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The key factors to take into consideration when choosing a sleeping mat are the pack size, weight, your budget and most importantly what time of year you will be using it which, determines the level of insulation you need. Comfort in an outdoor sense is partly dictated by being able to iron out the lumps and bumps in the ground with the mat, but insulation is king and if you’re cold you won& …

Choosing a sleeping bag can be a daunting task. Getting started with so many different options and variations can be difficult. This will be one of the biggest investments, along with your tent, for backpacking, so it's important that you make the right choice for what you need. We want you to pick the best sleeping bag for your adventures, so we've compiled this guide to help you narrow your sear …

Choosing a lightweight tent can be difficult given the wide range available; we have a wide variety of tents, and we want to ensure you get the right tent for whatever adventures you have. So here are some of the things to consider when you are in the market for a new tent. Here at Ultralight outdoor gear, we weigh every tent ourselves; the manufacturer’s weight can sometimes be inaccurate, …

Day 1 The official Day 1 route is a hike along the Chamonix valley to the end before climbing out (below a cable car) to the Col de Balme followed by a descent into Trient where there’s a place to camp. My idea was to use the Balcony du Sud path instead which contours along the Chamonix valley on the opposite side to Mont Blanc, about mid-way up the mountain side. It’s a superb path w …

Getting There Easyjet flies direct to Geneva from Manchester so this was the preferred option, don’t be tempted to go via Schipol, it’s a nightmare. Geneva is the gateway airport for Chamonix so there are loads of options for transfers. I got caught out though, I booked a bus for an hour after the flight was due to land so this is what happened: Flight delayed out of Manchester, but …

Total weight (excluding Food, Water and Consumables): 5.884Kg (12lbs 15.9oz) Total weight with 3 days food, gas and 1L water: 9.386Kg (20lbs 11.7oz) I was intending to complete Chamonix to Zermatt high route using a mix of wild camps and camp sites. As I’m getting on a bit, I needed a backpack that was as light as possible without sacrificing comfort, as I would be using my tent for ten nig …

Chamonix to Zermatt is known as the Walker’s Haute Route and is an amazing journey of around 180km across some of the most beautiful passes in Switzerland. I completed the route in 2006 but wanted to experience it again in 2025, nineteen years since my first crossing and at the advanced age of 64. The traditional way to make the crossing is to use mountain huts and valley hotels, but for me …

Cost The cost of the trip depends very much on whether you camp every night or use accommodation, and how much you use campsites and restaurants for meals. The cost of cable cars is also significant, though of course you don’t have to use any of these, though I think the one from Le Chable to Les Ruinettes is well worth it. As it saves a full day, you can offset the cost of the cable car ag …

Welcome to the comfort revolution and get ready for the most comfortable nights you’ve ever experienced backpacking. If an XLite NXT and a MondoKing had a baby, it would be the NeoLoft. With a lightweight and warmth-efficient internal structure, a luxurious comfort-driven 3D profile, and a silkysoft stretch knit surface, the NeoLoft is designed to cushion, cradle and contour all night long. …

Day 7 - 14th May Invernahavon Campsite – Glen Feshie Distance: 26.47km Altitude: 678m Steps: 27,783 The downside of having a campsite so close to the A9 and railway line was when they decide to do any maintenance, they tend to do it at night so not to disturb the traffic. However, it does disturb campers! The sound of rattling machinery seemed to go on all night; I must have only managed …

Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), formerly known as Cuben Fibre, has transformed the world of ultralight backpacking. This high-tech fabric, popularised by tent manufacturers such as Hyperlite Mountain Gear, offers exceptional strength-to-weight performance, full waterproofing, and all-weather reliability. It’s now a common choice for ultralight tents, backpacks, and accessories, allowing adve …

Combining lightweight Gore-Tex ePE performance shell with advanced construction techniques and essential feature set, the Phase lite ensures maximum wet weather protection and full garment breathability whilst minimising weight. BARRIER and STORMGUARD construction techniques enhance wet weather protection, and are engineered alongside our streamlined features set, including the PIVOT 2 fully adjus …