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THE GREAT OUTDOORS: light, durable, good gripAfter a year and half's use of these boots (except in summer, when they are a little warm) I'm still as impressed as I was when I reviewed them back in January 2021. Theyare lightweight, comfortable, supportive and have good cushioning and great grip. They're tough too, with little sign of wear. The graphene in the sole is there to enhancedurability, an …

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: light, compact, efficientI've been using this stove and pot combination for over a year, and it's now a firm favorite. On this trip, it worked fine when the temperature was just below zero and it had been left on the ground on the open porch overnight. It's not very wind-resistant so I had a foil windscreen with me but I didn't need to use it as the porch door kept off the occa …

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: A fast-wicking warm technical fleece.The Montane Protium Fleece Jacket has a basic design and looks quite plain. The fabric is not so simple, however. It's smooth on the outside, but the brushed inner has a raised grid of tiny squares of fluffy fleece. This makes the jacket very breathable and warm for the thickness and the weight. As usual with fleece the fabric isn't windproo …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: A Latrine dreamAlatrine trowel for digging holes to do your business in isn't exactly a glamorous item of kit. But somehow The TentLab has brought some real design flair and creativity to this superb product. At just 17g, it's incredibly light and slim lideal for weight-conscious backpackers), and the aerospace-grade aluminium delivers superb digging power. Other options include Th …

The Lite+ stove is a tower-style, all-in-one cooking system, including aluminium pot with integrated heat exchanger, stove with piezo ignition, fuel stabiliser, and bio -plastic lid. New for 2022, the Lite+ XL is a larger version of the original Lite+, featuring a 1L pot and a more powerful 1700W output ideal for bigger meals or cooking for two.The use of recycled plastics and cork alsoenhance thi …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Fast boiling, lightweight and fast boilingLightweight and compact with a rapid boil time, there's little to dislike about the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe canister-top stove (3200W, 989). It is feature-rich, with an in-built lighter, three fold-away support prongs, valve controller, wide burner head, excellent simmer control, and concave design with a protective lip, which significantl …

I was off on a quick one-night visit to the lakes, my plan was to pitch late, leave early, bag a summit, then back home to feed the cats. So, I was travelling fast and light, I wanted to enjoy my time at camp, so wanted a roomie tent with some liveable features. We had just got the new  Dagger OSMO 2P Tent in stock, so it was perfect timing to try out this brand-new tent! I arriv …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: An Excellent intrigued cook systemI took this integrated cooking system on a 5-day winter hike of the Dales High Way. I loved the pot, which has excellent features (fold-out insulated handle and plastic lid with pouring hole) and works well as a bowl or mug. The boil times were decent (but not spectacular), yet the all-round cohesive design, low-ish weight (239g) and stable, squat …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: New for 2022Although not a stove in its own right, added to any one of MSR's canister-top mounted burners (including the Pocket Rocket series, Reactor series, or the WindBurner Personal) the Low Down makes these stoves even more useable and effective. By taking the burner mount away from the gas canister and giving it its own platform, the Low Down makes these stoves lower and more …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Best in testA Trail 'Best in Test' winner for two years running, this small but mighty Japanese-designed stove is just about the best lightweight backpacking stove out there. Its impressively low weight, tiny pack size and impressive performance, especially in gusty conditions, all elevate it above the competition. Unlike inferior ultralight models, it also packs in a built-in igni …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: New for 2022Exped's new lightweight, compact sleepingmat range gives you three choices of insulation: air, synthetic or down depending on the 'R' rating. from R1 (10°C min) to R8 (-40°C min). All come in mummy or rectangle shapes and 1-4 also have a double option. That's a lot of choices but we reckon the -5°C rated 3R is best for hillwalking.VERDICTWith so many options it's practi …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Ideal mat for fast and light adventuresWeighing a featherlight 250g, this is one of the lightest insulated air mats on the market. It also packs down to just 15x9cm, meaning it occupies minimal space in your pack. Pair it with an ultralight down bag/quilt and you'll have an efficient sleep system for long-distance hikes or minimalist mountain missions.VERDICTWith its lightweight an …