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Worn as a daytime synthetic layer on a backpacking trip in late September to Switzerland, the micro puff seems to be one of the lightest insulated jackets around. I carry a down jacket against the evening chill but a light synthetic for daytime, and as I’m normally on the move I don’t need too much to keep me warm. The Micro Puff is ideal for the job and I was really impressed by how …

Sea to Summit have thought about the design of the Alto tents very carefully trying not to recreate what’s already available and fans of the brand will not be disappointed with this tent. We took the Plus version out for a three-day backpacking trip at the beginning of April when the weather was very cold but quite clear. The cold conditions (sub zeroC) required largish sleeping bags an …

When Nigor folded as a company the product designs were taken up by Bach, already a well-known rucksack brand. Bach has taken the designs and added these largely unchanged shelters to its offering. A key USP for Nigor was the use of ‘Nylon 6.6’ as opposed to standard Nylon 6 used by most manufacturers and Bach has continued with this type of nylon. It is significantly better than the …

As a well-seasoned bike-packer, I have mastered the art of strapping cargo onto my bike and into various packs, panniers and pouches for multi-day travels. So, when I got the opportunity to test the Nemo Dragonfly Bikepack 2P, a 2-person, bike-packing specific tent, I jumped at the chance to see for myself if this could be a game-changer or just a gimmick to jump on the bandwagon fol …

Useful for keeping both sun and rain out of your eyes, a cap is a summer essential. This one has UPF 50+ protection and is breathable and moisture-wicking to reduce sweat-induced discomfort; water- resistant and quick-drying for wearing in the wet. It also has a foldable brim so it packs easily away in your pocketVERDICTBreathable, packable, quick-drying, and designed for outdoor living. …

The design is simple yet robust, with a rear battery pack linked to a front headlamp via a partly-coiled cable. Power is 'dual fuel' via either the BD1800 rechargeable lithium-ion battery or three AAAs. The lithium-ion gives the best output: 400 lumens for 5 hours in max, 200 lumens for 13 hours in medium,and 8 lumens for 110 hours in low. You also get a fully waterproof IP67 rating.VERDICTA well- …

The Petzl Swift RL is one headtorch for all your needs. It's light (102g), compact, comfy. splash-proof, rechargeable, and powerful (550 lumens for 2 hours). But the real star is the reactive lighting technology, a sensor which analyses the ambient light automatically adjusts brightness to your needs. This preserves battery life and provides an excellent experience out on the hill.VERDICTA superb, …

I've used this for multiple wild camping and hiking trips, and although the effort of hand pumping the numerous litres of water over the years has given me a forearm like Popeye, it's proved to be a reliable trail friend. It removes bacteria and protozoa from wild water (to be sure its virus free you need to treat it with sterilising tablets or boil it), enabling all but the most untrustworthy wat …

The thing about water bottles is they take up a fair amount of space. Not so the Ultraflask, which is made from a soft, flexible material and can simply be rolled away when empty. It's also incredibly light, weighing just 41g. You can even freeze it, so on really hot days you've got a supply of slowly thawing icy water.VERDICTdesigned for trail runners, and excellent for hillwalkers, this ultralig …

The Sawyer Mini water filter is versatile, weighs just 65g and is guaranteed to filter 100,000 litres of water. Screw it to the top of the 16oz (455ml) pouch included or onto any standard water bottle to drink directly, use the removable straw to drink straight from the source, or connect it to your hydration bladder.VERDICTSmall, light, and incredibly versatile, this stalwart removes 99.99999% of …

Water sanitation comes in all shapes and sizes these days, but I love the simplicity and portability of this super-lightweight filter. It weighs just 95g and the reservoir just wraps around the filter, taking no space in your rucksack. It works quickly and effortlessly, to decant clean water, free from particles, bacteria and protozoa into whatever container you want (including straight into your …

Extendable packs usually gain space vertically, but this isn't ideal. Not only can the pack become unwieldly tall, but any gear stowed at the base is then even more difficult to access. The Flex Capacitor rucksack solves both these problems. Rather than extending upwards, it uses a double fold of material on the front and a series of cinch cords to expand or contract the circumference of the pack, …