This summer, reach for the Summit!

If you're an active type like me (quiet at the back there) you'll be on the lookout for new outdoor clothes to help you make the most of the gradually improving weather. Say, then, you decide to do a little last-minute hiking or hill-walking, and find out that old pair of walking boots just isn't going to do the job. Problem, right?

Well, a new social enterprise specialising in outdoor clothes might just save the weekend. Summit Clothing offer a rapid response time and can deliver all orders placed before 7pm the next working day.  The website sells top range brands for hiking, climbing, mountaineering, camping and general outdoor adventuring, which can be delivered in record time ready for last minute trips.

Run entirely by volunteers, and with 50% of all profits going to charity, this isn't your usual outdoor store. I'll let Keiran Hawkin, founder of Summit, tell you more:

“Summit Clothing is breaking the boundaries and perceptions of a small social enterprise, by offering the exact same products and services as other businesses.  We have even gone a step further than many of our competitors by offering next day delivery before 7pm and unrivalled customer service.  Summit Clothing offers the same top quality brands and improved service compared to other adventure stores, but the main differentiation is our ethical values.

 50% of all our profits are donated and re-invested into global projects close to our hearts that will resonate with our customers.  From helping disadvantaged children take part in outdoor sports, to making sure remote communities have access to clean water, Summit Clothing is making a difference.”

So far, Summit have teamed with iDID Adventure, helping kids from disadvantaged backgrounds to enjoy a holiday in England's wide open spaces. They plan to partner with a range of companies to supply water filters to remote communities in Nepal who currently have no access to clean drinking water. But there's no compromise on quality or choice either, as Summit supply top-name brands like Mountain Hardwear, Grivel and Montan.

So, if you need outdoor gear in a hurry, looks like it's worth giving Summit Clothing a visit. Social responsibility and all the choice you'd expect from a big supplier? Best get your boots on...

Summit Clothing