Blog

About Gruezi Bag and DownWool® Sleeping Bags

Apr 02, 2024

The natural high-end DownWool Insulation is a blend of 70% high-quality RDS-certified down, which provides high insulation, and 30% wool from the Alpine region, which acts like a lightweight natural air conditioner. The combination is perfect. Nothing insulates as well as high-quality down. The 30% wool content absorbs any moisture that arises and thus keeps the down naturally drier. Down has a ve …
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Rab Sleeping Mat Technology Explained

Mar 28, 2024

Rab has slashed weight and volume wherever they can with the Ultrasphere, crafting the definitive sleep mat for when every gram counts. It uses innovative offset air chambers to disrupt the flow of convection currents inside and trap heat, keeping you warm on wild overnights without the need for bulky insulation. Combined with a soft, exceptionally lightweight fabric, its weight-saving constructio …
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Rab Sleeping Mat Guide

Mar 28, 2024

Rab's collection of inflatable sleeping mats are designed to insulate you from the chill and support you on all terrain, providing all the retreat you need from bitter conditions and plummeting temperatures. From compact, ultralight sleeping pads for fast and light missions, to robust self-inflating roll mats for regular camping use, to winter sleeping mats built to insulate you from the deep free …
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Nemo Equipment Tent Ranges Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Mar 27, 2024

We stock the key ranges of Nemo tents, find out which they are and what they do on this page. Delivering 4x more lasting water repellency and 3x less stretch when wet, our new OSMO tent fabric is also made from 100% recycled yarns free from any PFC or PFAS. The first of its kind, it was carefully designed for both exceptional performance and reduced impact on the planet. The Elite monike …
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Gore-Tex ePE Membrane: Revolutionising Sustainability and Performance in Outdoor Gear

Mar 25, 2024

The outdoor industry has been criticized for its environmental impact, particularly due to the use of chemicals and non-biodegradable materials in gear production. Many outdoor enthusiasts are now seeking alternatives that minimize the long-lasting effects of production methods and materials on the environment while still wanting high-performing gear. This demand has led brands like Gore-Tex to in …
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Which LEKI Trekking Poles?

Posted by Mark Richardson on Mar 18, 2024

We stock a full range of LEKI poles. Whilst they can be quite heavy compared with truly 'ultralight' trekking poles their design and build quality are exceptional, they build trekking and running poles that will not let you down, they are tough, reliable and will give years of service. In this post we look at our current stocks of LEKI trekking poles and give advice and our opinion so you can …
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Big Agnes Sleeping Bag Buying Guide

Posted by Mark Richardson on Mar 18, 2024

On this post we look at the Big Agnes sleeping bags that we stock and tell you a bit about them so you can choose the best one for you. — Big Agnes makes these two specialist bags ideally suited to Mountain Marathons and Ultralight Backpacking and because not everyone likes Down the V Notch is a synthetic option which nonetheless only weighs 582 grams. Both are ideal as a summer bag and …
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Big Agnes Sleeping Mat Buying Guide

Posted by Mark Richardson on Mar 18, 2024

In this post we look at the Big Agnes sleeping mats that we stock and tell you a bit about them. Big Agnes's sleeping mats start at around 400 grams, they tend not to make extremely lightweight pads, preferring to focus on comfort and high insulation value, their pads are light for the job that they do. Designed for ultralight backcountry adventures, the Zoom UL Insulated eliminates the …
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Lifesystem Bivi Bags

Mar 12, 2024

As an experienced backpacker and nature enthusiast, I have developed a profound appreciation for using a bivy bag for camping, particularly for quick, solitary overnight adventures. Unlike conventional tents, bivy sacks offer a range of advantages and serve as a lightweight, minimalist alternative. Their compact size and weight make them ideal for backpacking, where every ounce counts; their small …
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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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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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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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