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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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

With so many packs to choose from it can be hard to know where to start - here are a few pointers to help with your selection.Start with CapacityPin down the capacity you need by looking at your gear - if you have an old rucksack and you know its capacity then use this to guage what capacity you need. If it's for winter as well as summer use you'll need extra capacity for extra, bulkier gear - if …

Rab's new fabric, TILT (Thermo Ionic Lining Technology), is used in the inner lining of their top-of-the-line sleeping bags, sleeping mats and down jackets. This technology reflects heat back toward the body, reducing radiative heat loss and increasing warmth. It significantly improves the warmth-to-weight ratio without altering the fabric's original properties or adding weight. At Ultralight Outd …

Whilst trekking the GR221, I suffered from heat exhaustion and the early stages of heatstroke. With the benefit of hindsight, I was showing the signs of severe heat exhaustion for some time before things went seriously downhill. Towards the end of the previous day, I had been struggling with the heat and wasn’t feeling too good. What I didn’t know was that heat exhaustion can build ove …

Late in 2021, I decided that with travel opening up I wanted to walk a GR route and having looked at the Cicerone book by Paddy Dillon it seemed to be perfect. Originally, I was planning to go in late March or Early April 2022 but due to the launch of our new website and a few issues with that (apologies if you experienced any problems when it launched in April 2022) this had to be put back. …

It was an exciting day when the new MSR Hubba Hubba 1P Bikepacking tent arrived at the Ultralight Outdoor Gear HQ prior to its 2024 launch. Yes, it is a single occupancy Hubba Hubba, moving away from MSR’s historic names where the Hubba Hubba was a 2-person, Mutha Hubba, 3-person etc. This bikepacking tent will also be available in a 2-person version, which has 2 entrances, but it …

2023 was an excellent year for new ultralight equipment and clothing, and we wanted to highlight some of our favourite gear that hit the market this year. Some pieces, like the Montbell Plasma 1000, pushed the limits of what it means to be ultralight even further. Others, like the Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad, showed real innovation by raising their R-value to an industry-leading 8. …

There are basically three types of synthetic insulation used in outdoor jackets: 1. Sheet Insulation – Fibres are woven into a ‘mat’ structure and this is used to fill the jacket, this is the ‘traditional’ way of doing this and provides excellent warmth to weight and is pretty durable. 2. Loose Fill Insulation – This is where synthetic fibr …