Blog

This is one of the easiest reviews I’ve ever had to write,  MSR’s Pocket Rocket Deluxe stove does everything you could possibly ask of a humble gas stove. I used it first on a trip to Glen Shiel in Scotland and on the first night I camped on the Kintail ridge, it was windy and exposed but the Pocket Rocket Deluxe coped with it well, the concave burner head (while not an original …

Mountain Safety Research have been making exceptional outdoor equipment for over 50 years, in this post we show you their origins and what kindof company they are.

The FreeLite series gets a makeover and is now lighter than its predecessors. Poles weigh 226g Flysheets weigh 416g Inner tent weighs 338g Total weight 980g The tent I was given to test has a dark flysheet but this didn’t seem gloomy in any way. We camped in high summer and the weather was good so the tent hasn’t had a long term test nor tested in stormy conditions. …

Drink Dilemma – the facts about water treatmentThe DangersDrinking water directly from streams and rivers can be hazardous because such sources could contain Pathogens; a Pathogen is a disease causing organism commonly referred to as a germ.There are four types of water-borne pathogens that are of concern: Protozoa – single cell organisms often transferred through human and animal faeces. They ar …

I've used this for multiple wild camping and hiking trips, and although the effort of hand pumping the numerous litres of water over the years has given me a forearm like Popeye, it's proved to be a reliable trail friend. It removes bacteria and protozoa from wild water (to be sure its virus free you need to treat it with sterilising tablets or boil it), enabling all but the most untrustworthy wat …

The MSR Pro Bivy is currently one of MSR’s lightest bivy bags. At 246 grams, it packs down small with MSR describing it as being “Designed for professional alpinists and serious adventurers, the Pro Bivy delivers quick-pitch protection in cramped spaces too small for a tent.” On first appearance this is a bivy that’s very much on the simple side. The fly fabric is made up of brigh …

We are always keen to try out new walking poles as they are a must for our guides and clients alike when multi day trekking. Key elements for us are poles that function on all types of mountain terrain, are robust, have low weight, easy to pack down with a low volume, and have some adjustability, including use with tarps.Our initial impression of the poles in their storage mode reinforced …

Extensively tested by Cairngorm Treks in the highlands of Scotland. I think we have a strong claim to have used this tent more than most.We received the tent shortly after its release and have used it on all our multi-day treks this season.As a lightweight operator in some of the harshest UK mountain conditions, we were really excited when the MSR Access solo and two-person tents came on the marke …

We began by looking at industries that require ultra-durable waterproof coatings to protect their products from the elements. Taking cues from their coating formulas, we developed a coating that’s revolutionary for the tent industry. We’re calling it Xtreme Shield. How is it different? The magic is at the molecular level. Xtreme Shield’s polyurethane features a molecular chain that’s for …

MSR Cookware MaterialsBackpacking cookware comes in a variety of materials to meet the needs of everyone from fast packers to dedicated backcountry chefs. Each material has its key benefits and understanding them will help you pick the cook set that’s right for your priorities, both on the trail and in the “kitchen”—whether that’s a portaledge and you’re brewing ramen, or a grand valley where you’ …

MSR's Trail shot brings new convenience to the task of water treatment, it's designed to be carried in an external pocket so that it can be deployed instantly when the need arises. Its effectiveness in removing bacteria and protozoa is in-line with other filters in this category and is detailed elsewhere, suffice to say that it meets U.S. EPA drinking water standards and NSF protocol P231 for remo …

Arguably the most important aspect of choosing a tent is understanding what you need if for. Knowing the conditions you are most likely to use it in will help you narrow down your options effectively. The following groups of tents will suit different people and the activities they most regularly do.Ultralight Backpacking / Adventure Racing TentsCarbon Reflex SeriesAimed at the ultra minimalist, pr …