Blog

Big Agnes Upgraded Bikepacking Tents for 2025

Oct 22, 2025

Featuring upgraded stuff sacks with webbing loops and our proprietary ShortStik pole design, these bikepacking tents pack down into a shorter size, making them a breeze to attach to your bike's handlebars or frame. Optimized for bikepacking, and equipped with all of the great features you'd expect from a premium Big Agnes tent — with one of these in your gear closet, you won't need multiple …
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How to Wash and Care for Your Down Jacket and Sleeping Bag

Posted by Andy Neil on Oct 22, 2025

Washing a down jacket or sleeping bag can feel nerve-wracking, and with good reason. Many people are afraid that washing will cause down to clump and ruin their expensive gear. It’s a common fear, and one that’s kept plenty of jackets unwashed for far too long. But here’s the truth: regular cleaning is not only safe, it’s essential if you want your down to perform at its be …
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Caring for your ePE Gore-Tex

Posted by Andy Neil on Oct 01, 2025

Gore-Tex’s new ePE (expanded polyethene) membrane is the next generation of waterproof-breathable technology. It delivers the trusted protection Gore-Tex is known for, but with a lighter footprint on the planet, thanks to PFAS-free chemistry and a lower carbon impact. Taking care of your ePE jacket is essential: unlike older membranes, ePE relies more heavily on the user’s care to main …
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What is VerticalX ECO SR Insulation?

Oct 01, 2025

Built with lightweight, recycled bluesign® approved fabrics, the Vesper features VerticalX™ ECO SR insulation, which balances warmth, stretch, and breathability. Its wind- and water-resistant shell provides protection from unpredictable weather while maintaining comfort during high-output activities. Thoughtful design details like the insulated hood with brim, elastic cuffs, and adjustab …
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Rab's New Gore-Tex Technology Explained

Oct 01, 2025

When you need breathability, durability and protection in equal measure, this versatile GORE-TEX Shell offers all-round performance for year-round mountain adventures. Built using 3-layer GORE-TEX PRO Product Technology with an innovative fluorocarbon-free ePE membrane, it has tougher fabric across the shoulders and sleeves for abrasion resistance from the repetitive rub of bac …
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Big Agnes Copper Spur UL2 Bikepack Tent Review - ''This new version of the Copper Spur UL Bikepack tent has 2 significant differences to its predecessor.''

Posted by Lois Fife on Sep 29, 2025

The new Big Agnes Copper Spur Bikepack tent has all the key features that define a bikepacking tent, i.e. short pole length and an ability to attach the tent to the bike, whilst performing well in the environment it is intended. It has many additional features that make life on two wheels even more enjoyable! I used the 2-person version of this tent from mid-summer through to autumn for local ove …
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Montane Malli Long Sleeve Zip T-Shirt and Leggings Review - ''They have exceeded my expectation and eliminated concerns about new merino products.''

Posted by Lois Fife on Sep 11, 2025

Merino is a natural material I am very keen on wearing as it is warm, yet regulates temperature, moves moisture well during exercise and doesn’t smell! The downside with merino has always been finding a product that is not itchy against the skin and that will not pull into holes after a short period of time. I have been wearing Montane’s Malli Long Sleeve Zip T-shirt and Leggings for …
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Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid 1 Tent Review - ''The Mid 1 isn’t just a regurgitation of the single skin pyramid design of other brands in Dyneema but a thoughtful redesign of the classic shelter.''

Posted by Mark Richardson on Sep 10, 2025

Frankly, I chose this tent because of its low weight and because having used single skin shelters of this type in the past, I know they provide significantly more space for a given weight. I don’t mind a bit of condensation, which is a fact of life when single skin camping. I soon realised however that the Mid 1 isn’t just a regurgitation of the single skin pyramid design of other bra …
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Primus Micron III Piezo Stove Review - ''The time to boil water seemed extremely fast which I put down to the design of the burner head.''

Posted by Mark Richardson on Sep 10, 2025

I’ve had an up and down relationship with this stove – here’s how it went. I bought the version with the Piezo Igniter, thinking that it was integrated with the stove in some way – not unreasonable given other stoves in this category. However, I was disappointed to find it's actually a separate item altogether. As I always take a Firesteel as backup, I left the igniter at …
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Leki Skysolo FX.One Carbon Trekking Poles Review - ''The bit that impressed me most was the lever mechanism used to release the poles for folding up.''

Posted by Mark Richardson on Sep 10, 2025

Leki are still the market leaders in trekking poles, there are lighter alternatives but there always seem to be compromises, which Leki doesn’t do. So, the SkySolo FX.One Carbon are definitely in the ultralight class just not the lightest, but what you get is a superb pair of poles with no compromises that I could find compared to much heavier brethren. The bit that impressed me most was th …
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Hoka Challenger ATR 7 GTX Review - ''They feel solid yet forgiving out of the box.''

Posted by Mark Richardson on Sep 10, 2025

I chose Hokas for my Chamonix to Zermatt trek because of their comfort, and I wasn’t disappointed, they feel solid yet forgiving out of the box. On reflection though these were the wrong choice for this trek, high altitude trekking is tough on shoes and the Hoka Challenger ATR 7 GTX weren’t up to the task. They immediately showed signs of wear and throughout the trek suffered from bei …
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Sunslice Fusion Flex 6 Portable Solar Power Panel Review - ''I was impressed by this little gadget and it’s probably the best one I’ve used.''

Posted by Mark Richardson on Sep 10, 2025

I decided to try a solar power option because I expected it to be sunny quite a lot of the time. That sounds obvious, but I know from experience that to get the best out of a solar panel, you need full sun directly onto it. Attaching it to the back of a rucksack can be its nemesis. I was also conscious I’d be hiking West to East. This is not ideal since most of the walking should be done by …
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