reduced to £69)

Ralph has been turning out his trademark polos since 1972, and boy, there’s a whole lot to choose from… A shirt with bongo-playing bears emblazoned on it, though, is a new one on us. Kudos for keeping things fresh, Mr Lauren!

Buy from Oi Polloi | £119

If you’re looking for ways to keep your garden looking fresh this summer, finding the right hose pipe should be right at the top of your to-do list. While it might be a surprise to learn that there are so many different options and choices available, whether it’s getting the right material, length or storage method, you’ll want to avoid choosing a product that’s not quite fit for purpose.

We’ve collected up some of the best garden hoses available online to help make the decision process a little bit easier, as well as a guide for what to look out for.

How To Choose The Best Garden Hose

How many different types of garden hose are there?

Rubber hoses are likely the kind that you’ve come across most often, and there’s a reason for that. These are the most durable type of garden hose and can thus cope with higher levels of water pressure, and there’s also less impact from general wear and tear that can happen over the years. Rubber isn’t your only option though.

There are also vinyl hoses which, despite being more inclined to kinking than their rubber counterparts, are usually much cheaper and so are good for those who only use their garden hose every now and again. You can also buy hoses made from a combination of rubber and plastic, which split the difference by being stronger than vinyl but cheaper than rubber.

Are there other features to look out for?

Whether you’re going for a rubber or a vinyl hose, note that it will be sold with between 1-6 plies or layers, ranging from the weakest to the strongest. Stronger hoses with more layers tend to be that bit more expensive but, if you plan on using it on a regular basis, then it could be worth spending slightly more.

After material, the most important thing to consider is the length of hose you’ll need, as they are generally sold in increments of 25ft. It may be tempting to go for a hose on the longer side to remove room for error, but if you want to ensure water pressure then only get the length you’ll think you need.

See related 

• Best Lawn Mower: Manual, Petrol And Electric Mowers For A Tidy Garden

The Best Garden Hoses To Buy

Coming with a convenient reel that can be mounted on the wall to save space, the Karcher HR4.525 is lightweight, simple to use and rather robust for a plastic model. The material is the reason for the lower price, but for those who only need to use their hose infrequently, it will do the job quite nicely. Unfortunately, we were less impressed with the reel, which feels cheap and not quite sturdy enough for our liking, but the strong and reliable hose itself compensates for this relatively minor quibble.

Material: Plastic; Length: 25m

Buy from Karcher | £55.99

If you’ve got access to a large outdoor space then it can be difficult to adequately water the entire area. This Hozelock 60m Assembled Hose Cart gives you more control as it unspools with you while you move around the garden, and can be used with hose pipes up to 50m long. The tradeoff with this is the lack of a spring mechanism, so you’ll need to use the integrated handle to wind your hose back in after watering. Nevertheless, this comes recommended for bigger watering jobs.

Material: Plastic; Length: 50m

A slightly different solution for those who want to cover a bigger garden more easily, the Draper Tools’ Soaker does a brilliant job of distributing water more or less evenly across a large area with its sprinkler-style hose. The sizing of the holes isn’t perfect, however, so depending on your requirements and standards, you may want to shell out a little more for something higher-end. This is, however, a great budget option to consider.

Length: 15m

Another product from Hozelock, we’re particular fans of this more compact 2-in-1 manual hose and reel combo. The reel’s design, which protects the hose pipe while not in use by keeping it covered, and large, easy to turn handle make it good for those who are concerned about the general wear and tear that can happen while storing the hose. The carry handle also makes it simple to use anywhere around the garden.

Length: 25m

Unlike other entries on this list, the Vonhaus Garden Hose has an auto-rewind mechanism that could be a dealbreaker for some shoppers. It certainly makes things easier when you’re done watering the garden, as there are no awkward handles to deal with. You should be aware of certain customer complaints that the bolts and attachments for mounting the reel to the wall aren’t great, however, so you may have to pay slightly extra for replacements if you want to make sure it’s as sturdy as possible.

Length: 20m

From fitness trackers to running headphones, there are all sorts of devices that can accompany and assist your workout. Of course, they all rely on regular charging – and there’s little more irritating than going for a run or bike, only to discover your gadget is running on fumes. That’s a problem easily sorted by carrying a power bank around with you. 

A power bank might sound like a simple purchase, but they come in a rather overwhelming variety of sizes, capacities and prices. We’ve picked out the six best power banks available right now, followed by a buying guide that will talk you through charging capacities, port types, wireless technology and more.

See related 

• The Best Fitness Trackers Of 2021
• The Best Running Headphones Of 2021

The Best Power Banks 2020

This power bank from Anker features a 20,000mAh capacity for a price that you’d usually expect for those with just 10,000mAh – and it has plenty else to offer. It features dual USB Type-A ports, along with Type-C and micro-USB inputs, so you’ll have a breadth of charging types compatible with this device. Sadly, there’s no support for USB-PD charger, but Anker’s PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technologies will deliver a good 15W of power through each of those Type-A ports. There’s also a trickle-charging mode, which is the best way to charge low-power accessories like Bluetooth headphones.

Weighing in at 280g and larger than most phablets, it’s certainly a beast of a power bank. Unsurprisingly, then, it took 11 hours to recharge: this is one to plug in overnight before a day of use. There are faster power banks out there, but in terms of value for money, the high-capacity PowerCore 20000 can’t be beaten.

Capacity: 20,000mAh

Inputs: USB Type-C, micro-USB

Outputs: 2 x USB

Dimensions: 74 x 158 x 19mm

Weight: 280g

Despite its featherweight status at a mere 99g, the Poweradd EnergyCell 5000 packs an impressive punch with a capacity of 5,000mAh. Measuring just 11cm in length and 2.7cm in width, this is a power bank you can easily stow away about your person, and quite possibly forget you have on you such. It features a micro-USB port for charging, while the button on the top activates the four LED lights that indicate its levels of charge.

When we hooked up the EnergyCell 5000 to our Xperia X10 Ultra, we were pleased to discover it brought it to 25% in 30 minutes and 52% in an hour. That’s quite some charge for such a lightweight power bank - by our estimates, it’s the best one available, and will serve you well over a weekend away.

Capacity: 5,000mAh

Input: micro-USB

Outputs: 1 x USB

Dimensions: 27 x 110 x 27mm

Weight: 99g

This dinky little power bank, designed in the classic lipstick-style shape, is a great choice if you have a smartphone or tablet with an USB Type-C port, which is increasingly the case these days. For a 10cm-long power bank that weighs a mere 136g, it boasts an impressive 5,000mAh capacity, and a maximum output of 5V 3A.

The PB-N54 also features a low-charging mode, and has an LCD display to let you know its levels of charge. If you frequently find that your Android phone is running on fumes come mid-afternoon, keep this little stalwart stowed away in your pocket.

Model: PB-N54

Capacity: 5000mAh

Input: USB Type-C

Output: 1 x USB

Dimensions: 102 x 30 x 30mm

Weight: 136g

Just because you want a slim, light power bank doesn’t mean you need to dispense with extra features – not if you pick up the Aukey PB-XN10. It packs both USB Type-C and Type-A connections into a svelte 195g body that can easily fit into a jeans or jacket pocket. The Type-C port functions as both input and output, and handles a 5V 3A charge in both directions. The Type-A port, meanwhile, delivers an extra 5V 2.4A for an extra-quick charge. To complete the array of ports, there’s also a micro-USB option too.

Speed-wise, it charged our Xperia X10 Ultra to 31% in 30 minutes, and to 61% in an hour: not too shabby at all. Our only real gripe was the way our fingerprints showed up on matte-black case – but if you’re looking for a highly portable power bank that’s compatible with a variety of connections, this is a smart choice.

Capacity: 10,000mAh

Input: micro-USB and USB Type-C

Outputs: 1 x USB Type-A, 1 x USB Type-C

Dimensions: 125 x 70 x 15mm

Weight: 195g 

Wireless charging is still the exception rather than the rule – but that will undoubtedly change in the next few years. If you own a device with Wireless Qi charging, or you want to be ahead of the curve, then take a look at this power bank from Cygnett. Most devices charge at a 2W rate via this charge, although recent Apple and Samsung products will charge between 7.5W and 10W.

In the case of a Galaxy S8, that was speed enough to replenish the battery by 25% in 28 minutes: not as quick as with a cable, but enough to serve you for an important call or some admin. Wired charging is swifter: our test phone got to 28% in 30 minutes and 54% in an hour. Yes, that £70 asking is markedly higher than others on this list, but it's justified by the extra capabilities.

Capacity: 10,000mAh

Input: Micro-USB

Outputs: 2 x USB, Qi Wireless charging with up to 10W fast charge

Dimensions: 142 x 69 x 22mm

Weight: 243g 

Are you someone who finds they’re often surrounded by a number of charge-thirsty devices, and 20,000mAh power bank isn’t enough to keep them happy? Step forward, the Anker PowerCore 26800 PD, a super-sized charger that boasts an astonishing 26,800mAh capacity, dual USB Type-A ports with a maximum output of 5V/3A, plus a USB Type-C port that supports USP-PD for both charging and recharging. All packed, we might add, inside a highly durable aluminium alloy casing. 

It also includes a USB-PD charger, a catch-all charger that works with all USB cables. PD chargers also boost charging and recharging speeds – our Xperia test phone reached 55% within the space of an hour, and our Samsung Galaxy S8 rose to 27% in 30 minutes. We were particularly impressed to see that our Acer Chromebook 13 charged at the same with the USB Type-C output that it did with its own main charger.

The chief disadvantages are, unsurprisingly, heft and price: it weighs a mammoth 576g, and will set you back just over £100, albeit with the PD charger. Cheap it ain’t, but the PowerCore 26800 PD is a smart investment for people who do a lot of travelling, and with a lot of devices stowed away in their bag. 

Capacity: 26,800mAh

Input: USB Type-C

Outputs: 2 x USB, 1x USB Type-C

Dimensions: 18 x 80 x 24mm

Weight: 576g

How To Pick The Right Power Bank

There are four factors to consider: size, speed, capacities and price. The more you spend, the higher the capacity, and the faster your power bank will charge the attached device. We’ve divided them into three broad categories below. 

Budget

The cheapest, smallest power banks will have anywhere between 2,000mAh and 5,000mAh in charging capacity. That will offer you between three-quarters or two lots of the average full smartphone charge. Don’t pay any more than £15 for a power bank with this level of capacity.

Mid-range

If you go up a little in size and weight, you can pick up a newer slimline power bank that will offer around a 10,000mAh capacity. That’s enough to charge a Samsung Galaxy S10 nearly three times over, or else provide enough charge for two devices at the same and leave a little leftover charge. Expect to pay between £15 and £25 for a device of this capability.

High-end

The largest and heaviest power bank will deliver 20,000mAh in charging capacity – that’s enough to cover a small family’s smartphones over the course of a weekend, or recharge a Nintendo Switch three times. They also tend to be rather heavy: you probably won’t want one for everyday use. They will likely set you back between £25 and £35.

Other features to consider

If you think you’ll need your power bank to charge more than one device at any one time, you should buy one with two or multiple ports. Most banks will sport one micro-USB port - which can be used to charge itself – along with one or more USB Type-A ports for delivering charge to connected devices. Many models also now feature USB Type-C port too, which we’re seeing increasing using over Type-A ports in devices like laptops, e-readers and tablets.

Then there’s the matter of charging capabilities. Put simply, the higher the output of your ports, the faster the connected device will charge – providing that device can work with that level of charge. Your basic USB 2 port is designed to output 5V/500mA, while a USB 3.1 port will output 5V/900mA. Check the specs of the device you’d like to charge, as there’s little point in buying a power bank that has unnecessary levels of charge.

