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Sea to Summit have redesigned its renowned Spark sleeping bag line. The Spark series continues to be made with high-quality materials, using 850+ ethically sourced down treated with Sea to Summit's Dry Down coating. This coating enhances the down's ability to loft effectively in moist conditions, repel water, and dry rapidly. The baffle configuration remains the same, featuring vertical baffl …

For decades, Mountain Safety Research (MSR) has been a leader in outdoor innovation, designing high-performance gear trusted by adventurers, mountaineers, and ultralight backpackers worldwide. Known for their meticulous engineering, MSR tents perfectly balance durability, weight savings, and all-weather protection. From minimalist tarp shelters tailored for fast-and-light alpine missions to b …

Why Water Purification Matters Carrying large amounts of water is impractical and adds unnecessary weight to your pack. Instead, purifying water from natural sources ensures safe drinking water without excessive burden. Contaminated water can cause serious illnesses, making proper purification essential. Common Water Contaminants Even in the UK, seemingly clean water can harbour harmful pathogens …

Access to safe drinking water is essential when exploring the outdoors. Carrying large amounts of water is impractical, adding unnecessary weight and making hikes more strenuous. While bringing enough water for a short day hike isn’t a major concern, multi-day hikes or wild camping trips require water for more than just drinking—it’s also needed for cooking, cleaning, and making …

A good rucksack should feel like an extension of your body—distributing weight efficiently, keeping you comfortable, and ensuring easy access to essentials. Here’s how to choose the right one quickly and effectively.   1. Fit and Sizing A well-fitting rucksack makes all the difference. Measure your torso length (C7 vertebra to iliac crest) to find the right size. For more informa …

Unlike traditional waterproof technology, Petrichor’s hydrophilic membrane actively breathes to physically transport moisture away from damp layers and skin, and out into the air. The membrane manages your own microclimate to enable you to move fast and light while staying dry - the harder you work, the harder it works. This technology excels even when your baselayer is slightly wet, th …

Choosing a lightweight tent can be difficult given the wide range available; we have a wide variety of tents, and we want to ensure you get the right tent for whatever adventures you have. So here are some of the things to consider when you are in the market for a new tent. Here at Ultralight outdoor gear, we weigh every tent ourselves; the manufacturer’s weight can sometimes be inaccurate, …

I have been rigorously testing these Silva Trekking Poles Aluminium Cork over the past 12 months. They have joined me on numerous multi-day hikes in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Scotland and whilst on regular long day walks on the North York Moors. They have never let me down, adding confidence to steep descents, taken the load off the body when packed up and provided stabil …

  My first MSR Whisperlite was purchased around 25 years ago whilst on a bike-packing trip to Austria, where access to fuel canisters proved impossible outside of major towns. This hybrid-fuel stove has many familiar features to my original stove but with the added capability to connect a gas canister as well as burning white gas, Kerosene and unleaded fuel. On my recent outing the temperatu …

With the autumn and winter weather bringing wetter ground underfoot it was time to give the new Scarpa Rapid XT GTX hiking shoes a go out. Having used them on a mixture of terrain on my local walks for a few weeks now, from slightly boggy sheep fields to good but uneven paths they have performed very well. As with most new leather shoes they were initially quite unforgiving but have now bedded in …

A good sleeping mat does more than add comfort—it insulates you from the cold ground, making it just as important as your sleeping bag. Here’s how to choose the right one in no time. Types of Sleeping Mats Not all sleeping mats are created equal. The right choice depends on your balance between comfort, weight, durability, and insulation. Inflatable: Lightweight, compa …

Few pieces of gear strike the same balance of protection, breathability, and weight savings—yet the humble windshell jacket remains one of the most overlooked. These minimalist jackets are a staple for those prioritising versatility and efficiency—a featherlight shell that can integrate into any layering system.