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Live Competitions No competitions currently live We don't have any competitions going on right now, but we’re gearing up for some exciting prizes coming your way soon. Stay tuned!  Previous Winners Congratulations to Adam! The winner of our Montane Featherlite Jacket competition! "Great jacket. Lightweight, keeps the wind off, and is surprisingly warm. Plus will keep a l …

Petrel Pot  The pot is over 750ml, and gives a working capacity of 750ml, manufacturers often quote the full capacity of the pot even though you can’t use it to the full. This is a brilliant size for the solo backpacker, you can boil enough water for a freeze dried meal and a cuppa at the same time. If you were trying to cook things like stews, or warm through tinned meals this would s …

I’ll be honest; in researching this article I’ve been shocked at the potential issues from the reuse of PET bottles. What I’ve discovered will change my habits beyond just backpacking. For years, the Smartwater single use PET bottle has been synonymous with ultralight backpacking. Plenty of companies make rucksack shoulder pouches specifically to fit a Smartwater bottle. PET (pol …

The Nemo Eclipse All-Season Regular Wide is the comfiest sleeping mat I have used, which is why it has become my go-to choice for most of my recent trips. I was lucky enough to get hold of it in March before its release, so thanks to Nemo for the early sample. It has seen some proper use since then. I used it at the Outdoor And Social event, then took it on a 50-mile section of the Pennine Way. S …

Pictures: Looking back near the Bocca Palmentu (right) and Refuge d’E Capanelle (left). Day 1 – Vizzavona to (Gite d’Etape U Fugone) Refuge d’E Capanelle The first day is 9 miles and 5.5hrs and after staying in a hotel in Vizzavona I was able to get a great start, the route is easy to find and well way-marked and it was good to get going. I climbed the first section throug …

In 2013 I trekked the first half of the GR20 on Corsica between Calenzana and Vizzavona, (you can read about it here: GR20 - 2013 - Trip Report). This year I decided to complete the route. Commonly referred to as the ‘easier half’ the Southern section from Vizzavona to Conca is far from easy! Character The GR20 is affectionately known as the ‘Toughest trek in Europe’, …

Costs I took 300Euros travelling money but this wasn’t enough really. Campsite fees were generally 20Euros per night, a beer was 10Euros at the refuges and I bought one evening meal for 25Euros and one breakfast for 9Euros. A taxi on my first travel day cost 25 Euros and I bought food items along the way – all transactions that required cash. I returned with 50Euros+ which I’d k …

Outbound I flew from Manchester and booked the car into a long stay park, I usually use Drop&Go as this has always been convenient and hassle free. My flight was via Rome and there was a 3 hour transfer time, this seemed enough but I was worried about reported queues at the new Shengen terminals. As it was the machines were bi-passed at Rome in favour of the traditional booth and customs offi …

It is not often when you have a piece of clothing that really impresses you with not only looks but also its performance. The Norste XT 3L jacket is a simply stunning piece of kit. Rain? No problem. The main function of a waterproof jacket is that you want to remain dry, or in challenging weather conditions, as dry as possible. Keeping the water out is the outer fabric ‘Pertex Shield 3L&rsq …

More than forty years since the founding, Rab continues to find inspiration in the untamed spirit of the mountains, the friendships forged on the peak, and their enduring mission: to grow a community of Mountain People and equip them for adventure. Rab is committed to putting people at the heart of what they do. From partners and athletes to staff and everyone who has used and loved their gea …

Montane has become synonymous with lightweight and breathable clothing and equipment. For over 30 years Montane has worked closely with serious mountain professionals working in hostile conditions across the globe as a proving ground for garment design. From the British Antarctic Survey to British Mountain Rescue Teams. Professionals who demand the toughest credentials from their clothing and equi …

Nnormal wasn’t a brand that had been on my radar before but within a couple of miles of running in a pair of the Tomir 2.0 GTX I felt comfortable and confident that I would enjoy using these. I baptised the shoes quickly as I had to contend with some long stretches of wet, sloppy singletrack mud over some undulating ground. To begin with I did try avoiding getting the shoes submerged, mainl …