There’s also the question of whether you want a power bank with fast-charging ability, for which you’ll have to pay a little extra. Qualcomm’s Quick Charge is probably the most prevalent – variants range from Quick Charge 1 (5V/2A) to Quick Charge 2 (5-12V/2A) to Quick Charge 3 (3.6-20V/2.5-4.6A). Quick Charge 4.0+ (3.6V-20V/2.5-4.6A) is also slowly taking off,  and is supported by devices like the Razer Phone and Razer Phone 2, the Xiaomi Mi 9 and Mi A2 and the Samsung Galaxy A70 and A80. Is it worth coughing up extra for? That really depends on whether you’ve got the compatible devices, of course – and whether you’re someone who needs a dead device brought back to life quicksmart versus, say, in a matter of hours or overnight.

If you have a back garden, you may have neglected it in favour of spending time in the remainder of the great outdoors which didn’t require you to maintain it. Obviously, things have changed, and you’ve thrown yourself into the task of making your bit of green space pleasant to be in. That means it’s time to break out the lawnmower, and we’ve scoured the market to find the best ones for small, medium and large gardens alike. Before we get to our picks, here’s an overview of what to look for in a lawnmower.

See related 

• How To Stop Hay Fever Ruining Exercising Outdoors

How To Choose The Best Lawnmower

What Are The Different Types Of Lawnmower?

There are four to choose between, with the difference coming down to how each is powered. 

1. Electric mowers need to be connected to the mains and are the type you’re probably most familiar with.
2. Push mowers don’t use electricity and are good for keeping small spaces tidy and storing in small spaces. 
3. Cordless mowers use chargeable batteries and are ideal for large spaces where an extension cord won’t stretch to the outer reaches. 
4. Petrol mowers are great for huge lawns with few obstacles as they often incorporate motors so you hardly need to push, though they tend to be pricier. 

Other features you might want to consider such as integrated rollers that can help you achieve those professional-looking stripes, and the size of the grass box you’ll need will vary depending on the size of the space you’re dealing with.

The final major factor to consider is the cutting width. While the length you cut your grass to is variable for most mowers, you’re stuck with the width. The entries on this list range from a narrow 30cm to a wide-boy 46cm.

The Best Lawnmowers To Buy

With an integrated roller for that traditional striped effect and a 1,300W motor that’ll handle lawns which have gotten overgrown, the Rotak 34R is a solid mower that will suit most gardeners. The cutting width sits at 34cm so small and medium-sized lawns will be no trouble, and cutting height ranges between 20mm-70mm so it’s easy to get the effect you desire.

Buy from Currys | £129

If you’re facing the task of keeping a sizable lawn in shape then the Bosch Rotak 43 LI will it make more manageable. The 36V Lithium-ion battery means you don’t have to be near a power source for an hour once fully-charged and, at 13.9kg, it still manages to be light enough to move around. As with other Bosch models on this list, you can adjust the cutting length between 20mm and 70mm, and a 50L grass box means you can get pretty far without having to empty the mower.

If you only have a small garden and don’t care for all the bells and whistles, this is a solid budget option. It’s relatively lightweight at 7.5kg, has a small 16L grass box, narrow 30cm cutting width and the adjustable cutting length stretches from 15mm and 42mm.

The Honda Izy HRG 466 SK is a particularly noisy (operating at 94dB) mower and it’s heavy (32kg) too, but it’s propelled forward by the petrol engine so once you’ve wrestled it out of the garage and got it going, it’s plain sailing. The mower has an impressive 46cm cutting width to allow for quick and painless trimming even with the extra heft, and the 55L grass box means that most people can get the whole job done without going back and forth to the compost bin.

Buy from Just Lawnmowers | £429

If you’re looking for something lightweight and easy to move around then you can’t go too wrong with the Flymo Electric Glider 330. The mower weighs in at just 10kg so if you hate the amount of physical effort it usually takes to tidy up the garden then it’s a dream come true. The cutting height can be moved between 12mm and 32mm which is less varied than some other mowers and the grass box is only 26L, however, so we’d only recommend this for those with smaller spaced to cover and who are less fussy about the length of their grass.

The Bosch Rotak 32R has a lot of the same plus points as the other Bosch products on this list, such as the range of cutting lengths (20-60mm), 32cm blade width and 31L grass box, but also boasts a more lightweight design, coming in at just 7kg (for reference, the Rotak 43 LI weighs 13.9kg). You also get a handy grass comb with the 32R, allowing you to mow patches close to walls or flowerbeds, and the integrated roller at the rear helps you achieve the neat striped effect.

Buy from Argos | £80.75

Clean air in the home should be one of your top priorities, considering that you and your family are breathing in that air every single day and night. Whether it’s too much dust, pollen, cigarette smoke or something else hanging around your living space, an air purifier is a sound investment that could make your day-to-day life much more pleasant and even a little bit healthier.

While any significant health benefits of air purifiers are far from definitively proven, there are some who claim they can reduce the ill-effects of things like pollution should you happen to live in a big city, or asthma and allergy triggers in the air. If you are or live with a smoker, they can also help clear the air of lingering smoke and odours. Some also have ionisers included that release negative ions as they clean the air, eliminating other unpleasant smells.

Prices on air purifiers vary so much that it’s essential to do your due diligence before buying so you can make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Go too far towards the budget end of the scale and you risk missing out on features important to your situation, or pay too much when you want something basic. We’ve created this guide to help you choose.

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• The Best Fans To Keep You Feeling Refreshed All-Year-Round

How to Choose The Best Air Purifier

How do air purifiers actually work?

You may be wondering why air purifiers are needed when you could just open a window, and it’s a fair question to ask before you part with your hard-earned cash. Purifiers have special filters inside (usually a combination of reusable and disposable together), the larger of which collects large particles from the air while the smaller catches a lot of tinier airborne particles with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. This means the machine is collecting particles as small as 0.3 microns, making sure not to leave any nasties behind.

How much should I be spending?

The selections on our list below can set you back anywhere between £100 and close to £1,000, so it’s important to choose correctly. Basic machines such as the Bionaire BAP1700 are only good for smaller spaces, for example, while mid-range purifiers like the Vax Pure Air 300 have extra features like sleep timers and remote control. Rest assured that there’s something to suit every budget.

The Best Air Purifiers to Buy

A powerful little purifier for less, at just under £150 the Bionaire BAP1700 can be considered budget but won’t mean huge compromises. Though features like a timer are absent here (though it will shut off after 8-hours), the purifier does have the ability to adjust its airflow to the ambient air quality of the space, meaning you can be sure it’s operating in a way suited to the room it's placed in, and there’s an optional ioniser function to enhance filtration even further. The only thing that lets it down is the noise levels it gives off but, if you can live with a little white noise, it’s recommended for those working with a slightly smaller budget.

If you find that your allergies are too much to take during the summer months, then consider the HoMedics Totalclean AP25, which promises to clear your home of 99% of everything from cat and dog allergens to dust mites and pollen, allowing your home to be a relaxing place all year round. At under £100 you don’t get some of the luxe features of more expensive machines, but it does have a night mode and optional ioniser mode as well as three speed settings and an indicator letting you know when it’s time to replace the filters.

A fan and purifier in one, the Dyson Pure Cool Me is perfect if you have limited space and want a machine that serves more than one purpose. The fan claims to use technology inspired by the Harrier Jump Jet, sucking air in and purifying it before blowing it back out of holes in its dome. There are ten different speed settings and you can adjust the top to direct airflow exactly where you want it to go. If you’ve ever worried about your old fan just recycling old air from your bedroom or office, then this could be for you.

Slightly pricier than others on this list, the Philips AC3829/60 justifies the expense with energy-efficient and quiet (on lower settings and night mode) operation, control via a smartphone app with modes for ‘general’, ‘allergen’ or ‘sleep’, a timer and real-time pollution data for air both inside and outside the home. It also doubles as a humidifier, preventing irritation from dry air as well as allergens and pollution. The only potential drawback is its size, which could prevent those living in a smaller space from finding room for it.

The second Dyson product on the list, the Pure Hot+Cool is a fan/purifier hybrid that offers even more bang for your buck. As well as filtering the air for things like dust, pollen and other impurities, it can operate as a cooling fan in the warmer months and a heater as soon as the winter temperatures set in. You don’t even have to set this yourself, as you can program the fan to keep a space at a certain temperature no matter what the outside conditions are. For purifying it has both HEPA and carbon filters and the built-in monitor lets you know the air quality levels, to which it then adjusts accordingly.

A lovely mid-range purifier that combines features with a smaller price tag, the Vax Pure Air 300 monitors the air in order to work with the environment automatically without you having to program it. So, when the impurities in your home go up, the machine works harder to compensate. There's also an ioniser, timer, sleep mode (which makes operating quieter and dims the built-in lights) and remote control, and it will remind you when it’s time to change the filters.

By far the most expensive machine on this list, the Boneco H680 Hybrid Air Purifier is a must-have if you have the spare cash. A humidifier as well as a purifier, it boasts both HEPA and active carbon filters and can work in areas up to 150sq metres (the biggest surface area from a machine on this list), letting you know as soon as either the water tank or filters need changing. There’s a sleep mode that ensures the noise levels are kept down overnight, and a handy remote allows you control it from a distance.

Whether you want stylish stubble or totally smooth skin, you’ll find a high-quality electric shaver can help. But as soon as you start looking into buying one you’ll discover that shavers vary wildly in price. To help you invest your money wisely, here’s our pick of the best electric shavers available – and scroll further down to find our guide to choosing the right shaver for you.

See related

• The Best Hair Clippers Of 2020
• The Best Beard Trimmers To Keep Your Face Fur In Check
• The Best Shaving Subscriptions Of 2020

The Best Electric Shavers 2020

Not only can you rinse this shaver clean under the tap, you can also take it into the shower with you. It has three blades: a trimmer and a foil blade either side of it, one of which is retractable to let the trimmer do its work unhindered around your neckline. There’s also a pop-up trimmer on the back for sorting out your sideburns.

The battery takes an hour to charge and will deliver 45 minutes of shaving, but if you’re in a hurry, it will go from flat to usable in the space of five minutes. It first entered the market at £150, but these days you’ll find it for under £70 – an excellent asking price for a mid-range shaver with additional trimmers and a travel pouch.

The OneBlade has the look of a traditional non-electric razor, but that doesn’t mean it will only give you a clean shave – it comes with stubble combs that will do an equally good job of trimming your beard. The shaver’s blades oscillate 200 times a second, which guarantees a swift and comfortable shave. If you have sensitive skin and are prone to stubble rash, put this one at the top of your list.

The QP2520’s NiMH battery takes a full eight hours to charge, which isn’t great, but our main issue with this model is that while the sub-£40 asking price is attractive, the blades have a four-month lifespan and cost £11 a pop, so you’ll be spending a lot more in the long term. But for those with high-maintenance skin, this can’t be beaten.

Not a morning person? Us neither, so we can recommend this showerproof shaver as a way to save precious minutes in the AM. And, being the not-morning person you are, you’ll be familiar with forgetting to charge it, so you’ll be delighted that plugging it in for five minutes will give you that all-important five minutes of use. 

It’s also a good choice for those who are a tad clumsy, thanks to the ruggedised, shock-proof body that Wahl markets – cautiously – as “practically indestructible”. It doesn’t shave quite as close as the very best foil shavers, but it makes short work of stray hairs and the stubble that always seems to loiter under the jawline.

We’re also impressed by the Lifeproof’s lithium-ion batteries, which last for an impressive 90 minutes on an hour’s charge. There are no extra frills, but it’s built to last and will get the job done.

If you’re prepared to spend more than £100, you’ll want an electric shaver that delivers a lot. Enter Panasonic’s ES-LV95-S. 

It has four foil blades surrounding a comb blade to tackle longer hairs, a shaving sensor that toggles between hard and soft cutting depending on the heaviness of the beard, arced blades, a flexible head, and a “sonic vibration” system that uses the included oil to clean the blades. You also get what’s essentially a sterilising bath for the razor that cleans it while charging.

