Blog

Choosing a sleeping bag can be a daunting task. Getting started with so many different options and variations can be difficult. This will be one of the biggest investments, along with your tent, for backpacking, so it's important that you make the right choice for what you need. We want you to pick the best sleeping bag for your adventures, so we've compiled this guide to help you narrow your …

Now, I’m not a total novice to using trekking poles having done multiple hikes with poles and long-distance trail runs using poles. However, using more budget choices, I was eager to see what a premium trekking/running pole has to offer over the cheaper alternatives. With all this in mind, Leki’s Cross Trail FX Superlite trekking poles, upon review, appeared to be perfect for my needs and spe …

Exped describes the Dura 5R M as a ‘durable, extra-warm mat for demanding adventures, including extended outings in alpine and polar regions, rugged paddling trips and overlanding.’ Compared to their Ultra range this is quite large in comparison with a weight of approx. 900 grams including the inflation bag and an R-value of 4.8. Having also been using the Exped Ultra 7R alon …

Big Agnes would not be a name that springs to mind when considering a proper expedition backpack. To be completely honest very similar to choosing footwear we often tend to stick to the brands we know are tried and tested. A backpack can be a very personal item and an ill-fitting pack that causes issues on route will inevitably ruin an otherwise enjoyable trip. To quickly skip to the e …

I converted to hiking poles in 2017 when I completed Wainwright’s coast-to-coast. They help you power up hills, take pressure off your knees, and stay balanced on uneven terrain. A mountain lead I know says, “There are two types of people who hike with poles, those with bad knees and those that don't want bad knees”. I use trekking poles to erect my tent, so they support me and my shelt …

Every so often a product arrives at the Ultralight office that we all get excited about. That was definitely the case with the  Enlightened Equipment Torrid Apex jacket. When our first Torrid Apex jacket arrived, we took one look and immediately knew that this jacket was something a bit special. Using a ridiculously light 7D fabric this jacket weighs about the same as a …

The Pure Clear Life Filter Personal Survival Straw sets itself apart from the rest of its competitors in a few ways; firstly, the price, it's almost half the cost of some of the other leading water filtration devices, and most notably, the  Pure Clear Life Filter doesn't just filter out bacteria silt and protozoa as the other standard water filters do, it also removes viruses, he …

Having completed this year's TGO challenge, one of my constant companions along the way was Pure Clears Collapsible Squeeze Water Filter Bottle. After 14 days use, here are my thoughts; Before using the water filter bottle, one of the biggest draws was the price, at £27.95 it is a much more attractive proposition compared to some of Pure Clears main rivals, which have RRP’s upwar …

Lightweight doesn’t mean light on comfort. Perfect for ambitious backcountry adventures, the Litehouse strikes the perfect balance between livable space and ultralight design. This incredibly strong freestanding 2 door, 2 vestibule tent is constructed with lightweight 15D Nylon and hub-less pole set for an incredibly small pack size. Two vertical walls increase livability, while the tapered footpr …

Darn Tough Vermont is a family owned, American manufacturer of end-use-specific socks. We design, manufacture, sell, and promote the most comfortable, durable, and best-fitting socks available in the market today. This promise is backed up by our unconditional lifetime guarantee:  if you can wear out our socks, we will replace them free of charge. Yarn is just yarn. Machines are just machines …

Built with the backcountry in mind, NEMO’s ultralight gear sheds every gram possible while maintaining peak performance and liveability. NEMO’s ultralight tents trim weight by relying heavily on stakes for tension and structure support. Fewer poles and more mesh panels net out to a lighter load — and the ability to pack down smaller! …

I have used this 750 litre bottle as my main hydration system for 2 multi-day trips. It is perfect if there is a regular water source to collect from as it eliminates the need to carry excess fluid. Setting the bottle up for the first time requires the filter to be sat in water for a couple of minutes to activate it, then put it into the bottle. Using the  Active Water Filte …