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The Six Moon Designs Fusion 65 was the pack I chose for my 8 day backpacking trip to Peru. At 65 litres it allowed me the volume required to carry the 10 days food required. At the start of the trek I reckoned I was carrying around the 35lbs mark (16 kg), which is the upper limit of what I want to carry on any trip.I have to say that I was pretty happy with the comfort even at this weight. Th …

UOG Review of MSR Hubba HP TentSelection: I was after a tent for a 6 day backpacking trip to Scotland in May taking in quite a few munros, which could result in some high camps. The weather can be pretty rough even at this time of year and it could get quite cold. I looked at the Hubba NX which is the latest version of the classic Hubba series, however, although the NX is lighter than the HP the H …

Here's a great guide to the ten best ways you can lighten your load for your next backpacking trip.#1. Weigh everything - including yourselfIn order to make the right decision about what gear to take on a trip it's imperative that you weigh everything and record it - that not only lets you know which of your two bits of similar gear are the lightest but it also enables you to track your total pack …

I used the Skyscape Trekker solo tent in a recent trek to Peru and I really liked it. The big pluses are the generous size of the tent and the minimal weight (614g), inevitably these impressive specs are only achieved with a few compromises - its a trekking pole tent, so if you don't use these anyway this isn't the tent for you, its predominantly single skin, and there's no vestibule to speak of ( …

Selection: I was off to Peru on a high-level trek (above 4000m), which means when the sun is shining it's very warm but when it's cloudy (and at night) it can be unpredictably cold. I was packing a RAB Infinity down jacket as my basecamp warmth but I needed a lightweight insulating layer I could use during the day if it got cold while walking. Primaloft is a leader in garment insulation so it's th …

Masters Trecime Carbon Trekking PoleIf you’ve never used lightweight trekking poles before then you’re in for a revelation, swinging a pole that weighs half of what you’re used to feels remarkably good and these days a lightweight pole will probably do everything you ask of it without letting you down.These Masters Trecime Carbon Trekking Poles are sub 200g per pole and are also one of the shortes …

UOG Review of MSR Windboiler StoveMSR have been performance leaders in fuel efficient gas stoves since they launched the Reactor stove and its variants – all based on the same burner and close coupling system. The market hasn’t really recognised this with some other brands taking the plaudits.Reading between the lines MSR launched the Windboiler based on a slightly reduced size Reactor burner unit …