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The Montane Prism is a strange beast. In some ways, it's all a bit mid-range and underwhelming: at 385g it's the heaviest jacket in this review, the materials are good but not class-leading (PrimaLoft Silver rather than Gold), and it's certainly not super- technical. You don't get body mapping orstretch panels, and it's arguably too warm for higher-intensity activities. Yet there is something abou …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Review The rise of ultralight backpacking has also created a new breed of 'trekking pole tents' which utilize one or two trekking poles to create the tent frame. This is a great weight-saver but does require a set of robust and reliable trekking poles - which is exactly what specialist tentmaker Hilleberg has produced here. If they seem a little over-built, that's because they're …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Review Designed for travellers, hikers and backpackers, the Point Peak Trail pants are slim-fitting but stretchy soft shell trousers. Made from a midweight nylon-elastane blend they're burly enough for life on the trail, and don't feel too thick or heavy either. To further increase durability, the seat and front (from mid-thigh down) use ripstop panelling. Commendably, all the mat …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewThe latest addition to Montane's highly- regarded Terra pants range is the Terra Edge - a lighter, more streamlined version of the brand's ultra-rugged Super Terra trousers. These are made from the same hard- wearing 'GRANITE' nylon, but without the reinforced panels in the knee, seat and instep. There's some elastane in the fabric blend and they have a water-repellent finish …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewIn the competitive, crowded market of canister-top stoves, the Windmaster from Japanese brand SOTO stands out. Firstly, the burner head has a concave shape with a protective lip, providing better wind protection la common flaw of canister-top designs). Secondly, you get four-pot support arms - unlike most other three-pronged stoves - thus ensuring improved pot stability with …

This lightweight merino-blend top has the most athletic fit of all the garments I tested. So it's efficient at wicking moisture, and it's good at thermal regulation too, in a wide range of temperatures. However, I found the fit a little too snug. Amen's Medium usually fits me perfectly in most products but this was uncomfortably tight around the chest and upper arms. The fabric's stretchy, so it d …

Patagonia's Capilene base layers have been around for many years, through multiple redesigns and generations, and are available in a range of weights from light to heavy. The Capilene Midweight is, in my opinion, the Goldilocks base layer. Despite being a slightly thicker and heavier garment than the others tested, it's light enough to perform well in warmer conditions (although the black colour o …

The Dart Thermo is new from Montane this season. The fibre combination of nylon and spandex gives this fabric a denser feeling than polyester and a surprising degree of warmth given the low garment weight. It's close-fitting without being spray- on and has four-way stretch although less than I expected given 12% spandex (I could have done with slightly more on the forearms). The inner face feels b …

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: MAGAZINEThe Dart Thermo is new from Montane this season. The fibre combination of nylon and spandex gives this fabric a denser feeling than polyester and a surprising degree of warmth given the low garment weight. It's close-fitting without being spray- on and has four-way stretch although less than I expected given 12% spandex (I could have done with slightly more on the forea …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewOur judges waxed lyrical about this 10cm-thick, warm and comfortable sleeping mat, which features Air Sprung Cell technology and boasts an R-value of over 6. Judge David Lintern said: "No corners are cut with the Ether Light - the high R value ensures protection from the ground in truly sub-zero temperatures and the regular size is wide enough that your arms don't fall off th …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewThe one-person High Route 3000 is a lightweight, versatile tent erected with trekking poles. It is a solid, practical shelter with a clever design, good interior space, and lots of features. It weighs 898g (excluding pegs and bags) and compresses down to slightly larger than a Nalgene bottle. Judge Chris Townsend said: “This European version is a beefed-up, stronger model of …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Review"This is extraordinary,' said judge Chris Townsend, after testing this jacket in the Cairngorms. “It weighs only 115g and is as warm as a heavyweight fleece, as long as you wear a shell over it in wind. It's so breathable that just walking about in still air you lose heat. My only concern is over long-term durability, but on initial testing this is very impressive.” The OMM C …