It’s like an electric razor built for Arnold Schwarzenegger in his late bodybuilding period – there’s just something so ’80s about it. The head is bloody huge, and it’s got a liquid blue crystal display to let you know how long you’ve been shaving and the percentage of battery left. It made short work of our stubble, and left nothing remaining in those hard-to-reach nose and chin areas. The sonic vibration feature is easy to use and should keep the blades in good nick. The cleaning station is a little chunky – but ultimately, we’re calling the ES-LV65 the pick of the bunch.

Yes, £240 is a lot to spend, but think how many disposables it will save you buying – while you get the benefit of an absurdly high-tech shaver. The ES-LV9Q boasts a five-blade cutting system that cuts at an unbelievable 70,000 actions per minute, as well as a pivoting head that moves in alignment with the various planes of your face, while its sensor checks your bead density to give the heads more firepower when required. Ultimately, the shave it gives you is close, smooth and flawless.

You can use it wet (we’d hope so, at this price) and once you’re done, you can pop the shaver upside down in its cleaning station. That involves a rather noisy 80 minutes as the fan sets to work – but if you’re happy doing the cleaning yourself, you can buy the standalone shaver for a less costly £170.

How To Pick The Perfect Electric Shaver

Lots of electric shavers are waterproof, so you can take them into the shower with you or use them with shaving foam or gel – a good approach if you do have sensitive skin. Do pay attention to the small print tough: there’s a difference between waterproof and water-resistant. 

Look out for a quick-charge function, which will provide a dead shaver with enough power for one shave at very short notice (ie you can jump in the shower and it will be ready when you’re out).

What type of shaver is right for me?

That depends on the thickness and general unruliness of your beard growth, and how often you need – and indeed want – to shave. If you’re a particularly hairy guy, or if you’re happy only shaving every few days, a rotary blade shaver is your best choice. High-quality rotary blades cut effortless through thick and tangled hairs with no trouble.

Foil shavers, by contrast, work best on those with relatively light growth, and those who like a clean daily shave. These shavers are softer on your skin, and they also tend to give a closer shave. Better still, they often last longer without a recharge.

Which shaver brands are best?

Names to look out for as a hallmark of quality are Braun and Philips above all else, while Remington, Panasonic and Wahl are also highly respected manufacturers.

How are electric shavers powered?

You’ll find shavers that are mains-powered, battery-powered and rechargeable. Most electric shavers these days fall into the final category, and it’s not hard to see why: they’re easy to charge frequently at home, and good ones will stay charged for a few days if you’re away. There are other shavers that operate both cordlessly and from the mains, which means you needn’t despair if it’s run out of charge.

We’d steer you away from battery-powered shavers, to save you spending needless cash on batteries (you can buy rechargeable ones, but using a battery charger feels a bit too 20th-century). 

Hair Clippers ExplainedThe Best Hair Clippers To Buy 2020

As barbershops across the UK remain closed for business, many of us find ourselves in dire need of a haircut. And while lots of us would never consider cutting our hair at home, desperate times call for desperate measures. Time to invest in a set of hair clippers.

If you’re concerned that you – or your nervous assistant – might make a pig’s ear of the job and leave you looking terrifyingly shorn, just turn to YouTube. There, you'll find a wealth of videos that will show you how to trim your hair to perfection.

However, you might find it harder than you thought to choose a pair of clippers. There’s a wide array to pick from, with some costing as little as under £10 and products from big names such as Oster and BaByliss coming in at over £100. So here’s our guide to choosing the perfect pair of clippers, followed by our selection of the best products available right now.

Do you need to trim not just your hair but your beard and other particulars too? This nine-in-one grooming kit from Braun should have all your needs covered, which is why we've included it in our selection of the best hair clippers. The fact it's been given a 32% discount at JD Williams is an added bonus. Scroll further down for more details on this handy product.

Buy at JD Williams | £46.99 (was £69.99)

Hair Clippers Explained

How much will it cost?

Most hair clippers cost less than £50, which is definitely a fair sum for dealing with something as visible as your hair – and you’ll save the money you’d have spent at the barber’s within two or three cuts. Many in this price bracket perform to an impressively high level. That being said, if you ask a barber how much they invested in their clippers, it will probably be over £100. You certainly won’t use yours as often as a pro would, but a top-of-the-range product will be ultra-reliable and still save you money in the long run. We’ve included one professional-grade clipper in our round-up below to give you all the options.

Mains-powered vs. cordless

There’s a school of thought that maintains mains-powered clippers will always deliver an extra level of power in comparison with cordless models. But good cordless clippers use top-quality batteries that provide full power right until they run dry, so you’re not left with the dull whirr of a dying set of clipper blades chewing at your hair. Cordless clippers are certainly the more convenient option – they’re lighter and can be used anywhere – and that means they’re typically more expensive than mains-powered products. In making our selections we’ve taken into account the lifespan of the battery-powered clippers.

Clipper grades

Grades describe the length to which the clipper cuts your hair. Grade 1 is roughly 0.3mm; grade 8 is 25mm. Most clippers come with a range of combs to give you the full grade 1-8 spectrum and many include asymmetrical tapering combs that can cut the hair around your ears.

Aesthetics

If you want a set of clippers that looks as good as your finished haircut, manufacturers like Oster and Wahl offer vintage-style products that look like they’re straight out of the rock n’ roll era while also delivering impressive and reliable performance.

See related

• The Best Beard Trimmers To Keep Your Face Fur In Check

The Best Hair Clippers To Buy 2020

If you want to spend as little as possible on your hair clippers - probably because you'll be the first in line when your barbers re-opens - then take a look at this entry-level set from Wahl. Despite being priced barely in the double figures, this is a piece of kit from a reputable brand, so while features are limited, they'll still have that pedigree. It cuts from grades 1 to 6 (that's 0.8mm to 19mm) and comes with a cleaning brush, scissors, oil, comb and blade guard. The ideal budget hair clipper.

Buy on Argos | £10.99

You might be doubling your expenditure on the Wahl Home Cut - but this hair clipper kit from Babyliss is still very much affordable. And between the two kits, we'd push for this one. As you would imagine from an industry-leading brand, this kit offers a range of attachments, and cuts grades 1 through 8 (3-25mm). Sixteen hours of charge will get you 40 minutes of power, so you needn't rush through your first domestic haircut. That said, if the clipper does run out of juice, it can also be connected to the mains.

Buy at Argos | £22.99

Chances are it's not just your barnet that's getting unruly - there might be, ahem, other bits of you that could benefit from a trim. This styling kit from Braun should have you covered: its various attachments will trim between 0.5 and 21mm, each designed for a different part of your body. We particularly like the beard attachment - it features a sensor that automatically detects the thickness of your whiskers and adapts duly. Perfect if you're keen for a total overhaul.

Buy at JD Williams  | £46.99 (was £69.99)

The price leaps up into the triple figures with this high-end clipper set from Oster - but with it comes quality and durability. This is a set of clippers for those who like to keep their super-sharp by cutting it on a regular basis. The steel blades will trim your hair to between 0.5mm and 2.4mm in length, and although it's corded, the wire's 3m length should be enough to prevent you for tripping up. After all, slipping is the last thing you want while you're in the middle of a haircut.

Buy at Sally Beauty | £130

With a tie and without one. In the summer, winter, spring and autumn. Under a suit jacket and over a T-shirt. In the office and in the pub. Give us a couple more hours and maybe we’ll find a time, place, event or outfit where the button-down shirt doesn’t feel right at home. But maybe not.

Or we could all just take as read that it’s a timeless, all-conditions classic. Its roots reach back to the polo fields of the 1890s, before US tailors Brooks Brothers correctly predicted it could make a killing in the mainstream menswear market. It’s still going strong, as you’ll be able to tell from our selection of winning button-downs – from tartan to corduroy, embroidered to overdyed – waiting for you just down there.

See that? That’s a workhorse shirt, that is. Not only will gingham go with pretty much every pair of trousers you own, but the repeating pattern will hide the fact that you’ve had to rush out the door without ironing out those creases. It’s a true sartorial sidekick and is more than worthy of a place on your rail.

Buy from Luke 1977 | £60

In a surprisingly delicate colourway from the king of oil-splattered American outerwear, Carhartt’s “powdery” button-down proves the heritage brand can play nice as well as dirty.

Buy from Carhartt | £60

The question isn’t whether you’ll look good in a tartan shirt, it’s which colourway will suit you best. If in doubt, keep the colours as natural as possible – this green and blue classic from Farah will easily see you through the tail end of winter and well into spring.

Buy from Farah | £65

A quick tinker with our very scientific calculator and… yup, as we thought, there’s a very strong chance that you own a Ralph Lauren shirt already, but we bet it’s not this Ralph Lauren shirt. Subtly tapping into the not-going-anywhere tie-dye trend of last summer, its dip-dye turns up the dial on the hippie psychedelia without compromising on smart-casualness.

Buy from Mr Porter | £120

A bit like a DeLorean driving Doc Brown, this brand strives to bridge the gap between America’s old and new, pulling from the archives to create exceptional and timeless shirts. It’s why this solid offering looks as if it might have been plucked off the back of a soldier from a bygone era.

Buy from The Hipstore | £185

See related

• Smart Casual: What Does it Really Mean?
• How To Nail Business Casual
• The Best Chelsea Boots For Men

Trust Sir Smith to masterfully liven up smart staples. If you find you regularly run out of ice-breakers at stagnant work dos, this one’s got your back.

Buy from Paul Smith | £185

Outta the way, blues and whites. There’s a new go-to colour in town – Fred Perry’s overdyed lavender. Let this light purple doozy meet your turned-up black denim or tailored chinos for an off-duty look that means business.

Buy from Fred Perry | £85

Any idea as to what this technical fishing shirt is made from? Whatever sprang to mind, you’re wrong. It’s crushed oyster shells and plastic bottles. Yep, what a time to be alive, when bivalve mollusc and old Lucozade vessels can come together with cotton and elastane to create soft, comfortable and moisture-wicking flannel shirts with hidden button-down collars.

Buy from Orvis | £89

It’s never too early to think about sipping cocktails by the pool in some far-flung, sun-kissed country. And with a wavy all-over pattern, this short-sleeve from smart-casual stalwart J Crew will help you enter that summer state of mind.

Buy from J Crew | £72

A corduroy shirt will usher you through the cold season into the warmer months without having to leave your back. Button it up when the temperature’s slumping and leave it open over a plain white tee when we enter that tricky-to-navigate transitional period. You’ll find us doing exactly that from the comfort of this Portuguese-made clay-coloured beaut.

Buy from End. Clothing | £89

The ankle-hugging, pointed-toe Chelsea boot is as synonymous with the skinny-legged, pelvis-thrusting Brit rock stars of the ’60s as Carnaby Street, hurling TVs from hotel windows and elephant-stopping amounts of mind-altering drugs.

But its humble beginnings are more royal than raucous. The classic silhouette, elasticated side and slim-line cut were designed by Queen Victoria’s shoemaker, J Sparkes-Hall, as a riding boot that was easy to throw on and pull off.

So whether it’s to bring a radically cool edge to your look, or to stomp around in the great outdoors like Little Vic, there’s no denying that any one of the below options will be a strong investment in any footwear line-up. From high-end leather winners to all-weather puddle crushers, we’re picked out the very best.

And there you were, thinking Timberland only did chunky tan work boots for ’90s hip-hop artists. Here the big name in boots has retained its famous heavy-duty aesthetic with a thick sole, while tapping into the refined feel of the Chelsea with premium materials for an option that belongs on the feet of the city-dwelling outdoorsman.

Buy from Timberland | £125

Synonymous with the yachting upper echelons of society, Crew Clothing is fully aware that its well-heeled seafaring clientele can’t live in dainty deck shoes forever. And it turns out these all-leather boots are the perfect shade of chocolate to work with your rolled-up dark blue denim, whether you’ve just tied up or not.

