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May means one thing in the Ultralight office: The Great Outdoors Challenge, or the TGO, for short. We are incredibly proud to sponsor this communal coast-to-coast crossing of Scotland. This year, Lois, Danny, and I are taking part in this years crossing. Lois is embarking on her first, and Danny and I are attempting our third TGO challenge.The TGO Challenge is a unique coast-to-coast trek across S …

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. …

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 …

Each shoe is ultralight (315g, men's size 8) yet features a protective toe cap, sturdy heel counter and meta-plate shank for surprisingly good support, as well as a Gore-Tex waterproof membrane. But the star of the show has to be the hard-as-nails outsole with 6mm claw-shaped cleats. It's infused with graphene - the world's strongest material apparently - thus delivering super-grippy traction.VERD …

For hiking on trails and long distances, I'm a big fan of comfort. The G390s are super lightweight, have trainer- level comfort and bounce, paired with a low ankle, and are perfect for summer adventures on non-technical terrain. They aren't waterproof, which some may prefer for breathability in summer. The sole is grippy, with graphene technology to avoid the age-old issue of a compromise in-a dur …

The Terraultra stats read very differently to many of the other inov8 shoes. Although still designed for running on paths and trails the fit and cushioning really stand out. With a wide fit, 12mm midsole stack and zero drop it’s certainly an interesting setup. The extra wide fit and plush levels of cushioning are ideal for running ultra-distances on mixed terrain. I will admit to bein …

Having spent most of last summer trekking using the inov8 345 we were excited about the prospect of using the Roclite Pro G 400 for our late autumn and early spring activities. Having found the 345's to be a fantastic lightweight mid-boot for ultralight adventures over dry and rocky ground, once it came to travelling off path through course heather, deep bog and mud, they did begin to show some we …

The Inov8 Roclite 315 is back and with a new extra durable upper. This shoe sits in the upper end of the Inov8 range with regards to weight but it is some way from being a pair of clogs. An ideal option for anyone looking at a trail shoe with a bit more durability whilst keeping elements of the lightweight members of the Inov8 family. With respect to the extensive range of shoes offered by Inov8, …

Positive:LightweightFeatures - side pockets adequate size - cannot fit large bottle in though.Additional chest pocket - useful and recommended for extra space & easy accessCentral zip - good for access from top or bottom but need to pack organised for this to be effective.Negative:Not very durable - Alex's got a hole in itStraps - compromised comfort for lightweight - could have more padding and/o …

Selection: I was off to Peru on a high-level trek (above 4000m), which means when the sun is shining it's very warm but when it's cloudy (and at night) it can be unpredictably cold. I was packing a RAB Infinity down jacket as my basecamp warmth but I needed a lightweight insulating layer I could use during the day if it got cold while walking. Primaloft is a leader in garment insulation so it's th …