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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 …

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 …

Stunning backpacking routes in the Scottish Highlands and Islands are covered in this inspiring, large-format guidebook. 30 routes are described, ranging from 1-4 days, with most suitable for a long weekend. The routes are divided between the Western Highlands and Inner Hebrides, the Central and Eastern Highlands, the Northwest Highlands, the Far North and the Outer Hebrides. They are suitable for …

There was a lot of excitement in the office when this tent was first seen on a computer screen. There are many 2 person tents on the market that boast the same qualities that differentiate a bikepacking tent from a regular backpacking tent. The main differences being shorter poles and the ability to attach the tent to the bike. What distinguishes the  Sea to Summit Telos TR2 Bike …

This is the third stove from Soto we have now had the pleasure of using, the Windmaster being a firm favourite of ours for lightweight solo adventures throughout the warmer months, whilst also spending much of last winter using the  Stormbreaker; a truly versatile multifuel option making for a reliable stove for group activities in remote and harsh conditions. The Fus …

When walking in hot and sunny conditions, a lightweight trekking shirt offers more comfort and sun protection than most baselayer tops and T-shirts. The collar helps to cover the neck and when using trekking poles long sleeves protect the arms from sun exposure. On a recent trip to Mallorca to trek the GR221, I used the Mammut Lenni Short-sleeve and Long-sleeve shirts in extremely hot and sunny c …

On a backpacking trip last year, I ended up hiking with an American trio, all ultra-lighters, all experienced “thru-hikers “and all wearing Altras, a brand that is now synonymous with the longer American hikes such as the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail. As hikers do, we discussed gear, and they spoke incredibly highly about their footwear. I was keen to try out the Brand for …

As the summer draws to a close and the cooler months start to creep in, we thought it would be a good time to look at some of the kit we’ve been using over this year’s spring and summer backpacking season. Not all of its brand-new kit, and not all of it is as ultralight as we could have gone, this is the gear that has worked for us on some of our most recent trips. We’ve been testing this gea …

The Vapour Rise series of RAB garments are designed to provide comfortable insulation and protection from the wind without causing you to overheat if you start climbing up something, or the sun comes out. To achieve this Nirvana a garment needs to transfer moisture away from the skin or base layer so you remain dry and comfortable. I tested the Vapour Rise Summit Jacket on a recent h …

I was lucky enough to be spending 2 whole weeks in Scotland hiking, two weeks, in Scotland, in May, you know you are going to rely heavily on your waterproofs, and the unpredictable nature of the Scottish weather meant that I could definitely predict rain. So, I was after something robust, light, and capable of shielding me from some truly awful weather. So, when Rab’s newly updated  …

What is the TGO Challenge? The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGO) has been attracting people wanting to explore the best of Scotland since 1980, after the idea for a non-competitive event was pitched to The Great Outdoors magazine by Hamish Brown. Hamish, having crossed Scotland coast to coast himself, believed this could be accomplished and enjoyed by others. Whilst the TGO has changed thro …

The Stout 60L backpack from Gregory is a backpack built for multi-day trekking, well suited for our activities through winter and summer in the Cairngorms and Northwest Highlands. At a total weight of 1758 grams, including the rain cover, this is certainly not for those who scrutinise every gram. As with the previous Gregory packs we have used, the focus is more on comfort, …