Buy from Crew Clothing | £115

The American heritage brand has stayed faithful to its superbly simple principle of making truly good shoes for over a century with this pair. The shape’s been engineered with sheep ranchers in mind, who need a comfortable yet hardy boot that can be pulled on at a moment’s notice should a big bad wolf be spotted harassing their flock.

Buy from Red Wing | £289

When you’re working with classic styles, it doesn’t take much of a deviation to create a stand-out and this is a case in point. The elasticated side insert throws convention out of the window with a unique shape that takes this pair into a league of their own.

Buy from Harrys of London | £425

And while we’re on the subject of going against the grain, Duke + Dexter’s touch of urban camo will have the purists running for the hills and us running for our wallets.

Buy from Duke + Dexter | £230

See related

• The Best Men’s Boots For Winter
• The Best Desert Boots For Men

This is unmistakably Clarks thanks to that giveaway gummy crepe sole. What you won’t expect from such a laid-back weekend winner, though, is the sheepskin lining and sock for maximum comfort. What a treat for the feet.

Buy from Clarks | £115

That peculiar feeling in your gut? Those strange pangs? Not your belly asking for dinner a little early – it’s the totally unexpected realisation that Chelsea Wellington boots are what your footwear line-up has been missing all along. These things simply should not look this good!

Buy from Hunter | £100

You’d expect something a little extra from footwear that costs half a grand. And to an extent, that’s what you’re getting from this Mr Porter exclusive. Common Projects, the NYC luxe sneaker brand with a cult following, stamps a gold serial number into the sleek black leather of these boots to show off just how limited your footwear edition is. What’s more, the boot’s ability to perfectly pair with chinos, tailored trousers and denim alike means you won’t have to find a special excuse to feel extra special.

Buy from Mr Porter | £500

Tricker’s was founded in the same year that saw the first public bus (horse-drawn, of course) operate in London – 1829. Yeah, Tricker’s is well old, but despite its age it’s not stuck in its ways, as these Chelsea boots in an outrageously cool marine blue colour prove. Yep, we love these old duffers.

Buy from Tricker’s | £445

Same old same old, but… different? The Doc is doing his part for the environment and animal welfare with a range of unisex vegan synthetic Chelseas, and we’ll tell you something – you’d need a better eye than us to tell the difference.

Buy from Dr Martens | £139

“You’ve got no toes.”

I glance down, dubiously, and see that my toes are, in fact, where I expect them to be. But Ben Le Vesconte, the Vivobarefoot coach, is looking at a screen showing a read-out of the pressure plate under my feet. “Your big toe should naturally support you when you’re standing.” He explains that if I can “reconnect with my feet” through strengthening and stretching, I can turn my weak and feeble feet back into the naturally spring-loaded devices they’re supposed to be. My arches will become more elastic and my toes will get stronger. And, according to the theory, I’ll be less prone to injury.

Vivobarefoot invited someone from Coach to commit to wearing its minimalist shoes day in, day out for a month and I accepted. This type of shoe is wide across the toe-box, thin-soled and flexible so your feet can behave the way they would if you were actually barefoot. There’s no cushioning, arch support or thick, stacked heels. As well as pairs for running and other sports, Vivobarefoot makes minimalist lifestyle shoes.

I’m certainly curious to see what difference it makes to my feet. A freelance writer and mum to an active toddler, I work from home but spend a lot of time on my feet, mostly wearing trainers or ankle boots. I run three or four times a week. I’m prone to ankle sprains and never quite manage to stick with the physio exercises I’m given to prevent these.

Initially, I’m eager to see what running in barefoot shoes feels like, but I’m told that it takes time to build up to running in them, because just pulling on these barely-there shoes and running out the door is a surefire way to get injured. I’m told only to walk in them to start with, and after a few weeks, when I feel ready, I can start to build up slowly from running for just one minute at a time, to ten.

Before I start, Le Vesconte puts me through my paces on the treadmill. He videos me banging my heels down as I walk and taking a long stride while running, my feet landing well in front of my body. With no shoes on I run in a completely different way, my feet landing softly underneath me. With Vivos on, I’m not quite there: the muscle memory of all the running I’ve ever done in cushioned shoes is too deeply ingrained. I need to learn how to run like I’m barefoot, while wearing shoes.

According to Le Vesconte, the key to this is aiming for a faster cadence (around 180 steps per minute), and ensuring I land with a soft midfoot strike directly under my body. And I’ve got to learn to walk like that, too, with short steps (120 per minute), feet landing softly under my body. I’m sent home with a series of stretches and exercises to help my comatose feet reawaken and get stronger.

See related 

• How To Transition Safely To Barefoot Running
• The Best Barefoot Running Shoes

Over the 30 days, I go about my business wearing a pair of Vivobarefoot’s cosy Fulham suede boots (left, above), or the Geo Court (top right), Vivo’s take on a trendy tennis shoe, or the Primus Lite II (bottom right), made of recycled materials and something derived from algae. At the start I’m worried about having cold feet – it is mid-winter after all – but thanks to the boots this isn’t an issue. I steel myself, expecting comments from friends, acquaintances and family about the funny-looking shoes I’m wearing, but people don’t seem to notice until I point them out.

During the first week it’s tough to remember to walk in the way I’m supposed to, especially when I’m in a hurry. I soon adjust, though, not least because banging my heels down aggressively is uncomfortable on pavement.

By week two, I love the feel of walking in barefoot shoes and am impatient to run in them. I’m not supposed to run in the Vivos at first, so I head out for runs in my highly cushioned running shoes. After just a short time in barefoot shoes, my other shoes feel horribly constricting around my toes. When running I work on my posture and form, and on sticking to a faster cadence.

Three weeks in, after trying a few gentle runs with no adverse effects, I decide to throw caution to the wind – in the name of investigative journalism – and head out for a 45-minute run in the Primus Lite. It feels great at first, but as my feet and ankles tire my form goes to pot and my ankles turn to jelly. When I tell Le Vesconte about it, he gives me a polite but firm ticking-off. Back to the recommended gradual increase in running time for me.

As I near the end of the 30 days, my feet feel stronger, freer and more alive. I find I’m enjoying the texture of the ground under my feet.

At the end of the month, Le Vesconte puts me through my paces on the treadmill once again and confirms that my form has improved. Post-challenge, my ankles feel stronger and more flexible than ever. I have made an effort to do some of the recommended stretches and exercises, but just walking about in Vivos for 30 days actually felt like a great workout for my feet and legs.

As a somewhat impatient person I’ve been frustrated by the slowness of the transition to running in barefoot shoes. However, I’m planning to stick with it in the hope that strengthening my feet will help me stay injury-free. Curiosity piqued, I read Born To Run, which is a gripping story as well as a fascinating insight into the possible advantages of barefoot-style running. I’m pretty much converted to the barefoot movement and find myself banging on about the benefits of minimalist shoes to anyone who’ll listen. The only negative came when I opened a cupboard and saw all the pairs of once-cherished, now sadly neglected, shoes.

Barefoot advocates claim that these shoes can help runners avoid injury and improve performance. Although there’s not enough reliable scientific evidence to back this up, it’s certainly an avenue worth exploring if you’re a runner who’s having problems with recurrent injuries.

I also think there’s a lot to be said for wearing minimalist shoes in daily life, whatever kind of lifestyle you lead. If you make efforts towards achieving a fitter, more athletic body, chances are you overlook your feet. Just wearing minimalist shoes (as long as you’re walking the right way) is an easy way to address it and get stronger, healthier feet.

See that out there? That’s sweater weather. Cold, dark, a little damp – perfectly British. Given that these are the conditions we live with for what feels like 52 of the 52.1 weeks of the year, we deserve to live a little when it comes to pulling on our armour against the cold. To treat ourselves for staying chirpy in this dreary climate. And we’ve compiled this list to do just that. From classic heritage sportswear to modern eco heroes, here are eight that should cheer you up and warm you up in equal measure.

It’s impossible not to like Nigel Cabourn. Search for an image of the septuagenarian British designer and prodigious collector of military garments right now and we’ll bet many pennies that you’ll find a photo of him with a gigantic beaming smile across his tanned face, and dressed in extremely “I wish I could pull that off” vintage and oft-oversized garms.

And you bet we’ll gush embarrassingly about his clothes, too. Step into his Covent Garden store and you’ll be met with solid workwear and everyday items inspired by yesteryear. This sweatshirt, based on a vintage training crewneck silhouette and with an added Cabourn logo from the archives, is a great place to start – especially in that bang-on-trend orange colourway.

The graphic artistry of one-time pro skateboarder Pieter “Parra” Janssen is instantly recognisable thanks to his distinctive colour scheme and the pointy-nosed characters that crop up in his line of clothing. Not that there’ll be any second-guessing from passers-by as to where this came from, with his name repeatedly slapped all over and inside his renowned Flapping Flag design.

If it’s vintage American sportswear you’re after, Ebbets Field Flannels has you covered. Based in Seattle, the brand’s designers are top dogs at researching, sourcing and creating true-to-sporting-history baseball, hockey and American football jerseys, caps, jackets and tees. Plus each piece is cut, sewn or knit from original fabrics and yarns in the US.

You need a classic plain grey sweatshirt. That is an indisputable fashion fact. And we’ve found none better than this collegiate-style one, with just enough detail – an asymmetric V-stitch at the neck, a darker tone on the hems – to set it apart.

Tie-dye is enjoying a moment in the sartorial spotlight, but that doesn’t mean you’re obliged to go full flowers-in-your-beard to enjoy a slice of this deliciously psychedelic trend. Let Chinese champion gymnast Li-Ning’s brand deliver a perfect microdose of hippiedom to your arms and torso.

You simply cannot go wrong with bold colour blocking these days, as Puma’s relaxed-fit crewneck with a neat back print proves.

The idea of sporting a lilac jumper might send your stomach into nervy flips, but pair this pale violet doozy with your best washed-out relaxed-fit denim and a set of fresh white sneaks, and you’ll be hard pressed to find a better casual uniform in 2020.

If you’re big into premium ’80s terrace wear, we won’t need to tell you about Australian L’Alpina. You’ll know all about how the premium Italian – not Aussie – brand made its name way back on the tennis courts of the 1950s with technically advanced materials, before being adopted by the football casuals 30 years later. And with heritage leisurewear having a real moment of late, it’s little surprise that the iconic kangaroo logo is back on a deliciously retro collection. This Italian-made sweatshirt is our pick of the lot.

Alpha Industries has a history firmly rooted in the bomber jacket, but it’s not stopped the brand from diversifying into this menswear staple. A classic cotton sweatshirt is tweaked with the signature “remove before flight” arm tab that makes the military outerwear staple so recognisable. Boy, does it work a treat.

The armpit isn’t the most obvious bit of real estate for some sweatshirt design, but true to their anti-establishment form, the surf ’n’ skate punks at Volcom have gone and done it anyway. The two-tone diagonals and strong material panelling bring a cool, futuristic twist to a classic shape.

Thirty-five quid doesn’t buy you much in the way of sweatshirts these days, but chuck your notes at Weekday and you’ll walk away with a relaxed-fit, all-over-tie-dye top. It sticks to the trend for all things psychedelic without going overboard on the peace and love.

A sweatshirt that’s perfect for your gloomiest and most adventurous moods, from the king of Scandi chic.

Completing the circle, we’re right back at heritage sportswear again. This time it’s Hummel steering the retro terrace-wear trend, having flicked through its near-century of German-Danish history to revisit a classic ’90s sweatshirt silhouette that’s sporty, comfy and colourful – a modern-day post-kickabout doozy.

It’s hard to think of a garment that’s had a rougher ride than the hoodie. For so long seen as little more than the uniform of the elderly-terrorising youth and the go-to for the layabout no-hoper, it’d be understandable if the hooded sweatshirt threw its arms in the air and declared “I don’t need this!” before running off to live the off-grid life of a woodland recluse.

But it didn’t. The hoodie stuck it out, and now brands right across the sartorial spectrum have adopted it and transformed it into a round-the-clock cold-weather staple. From the work-ready heavyweight cotton beasts of Carhartt to corduroy head turners from Champion, we’ve collated our favourite offerings below, all ready to protect yo’ neck this winter.

