Blog

Surprisingly, Montane’s new Dart Lite T’s are made from recycled plastic bottles so are helping to reuse plastic waste. The resulting polyester fabric is quick drying as polyester doesn’t absorb water so is perfect for wicking away moisture. I have used the standard Dart long sleeve base layer before and prefer this new Lite version. I tend to get quite hot when hiking especially up hill …

Big Agnes Copper Spur tents have been bestsellers at Ultralight since their introduction in 2008 and with good reason. For 2022, the Copper Spur received some new updates and the TGO Challenge was a great opportunity to put them to the test. The Copper Spur has evolved from the original design over the years with improvements and new features. Big Agnes works closely with Jake La …

We weigh everything we sell so that our customers have the most accurate information possible, but did you know we also taste every dehydrated meal we sell too? Over the last year, we have tasted every meal we sell, scoring each out of 10. We know which meals need more or less water, which need more time to hydrate, and which are best avoided altogether. So, we have compiled this list of our …

Most people go adventuring in the outdoors to be outdoors – hiking, climbing, paddling and the like – not to sit in a tent! Thus, the most important thing your tent can do is afford lightweight, utterly reliable protection when the weather turns bad and you do have to be “inside.” For our Yellow Label, 3 season tents, it might be the intense summer rain squall that drives you into your tent, or a …

A Waterproof jacket that will cope with most conditions will have a Hydrostatic Head of 20,000mm and an MVTR (breathability) of 20,000g/m2. In both cases, higher is better. 2 and 2.5 layer jackets are less durable than 3 layer jackets but tend to be lighter in overall weight and more packable. 2 and 2.5 layer can sometimes feel a bit clammy next to the skin because of the lack of an in …

Bikepacking to the Four Corners of the North York Moors National Park with Apidura’s Expedition Range. Sometimes you get an idea that’s like an annoying itch that won’t go away until you give it a good old scratch. I am blessed to be living about 100m outside of the boundary of the North York Moors National Park. It’s very presence, beauty and characteristics are a huge part of my li …

If you want a jacket to keep you dry when running, this will be a very different jacket to one suitable for backpacking or trekking. Waterproofs designed for RUNNING will be very lightweight so that they won't slow you down. It needs to pack very small so you can carry it when you don't need it, and the best examples will be highly breathable. Also consider a smock to save weight. A Bac …

#1 Take a Waterproof Cap: The hoods on shell jackets are generally pretty good, some have a decent peak but the lighter weight ones can be poor in this respect. None of them can beat wearing a waterproof cap under the hood though, the large peak keeps the rain off your face and it helps keep the hood from shifting when you turn your head. #2 Two bags are better than one: Check …

I love September; moving from summer to autumn is always my favourite time. The change in weather means it's the perfect time to get out hiking and to test out some of this year's new Autumn and Winter range. One of the first pieces I was keen to get my hands on was Rab’s latest incarnation of the Vapour Rise Alpine Light Jacket, which has always been a stand-out piece in Rab's ran …

The fabric being 100% recycled polyester isn't the softest base layer I've ever worn, but it definitely has the most stretch. I found it very comfortable nonetheless. The high wicking, good breathability & fast drying qualities make this ideal for intense activities or a great layering piece for cooler conditions. Another great feature of the fabric, especially with prolonged wear, is th …

The Vapour-Rise™ system excels across the mountain, offering you all-in-one temperature regulation, moisture management, and protection from the elements. Its ability to maintain comfort in a range of conditions allows you to put-on and press-on. Our new versions remain true to Rab Carrington’s original vision: a wind-resistant jacket designed to be worn all day. They are crafted with a Perte …

The Women’s Dart XT Zip neck long sleeve base layer is the thickest of the Dart range and has a lovely thermal, brushed pile on the inside that is comfortable against the skin and a smooth tight-knit outer fabric. The 4-way stretch Polyester/Elastine blended fabric makes for a close-fitting technical garment that not only moves easily with the body but also takes moisture away leaving y …