There’s a particular pleasure in travelling light. A pack on your back, a trail disappearing into the hills, perhaps a tent waiting to be pitched before dark. The best outdoor kit tends to share the same qualities: it’s compact, dependable and does its job without demanding much thought.

That philosophy has been at the heart of Opinel since the French brand was founded in the Alps in 1890. Its pocketknives have become instantly recognisable for their simple design and practical construction. Now, its latest collection adapts that formula for three rather different kinds of adventure.

For days in the mountains, there’s the néo7 Alpine. Built around an 8cm serrated blade and Opiflex® ring, it pairs a lightweight polypropylene handle with an overmoulded cork grip for extra purchase. Practical touches include a 100dB emergency whistle and a holder compatible with standard screwdriver bits, making it a compact bit of kit for hikes, camps and days spent away from civilisation.

The N°08 Horizon, meanwhile, riffs on Opinel’s best-known silhouette. Its 8cm stainless-steel blade is secured by the brand’s Virobloc® safety ring, while a tough polyamide handle keeps things light enough to disappear into a pocket or pack. A lanyard hole makes it easy to keep close to hand, and an integrated 110dB whistle adds a useful safety feature when routes take you further off the beaten track.

Heading towards the water? The N°09 Ocean has been designed with sailors and coastal adventurers in mind. Its partially serrated 9cm blade comes with a Virobloc® double safety ring, while the polyamide handle houses a hardened-steel marlinspike for working with ropes and knots. There’s a 110dB whistle and lanyard hole, too, making it equally at home aboard a boat or packed for a weekend beside the sea.

Different tools for different landscapes, then, but the thinking behind them is reassuringly consistent. More than a century after Opinel began making knives in the French Alps, the emphasis remains on straightforward, useful design built to accompany adventures rather than complicate them.

Explore the new Opinel Outdoor range and other specialist outdoor products through exclusive UK distributor Whitby & Co at whitbyandco.co.uk