Debuted way back at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the Adidas Trefoil logo – a trio of leaf shapes intended to communicate the diverse appeal of the sportswear giant – is used across the brand’s famous Originals division on heritage items like the Superstar and Stan Smith trainers. Loaded with cultural and historical significance, it’s the kind of revered relic that’s rarely meddled with. That’s precisely why we’re all over this cosy hoodie, which spins the famous symbol into a neat piece of design, on both the chest (small) and the back (huge).

Buy from Adidas | £54.95

Given that 2020 started with the world both on fire and under water, now’s a pretty good time for us to take some responsibility for our actions. And you can start right now by making your next hoodie purchase a “good” one – buy this and support the extremely excellent 2 Minute Beach Clean charity, which gets all profits from the sale. Find out more about the charity (well worth a click).

Buy from Surfdome | £34.99

We didn’t realise that damson purple was a colour that our wardrobe was criminally lacking, but here we are, well and truly schooled (once again) by legendary British fashion designer Paul Smith. That neat little signature logo on the chest is sitting on a nice and heavy 100% cotton jersey, dyed in a shade that was born to hang out over your trusty blue jeans, every weekend henceforth.

Buy from Paul Smith | £150 (currently reduced to £75)

A big chunky boy, this. Whether you’re splashing motor oil across it like a grizzly Pacific Northwest fisherman, or keeping it crisp and clean to wear around town with your washed-out denim and expensive sneakers, Carhartt’s heavy-duty hoodie is ready to work for you.

Buy from Carhartt | £85

From royals to rebels, the argyle pattern has a surprisingly diverse sartorial legacy. True to form, Pringle has taken the famous harlequin motif and used it in a unisex capsule called the Reissue Collection, which gives new life to famous designs from its archives. Like the ye olde court jester synonymous with this design, this will have you standing out in the crowd.

Buy from Pringle | £195

For the last three chilly seasons or so, corduroy’s enjoyed a real resurgence. This winter appears to be no different, which is why it’d be a real smart idea to turn to 100-year-old athleisure legend Champion for this premium winner.

Buy from Champion | £115 (currently reduced to £80.50)

Everything’s big about this monster from the adventurewear industry’s trickiest-to-pronounce brand. Big embroidered logo, big and heavy material, big retro explorer vibes – and massively comfortable, too.

Buy from The Chimp Store | £219.95

The Pursuit collection incorporates some of the sportswear giant’s finest fabrics, and employs them to create an array of clean, modern and surprisingly cool items to cover your pre- and post-workout sesh, and everything in between. This camo hoodie will easily take care of your schedule between gym showers and rest of the weekend.

Buy from Under Armour | £85 (currently reduced to £50.97)

See related 

• The Best Sweatshirts For Men: New Styles For 2020
• The Best Bomber Jackets For Men: New Styles For 2019
• The Best Parkas For Men

Hoo boy, will you be stuffing your pockets with cool points and street cred tokens with this beauty on your back. This is what happens when the nonchalant no-nonsense French slicksters at APC collide with the in-demand frenetic punks of Brain Dead – an unlikely allegiance, but one we’d happily wear right the way through to summer.

Buy from Oi Polloi | £184 (currently reduced to £91)

No matter what the weather’s throwing at you when you slip into Nike’s comfy fluorescent option (part of its All Conditions Gear collection), one thing’s for sure: everyone’s going to see you coming.

Buy from Mr Porter | £90

Raise your trumpets and sound a 21-gun salute, for it is time to retire your crisp and clean summer sneakers to the big storage box in the sky (your attic). Yes, lovely trainer weather has come to an end, elbowed out the way once again by the season of puddle dodging and mud evading. Time to call in the cavalry.

Winter boots are an absolutely essential part of any man’s wardrobe, and if your old pair has seen better days then this list has come at the exact right time for you. We’ve detailed our nine favourite wind-, rain-, snow- and ice-beaters for 2019/2020, with the sustainable, city, hiking and pub-bound boxes all ticked. So no matter where you’re treading during a cold snap, you’ll be doing it in style.

Oh, it’s Converse all right, just not as you know it. This thing, this beast, means business, doing away with the famous lightweight cotton canvas and instead using a water-repellent upper and Gore-Tex lining to help you kick puddles into next week. It also comes in a somewhat terrifying all-black colourway too.

Buy from Size | £110

Hey, hey you, HEY, down here! Peel your eyes from the staggering beauty of this hiking boot for just a minute, so we can tell you all about how heritage and high-end Brit shoemaker Grenson has somehow made it chunky yet lightweight for round-the-clock wear, crafted from hand-painted calf’s leather, with a sturdy Richfield Commando sole and… ah forget it, you’re gazing longingly at the picture again, aren’t you? As you were.

Buy from Grenson | £285

World-famous Aussie skate shoe brand Globe has teamed up with the radical snow crew of YES to create the answer to every hard-partying ski and snowboarder’s problems – a good-looking boot that won’t have you slipping and sliding around after one too many post-piste beers. With an ankle-high, waterproof design, a reliable Vibram sole and a quilted Cordura collar for comfort, this premium leather clodhopper will ensure the only ice you’re getting a mouthful of is from your drink and not on the bar’s decking.

Buy from Surfdome | £153.95 (currently reduced to £100.45)

Whether you’re planning an escape to the Alpine powder this winter, or just anticipating a commute through a country-crushing winter whiteout, Danner’s new snow and ice specialist deserves your attention. Once you’re done purring over the rich, buttery suede, know that this boot can face down frosty conditions with a 100% waterproof barrier, Primaloft insulation, a Vibram “Arctic Grip” sole and a really rather handy side zip, making them all the easier to pull on and off with gloved or frostbitten hands.

Buy from Danner | $220 (approximately £190)

Ready to step up your hiking game? This is the boot to reach for. The engineered woven upper sheds the grams to increase the speed at which you tread your chosen trail, and a FastFoam midsole promises to maximise energy return, which will make you more efficient over your miles, too. In the light of all that this seems barely worth mentioning, but they look really good, too.

Buy from The North Face | £160

When the inevitable happens, and alien life forms try to relieve the human race of Planet Earth, this is the sort of thing our futuristic special-forces super-soldiers will have at the end of their space beds. Arc’teryx is no stranger to kitting out the armed elite – its Law Enforcement and Armed Forces (LEAF) range does that – but this stealthy, techy and water-crushing tie-up boot is more than ready for whatever this planet, or any other, can throw at them.

Buy from Arc’teryx | £220

There once was a time when wearing skate shoes from Supra meant strapping garish, gauche hypercoloured hi-tops to your shins and walking down the street as panicked mothers shielded their children’s eyes. Those days are long gone. Supra has chilled right out, slinging lightweight and stripped-back options like this ever-popular Aluminium silhouette that’s recently got the cold-weather treatment. That means a vulcanised sole, metal detailing and a gusseted tongue, so you can step up when the temperature drops.

Buy from Supra | £90 (currently reduced to £63)

See related

• Stroll With It: The Best Men’s Walking Boots
• The Best Hiking Shoes For Men
• The Best Parkas For Men

The sneaker kings at Nike have given its first ever basketball shoe a wet-weather reconstruction, sending it out into the elements with an extra-rugged outsole, water-repellent synthetic upper and chunky lace eyelets. If dancing between mountain and metropolis is your thing this season, you’ll do just fine with the Lunar Force.

Buy from Nike | £149.95

Better known for chubby-soled, extra-cushioned running trainers, Hoka One One has blindsided us with this hiking doozy. We are, of course, inclined to mention the waterproof bootie, full-grain leather, trademark comfort, Vibram Megagrip outsole and multidirectional lugs for extra traction over tricky terrain, but really, secretly, it had us as soon as we saw that fiery sunburnt colourway.

Buy from Hoka One One | £180 (currently reduced to £126)

Fracap has been creating summit-stomping mountaineering gear for over 170 years, hand-making iconic leather boots in the family-owned Italian factory since 1848. It’s why, along with the feeling of the superior leather used, you’ll be letting out a little “oooh!” when you slide your feet inside them. This boot is the heritage brand’s most iconic shape, rounded off beautifully with those sturdy eyelets, classic laces and dangerously cool shark’s tooth ripple sole.

Buy from End Clothing | £219

Not every wet walkabout requires footwear that can withstand hurricane-grade downpours. Sometimes, stepping out in the bleak midwinter means nothing more than a few hops over puddles to the local pub for a humble Sunday roast, zero drowning risk encountered. And when that’s the case, Novesta’s smart-casual hi-tops have you covered. Made in the very same Slovakian factory with the very same machinery that first produced them back in 1939, this chunky-toed winner is the best bet for your winter feet when all you need to do is put ’em up and kick back.

Buy from Oi Polloi | £59

When considering hair removal, many prefer the quick fix of shaving or the relative ease of professional waxing. But those who discover epilation often find it’s impossible to go back.

In its most basic terms, epilation is the removal of hair at the root using a device with dozens of tiny tweezers, which rotate to catch shorter and finer hairs than waxing does. Epilators can be used at home, are available for use in wet or dry conditions and, once you’ve made one upfront purchase, soon become more cost-effective than other methods.

But the real advantage of epilation its effects last as long as waxing (three to four weeks on average) without the associated costs or inconvenience of booking and attending sessions at the salon. Although some find it can be uncomfortable at first, epilation becomes easier and less painful with repeated use.

Many of the best epilators come with attachments that exfoliate the skin while they work, as well as a light that allows you to see what you’re doing clearly. As you might expect, the more you spend the more comfortable the experience is likely to be, so take your general sensitivity into consideration when choosing your epilator.

After seeing the price, you’d be correct to assume that the Braun Silk-épil 9 SkinSpa epilator is the big noise in hair removal. This cordless epilator does everything you’d want it to when spending over £100. It works wet or dry, and comes with a shaver head that’s designed for more sensitive areas as well as a trimmer cap, a deep massage pad and four exfoliating body brushes that help prevent ingrown hairs. In other words, it’s several devices in one and is the natural choice for anyone whose skin tends to need extra TLC. And don’t let the various attachments put you off – this is very much suitable for beginners.

Buy on Amazon | £125.99

There are no fancy bells and whistles included with the Remington EP7010, but it does a good job at a much lower price than its competitors. The device promises to remove hairs as short as 0.5mm with its 40 tweezers, and the shape of the cap ensures you can get at hairs even at slightly awkward angles. It has two speed options, while the removable cap makes it easy to clean. For the money, this can’t really be beaten.

Buy on Amazon | £26.98

If you’re new to epilation and worried about the pain and discomfort involved, then the Philips Satinelle Advanced could be the one for you. The ceramic discs gently remove even fine hair and it also comes with a body massager, an exfoliator and other useful attachments, while the smart light makes it easier to see what you’re doing. Even the handle is thinner, making it more comfortable to hold for longer periods.

Buy on Amazon | £92.06

See related

• The Best Dry Shampoo To Throw In Your Gym Bag
• The Best Facial Cleansing Brushes
• The Best Fake Tan For Looking Sunkissed Without The UV Damage
• Best Teeth-Whitening Kits: Get A Brighter Smile At Home

Your face is the first thing the world sees, so when it comes to hair removal you want the most effective solution possible. That’s where the Braun FaceSpa Pro – the first facial epilator, cleanser and skin-toning device – comes in. Plucking eyebrows, upper lip and chin hair with traditional tweezers can be time-consuming and a facial epilator makes the whole process much more efficient, while the facial cleansing brush and micro-vibration toning head ensure the key areas remain blemish-free.

Buy on Amazon | £71.57

While more expensive epilators have a wet and dry function, you shouldn’t feel obligated to pay a premium for this feature – dry epilators can work just as well, as proven by the Braun Silk-épil 5 Power. The device comes with a high-frequency massage system built in, which lessens any pain associated with the process, as well as massage rollers and a cooling glove in the box to help soothe your skin after hair removal.

