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With the autumn and winter weather bringing wetter ground underfoot it was time to give the new Scarpa Rapid XT GTX hiking shoes a go out. Having used them on a mixture of terrain on my local walks for a few weeks now, from slightly boggy sheep fields to good but uneven paths they have performed very well. As with most new leather shoes they were initially quite unforgiving but have now bedded in …

  My first MSR Whisperlite was purchased around 25 years ago whilst on a bike-packing trip to Austria, where access to fuel canisters proved impossible outside of major towns. This hybrid-fuel stove has many familiar features to my original stove but with the added capability to connect a gas canister as well as burning white gas, Kerosene and unleaded fuel. On my recent outing the temperatu …

Comfort and Warmth Wrapped up in one lightweight package. Heading out on be it a day hike or a multi-day trek, gloves are something that can be easily overlooked. I myself, have fell foul of this oversight. Keeping your hands warm is rather important, but in cold and damp climates it makes this task especially difficult. A good pair of gloves can make or break a day out. With snow and cold w …

Four-Season Review: Montane Alpine 850 Nano Down Hoodie From the chill of dawn on a springtime Scottish coast to the biting frost of winter in the Lakes, the Montane Alpine 850 Nano Down Hoodie has been with me every step of the way. Over the past year, it has become my go-to insulation layer, tackling everything from multi-day treks to daily hikes with unwavering reliability. Montane kindly p …

The Primus Ulti stove is an all-in-one stove system with a large burner and a range of pot sizes. The aim of the stove is to provide a hot meal under any circumstances. In Scotland we encounter a wide range of weather conditions that can change dramatically over just a short space of time. Having a reliable stove which can provide our group with a hot drink and warm meal is key to keeping mora …

Over the course of this year, I committed myself to a number of ultra marathon challenges and wanted to gear myself up with the best tools for the job. First on this list and most importantly was footwear… Considering plenty of options I wanted something that provided stability of changing terrain that prioritise comfort over long distances over some more rigid or minimalist. The key features …

I should start this review by stating that I'm not a runner, so this did fill me with some slight trepidation that I wouldn't get the best out of these headphones. I needn't have worried though as I found myself using these whilst out walking, training and climbing. The fact you can still hear people, vehicles and nature whilst wearing them makes them a great and safe way to listen to music. …

Montane Women’s Alpine 850 Nano Hoodie – with added GOLD!! Jacket tested in a UK12, (Eclipse Blue) weight: 196g The Montane Women’s Alpine 850 Nano Hoodie is a highly thermally efficient, technical down jacket. My first impression of this jacket is the weight - it is extremely light - weighing less than 200g. I have tested this jacket for six months, from late spring, throu …

Montane have designed this jacket to be a technical piece, versatile enough to wear for most activities throughout the year. The idea being to offer a warm yet breathable layer that also offers high wind resistance. This sounded perfect for me, so I decided to put one to the test on a three-day backpacking trip in Cumbria. As my trip was only for 3 days, I planned to pack as light as possible, ye …

When I started out using the Suunto Sonic Headphones, I never anticipated how impressive these headphones would perform. Tech and Specs: Starting off, connecting the headphones couldn't be easier. It's a simple process of connecting the headphones to your chosen device via Bluetooth. No proprietary apps, just connect and go! Included with the headphones is a charging cable (the headphones …

Sometimes you get an item of clothing that as soon as you put it on it feels right. Montane’s Alpine 850 Nano Down Hoodie for me is one of these. A very lightweight down jacket that for dry days provides plenty of warmth as my outer layer and then gives me a lot of comfort as a middle layer when the rain is falling. As of October 2024, the  Alpine 850 Nano Down Hoodie is the second …

If it helps, I’ll cut right to the chase, buy this baselayer. Not just one but a few of them. I’ve worn mine in single digit figure walks in the Yorkshire Moors through to 20°c sunny all-day mountain walks abroad, and on every occasion I’ve always felt comfortable. When it comes to sizing, stick with the size that you are if you want a proper fitted baselayer. I’m a Medium fit and the Med …