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Why use aftermarket insoles for hiking and walking? The insoles that are supplied with most outdoor footwear are extremely cheap and are effectively just a flat sock liner. Usually nothing more than a flat foam pad offering basic cushioning and nothing else. Our feet are not flat but multi-dimensional so most people will benefit from a 3D insole. Aftermarket insoles like Super …

2023 was an excellent year for new ultralight equipment and clothing, and we wanted to highlight some of our favourite gear that hit the market this year. Some pieces, like the Montbell Plasma 1000, pushed the limits of what it means to be ultralight even further. Others, like the Nemo Tensor Extreme Conditions sleeping pad, showed real innovation by raising their R-value to an industry-leading 8. …

When you step into a Scarpa walking boot or shoe, you can be sure it has been carefully designed and tested to suit you and your activity. Designed to handle anything the UK hills, fells, and paths can throw at you, our range includes lightweight, synthetic and leather walking boots and shoes, including GORE-TEX and H-Dry waterproof membrane options.

I am a self-confessed Hoka fan. Most of my distance walking has been in Hoka since discovering their trail shoes back in 2018. Since 2018 I have used  Speedgoat, Speedgoat Mid, Sky Toa, Sky Kaha, Challenger, Trail Code and Stinson to cover 1000’s of miles. When the original Kaha boot launched back in 2019 I immediately bought a pair. They offered a great …

A number of people in our office are loyal Inov8 fans but I had never tried any of their kit before. However, I was in need of some new footwear and thought this could be the time to see what I was potentially missing out on. Having always gone for footwear with a Vibram sole I had planned, as ever, going to play safe with the same tried and tested but had heard some very positive thing …

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 …

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst. Being serious about your mountaineering adventure means carrying a back-up shell that’s exceptionally packable and lightweight, very breathable, and protects you with the GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY promise. Proven to be abrasion resistant and very durable, with GORE‑TEX PACLITE® PLUS garments you are ready for unexpected adventures.

I’ve used these a couple of times on backpacking trips and a day hike in the Lake District during February & March and can verify the comfort claims straight out of the box. La Sportiva explains that the extra volume in the front area of the boot is designed to deliver comfort and this is really apparent as soon as you put the boots on, furthermore, the rest of the boot seems to be …

The original Roclite Pro G 400, released in 2020, and are one of the best pairs of hiking boots I've tried; hard-wearing, supportive and very light. They went on to win the prestigious "Footwear of the Year" category at that year's Outdoor Awards show. So, when Inov8 announced they were revamping the trail shoe for 2023, I was keen to get my hands on a pair. The  Roclite Pro G …

For longer journeys an extra pair of footwear can come in very handy. This will often be a super light option to wear around camp after a long day in the hills. Letting your feet relax, breathe, and recover is not only for comfort but also helps prevent foot niggles and injuries. This is all part of self-management on route and will ultimately make your overall journey as easy as possib …

I have been testing the Hoka Women’s Kaha 2 GTX Hiking boot for 4 months, walking regularly in my local woods and on the North York Moors in the depths of winter. They have stomped through mud, snow and ice, winched up steep grassy hillsides and explored rocky sandstone outcrops. The Vibram® Megagrip rubber with Traction Lug design combined with the broad foot print, provide excellent …

La Sportiva was born in 1928 when Narciso Delladio hand-crafted wooden leather boots for many lumber-jacks and farmers of the Fassa and Fiemme valleys (Dolomites, Italy). After the war, the demand for boots increased obliging Narciso to hire new workers: the good name of "Calzoleria Sportiva" crossed the boarders of the valleys. Starting from here the La Sportiva’s history continued to grow. …