Blog

Montane Trailblazer 24 & 25 Backpack

Mar 10, 2024

For spring summer 24, we are excited to unveil our newly redeveloped range of Trailblazer packs. Launched several years ago and building on this backpack's popularity, we've introduced recycled materials throughout, as well as new innovative storage options and a wider range of capacities. Whether fastpacking on an overnight adventure, hiking to a sunset summit, or taking on a minimalist day …
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Big Agnes Tent Guide

Mar 04, 2024

We stock the key ranges of Big Agnes tents, find out which they are and what they do here. — It's a straightforward pitch, just one pole. The bivvy can be secured with five peg-out points, though only three pegs are provided, unless in strong winds, once your matt is inside, that will give the bivvy most of its structure. I'm assuming the "three wire" in the Three wire hooped bivvy refer …
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MSR's Lightweight Bikepacking Kit List

Posted by Lois Fife on Mar 01, 2024

Whether you are racing the length or breadth of the country or enjoying a scenic tour of coffee shops and stately homes, your basic needs for shelter, sleeping and making a brew won’t differ greatly so, here are a few items that are compact and lightweight enough to fit on the bike and not weigh you down, allowing you to enjoy your next adventure. The main characteristics of a bikepacking …
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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Ultralight Sleeping Mat

Feb 26, 2024

The key factors to take into consideration when choosing a sleeping mat are the pack size, weight, your budget and most importantly what time of year you will be using it which, determines the level of insulation you need. Comfort in an outdoor sense is partly dictated by being able to iron out the lumps and bumps in the ground with the mat, but insulation is king and if you’re cold you won’t slee …
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Exped Sleeping Mats Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 23, 2024

What's in a Name? Exped have named their mats in a way that identifies the key features of the mat. Some examples are dissected here. — The Ultra mats are the lightest series and are made using 20D recycled ripstop Polyester. The Dura mats are built to be durable (what else?) and use 75D Polyester on the top and 170D Polyester on the base, so they are much more puncture resistant than th …
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Nemo Equipment Sleeping Mat Ranges Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 22, 2024

We stock the key ranges of Nemo sleeping mats, find out which they are and what they do here. — Improving on our original, best-selling Tensor line, Tensor™ Trail offers versatile warmth for three-season adventures where weight is the top priority. Designed to take you from spring to fall, it keeps nights restful and packs up light. The pad’s interior features NEMO’s proprietary Spacefra …
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RAB Xenair Range - Intelligent Insulation

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 22, 2024

Impressively breathable, adaptable and versatile, Xenair is our synthetic insulation collection for mountain ascents. Intelligently body mapping different densities of insulation and air-permeable fabrics, they respond and regulate your temperature. All the garments in the Xenair range have body mapped Primaloft Gold Active+ Insulation in two weights, from the 40g per square metre mapped with …
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Sea to Summit Sleeping Bag and Quilt Ranges Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 21, 2024

We stock the key ranges of Sea to Summit sleeping bags, find out which they are, our opinion and what they do on this page. — The Spark sleeping bag is the perfect option for lightweight adventures that puts comfort at the forefront. The optimal warmth to weight ratio and 850+ FILL Power makes this bag as comfortable as it is compact and easily packable. The Spark Women's sleeping bag is …
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The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Ultralight Rucksack

Feb 21, 2024

With so many packs to choose from it can be hard to know where to start - here are a few pointers to help with your selection.Start with CapacityPin down the capacity you need by looking at your gear - if you have an old rucksack and you know its capacity then use this to guage what capacity you need. If it's for winter as well as summer use you'll need extra capacity for extra, bulkier gear - if …
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Technology Page - Thermo Ionic Lining Technology

Feb 20, 2024

Rab's new fabric, TILT (Thermo Ionic Lining Technology), is used in the inner lining of their top-of-the-line sleeping bags, sleeping mats and down jackets. This technology reflects heat back toward the body, reducing radiative heat loss and increasing warmth. It significantly improves the warmth-to-weight ratio without altering the fabric's original properties or adding weight. At Ultralight Outd …
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MSR Tent Buying Guide

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 02, 2024

We stock all the key MSR tent models and on this page we look at what they are and how they differ from each other. We also give our opinion. — So compact and light, it’s hardly noticeable in your pack, the Front Range tarp shelter lets parties of four move faster on giant alpine missions and ski traverses, with all-season protection from the elements. Supremely versatile—it makes a featherwe …
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Montbell Warmth Guide

Posted by Montbell on Jan 30, 2024

Sweater Weight Warmth: Light in weight and highly compressible these garments travel well, but when needed deploy easily yielding lofty down sweaters of surprising warmth. Versatile thermal components, these pieces’ shine as a middle layers in shoulder seasons, while proving essential on their own in cool backcountry conditions. Mid-Weight Warmth: Compact and portable these pieces p …
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