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Sian Lewis

Travel and outdoors journalist

Sian Lewis is an award-winning travel and outdoors journalist and author based in the Cotswolds. She focuses on adventure travel, outdoor pursuits, gardening and parenting and likes to find sustainable and eco-friendly products to review. She has written for The Independent’s product review section IndyBest since 2020, testing everything from the best hiking boots and walking poles to camping mats, tents and luggage. She’s also contributed to Lonely Planet, The Guardian and The Sunday Times, and she edits the award-winning blog thegirloutdoors.co.uk. Follow Sian on Instagram: @sianannalewis.

<p>We rolled each bag over a few miles, to see how they fared </p>
Luggage

8 best backpacks with wheels for a smooth ride, tried and tested

<p>During testing, we considered comfort, durability and weatherproofing</p>
Hiking

Best hiking and walking boots for women 2024

<p>From wild camping in Scotland to glamping on the Cornish coast, these mats were tested thoroughly </p>
Travel & outdoors

11 best camping mats for sleeping comfortably in the great outdoors

<p>We looked for easy temperature control, quick grilling and simple assembly </p>
BBQs & Accessories

Best portable BBQs 2024: Gas, charcoal and more

<p>We tested a range of walking poles on country walks and mountain treks</p>
Hiking

Best walking poles 2024, tried and tested during hiking adventures

<p>We paid close attention to comfort and durability, while comparing each car seat for ease of installation and adjustability</p>
Baby Tech & Essentials

Best car seats 2024, tried and tested for safety

<p>We took each buggy for a 5km jog on tarmac and groomed dirt trails</p>
Baby Tech & Essentials

7 best running buggies, tried and tested

<p>Some sites have their own secluded bodies of water </p>
UK

The best wild swimming spots for dips, short stays or holidays

<p>Look for boots with built-in insulation, such as PrimaLoft, or textiles such as sheepskin, fleece or felt</p>
Winter Sports

15 best women’s snow boots for warm feet this winter

<p>Warmth, breathability and waterproofing are crucial for the slopes </p>
Winter Sports

Best women’s ski pants to stay warm on the slopes

<p>We looked for full waterproofing and a comfortable fit that worked well over winter layers</p>
Winter Sports

Best women’s ski jackets, tried and tested

<p>We tried each pair in cold and wet conditions to assess their warmth and waterproofing</p>
Travel & outdoors

9 best ski gloves and mittens for men and women to wear on the slopes

<p>Finding a ski helmet that is comfortable and practical is key </p>
Winter Sports

9 best ski helmets for hitting the slopes

Winter Sports

9 best ski helmets for hitting the slopes

<p>Finding a ski helmet that is comfortable and practical is key </p>
<p>A view towards Suilven mountain, in the Assynt area of Scotland’s west coast </p>
UK

How to try a bothy stay as a first-timer in Scotland

<p>We tested how quick and easy they were to erect and to fold away</p>
Camping

15 best festival tents for stress-free and weatherproof camping

<p>These were tested on warm nights in the Cotswolds and in winter temperatures in the Cairngorm mountain range in Scotland </p>
Camping

12 best sleeping bags for camping, festivals and trekking in 2023

<p>The island is low on modern development and high on Mother Nature</p>
Travel

Why resilient Dominica is the nature-packed island for the adventurous

<p>The island is low on modern development and high on Mother Nature</p>
Travel

Why resilient Dominica is the nature-packed island for the adventurous

<p>Stortorget square in Stockholm, Sweden</p>
Europe

Sweden travel guide: Everything you need to know

<p>Grin and bear it: Sian braves the icy waters at Löyly Helsinki</p>
Finland

Are ice swimming and sauna rituals the key to Finland’s happiness?

Cool off with a refreshing wild swim
UK

10 best wild swimming spots near London

<p>Sian exploring the Bohuslan archipelago</p>
Sustainable travel

Why West Sweden is Europe’s straight-A student for sustainability

<p>An otherworldly walk along Sarn Helen</p>
Wales

Discovering Sarn Helen, Wales’ ancient Roman way

Thera-Sea offers water-based activities as part of its retreats
UK

Can a rewilding retreat really help your mental health?

