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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 …

Hilleberg categorise their tents into categories, or “Labels”: Black, Red, or Yellow, each representing a performance range based on materials, construction or both. This grouping makes it straightforward to see the differences within our line, and so makes selecting the right Hilleberg tent for you much easier. 

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 …

We are big fans of the original Petzl eLITE and always found it to be an excellent spare torch kept within our first aid kit for times when you need it the most. It's great to see that the new updated version is now almost twice as powerful up from 26 to 50 lumens whilst also packing small and light at only 26 grams! Put into practice this is a much needed increase in brightness from the …

The first thing you notice about this jacket is just how soft it feels - you find yourself examining the material, partly to see if it's truly a synthetic jacket and not a mix of some type, and partly because it just feels so nice to touch. The overall build is to a very high standard and is something that has been present in all of the Marmot products we have tested recently. This jacke …

Used extensively by Cairngorm Treks throughout Autumn and Winter 2017/18 within the Cairngorm National Park and surrounding areas.Lifting this jacket off the coat hook you straight away realise how ultra-light the Marmot Featherless Hoody actually is (UK size 12/M weighs in at just 416 grams). Despite its filling of 3M Thinsulate Eco Featherless Insulation, it feels like down to the touch and prom …

When the guys at UOG told us that they were sending up the newly updated Montane Prism jacket we were very excited. The Prism is a classic cold weather jacket built for life amongst mostly all outdoor activities, well known for being dependable and hard wearing. Over the years the Montane Prism has undergone a few changes and it appears the updated 2019 version is of no exception. …

Used extensively by Cairngorm Treks throughout Autumn and Winter 2017/18 within the Cairngorm National Park, Skye, and surrounding areasThe Montane Ajax jacket is labelled as ideal for climbers, mountaineers and mountain walkers looking for a no-nonsense, uncompromising waterproof shell jacket. Constructed from lightweight 40 Denier Gore-tex combined with tough 70 Denier Gore-tex in high abrasion …