Buy on Amazon | £48.23

Most epilators have 40 pairs of tweezers but the Panasonic ES-ED96 Wet and Dry ups the ante with 48. What’s more, it treats the hair removal process as a chance to pamper yourself rather than a necessary evil – it can be used with foams, lotions or in the bath depending on your preference. For facial epilation, the head’s fine bristles and sonic vibrations help clean the face without irritating the skin, and the variety of attachments make the device a real one-stop shop for hair removal.

Buy on Amazon | £82.08

Remember when shopping for trainers was relatively simple? Just a couple of brands to choose between, a quick measure-up, a couple of notes exchanged hands and you were out the shop door with a fresh set of sneaks on your pegs. But now, things have changed. Not only do you often need a healthy bank balance to afford a new pair, but high-street shops, heritage designers and luxury fashion labels have joined the sportswear giants in wanting to encase your feet in extremely tempting offerings.

Now you’ve got an ocean of trainers to wade through before arriving at your dream pair. It’s precisely why we’ve narrowed it down, riiight down to our ten favourite pairs that might convince you to do some damage to your available funds and slide your soles into a fresh set. From clean and crisp white staples to some truly bonkers but oh-so-tempting statement sneakers, take your pick.

Starting big and bold, this is the latest product of the longstanding relationship between Reebok and UK fashion authority Ian Paley. The combination of a suede and mesh upper adds to the deliciously freaky serving of outrageous trainer design.

The only sneaker on this list – and any other – that can call itself totally plastic-free and biodegradable. Manufacturing its shoes in Portugal using sustainable, organic materials and natural processes, this brand has already raked in a number of award nominations and its shoes dubbed “some of the most comfortable I have ever worn” in the Sunday Telegraph – even though it’s only just promised to have pre-orders for premium trainers ready for December 2019. One to watch, without a doubt.

Vans started in ’66, meaning the hardest part of acquiring a new set is knowing exactly which of the hundreds of pairs, in multiple colours, from a half-century of designs, to choose. Here’s what you do: you buy this pair from the Anaheim Factory collection, which tips a hat to the brand’s Californian heritage.

Sure, the price is pretty serious, but this Paul Smith eye-melter looks anything but. You’d need to have taken a 140mph overhead smash to the noggin to wear these chunky premium leather “tennis” shoes anywhere near a court, with that eccentric aesthetic far better suited to smart-casual party season. Partner the Hackney with dark blue tailored trousers to serve up a style ace.

Wearing comfortable trainers doesn’t have to mean donning clumpy kicks that look like they’ve been prescribed by your GP. The North Face has thrown everything it knows about stability, cushioning and comfort into this lightweight trail- and town-ready sneak, and managed to make it look dead cool in the process.

Modern menswear commandments dictate that every man must own a pair of premium crisp white kicks and do their best to keep them clean. These are said kicks.

Hi-Tec has slammed the defibrillators on one of its greatest running shoes, the BW Infinity, shouted “CLEAR!” and resurrected it for the 2020s. Back in 1989 this road and trail specialist were created for an ultramarathon across the dusty plains of Death Valley’s Badwater Basin, which means it’s probably up to the task of carrying you down the high street for your Saturday morning coffee and croissant.

An alpine-inspired adventure-ready sneaker here, primed to tackle any mountain that lies on your horizon, be it Scafell Pike in the Lake District, or that towering inbox in your workplace.

The do-good brand has graduated from simple (and somewhat flimsy) fabric footwear to serious pieces of kit like these everyday winners which boast a waterproof design, super comfy insoles and really rather tasty modern colour blocking. We can’t think of a single shoe rack that these wouldn’t improve.

We came for the Vibram MegaGrip outsole, the super-soft Fresh Foam midsole and the protective fit. We stayed for the outrageously cool colourway and modern silhouette.

We don’t need a government poll, a nationwide survey or a show of hands to know that pulling on and pulling off a leather jacket is one hell of a feeling.

Why? What do you mean, why? It’s because of James Dean. It’s because of Marlon Brando. It’s because it’s the uniform of the dirt-flecked, hog-riding, whiskey-chugging rebels without so much as a sniff of a cause from Hollywood’s golden era. And there’s a small part inside all of us that wants to join that club. That carefree club filled with outlaws, degenerates and cool kids.

But with such a hardcore pedigree, it’s little wonder that stepping out in a new leather jacket for the first time is a nerve-racking prospect. Put simply, have you got the chutzpah to pull it off?

We can’t help with that, but we can ensure you’re rocking the finest in animal-hide goods and we’ve got just the thing. Take a look at the ten leather jackets that we’ve selected, ranging in price from eye-wateringly luxurious to rub-your-eyes affordable, and in a variety of styles to suit your sartorial needs. Go on, add a little outlaw to your outerwear.

If we bought this at just £225, we’d be half expecting a knock at the door any day because there had been a catastrophic error with the stated price of this soft and top-quality leather jacket, and those responsible have been dealt with accordingly but they really need the jacket back so the store can repay its debts. But we’ve done the sums, assessed the risk and concluded this is a steal that’s more than worth moving house and assuming a new identity for.

Buy from Weekday | £225

This stealthy little Hugo Boss number features not one but two types of leather. Hugging your torso you’ve got pure goat leather, and then there’s some real smooth calfskin to slide your arms into. It’s a material clash that, Hugo suggests, will look A-OK with some distressed denim and crisp loafers. Sounds about right to us.

Buy from Flannels | £525

We’ll happily admit that we were somewhat blindsided by this brilliant denim jacket-style option from Marks & Spencer. One hundred and eighty notes doesn’t get you much in the leather jacket game, but here it’ll bag you real leather, a luxuriously fuzy faux borg collar and some very welcome interior quilting, all with a tasty modern silhouette.

Buy from Marks & Spencer | £179

Leather jackets have always been the sartorial equivalent of a rock star’s snarl and scream and shout, but this high-street offering rebels against that. Taking everything that’s made the classic baker’s jacket a wardrobe staple of the past five years – stripped down, unfussy and boxy – this supple leather winner is a real all-day one-off.

Buy from COS | £390

Do your dreams of a retirement involve speeding a head-turning vintage Triumph motorcycle around a glorious country estate? Orvis can’t help you with the wheels or the retreat, but the classy fishing brand can kit you out in a jacket that’ll make you feel one step closer to that end goal. The goatskin leather Redfield reminds us of James Bond’s jaunt to his wind-lashed Scottish hideout in Skyfall, with a well-worn aesthetic, quilted shooting patches on the shoulder and deep pockets for storing all your essentials/secret service gadgets. What’s more, with Orvis’ 5% For Nature commitment, you can feel good knowing that a portion of the profits from your purchase will go back into protecting nature. Good, good and good.

Buy from Orvis | £498 (currently reduced to £379)

Established in 2015 and based in east London, Prévu may be a relative newcomer to the menswear design game but it’s won our attention with this extremely cool number. The thick luxe shearling collar adds a timeless yet on-trend touch to a classic silhouette that’ll look right at home in the trendiest districts of Europe’s major cities. Aperitivo in Milano, anybody?

Buy from Prévu | £400

The James Dean go-to style. A classic. The archetype. The one all other leather jackets secretly aspire to be. Exercise that credit card, safe in the knowledge that you’re getting the realest of real deals here.

Buy from Schott | $825 (approximately £670)

A leather puffer jacket? Now we’re talking. While the rest of the country inevitably grinds to a halt at the first snowflake of winter, pull this on, then stride out of your front door, straight into the office and past your boss’s desk, knowing this thing not only has you looking every inch the well-presented work-hard hero – but, thanks to a 100% thick cowhide shell and heavy poly filling, feeling toasty-warm, too. A veritable duvet day in a jacket.

Buy from MKI | £295

Maybe it’s the bright orange lining or maybe it’s the surf-rebel inspiration, but this lambskin beaut from Australian wave-hunter Ksubi just screams coolness. It’s part Hell’s Angels and part snarling punkdom, and should be worn with your most beat-up blue jeans and a plain white tee. Chewing gum and slicked-back hair optional.

Buy from End Clothing | £789

See related

• The Best Bomber Jackets For Men: New Styles For 2019
• The Best Parkas For Men
• The Best Pea Coats For Men

Suede is the fuzzy cousin of leather, meaning this cognac overshirt makes the cut with no problems at all. Unlined, with a relaxed fit and oversized pockets worthy of Albert Arkwright (one for the kids, there), it’s a raw everyday jacket that’ll only get better as it ages – anticipate more natural lines and creases cropping up the harder you work it.

Buy from Mr Porter | £355

If, like us, you walked out of Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon A Time In Hollywood vowing to dress more like a 60s silver-screen stuntman, this super-soft suede Western jacket in a tasty teal colourway needs to make its way into your virtual shopping basket, stat.

Buy from Reiss | £395 (currently reduced to £225)

NYC’s high-end heritage brand Coach (no relation) has dared to tinker with the near-perfect DNA of everyone’s favourite post-workout garment – the hoodie – by adding a touch of luxe to it. And it really, really works. This reversible zip-up made from lamb’s leather and complemented with a modern camo print is crying out to meet your straight-fit selvedge denim.

Buy from Coach | £895 (currently reduced to £447.50)

Are you getting real Tom Hardy in Dunkirk vibes from this chunky goatskin beast, too? Layer up underneath this and direct an unhinged laugh at winter.

Buy from Diesel | £590 (currently reduced to £413)

We’d forgive you for thinking that selecting a new backpack involves ticking just two boxes: does it possess the required straps to sit on your back? And does it have a big cavernous void in which to pack your Very Important Possessions? Straps, check, gaping void, check, check out, done.

Only it’s not that simple. Have you considered what you’ll be packing? Have you worked out where you’ll be lugging your gear? Will you require your new pack to withstand an elemental thrashing in the wilderness? Is having what appears to be a piece of sculptural art clinging to your spine important to you? See, it’s not that easy, is it?

Lucky for you, we’ve pondered all those questions and more, and answered them with this run-down of the very best backpacks available right now. Take a look, tick your boxes and get out there, with your kit comfortably and stylishly slung behind your shoulders.

Snow Peak opened its first UK flagship store earlier in 2019, meaning you no longer have to race to the door at the sound of the postman like a maddeningly untrained puppy, hungry for your next parcel of innovative and extremely cool Japanese-made adventure wear to arrive. Get down to London’s St James Market and rub your mitts up and down all SP’s timeless, functional and high-quality wares, including this supremely water-repellent rolltop that’s screaming out to protect your stuff ’n’ things on your cycle commutes.

Buy from Snow Peak | £206

This is where your 15in Macbook lives now. With a specially made slot and water-resistant protection, we can think of no better bag from which to pull your precious work machine after a wintry dash to your favourite table with a plug at your closest trendy coffee shop.

Buy from The Chimp Store | £64.95

Did somebody order the retro vibes? Here’s a huge steaming plate of it. This classic and hard-as-nails backpack from the Berghaus archives was a bag of choice among the adrenaline-jacked free climbers and ski guides of the 1990s, and is back for the 2020s with some seriously big colour-blocking.

Buy from Berghaus | £80

Made with the very same material that carried The North Face’s iconic Base Camp Duffel bag to the title of Kingpin of Adventure Luggage, this special-edition Fuse Box – which celebrates the greatest achievement in exploration, the lunar landing – is one big tough cookie.

Buy from The North Face | £135

Tretorn’s premium-feeling, hard-wearing and waterproof Wings Flexpack doesn’t know if it wants to be a rucksack or a tote bag. Luckily for you, it does both extremely well.

Buy from Tretorn | £65

See related 

• The Best Running Backpacks For Long Runs Or Commuting
• The Best Cycling Backpacks For Commuters
• The Best Men’s Weekend Bags

Boston-born Eastpak has been helping you lug your kit around on your back for more than half a century, and is a real safe bet when -investing in a new pack. Which is why we’re always intrigued when it deviates from the classics and produces something like this: a super-modern top-loading back-bucket made with embossed neoprene.

