Blog

Eight years ago, I first hiked the West Highland Way. Since then, I’ve clocked up thousands of miles on trails all across the UK, learning, refining, and stripping back my kit with each trip. So, returning to the Way this summer, I’m walking it with more experienced legs and a much more dialled-in, ultralight setup. For a full, itemised breakdown of my kit, including weights and catego …

Bikepacking Travelling on two feet can require little more than a rucksack to carry your belongings and enable you to travel far. An ultralight journey on two wheels can require a bit more thought. Some of the main factors being the terrain and the duration of the ride. Gruelling miles off road can feel very different to those on the road, and take a lot longer, but the rewards when both road ri …

Arguably, the most essential piece of outdoor clothing is your baselayer. The base layer is the layer that sits closest to your skin and is the fundamental layer of the three-layer system, baselayer, mid-layer and protective outer shell. The baselayers move moisture away from the body, which helps with temperature regulation. They tend to be made from synthetic materials, usually polyester, merino …

The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar (72g) is a rugged, GPS-enabled multi-sport watch built for outdoor adventure. It offers offline maps, dual-band GNSS tracking, an altimeter, barometer, compass, and solar-assisted battery life. While it’s capable of tracking just about every sport under the sun, I’ve used it exclusively for hiking and camping. I first started using the Suunto Vertical …

The Exped Skyline backpack is a rugged backpack that leans more towards comfort and durability over being truly lightweight. Coming in at 1534 grams this is certainly on the heavier side, although it is obvious where those extra grams have been distributed. The outer fabric is made using 450D polyester, which has a 1500mm water column, making it practically waterproof except for maybe around the …

Backpacking quilts are rapidly increasing in popularity, especially amongst lightweight backpackers. So, what is a backpacking quilt? Essentially, it’s half a sleeping bag with no bottom layer (although there might be a footbox) and in most cases no zip or hood. The down in a sleeping bag gets compressed underneath you so do you really need it? Here are some of the key positives and negative …

Live Competitions Enter our Competition to Win a Suunto Watch and Headphones! The winner will win a Suunto Watch and a pair of Suunto Headphones in their chosen style and colour (subject to availability). Enter Here! Enter our Competition to Win an Exped Skyline 30L or 45L Pack! The winner will win an Exped Skyline 30L or 40L Rucksack in their chosen size and colour (subject to availability). …

Carrying comfort is particularly important for any backpack — this is precisely where the Skyline series scores highly. Thanks to the newly developed Air-Flow back system, the backpack sits comfortably, and your back is optimally ventilated. This means less sweating and more comfort. An additional lightweight steel frame improves load control in the larger models (30 and 45 litres), and the …

Suunto was founded over 80 years ago by Tuomas Vohlonen, a Finnish adventurer. In 1936, unsatisfied with current technology, knee deep in snow, and in the all-day Arctic darkness, he invented a liquid-filled compass with a steadier, more accurate needle. He was a revolutionary. And he was never lost.

For me, the number one irritation on the trail is some idiot with a Bluetooth speaker. A very close second, however, is chafing, especially on multi-day hikes. It can seriously ruin your day, and that’s why we need to talk about a bit of kit that rarely gets the spotlight: your underpants. Specifically, SAXX, because once you’ve hiked in SAXX, you never go back.

The Times Roam Sunglasses were put to the test on a very sunny holiday. I was immediately impressed with how lightweight and packable they are. Thanks to the clever folding strap that stays securely in place when worn, you can also fold them flat when not in use. They’re ideal for wearing loosely around your neck or for storing in your pack or pocket. The adjustable, flexible strap allows f …

Sun hoodies have become indispensable gear for long-distance hikers and anyone exploring the outdoors in summer. Sun hoodies have gained popularity for their all-in-one solution for sun protection, moisture management, and temperature regulation, making them an essential part of any kit list. Historically, hikers relied on sunscreen, hats, and loose-fitting long-sleeve shirts for sun pro …