Rab Winter Sleep System
Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 30, 2023
Winter camping enthusiasts understand the importance of a good night's sleep in extreme conditions. When the temperatures drop and the elements become more challenging, having the right gear makes all the difference. This article explores the perfect winter camping sleep system that combines cutting-edge technology, lightweight design, and unparalleled warmth. The trifecta of the Neutrino 800 Down
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Exped Ultra -5° Down Sleeping Bag Review - “The meticulous design and construction of the sleeping bag demonstrated exceptional insulation capabilities”
Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 24, 2023
Incredibly eager to start this
year's winter camping season, I headed to the Cairngorms for this year's first
glimpses of snow. I wasn't planning to camp on the plateau itself, and the
expected temperature was supposed to hover around 0° throughout the night. I
arrived at the Corrour Bothy at about 3, pitched my tent, The Hillerberg Soulo,
next to the river Dee, and settled in for
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Alpine 850 Down Hoodie Review - “High-performance winter insulation piece, offering a blend of warmth and functionality”
Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 15, 2023
I have to admit that this review is a tad late. In my defence, I
was waiting for some appropriately cold weather to test the jacket; thankfully,
November has arrived and brought some wintry conditions.
Montane has brought two new down jackets to
the market this season: the Alpine 850 Lite Down Hoodie, and the jacket I have been testing, the Alpine 850 Down Hoodie. The lat
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Mastering Winter Hiking: A Layering Guide
Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 14, 2023
Hiking
in the winter can be a magical experience, with pristine, snow-covered
landscapes and crisp, invigorating air. However, it also comes with unique
challenges, including fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather
conditions. Mastering the art of layering your clothing is essential to ensure
you stay warm, comfortable, and safe during your winter hikes. In this
comprehensive guid
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Our Top 10 Winners In Our Taste Test
Posted by Andy Neil on Oct 27, 2023
We weigh everything we sell
so that our customers have the most accurate information possible, but did you
know we also taste every dehydrated meal we sell too? Over the last year, we
have tasted every meal we sell, scoring each out of 10. We know which meals
need more or less water, which need more time to hydrate, and which are best
avoided altogether. So, we have compiled this list of our
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Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine Light Jacket Review - “There is no better stand-alone outer layer when the wind whips around you on a cold, crisp mountain day.”
Posted by Andy Neil on Oct 04, 2023
I love September; moving from summer to autumn is
always my favourite time. The change in weather means it's the perfect time to
get out hiking and to test out some of this year's new Autumn and Winter range.
One of the first pieces I was keen to get my hands on was Rab’s latest
incarnation of the Vapour Rise Alpine Light Jacket, which has always been a
stand-out piece in Rab's ran
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Berghaus Extrem MTN Guide MW Technical Pant Review - “After extensive use, I have found them to be some of the most unrestrictive and hard-wearing trousers I have used.”
Posted by Andy Neil on Sep 29, 2023
At the beginning of March this year, I was fortunate enough to be
invited onto a winter skill course by Berghaus. Berghaus were keen to hear our
opinions on their new EXTREM clothing range. The EXTREM Range was
launched in 1986 and was designed to be used in the World's most extreme
conditions, and for nearly four decades the line has advanced and evolved into
the brand-new range we ha
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Exped Winter Kit List
Posted by Andy Neil on Sep 19, 2023
As
the nights are drawing in and the temperature is starting to dip, we are
excited about the prospect of the upcoming winter camping season. Winter
camping can be more challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Cosy
nights curled up in the tents, crisp frosty mornings, and dark star-filled
skies are all only a few months away. So, we have teamed up with our friends at
EXPED to de
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Andy's 2023 TGO Challenge
Posted by Andy Neil on Jul 27, 2023
Intro
The Great Outdoor Challenge (TGO
challenge) is an annual communal coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland; each
year, 400 “challengers” set off from one of 14 different start points located
on the west coast of Scotland, aiming for the east coast. Some will head to the
hills and attempt to bag as many Munros as possible, shunning small towns and
villages and choosing to stay in t
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Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ Trekking Poles Review - "Versatile, packable and have even given consideration to on trail maintenance''
Posted by Andy Neil on Jul 19, 2023
I converted to hiking poles in 2017 when I completed
Wainwright’s coast-to-coast. They help you power up hills, take pressure off
your knees, and stay balanced on uneven terrain. A mountain lead I know says,
“There are two types of people who hike with poles, those with bad knees and
those that don't want bad knees”. I use trekking poles to erect my tent, so
they support me and my shelt
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Pure Clear Life Filter Personal Survival Straw Review - "This is a fantastic product''
Posted by Andy Neil on Jul 12, 2023
The Pure Clear Life Filter Personal Survival Straw sets
itself apart from the rest of its competitors in a few ways; firstly, the
price, it's almost half the cost of some of the other leading water filtration
devices, and most notably, the
Pure Clear Life Filter doesn't just filter
out bacteria silt and protozoa as the other standard water filters do, it also
removes viruses, he
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Andy’s 2023 TGO Kit List
Posted by Andy Neil on May 09, 2023
May means one thing here in the Ultralight office, The Great
Outdoors Challenge, or the TGO for short. We are incredibly proud to be a
sponsor of this communal coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland. Three of our team,
Danny, Chris and myself, are participating in this year’s TGO, so I thought I’d
give you an insight into what’s in my pack and some of the gear I’ll be taking
for this year’s chal
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