Buy from Eastpak | £110 (currently reduced to £88)

Lean, clean and green, this stripped-back and smart double-strapper from heritage winter-coat titan Gloverall, in collaboration with British handmade bag maker Brady, is a highly traditional winner.

Buy from Parasol | £270

If you’re more likely to be seen (or caught dreaming of) kick-flipping your way out of your office rather than catching the Tube, this cool-kids pack is for you. From surf/skate/snowboard legend Volcom, the Ruckfold straddles the inner city and great outdoors with ease.

Buy on Amazon | £75.72

There’s a whole lot to love here. Not only has the Kånken – Swedish brand Fjällräven’s simple little square – become a real all-conditions, any-adventure icon, but this version, the Re-Kånken, is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. It’s dyed using a more environmentally sound, energy- and water-saving method, too.

Buy from Fjällräven | £80

This is how we imagine backpacks might look if Picasso, for whatever reason, found himself in the luggage industry. This asymmetrical and alien brain-bender from Parisian wildcard Côte & Ciel is likely to incite a level of head-turning and beard-scratching when, finally, you find a suitable excuse to unleash it into the wild.

Buy from Cote & Ciel | €275 (around £231)

Three words that’ll raise a smile on the faces of even the most heartbroken mourners of summer: Big. Coat. Season.

It might be getting a whole lot colder out there, but it’s getting a whole lot cooler on your coat hook. Winter means the annual search for a new coat and when it comes to conquering the frosty climate, a tried-and-tested style is always, always a good idea. And as classics go, the historic pea coat is well and truly on the podium.

First designed for Dutch sailors in the 19th century, the thick and heavy wool coat with a big poppable collar was the perfect protection against the unrelentingly cold and wet north Atlantic weather. A couple of hundred years later, it’ll do the trick no matter if you’re out at sea, walking to work, attending a winter shindig, or just nipping to the shops for some rations. In fact, this stylish workhorse is so versatile that it does the job of keeping you snug and warm in both the most relaxed and the smartest of situations.

And now you’re totally convinced of the benefit of investing in a new pea coat, get your eyes around these. We’ve trawled through the best of winter 2019 to pull together the finest pea coats a man can get this winter. From true-blue classics to teched-out modern marvels, from cost-effective winners to big wallet punchers, these are the pea coats you’ll want to be seen in this chilly season.

Some pea coats are screaming out to meet a classic woollen roll-neck. This is one of them. With a get-noticed herringbone pattern, a tall collar and a sweeping neckline, the Duomo creates a head-turning look that’ll loudly and proudly announce your arrival at any festive work bash before you’ve even opened your mouth.

Buy from Reiss | £325

Everyone’s favourite Christmas advert-maker has gone back to the beginning with this jacket, which has a silhouette inspired by the original 1940s naval design for a winter warmer that’s as classic as they come. The military vibes are topped off with that on-point khaki green, convincing us to let it meet our best beige trousers, too.

Buy from John Lewis | £195

Raey is a London-based, seasonless label (although we can’t see ourselves wearing this chunky boy in the height of the summer) that’s exclusive to MatchesFashion, and with jackets as good as this we can’t see the online retailer sharing this brand with anyone else soon. Raey has somehow smashed together vintage and futuristic feels, achieving a 50/50 balance that has us totally sold. The fact that it’s made in Italy with soft virgin-wool twill miiight have something to do with it.

Buy from MatchesFashion | £895

What Gloverall doesn’t know about classic winter-beating jackets isn’t worth knowing. Perhaps the most prestigious name in duffle coats, this proudly English outerwear master has instilled its core values of traditional design, superior quality and zero excess in this longer-length pea coat. We’ll bet the house it won’t be going out of style in our lifetime either.

Buy from Gloverall | £499

Big checks are big business this year, so it’s little surprise that tartan is having a bit of a moment. Of all the patterns, though, it’s the military Black Watch check – a distinctive pattern of green, black and navy – that’s pick among the sartorially minded. It’s why, for winter 2019, you can’t go wrong with this winner from Mr P, which has used the design for a stand-out, versatile pea coat cut in a heavy box shape. Slam a cashmere roll-neck underneath for an excellent all-week look.

Buy from Mr Porter | £475

The overlord of all things American smart-casual has updated a 1930s pea coat silhouette with a Thinsulate lining, making this extra good at stopping the cold in its tracks. Oh, and thanks to pockets sneakily lined with corduroy, leaving your gloves at home will no longer be cause for a mid-morning strop.

Buy from J Crew | £333

See related

• The Best Parkas For Men
• The Best Puffer And Down Jackets For Men
• The Best Waterproof Jackets For Men: True Weather Beaters

A little bit special, this. Actually, a lot special. Private White VC has created this luxe little beauty in collaboration with Simon Compton of Permanent Style, the UK’s most respected tailoring blog, and constructed it in a posh cashmere/wool blend woven in West Yorkshire. Little surprise, then, that the Manchester heritage brand has dubbed this “extremely limited edition”. Want it? Move fast.

Buy from Private White VC | £850

With a contemporary colour and texture, this jacket from London’s favourite tailoring son proves that you don’t have to follow the crowd when it comes to investing in classic outerwear essentials this year.

Buy from Oliver Spencer | £410

Ah, the Japanese high-street hero. How Uniqlo does it, we’ll never know. A little over £100 for an on-trend padded and oversized pea coat? Thank you for being you, Uniqlo.

Buy from Uniqlo | £109.90 (currently reduced to £49.90)

Seeing Armor Lux making coats is like watching your favourite singer on Masterchef. The French brand is so synonymous with Breton-stripe long-sleeves that it’s easy to ignore the idea that it could turn their hand to anything else. And yet, here we are, lusting after this classic 100% wool caramel number.

Buy from Armor Lux | €309 (around £275)

Pea coats are, 99% of the time, pretty identical-looking. Here’s your 1%: a dark-brown faux shearling bear-hug in a jacket. Best of luck taking this thing off – ever.

Buy from Mr Porter | £465

Everyone wants perfect skin, but not everyone (by which we mean, us) wants to exert more effort than a swipe with a wipe at the end of a busy day. One simple way to improve your cleansing routine if you’re short on time and motivation is a facial cleansing brush. These easy-to-use gadgets are designed to work with your cleanser to help remove make-up and dirt and promote firmer healthier skin in one fell swoop. Think of it as an electric toothbrush for your face.

Here are our picks of the best ones available, whatever your skin type and budget.

This pocket-sized pastel wonder is a dream for regular gym-goers. The powerful pulsations dislodge sweat and dirt to give you the effect of a full facial in one minute flat. Made from easy-to-clean soft silicone, this model also scores high with us for its wrinkle-busting benefits and its ten-hour-plus battery life.

Buy on Amazon | £169

What’s better than a facial cleanser? His and hers facial cleansers. Mia’s soft brush head removes stubborn make-up while the Alpha has shorter bristles for keeping beards clean. Both have two speeds, one for gently cleaning away the day’s grime and one for when you need a more intense scrub (usually Sunday morning for us). Lightweight, compact and freestanding, this set is ideal for power couples who travel a lot.

Buy MiaFit from CurrentBody (£127) | Buy AlphaFit from CurrentBody (£136)

For those on a budget, this purse-friendly electric cleanser will keep your skin clean and smooth as well as improving circulation. It also boasts seven heads – one for each day of the week if you like – so you can give yourself a good exfoliating one day and then a gentle facial massage the next. It’s waterproof so you can use it in the shower and at just £13.99, it’s a bit of a bargain.

Buy on Amazon | £13.99

If you’ve got spot-prone skin, this award-winning brush infused with blemish-beating charcoal will be right up your street. The angled head rotates through 360° to work more effectively with the contours of your face (begone oily T-zones!) and it’s gentle enough to be used every day.

Buy from Proactiv | £34.99 (currently reduced to £26.24)

Forget charging cables and replacement batteries – this hassle-free manual brush slips easily into your wash bag, protected in its travel case. The soft, quick-drying bristles are ideal for sensitive skin types, and offer an easy and gentle way to achieve a brighter complexion.

Buy from Look Fantastic | £18

Ever since the jet age jacket of choice for US military pilots landed at street level, its iconic silhouette has never strayed too far from the minds of the style-conscious. And although it’s been adopted by many a fashion house and high-street shop, and had its design tinkered with in a variety of ways, it maintains the rare ability to look great over anything from a hoodie to a tee to a button-down shirt.

Of course, with so many iterations to choose from, selecting your perfect piece requires some serious searching… or just a quick scroll through our favourites, which happen to be waiting for you below.

As with most things, the beginning is a good place to start, so we’ll kick off with the Tennessee-based company that made the original US military MA-1 bomber jacket back in 1963. To this day it still turns out authentic bomber jackets, but we’ve picked out this homage to NASA in black, with a high collar blasting the silhouette into 2019. A real head-turner and an excellent neck-warmer too.

When the Ice Man smashed his way to Wimbledon victory back in 1976, who’d have thought he would be considered an underwear tycoon come the 2010s? Not us, but here we are, in a world of bright Björn Borg boxers. So we’re surprised that he’s stuck his name to a bomber jacket – and an excellent one at that! – that’s as classic as they come.

The cool kids at Volcom are less concerned with dropping bombs and more concerned with bombing down huge waves and vert skate ramps – which, it seems, gives them everything they need to turn out an attention-grabbing bomber jacket. The claret colourway is suitably against-the-grain, and the interior harbours a cheeky little secret – open up and discover a giant snarling mouth printed on its padding.

Now for quite possibly the only jacket that’s named after a sandwich shop. The “Paninaro” in YMC’s outrageously cool tartan bomber refers to the Italian youth culture that began in the ’80s and ate up brands like Stone Island, Timberland, Armani and Levi’s just as hard as it ate up the sangers from Il Panino, a snack bar in Milan. Made from fabric woven in Italy, this definitely would’ve looked the part then and will more than look the part now with your beat-up denim.

It looks like luxe outerwear brand Nobis has got pretty serious this winter. It’s ramped up the utilitarianism of the Ash Bomber with gigantic pockets that mean business, and finished up with a signature lamination that promises, vows and swears blind to keep you dry, no matter what.

See related 

• The Best Men’s Leather Jackets
• The Best Parkas For Men
• The Best Waterproof Jackets For Men: True Weather Beaters

An absolute nightmare in the rain? Without a doubt, but this outrageously excellent corduroy down bomber from one of the most in-demand brands is worth dramatically, theatrically and quite pathetically running for cover at the first sign of drizzle.

Every last bit of this bomber is recycled – ripstop polyester on the outside, recycled down on the inside, recycled trims, treads, the lot. It’s a part of Timberland’s “Do Good” collection and takes design inspiration from Japan to create a bold street staple that you can feel dead proud of wearing this chilly season.

Self-taught tailor Oliver Spencer is at the crest of the wave of brands that craft top-quality and relaxed modern staples, and looking at this beaut it’s not hard to see why. He’s managed to take a thoroughly American classic and make it decidedly British, with big traditional-style pockets that share their shape with those on a country wax jacket.

Just one hundred quid for the never-ending feeling of being hugged by a teddy bear? Take our wallet immediately.

Many of us like to spend time lying in the sun to achieve a golden tan on holiday, or even in the garden when there’s a heatwave, but it’s hard to shift the nagging feeling that we’re not doing out skin any favours.

The problem with the sun’s rays – as you’re probably aware – is the ultraviolet (UV) radiation they contain, which is harmful to the skin’s cells and can cause cancer. According to Cancer Research UK, 90% of cases of melanoma (skin cancer) could be prevented by people avoiding sunbeds and enjoying the sunshine safely, which means using effective sun creams and not spending hours in the sun, especially during the hottest part of the day.

Fortunately, it’s easy to achieve the same look without the skin damage as there are plenty of tanning products that can give you that bronzed look even in the dead of winter.

