Blog

At the beginning of March this year, I was fortunate enough to be invited onto a winter skill course by Berghaus. Berghaus were keen to hear our opinions on their new EXTREM clothing range. The EXTREM Range was launched in 1986 and was designed to be used in the World's most extreme conditions, and for nearly four decades the line has advanced and evolved into the brand-new range we ha …

Heading into Autumn, I was able to put the new Rab VR Ridgeline through its paces on Lakeland trail running adventure, testing out in the arena it was designed to excel in. What is Vapour-Rise™ Rab’s Vapour Rise (VR) range has been with us for some time now, designed as an ‘active insulation’ piece that can be worn through changing weather conditions. The original vision from Ra …

Single skin or Two skin? Most people choose a two skin tent because single skin tents suffer more from condensation Two skin tents tend to be warmer because of the air between the inner and outer Single skin tents tend to be lighter and more spacious 3 Season versus 4 Season? 4 Season tents handle wind and rain better and some are capable of handling snow 4 Se …

What are they? PFCs are ‘perfluorinated compounds’ or ‘fluorocarbons’; man-made chemicals used in the manufacturing of a wide range of goods. What’s the problem? The PFCs get into the environment during manufacturing or from finished products and don’t break down, or else they do breakdown but into more toxic substances. PFCs have been found all over the planet, in people an …

The new Vapour Rise Summit Jacket is an update on the classic series that has been a constant fixture in the multisport jacket category for years. The reason for this is the high level of versatility it offers not just in the activities that you can use it for but also the conditions that you can use it in. Making it one of the first things you will want to pop into your bag whatever …

When you step into a Scarpa walking boot or shoe, you can be sure it has been carefully designed and tested to suit you and your activity. Designed to handle anything the UK hills, fells, and paths can throw at you, our range includes lightweight, synthetic and leather walking boots and shoes, including GORE-TEX and H-Dry waterproof membrane options. - The Rush Trek LT GTX is a lightweight ri …

As the nights are drawing in and the temperature is starting to dip, we are excited about the prospect of the upcoming winter camping season. Winter camping can be more challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Cosy nights curled up in the tents, crisp frosty mornings, and dark star-filled skies are all only a few months away. So, we have teamed up with our friends at EXPED to de …

After a couple of days spent in the Lake District, I was able to gain my first impressions of Enlightened Equipment’s Enigma Quilt (20F). My first impressions were that it seemed well-made with an interesting angular U-shaped baffle design and fully sewn in footbox. The 850 fill allowed the bag to loft with ease and the bag packed down smaller than expected. Whilst it comes with a stu …

When backpacking I want a very lightweight insulated windproof layer for daytime use and a down jacket for evening, with of course the flexibility to wear them both if it gets very cold. The insulation value I need for the down jacket depends on the temperatures I expect. I took the  Alpine 850 Lite Down Hoodie with me on a recent backpacking trip to the Scottish Highlands at the …

For me, a baselayer is all about comfort, and that means high wicking, odour control and those details that make a garment fit well. Montane’s  Dart series are great examples of an ideal baselayer, the fabric has 4-way stretch and flatlocked seams which means they can sit against your skin without feeling restrictive in any way, and without the irritation that a conventional se …

For me, a baselayer is all about comfort, and that means high wicking, odour control and those details that make a garment fit well. Montane’s  Dart series are great examples of an ideal baselayer, the fabric has 4-way stretch and flatlocked seams which means they can sit against your skin without feeling restrictive in any way, and without the irritation that a conventional se …

The first thing to notice on the Montane Dynamic Nano Pants is their slim fit design, making them super versatile, as they can be used for walking or running. They fit well, hugging the legs without being too tight and the Raptor 4-way stretch fabric seems really durable and offers some protection in light rain too. The design is simple, but extremely effective. The slim, tapered fit …