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Down is still the number one insulating material in the outdoor industry, offering the lightest warmth to weight ratio and unrivaled packability. Therefore, a down jacket will provide exceptional warmth but won't weigh you or your pack down. Choosing a down jacket depends on how warm you need it to be and what features you need it to have.How Warm Should It Be?Our lightest down jackets weigh less …

Rectangular versus Mummy shapes - Most sleeping bags you will see on our website are Mummy shaped, this is because a close-fitting bag will be warmer for a given weight because there is less volume of air to move around carrying heat away with it, and a close-fitting bag weighs less than other shapes because there is no waste of material.Some people feel too restricted by a mummy bag and would r …

Zips - Most sleeping bags are fitted with a full-length zip that runs the length of the bag almost to the foot. These zips usually have a slider at each end, allowing you to ventilate the bag from the foot end if it's too warm for the conditions. Some manufacturers make bags with zips on either the left or the right-hand side. A left-hand zip is by your left hand as you lie in the bag on your ba …

When down gets wet, it will lose most of its insulation properties but this is where Hydrophobic down comes in - this is a relatively new concept and the purpose is to solve the main drawback of 'regular' down, which is it's lack of effectiveness when wet.Hydrophobic down has been treated with a durable water repellent that enables the down to dry quicker and resist water for longer, meaning it wi …

For those venturing out into the mountains, the correct equipment is crucial, this is especially true with winter conditions. It's both melodramatic and true to say it can be life-saving.The options available to hillgoers are ever-increasing with regard to footwear and related hardware to cope with snow and ice. Microspikes are becoming an increasingly common sight on the hills as well as the more …

A Box-wall down jacket is one that utilises 'Box-wall' construction for it's baffles. Baffles are the pockets of space that are created between two layers of fabric which then hold the goose or duck down that is in your jacket. These chambers filled with down are how the jacket keeps you warm. Your body heat warms the air around it through radiating that heat, when you are wearing a down jacket th …

What are PFCs?PFCs (per- and poly-fluorinated chemicals) are all completely man-made chemicals which do not occur naturally. They are commonly used in DWR (durable water repellent) coatings and waterproof membranes. These fluorochemicals have been used for some time to give clothing water and stain resistant properties. Until fairly recently there were very few alternatives so as it became obvious …

What is Bluesign?Many outdoor companies have placed great importance on environmental sustainability and many more brands are starting to realise the significance of it now. Either way it is good to know that more companies are considering their environmental impact in production processes for their goods. This focus on factors other than profit goes hand-in-hand with the increasing consumer aware …

What is an R-value?The R-value is a measure used to rate how well your sleeping mat will stop heat loss. Thermal resistance is the measurement that indicates a materials ability to insulate - there are a number of different ways to express this but, as they all measure the same factor, they are all related. The starting point is the R-value.In the past, some brands quoted the R-value in SI units, …

Power Grid is one of a range of insulating fabrics from Polartec, we explain what it does and include our opinion of it.

What is BPA?BPA stands for bisphenol A. BPA is an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins for well over 50 years now. BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are commonly used for storing food and drink, like water bottles. Over the time frame that it has been used and the extent of products which have used it research has …

If like us you like to keep the weight down and calorie intake high, then you’ll most likely choose a dehydrated meal pouch as your evening food choice. New brands are popping onto the market, with a wide range of variety to suit mostly all dietary requirements and tastes. What hasn’t changed though is the time it takes for your meal to properly absorb the added water to give the meal …