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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 …

When considering what pieces of kit to take on a lightweight expedition, a coffee press probably isn't high on the 'essential' list. But then again, we are into those colder months and as guides our job is provide our clients with as much comfort as possible. So, at a mere 44 grams, the MSR Windburner Coffee press has made its way into our kit on many occasions. Freeze dried coffee just …

MSR Windburner 1.0L Stove ReviewWhen MSR heard that I was heading to the Highlands they very kindly offered to let me test one of their Windburner stoves. I was mostly taking food of the freeze dried variety so wanted a stove mainly for boiling water. It looked a great option with fast boil times, impressive performance regardless of the wind and good fuel consumption. The only real negatives were …

This was the first time we have used a plastic peg and to be honest we were quite unsure why you would substitute a metal peg for a softer alternative. Constructed of strong ABS engineered plastic with an anodised aluminium tip to improve their lifespan, they are described as providing a lot of holding power, so we were looking forward to seeing how they pair up against our typical setup …

MSR Access 2 ReviewWhen MSR heard that I was heading to the Highlands they very kindly offered to let me try one of their new Access tents. Mark at UOG had previously tested the Access 1 tent earlier in the year in snowy conditions so I had no doubt it was a great choice for this trip. He’d been extremely impressed when using one in the Cairngorms so I was looking forward to trying one for myself. …

MSR Access 1p - 4 Season TentMSR's Access tents are excellent - a four season tent weighing in at a shade over 1.3kg is a noteworthy achievement and I was delighted to have the opportunity to test one on a short excursion in Scotland during February. I was mightily impressed, the pole structure works amazingly well so the tent kept its basic shape despite strong gusty conditions.The Access tents a …

Light, warm and strong - the ultimate tent for winter backcountry touring.Built to be the ultimate shelter for winter backpacking, backcountry skiers and snowshoers, the Access 2 tent is lighter than a mountaineering tent, but warmer than our backpacking tents. Limited mesh on the tent body offers greater warmth on frigid nights, while the light and packable design saves you precious energy on the …