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The Kinesis uses a unique ‘Octoyarn Warp-Knit’ lining to provide active insulation, essentially working in the same way as Polartec Alpha. Without another brand label, Polartec, being included in the jacket the cost is lower than expected which is obviously a pretty significant bonus. As a fan of the Alpha material I was interested (and somewhat sceptical in all honesty) as to how it would perform …

If you give a sock the name ‘Darn Tough’ then expectations are automatically high so our Lead Guide gave the Light Hiker socks a real beasting over nearly 500 miles of trekking, wearing them up to 5 days at a time. Ultimately, the material for any sock is key and the Light Hiker is a combination of Merino, Polymide and Spandex. The Merino element allows for non-itch comfort and provides …

The Soto Stormbreaker is a multi-fuel stove that works from both gas and liquid fuel sources. Weighing in at 454 grams excluding the fuel bottle, it’s a weight and size we would look to use for group cooking rather than solo expeditions.Soto have certainly made a name for themselves offering high quality stoves without the added price tag attached. A personal favourite for lightweight so …

Meths stoves are one of the simplest ways to boil water or heat a meal. No working parts to worry about, compact and lightweight, and they work with a wide range of liquid fuels. There is a reason this style of stove has been used globally for many years. With the modern advancements of gas stoves offering a dependable, safe and versatile option, the good old meths stove has taken a back …

I’ve used the Thermarest NeoAir XTherm for a number of years and it’s become my all-year-round sleeping mat. It is light enough and packs down small enough to work for summer and three season use compared to other mats I would have considered while providing more than enough insulation for any winter trips I go on. This is a review of my past experiences of the XTherm combined with new opini …

The Marmot Sleeping Bag RangeMarmot have a long history in the outdoor industry and they have been pushing the boundaries for sleeping bags for the majority of the time.In April 1971, University of California Santa Cruz students Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntley were in Alaska's Juneau Icefield on a school Glaciology project. It was there on a glacier that the idea of a Marmot Club began. The name 'M …

Montane VIA Groove Gloves ReviewThe Montane VIA series are focused on fast and light with designs centred around trail running features. The VIA Groove Gloves fit this brief perfectly. Weighing in at just 40g for a large pair they certainly tick the lightweight box. The design seems simple enough with a thin layer providing the protection and the design across the palms in silicone for providing a …

Wechsel tents are mostly unknown in the UK but don’t let that put you off. Wechsel are a German brand designing tents for use in Northern European conditions which makes them ideal for the UK.Wechsel's Exogen 1 Backpacking Tent uses a similar cross pole design to the MSR Access, increasing stability in the wind and making the Exogen truly freestanding. Combined with a fly sheet which is cut low to …

A Grounds Keeper's StoryWe’ve taken a major dose of inspiration from the Packing It Out team, and through the creation of the Grounds Keepers Program we are supporting even more hikers who want to “Leave it Better” and pack out trash as they hike long trails around the country. The inagural 2017 team is compiled of 15 individuals who have committed to thru-hiking various long trails in 2017; from …

Here at Ultralight Outdoor Gear we've been selling granite Gear Packs almost as long as we've been in business. The company made its name with the groundbreaking Vapor Trail packs that delivered comfort at an unheard of weight, in its day the Vapor Trail was THE pack for the 3 long distance trails in the US (the PCT, CDT and AT).Since then Granite Gear have built on the key elements of the Vapor T …

The Fairtrade FoundationFairtrade is a movement for change that works directly with businesses, consumers and campaigners to make trade deliver for farmers and workers. It is represented by the Fairtrade Foundation.The international Fairtrade system (which the Fairtrade Foundation is a part of) represents the world’s largest and most recognised fair trade system. They are a global organisation wor …

In this post we look at solution dyed fabrics and explain why they are more environmentally friendly.