We put offerings from brands like Columbia and Canada Goose through their paces in the elements
Hiking

15 best women’s mid layers that will keep you warm in cold weather

We recommend choosing a jacket with certain key design features, such as a snow skirt, which does up snugly around your waist to stop any snow getting in if you do fall over
Winter Sports

12 best women’s ski and snowboard jackets to face the elements with

Thera-Sea offers water-based activities as part of its retreats
UK

Can a rewilding retreat really help your mental health?

We put offerings from brands like Columbia and Canada Goose through their paces in the elements
Hiking

15 best women’s mid layers that will keep you warm in cold weather

We recommend choosing a jacket with certain key design features, such as a snow skirt, which does up snugly around your waist to stop any snow getting in if you do fall over
Winter Sports

12 best women’s ski and snowboard jackets to face the elements with

Choose from GPS trackers, waterproof and solar powered models
Sports & Fitness

10 best adventure-ready smart watches for outdoor sports

Sports & Fitness

10 best adventure-ready smart watches for outdoor sports

Choose from GPS trackers, waterproof and solar powered models
We’ve tried and tested a range of tents for different budgets and different holiday demands  
Camping

10 best 4-man tents that are perfect for camping adventures this summe

It’s important to recognise that these discussions are not an attack on ‘all men’
Women

How to talk about sexual harassment

Hiking is a great way to get a cardio workout in and can even help reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes
SPONSORED

Hiking tips: How to get into walking to bring out your inner explorer

Here be kelpies: Dun Caan and Loch na Mna
UK

A road trip around the new breed of distilleries in the Hebrides

Here be kelpies: Dun Caan and Loch na Mna
UK

A road trip around the new breed of distilleries in the Hebrides

Freedive foraging
UK

What it’s like to go freedive foraging on the Cornish coast

USA

5 best flashlights

USA

11 best women's ski and snowboard jackets

Sports Equipment & Accessories

9 best women's sports sunglasses

Fifteen per cent of Londoners have experienced unwanted sexual attention on the Tube
Crime

What it’s really like to be assaulted on the London Underground

Cliff camping means sleeping over the edge of a cliff
Activity & Adventure

This is what it’s like to sleep dangling from a cliff edge

Make your gap year work for you, whether it’s by ticking off your must-visit list or gaining work experience
News & Advice

A Level results 2016: gap year ideas for exam-weary students

Kayaking on the Bay of Fundy
Activity & Adventure

Activity drive: add some adventure to your road trip

Surfing in Lombok
Activity & Adventure

The best surf camps for beginners

The station building houses the apartments
Wales

Alpine Apartments, Betws-y-Coed, Wales - hotel review

Dog gone: husky sledging in Alaska
Skiing

Not into skiing? There are other ways to enjoy the sno

Skiing

Not into skiing? There are other ways to enjoy the sno

Dog gone: husky sledging in Alaska
A school of fish pass a scuba diver on the Barrier Reef
Australasia & Pacific

The Great Barrier Reef: Diving the reef for the first time

Come out of your shell: snorkelling on the Reef
Australasia & Pacific

The Great Barrier Reef: David Attenborough returns for the BBC

Feel the heat: warm up by the fire after a wild swim
UK

Wild Britain: From ice climbing amid snow-clad peaks to secret swims

Pedal and press: Wine tours on two wheels in South Africa
Activity Holidays

Winter activity breaks: From South Africa's vineyards to Spanish walks

Pedal and press: Wine tours on two wheels in South Africa
Activity Holidays

Winter activity breaks: From South Africa's vineyards to Spanish walks

Cenote X’keken
Activity & Adventure

Wild swimming: Forget the pool

Precious Primates: The gorillas of Uganda are a major draw
News & Advice

Active travel: go wild on your next adventure

Perfect Finnish: Take a dip in a pristine lake
News & Advice

Short-haul trips that are big on adventure: From Finland to the Isles

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