Blog

Montane Anti-Freeze and Phase Families Explained

Nov 24, 2022

Seek new challenges this season. With cooler climates and challenging elements on the horizon, stay comfortable on the trails with Montane’s new Anti-Freeze down jackets and Phase Gore-Tex waterproof shells.The Anti-Freeze Lite hooded down jacket is a minimalist master of lightweight insulation. Weighing just 330g makes this down jacket ideal for fast paced activities, where low weight is critical …
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The Montane Phase Lite Waterproof Jacket

Nov 14, 2022

The Phase Lite waterproof jacket has been designed for a wide range of fast and light adventures in the mountains. Whether you’re fell running in the Lake District, or planning a fastpacking adventure across the Scottish peaks, this lightweight and breathable GORE-TEX membrane provides the essential protection you need to help you go further, faster. The lightest and most breathable 3-layer f …
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What is Fabric Denier?

Posted by Mark Richardson on Nov 09, 2022

Fabrics used in Outdoor Clothing and Equipment are often described as 20D or 7D, this figure is known as the Denier of the fabric and is useful in determining the differences between some products. On this page, we explain what it means and how it can be used. Fabric is made by weaving together threads of various materials such as nylon, polyester, cotton or silk to produce a ‘mat’ of fabric. …
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Altra Olympus 5 Hike Low GTX Review - “Max stack height, max cushioning, zero drop.”

Posted by Mathew Garbutt on Nov 09, 2022

Since releasing their first shoe in 2012, Altras popularity has soared - much like the millions of customers who choose to use their products. Nowadays it’s rare for a seemingly unknown brand to enter the somewhat saturated footwear market and make a success of it. But just what were Altra doing that no-one else was? Quite simply, they were offering zero drop running shoes, with …
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Anaris Tent Review - “The tent's most impressive feature is the 50 Denier Nylon bathtub and floor, which is incredibly rugged”

Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 07, 2022

Combining the packability and lightweight design of a trekking pole tent with the durability and shear polish of a Hilleberg, the Anaris is a dream tent to some, myself included. I was an early adopter of the Anaris when it launched in 2020, and already familiar with  Hilleberg tents as, at the time, I was using a Soulo, so I could already attest to their craftsmanship. I had als …
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Gram-Counter Gear Carbon Lite Trekking Poles Review - “I’m seriously impressed with their durability considering that they are so light.”

Posted by Danny Pearson on Oct 27, 2022

Over the past 6 months, the Carbon Lite Trekking Poles have been through their paces in a variety of terrain and conditions from the English Lakes to rocky alpine trails in Mallorca. They have performed faultlessly throughout. Available in 2 lengths – 110cm and 120cm, they will work for a wide range of people but if you are particularly short or tall you might struggle. I usually …
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Glen Shiel Round and the Five Sisters of Kintail - 2022

Posted by Mark Richardson on Oct 19, 2022

I was contemplating a late season excursion and Scotland was beckoning, a high-level backpacking route would most likely avoid the tail end of midge season and I could extend my Munro tally before the poor autumn weather kicked in. It was settled then – I headed up to Morvich campsite near Shiel Bridge taking most of the day to get there, the campsite’s nice and only a short walk to t …
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Technology Page - The Hilleberg Principles

Oct 19, 2022

The Hilleberg PrinciplesHilleberg build tents and backcountry shelters. That’s all we do, and from our first tent in 1973, we have been driven by a single, simple point of reference: define the capabilities of the tent or shelter we envision, then build it with the most advantageous balance of six essential principles for its desired performance. We believe this method of design and construction y …
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Rab Torque Mountain Pants Review - “Apart from winter conditions, these are my current favourite hiking pants.”

Posted by Mark Richardson on Oct 18, 2022

The  Rab Torque Mountain Pants (TMP) are a lighter weight version of the Torque Pants (TP) but there’s not much in it – for a medium size the TMPs are 30grams lighter so you perhaps wouldn’t choose the TMP over the TP because of the weight saving. The main fabric for both pants is the same but the reinforcement panels on the TPs are burlier than on the TMPs. The other main …
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MSR pocket Rocket Deluxe Review - “Does everything you could possibly ask of a humble gas stove”

Posted by Mark Richardson on Oct 18, 2022

This is one of the easiest reviews I’ve ever had to write,  MSR’s Pocket Rocket Deluxe stove does everything you could possibly ask of a humble gas stove. I used it first on a trip to Glen Shiel in Scotland and on the first night I camped on the Kintail ridge, it was windy and exposed but the Pocket Rocket Deluxe coped with it well, the concave burner head (while not an original …
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Granite Gear Crown 3 Review - “An ideal pack for long distances without resupply”

Posted by Mark Richardson on Oct 18, 2022

A 60 litre rucksack with a decent harness and weighing around 1Kg is a key product for us, and in my experience Granite Gears ‘litres’ are a bit bigger than some other pack manufacturers, this manifests itself in the fact that the Crown 60 seems significantly bigger than some other 60 litre packs. I think this is because Granite Gear only count the main compartment when quoting the capa …
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Nemo Hornet Elite OSMO 1p & 2p Review - “I’ve had many a trekking holiday that this tent would have been perfect for”

Posted by Mark Richardson on Oct 18, 2022

I used the 2p version of this tent on a recent trip to Scotland, camping on the Kintail ridge in some wet and windy weather. The Hornet Elite tents are Nemo’s lightest series and as such have been designed with every aspect examined for weight and function. The first thing that strikes you about the  Hornet Elite is the high cut flysheet at one end, and in fact the flysheet is …
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