Blog

Which Exped Downmat?If you are considering a downmat at all it is probably because you need a warm mat for use in cold weather and for sleeping on snow or frozen ground. There are other forms of insulation in mats but down remains the best warmth to weight ratio of any insulator. Down loses insulation value when it gets wet, so Downmats should not be inflated using the mouth, rather they come with …

As outdoor enthusiasts we need to know that the clothes we wear and the equipment we use will perform in the ways we want, keeping us comfortable, dry and warm. This gear is often subject to some serious abuse out on the hills and we need to know that it's going to last. Because of this we must consider what materials our gear is made from, the quality of them and the performance that they provide …

Montane Alpine Trek Pants Review Given the changeable conditions in the Highlands in March I wanted to take a lightweight softshell trouser that would shed light precipitation, offer wind protection, and have plenty of stretch for climbing. Montane had just launched the Alpine Trek pant which seemed to tick all these boxes. I liked that it features a slimmer fit in the lower leg so they wo …

Eco-Friendly Glossary This is an interesting page PFC Free'PFC' chemicals are used in garments to make them waterproof and stain resistant but they leach into the environment and stay there for years, there's some evidence that they can cause harm to reproductive cycles. Manufacturers are looking at alternative ways of making fabric waterproof thus generating the term 'PFC Free'Dope Dyed Fabrics …

The Stove Test IdeaWe are often asked which of our gas stoves perform best in windy conditions. We tend to have our own personal favourite stoves, so our suggestions are very subjective based on our experiences.We decided to have a bit of fun performing an ‘in-house’ group test of some of the UOG team’s favourite stoves. The test would aim to be fairly scientific and objective in its approach but …

…

…

Ortlieb IP Rating Information Page Understanding IP RatingsIP (Ingress Protection) ratings are an industry standard which classify the degree of water and dust protection provided but what do all the numbers mean?If a case has a water only rating, it will be written as IPX7. The X is a placeholder in the absence of the associated dust rating and the number gives the water rating.If a case has a d …

This vest has been put through its paces. It carried a full load of winter gear on the Hardmoors 55 mile ultra marathon in March, has been up Skiddaw in blistering heat, around Wast Water, across Moors, up and down Dales, through the Cairngorms and numerous other outings. I have warn it in hot, humid conditions through to freezing temperatures where we experienced -12C with wind chill so I’m prett …

Used extensively by Cairngorm Treks throughout the Cairngorms and surrounding mountainous areas, Winter 2017 – Spring 2018.When first reading about the indestructible nature of the Gram-Counter Gear pegs we were expecting four beasts that had to be forced through the letter box. On arrival, we were slightly disheartened as a very small package almost floated through the door. Each peg is a mere 10 …

The first aspect of the Ultraflask you will notice is just how packable this water bottle is when collapsed, fitting neatly away into your rucksack or hip belt. Described as being for use with running vests and packs, we quickly adapted it to suit mountain walking. It has a long tube which can be adjusted to suit the users need. Weighing in at a tiny 42grams we took it down to an even li …

TFS Dawn Tent ReviewAs a quick overview I wasn't a huge fan of the tent to be honest, and was surprised that seemed so highly rated by others. Although I think that a few of my issues with the tent would probably be fixed by using Dyneema Cuben Fibre or another more rigid fabric. Also media around the web and from TFS show it pitched more like a tarp, without the mesh insert which would make it a …