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Gregory have a great reputation for making comfortable and very well-built packs. We have never had the chance to use one of their backpacks before so when we received the Gregory Paragon 58 we were eager to get it out into the hills and see for ourselves what all the hype was about. Firstly, and also importantly, if counting grams is of importance, we recommend you probably look …

Rab state the Xenon to be a superlight and packable insulated mitt and this certainly seems true when unpacking them. These are seriously small, almost fooling us into thinking we had been sent the wrong item until we pulled them out of the small bag to reveal a full-size pair of mitts.The outer shell is made up of two distinct materials. The first being a Pertex Quantum fabric which use …

Rab state the Xenon to be a superlight and packable insulated mitt and this certainly seems true when unpacking them. These are seriously small, almost fooling us into thinking we had been sent the wrong item until we pulled them out of the small bag to reveal a full-size pair of mitts.The outer shell is made up of two distinct materials. The first being a Pertex Quantum fabric which use …

Very comfortable pack with a strong frame and venting back panelFor me a decent 50-60 litre backpacking rucksack should weigh about a kilogram, in my experience packs that weigh a lot less than this have an inferior frame/harness combination and won’t give you a comfortable carry at my typical backpacking weight of 30-35lbs (that's around 15kg). The Gregory Optic 58 Litre pack just meets this crit …

The Rab Torque is said to be designed for summer alpine climbing and active mountain use, offering complete freedom of movement and breathability. We are big fans of the Torque Pants which are our ‘go-to’ choice for long days in the mountains where unrestricted movement, breathability, and comfort is of much importance, so we excited to try the jacket. As with the Torque pants it’s great …

Mountain Hardwear Fit Descriptions

The Montane Hydrogen Extreme Smock, as the name suggests, has pretty big boots to fill. For over 20 years the original Extreme Smock has been regarded as a very dependable layer for expeditions into some of the world’s most hostile environments. Montane state that this updated version is inspired by the tried and tested Pile/Pertex system technology of the renowned Extreme Smock. The new …

Have you ever needed a reclining chair whilst out in the hills? The answer would most probably be, "no, but it would be nice." After all, the base of a tree, a rock, or a strategically placed rucksack will suffice for most. Luxuries tend to get forgotten about when considering light-weight trekking, so the Mountainsmith Slingback chair, weighing in at 144 grams, will be an item that won' …

Never have we been so excited about a trowel, especially one with a main job that is waste management. We all know how much of an issue human waste has become, especially whilst trekking in familiar areas. We also know that the most effective way to deal with waste is to carry it out afterwards. This method is something not many will want to do and carrying around plastic bags could end …

10 key steps to lighten your load Backpacking is more fun when you carry less weight, you can go further whilst feeling fresher.Going 'Ultralight' can seem expensive but you can achieve significant weight savings by following a few simple steps and without breaking the bank. Obviously, if you simply want the lightest and best gear out there it will cost a lot but you can pick and choose what to sa …

The Chockstone Hoody is a lightweight softshell with a focus on unrestricted movement with the use of its 4-way stretch Chockstone fabric; a mix of 91% Nylon and 9% Elastane. To the touch, the double weave construction is certainly the most noticeable feature and it is obvious that Mountain Hardware’s concept for the Chockstone is for active adventures rather than for insulation. …

Used extensively by Cairngorm Treks throughout the Cairngorms, and surrounding areas, and also a recent multi-day expedition throughout Skye in Autumn and Winter 2017/18.The Marmot Preon is said to be an ideal first layer to ward off cool temps while keeping you comfortable and dry on a full-output day. It is made up as a modern fleece alternative with a smooth outer with the inner fabric a soft g …