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Having been given the opportunity to attempt the TGO challenge, a two week coast-to-coast backpacking hike across Scotland, it seemed a great opportunity to give the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Unbound 55 litre rucksack a good workout. This being my first foray into the larger ultralight rucksacks, I was a little apprehensive about committing to a new bag for such a long trek. Would it be comfortable …

Being a convert to the Jetboil world, having owned a previous incarnation of the Flash for the past 10 years, it was good to give the latest version a go to see what has changed. Jetboil first introduced their innovative cooking systems over 20 years ago and revolutionised backpacking cooking. They developed the flux ring that combined with the interlocking sections and neat packing created a sup …

I was looking for a replacement for my 3-layer waterproof. I needed a lightweight, packable jacket, that is still durable enough to withstand severe winter conditions. Although not essential, I do like to have many features on a jacket, and this jacket has them all; a fully adjustable hood with a stiffened peak, pit zips, Velcro closures on the cuffs and a cinchable hem. The first thing I noticed …

This is an extremely comfortable and versatile zipped hoodie. The close-fitting design and 4-way stretch fabric help it move with the body. This has been the mid-layer I have turned to over the last few months whilst training for a coast-to-coast walk in May, coupled with a long or short sleeved base-layer and a waterproof when an outer layer is required. The gridded ‘Thermo-grid’ bru …

Having relatively recently got into ultra running my experience of running caps was usually whatever hat came to hand when leaving the house, so upgrading to a Vaga Feather Racing cap was a bit of a revelation. Incredibly light and well fitting, the material is soft to the touch but nice and stretchy. Whether it is scrunched up in your running pack or nestled on your head, it doesn’t seem t …

The new Sirocco Lite insulated hoodie is a midlayer with some extra warmth where you need it. I got to use it on a recent trip to the highlands in April when the weather can drastically change the higher you go. It is not unusual to be in a short sleeve shirt at the bottom only to find yourself scrabbling for your warmer layers as you pass snow patches at the tops. The Sirocco Lite is a great lig …

The new Altra Lone Peak 9+ trail shoes have been my first zero drop shoes. This means the height difference between the toe and the heel is zero – they offer a flat more natural position for your feet to be in. I was a bit apprehensive about using these as they can add strain to the Achilles especially if there has been a previous injury which is what I have had on and off over the last yea …

The NEMO Pulse quilt offers standout cold-weather performance in a refined ultralight design. With 1,000 fill power, a sculpted cut, and a snug, enclosed footbox, it's an ideal companion for early spring, late autumn, and fast and light long-distance trips throughout the year. I had the chance to put the NEMO Pulse quilt through its paces during a week of mixed camping in March—first at a f …

I was recently given the opportunity to test the new Tenacity Nano Hoodie from montane. I was excited and intrigued as Montane describe it as their “lightest ever softshell hooded jacket, tough enough for any challenge”. Well I already love the versatility of a softshell jacket as you can use them for just about any activity. They’re breathable enough for fast moving activi …

In September 2024 I took the new Big Agnes Fly Creek UL1 on the Fjallraven Classic, a 3 day back-packing event in Lake District with 2 overnight camps. The weather was remarkable for the time of year, with daytime temperatures pushing into the mid-20s, so the benefit of having light kit made for easy hiking. Weighing in at just over 900g and with a slim pack-size of around 12cm diameter, the …

I have been rigorously testing these Silva Trekking Poles Aluminium Cork over the past 12 months. They have joined me on numerous multi-day hikes in the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, Peak District, Scotland and whilst on regular long day walks on the North York Moors. They have never let me down, adding confidence to steep descents, taken the load off the body when packed up and provided stabil …

  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 …