Most fake tanners use dihydroxyacetone, a type of carbohydrate (usually derived from sugar plants) that reacts with the amino acids in your skin. This reaction causes the skin’s colour to change gradually as the skin cells are naturally shed.

In the early days of fake tan there was a general perception that they just made you look orange – but that’s certainly not the case now. Manufacturers have tweaked their formulas over the years to ensure your tan looks completely natural and not bottle-born.

Fake tans come in various forms: liquid, mousse and spray; gradual and instant. Our selection of the best ones covers all of these, so you can find the one that suits you.

Traditionally, fake tan products were more about aesthetics than skincare benefits, but many are now combining the effects of moisturising creams with tanning properties. One such product is the James Read Sleep Mask Tan, which hydrates and soothes overnight while also giving you a glow. Over time this turns into a natural-looking tan that won’t rub off, and you can just apply it like any other cream before bed. It smells great too.

Buy on Amazon | £25 for 50ml

Not one for fake tan novices, the He-Shi Express Liquid Tan is best used with a tanning mitt rather than bare hands and requires slightly more care than the more gradual tanners on this list, but it’s worth it. The results aren’t subtle but they never veer towards tangerine, and it’s ideal if you decide on a whim that you want a look that says “just back from a lengthy holiday somewhere with blazing sunshine”. You need to leave the solution to develop for around eight hours, but the results are fantastic from the get-go.

Buy on Amazon | £21 for 150ml

If you’ve ever found yourself struggling to apply a liquid tanner without leaving unsightly streaks or gaps, then know your struggle is both real and over. The Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs spray eliminates this problem with its fine mist, which you can wash off as soon as you no longer need sunkissed pins. It’s ultra-easy to apply (though we recommend not using it near anything you can’t wipe clean), and you can choose from the brand’s four shades depending on your skin tone and desired strength.

Buy on Amazon | £6.72 for 75ml

See related 

• How Much Time Should You Spend In The Sun To Get Vitamin D (And Avoid Skin Cancer)
• What No One Bothered To Tell You About Sunscreen
• The Best Sun Creams Of 2021 And What To Look For When Buying

Traditional liquid tanners can be a bit messy, but a mousse like this is a neater alternative and it also dries faster. You’ll only need a small amount, around two pumps, to cover each part of the body so it doesn’t take long to achieve a drip-free all-over tan. Our test didn’t reveal any problems with transference to sheets or clothing either, and even though the resulting colour can be rather deep at first, it looks great once allowed to fade a little over time.

Buy on Amazon | £19.77 for 240ml

With its six essential oils, Tan-Luxe Sleep Oil is our top choice for anyone who wants to wake up with skin that’s not just tanned, but also hydrated. It’s the priciest product here but it’s genuinely worth it because it produces brilliant results with very little effort. Just apply a few drops to your skin before bed and let its combination of raspberry seed oil, vitamin E, aloe vera, argan and jojoba get to work.

Buy from Cult Beauty | £34 for 20ml

We rate Garnier’s Summer Body Moisturising Lotion as the best high-street gradual tanner. This lotion has won a lot of fans over the years thanks to its ability to build up a natural-looking tan when applied regularly – the resulting glow is definitely subtle rather than garish. The guidelines suggest using it twice a week, applying it as you would any moisturiser, and the “gradual” part is key so be patient and give it time to reach the desired effect.

Buy on Amazon | £6.49 for 500ml

Teeth naturally become more yellow with age and if you drink coffee, tea and red wine they’ll be even more susceptible to stains and discolouration. Of course, you could stop indulging in anything that might discolour your gnashers but as well as those enlivening beverages, that would mean saying goodbye to the healthy likes of blueberries, blackberries, tomato-based sauces and balsamic vinegar.

The other alternative if you want whiter teeth is to eat and drink all those things (in moderation) and invest in a home teeth-whitening kit to help restore your pearly whites. A bespoke dental treatment will get you the best results, but professional teeth whitening can cost £300 or more and there are plenty of DIY kits that can do a decent job for significantly less. It’s unlikely you’ll achieve a Hollywood grin at home, but most methods are pretty effective at shifting stains.

Here we break down the different ways you can whiten your teeth at home and what to look for when buying, and round up our favourite products to buy right now.

Teeth-Whitening Kit Buying Guide

There are a variety of types of whitening products on the market but most of them whiten in one of two ways. Bleach-based formulas remove stains on your teeth at both a deep and superficial level, whereas as non-bleach alternatives will only whiten your teeth at the surface.

Whitening toothpastes: The gentlest introduction to teeth whitening. These typically contain a mild abrasive agent or activated carbon and can be used in conjunction with other home kits.

Whitening strips: These are adhesive strips containing a whitening gel that you stick to the surface of your teeth, usually for around 30 minutes at a time. The process needs to be repeated daily, normally for between two and four weeks.

Home bleaching kits: Similar to what you’d get from a dentist but with a much weaker whitening formula. This is usually in the form of a tray that can be moulded to your teeth by dipping it in boiling water and a set of gels that you add to the tray every night.

Pre-made trays: These are cheaper than mouldable trays but obviously won’t be as comfortable. Provided they wrap around the surface area of your teeth, though, they should do the trick.

LED gel kit: An LED light can speed up the whitening process and make gels more effective at breaking down tough stains, acting as a catalyst on carbamide peroxide, a common bleaching agent.

Teeth-whitening pens: A slim plastic whitening pen that contains gel to paint on your teeth for on-the-go stain removal. These are ideal for touch-ups and hard-to-reach areas.

Custom-made whitening kits: Most dentists recommend a custom-made tray and a set of peroxide gels as the most effective method of whitening. You’ll usually have an initial appointment to assess your teeth, an appointment to create the mould and then an appointment to run through the process. You’ll have to leave the trays in either overnight or for a set period each day, depending on the strength of the gel.

Are Home Teeth-Whitening Kits Safe To Use?

If you follow the instructions carefully and buy a whitening kit from a trusted source, yes. It’s still advisable to consult with a dentist before embarking on a new treatment, especially if you have sensitive teeth.

Some home bleaching kits can increase teeth sensitivity so you might need to avoid hot and ice-cold drinks during the treatment process. And in some instances the whitening solution can leak from pre-made trays leading to gum and lip sensitivity, although these effects should only last a few days. Some kits state that they shouldn’t be used in pregnancy or when breastfeeding and there’s usually a minimum age of use.

To avoid damage to tooth enamel, avoid using teeth whitening kits too often.

See related 

• The Best Electric Toothbrushes 2020: Keep Your Teeth Clean And Protect Your Gums From £20
• How to Avoid Fillings and Stains: The Secrets of Dental Health

The Best Teeth-Whitening Kits To Buy

The process is ultra-simple: you just stick the strips to your top and bottom teeth, leave them on for an hour and then brush your teeth. Spotlight strips – created by dentist sisters Lisa and Vanessa Creaven – contain a low dose of hydrogen peroxide, which works to break down stains from the top layer of enamel. One box of strips is enough for a 14-day treatment and you should see some stains lift after the first few days, although given the gentle formula, it’s unlikely you’ll undergo a dramatic transformation. Because the formula is mild you also shouldn’t experience much sensitivity.

Buy on Amazon | £26

This kit looks complicated when you get it out of the box, but thankfully the straightforward instructions make it easy to set up and use. The clinically tested non-peroxide gel is made with ingredients including aloe vera, pomegranate and chamomile, creating a naturally gentle formulation that also contains sodium fluoride. This means it’s ideal if you have sensitive teeth – and it smells delightful too! The kit comes with a mini LED light to speed up the whitening process as well as a mouthguard and a shade guide. It’s best used for 30 minutes at a time over six days, and you’ll need to avoid tea, coffee, curry and the like during that time.

Buy from Superdrug | £39.99

Fast-acting and affordable, this charcoal-based system is a decent introduction to the world of teeth-whitening kits. You shouldn’t expect major colour improvements, but the process can add a bit more dazzle to your gnashers without breaking the bank. After brushing with the charcoal toothpaste included, you rub the surface of each tooth with an accelerator pen, then add gel to the dental trays and leave them in your mouth for ten minutes. The trays can feel fairly loose, making it a little uncomfortable, but it’s not for long – and the full price of the kit is cheaper than some tubes of toothpastes, so it’s worth a try.

Buy from Boots | £12

These pre-filled trays are ready to go straight out of the box and each kit comes with ten individual trays to use across five consecutive days. Because the trays are generic in design, you might find things a little messy and dribbly depending on the size of your teeth, but you only need to use them for 20 minutes a day. The non-hydrogen peroxide formula features white bio-active crystals and polymeric agents designed to stick to the surface of your teeth and create a whitening effect. iWhite also sells aftercare products including toothpaste and mouthwash that are meant to prolong the whitening results.

Buy on Amazon | £18.70

If you’re looking for speedy results but don’t want to commit to nightly whitening sessions, this kit offers more flexibility than most. It contains 20 treatments and gives you scope to use it when it best suits you: ten treatments a day over two days or a couple of treatments a day over the course of a week or so. After applying a whitening solution and brushing with a gel, you just apply the light for two minutes. It’s a fairly straightforward process with no messy mouthguard, and it comes with a shade guide to track your progress.

Buy on Amazon | £28

Billed as a safer alternative to toothpastes with abrasive elements and bleaching agents, this charcoal-based toothpaste contains activated carbon, which is effective at shifting the stain particles that discolour teeth. The paste is jet black in colour and creates a voluminous froth when you brush with it, which seems counterintuitive – but it leaves teeth feeling really clean and fresh. It comes with a soft toothbrush and is meant to be used in conjunction with your regular fluoride-based toothpaste.

Buy on Amazon | £17.55

This won’t do much on its own, but it’s a smart buy to use alongside a whitening toothpaste or other at-home stain-removal product, or if you’ve recently had a professional whitening treatment and want to prolong the effects. You use it like any other mouthwash, simply swirling 20ml around your mouth for 30 seconds, and it contains hydrogen peroxide as an inactive ingredient so it’s safe to use every day. It does contain alcohol, though, so it can produce a dry-mouth feeling.

Buy on Amazon | £6 for 1 litre

If you want to keep things completely natural, this tub of activated charcoal powder has no synthetic additives or abrasive agents like baking soda and salt. It’s vegan-friendly, cruelty-free and made with coconut charcoal, which is porous and naturally adhesive and can help remove stains from surface enamel. The jar should last around half a year with regular use so it offers good value at less than a tenner. Dabbing the powder on a brush can be a messy process and bits can get stuck between your teeth, so it’s advisable to use a mouthwash and/or floss afterwards to remove traces. You won’t get a blinding-white finish but it’s effective at stain removal.

Buy on Amazon | £8.99 for 60ml

It is good to be clean. We’re sure we don’t have to persuade you of that. But even if you wash your face daily and after exercise, we’d wager that you’d be surprised by how much cleaner you’ll feel if you use a face scrub from time to time. They help to shift dead skin cells and other gunk that builds up, leaving your skin looking and feeling fresher.

But with such an abundance of choice nowadays, which one should you choose? To help in that regard we’ve been tirelessly testing face scrubs to help you make a decision.

Just starting with this exfoliating lark? Then this scrub’s refreshing texture combined with a pleasant but unobtrusive fragrance will break you in gently. The mix of moisturiser, olive stone and ginger makes for a creamy consistency, and it leaves your face feeling cleansed and awake – like being roused from your sleep by a gentle hand on the shoulder rather than a bracing slap round the chops.

Buy on Amazon | £9.99 for 100ml

The only people permitted to speak of silky-smooth skin are Green People people. That’s because this shea butter and bamboo-enriched face scrub really grabs on to the dirt and dead skin on your face – and the cherry on top is the, er, cherry powder and grapefruit extract that gives this scrub its scent. Also, Green People is registered with the Vegan Society so you can be assured this scrub is suitable for vegans.

Buy from Green People | £13.50 for 100ml