Blog

My Introduction to Scottish Munro’s - Ben Alder – April 2023

Posted by Lois Fife on Jun 06, 2023

When given the opportunity to join a trek in the Scottish Highlands, I jumped at the chance. Being a regular hill walker on the North York Moors and with a few multi-day hikes in the Lakes under my belt, I had done very little, on foot that far north. My kit choices for the weekend were selected based on a damp but calm weather forecast and potential overnight low temperatures into mi …
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Nemo Sleep System Review - "Perfect for 3 and 4-season use in the UK''

Posted by Lois Fife on May 25, 2023

As a cold sleeper, I find the combination of the Nemo Women’s Riff 15 Sleeping bag and the Tensor Insulated sleeping mat perfect for 3 and 4-season use in the UK. The spoon shaped Riff 15 has 825g of down in the Women’s (and 540g in the men’s) and 800 fill power in both versions giving a comfort limit of -9C for both men and women. As a side sleeper, I find the Riff has the ben …
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Montane Down Ranges Explained

May 23, 2023

Discover our range of Montane's down insulated winter jackets, engineered to keep you warm in cold weather conditions. Created with outdoor activities in mind, we have a range of Montane down jackets that offer lightweight versatility, durability and warmth. Ideal for high-altitude adventures or cooler evenings at camp, our down jackets have been designed with exceptional warmth to weight rat …
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Andy’s 2023 TGO Kit List

Posted by Andy Neil on May 09, 2023

May means one thing here in the Ultralight office, The Great Outdoors Challenge, or the TGO for short. We are incredibly proud to be a sponsor of this communal coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland. Three of our team, Danny, Chris and myself, are participating in this year’s TGO, so I thought I’d give you an insight into what’s in my pack and some of the gear I’ll be taking for this year’s chal …
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Montane Shell Ranges Explained

May 03, 2023

Incorporating reliable waterproof protection, breathable fabrics as well as lightweight, packable designs, Montane's waterproof jackets combine comfort with protection. In short, a Montane waterproof jacket helps you focus on breaking new boundaries, no matter what the weather throws at you. Browse Montane's range of waterproof jackets and choose from a range of options to find the waterproof …
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Rab Gore-Tex Paclite Plus Range

May 03, 2023

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Being serious about your mountaineering adventure means carrying a back-up shell that’s exceptionally packable and lightweight, very breathable, and protects you with the GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY promise. Proven to be abrasion resistant and very durable, with GORE‑TEX PACLITE® PLUS garments you are ready for unexpected adventures.

GORE-TEX Paclite Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on May 02, 2023

GORE-TEX comes in many forms - we look at GORE-TEX Paclite on this page and give our opinion of it. - Sunshine turns to rain. A cold wind picks up. Whether you’re commuting to work, or only halfway through your weekend walk, having a lightweight, packable back-up jacket with you means you are prepared to make more of every day. Designed to provide comfort and reliable protection, all GORE‑TEX …
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Montane's Lightest Running Kit

May 02, 2023

With nothing weighing you down, how far could you go? If you held nothing back, how fast could you be? We design running kit design to take you places you didn’t know you could go. Lung-busting climbs, blissfully peaceful summits and lyrically soaring descents…trail running allows you to really indulge in the effort of your goals. Resting in the heart of the Lake District National Park, the i …
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Guide to Black Diamond Trekking Poles

Apr 26, 2023

Black Diamond were virtually the first company to bring to market truly lightweight foldable trekking poles suitable for trekking and running, the engineering is outstanding and over the years they have honed and perfected the features so they are now among the best poles available. They aren't so good at naming them, however, since the words and letters used in the names have specific meanin …
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OMM Core Technology Explained

Apr 25, 2023

The OMM CORE Range is a new concept in active insulation made entirely from PRIMALOFT ACTIVE ultra-light insulating fabric. Built from a synthetic plume woven through a knitted mesh CORE offers the warmth of a fleece but with less than half the weight. Paired with a shell, the CORE is an incredibly effective insulator, but the lightest breeze can take away that heat thanks to near-total air perm …
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La Sportiva TX Hike Mid Review - “I’d be very happy to take these on a long trek, ideal for 3 season use”

Posted by Mark Richardson on Apr 24, 2023

I’ve used these a couple of times on backpacking trips and a day hike in the Lake District during February & March and can verify the comfort claims straight out of the box. La Sportiva explains that the extra volume in the front area of the boot is designed to deliver comfort and this is really apparent as soon as you put the boots on, furthermore, the rest of the boot seems to be …
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Exped Orion II UL Review - “Strong and spacious it became the tent we would look to carry if expecting mixed weather”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 18, 2023

This is a tent we are certainly familiar with, having been one of the first pieces of kit we tested and  reviewed for UOG back in 2017. The Orion II UL is back with us again with a few updates for added strength and more liveable space internally. Previously we commented on how impressed we had been with the weather resistance of the  Orion II UL. The new DAC poles have b …
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