MAY FIELD NOTES: Longer Days, Lighter Layers
A Month of Longer Days
May is that quiet month where we turn from spring to summer — the moment when the days stretch out, everything is brighter, and the countryside shifts into full bloom. Mornings are brighter earlier, evenings linger longer, and everything feels a little more possible outdoors. Here in Somerset we finally have all the trees back in full leaf which always seems to happen within a few days.
Seasonal Notes
The hedgerows are filling out now, with cow parsley, stitchwort and the first foxgloves starting to show. Fields are settling into their early‑summer green, a bit deeper and more established than April’s new growth. The ground is still holding some of last month’s damp and we should have seen the last of the frosts. The air is warmer, perfect for having that morning cup of coffee outside.
Birdsong starts earlier, and there’s enough light in the evenings to stretch a walk a little further. The countryside simply feels more active — the kind of shift that makes getting outside feel straightforward again.
Gear Refresh
May is a good time to give your outdoor kit a quick once‑over. Nothing major — just a few small checks that make everyday miles easier as the weather changes.
Shake out your waterproof and make sure it’s still beading properly
Brush off dried mud from walking shoes and check the tread
Swap out flattened insoles if they’ve had a busy winter
Empty pockets and bags of old dog bags, receipts and old shopping lists
Give your fleece a gentle wash so it’s fresh for lighter‑layer days
Keep a small towel and spare layer in the car for longer evenings out
Add a tick remover to your walking kit — May is when they start appearing
Simple jobs, but they make heading out the door feel easier as the days stretch and the weather settles.
Everyday Outdoors
This is the month for small outdoor rituals:
a quick loop before work because the light allows it
coffee outside without reaching for a coat
evening walks that stretch a little further
the first sit‑down on a warm stone wall
May rewards the everyday outdoors — the simple, practical moments that make you feel connected to the season.
What to Wear — The Trail 1/4 Zip
May is the month where layers become lighter and more deliberate. You don’t need the bulk of winter, but you still want something that handles cool starts and warm spells without fuss.
The Trail ¼‑Zip has been our everyday choice — a lightweight fleece that holds warmth when you need it and releases heat when you pick up the pace. Ideal for early dog walks, hillside paths, and those in‑between days where the forecast can’t quite decide.
It’s the kind of layer you forget you’re wearing until you realise it’s doing exactly what you need it to.
Shop the Trail 1/4 Zip