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Rab has taken everything they know about lower impact design and applied it to what they do best. The Solar Eco synthetic bags for men and women are filled with 100% recycled StratusTM insulation arranged in a concertina structure to trap warm air, and lined and covered with a tough, 20D, recycled AtmosTM fabric with ripstop. Hardwearing, warm, and dependable, they are perfect for three season cli …

The last couple of packs we've reviewed from Utah-based outdoor company Gregory (including the Alpinisto 28 LT in this very issue, p69) have really impressed us, so we were looking forward to putting this hiking pack through its paces. The Focal comes in two sizes, 48L and 58L, and with two back sizes - Medium and Large. Both are extremely light, weighing in at not much more than a kilo, yet offer …

Montane are involved with a number of trail and ultra running races as a sponsor, and one benefit of this seems to be that they get to name their products after the races! Their latest lightweight waterproof jacket is named after one such race - the Spine - which since 2012 has been beasting entrants who attempt to run its course along the length of the Pennine Way. Naturally this jacket is aimed …

We've said it before, but any layer that allows you to spend less time stopping to adjust your clothing is a good thing in our books, and this Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket from Rab is a great example of this. It uses two weights of Primaloft Gold Insulation Active+ - 60gsmthrough the back, front, top of the sleeves and collar, and 40gsm through the sides. under arms, middle of the back and …

Tents, along with everything else, have been getting lighter and lighter for years and a sub-1kg weight is no longer that groundbreaking for a 1-person backpacking tent - but is there a limit to how low you can go while still making a usable and vaguely durable product? Today's tent fabrics are incredibly thin/light while still offering decent durability, and carbon poles and pegs keep the overall …

Tights or leggings are an increasingly popular choice for women's outdoor legwear. They're normally our reviewer Ellie's preferred option in the hills for comfort and flexibility. However, most are less well suited to colder conditions. But the Abisko Varm offer additional weather protection. The front and side panels feature a wind-blocking fabric backed with a waterproof membrane, and they also …

This is the lightest jacket that I tried, and I had some doubts as to whether it could be classed as an all-season waterproof; but having had it on extended test all through the winter season, I'm happy that it is more than substantial and waterproof enough for the job. Made from 100% recycled Gore-Tex Paclite Plus, it's tough and packable, whilst being fairly breathable. The hood is well shaped a …

Montane seems to introduce a new type of Terra trousers every month. The latest addition is the Terra Mission for both men and women, which are technical mountaineering pants for cold conditions' - out just in time for autumn and winter adventures. As you might expect, they're warm and tough, being made from densely woven soft shell fabric with reinforced Cordura nylon. panels at the knees and in …

Mountain Equipment's Ibex pants have long been a Trail favourite, but we've still moaned about their small pockets, lack of thigh vents and limited ankle adjustment. Happily, the brand has fixed all those niggles with the release of the new Ibex Pro. The fabric is burlier too. It's still a double-weave stretch soft shell, but in a heavier weight that makes these trousers slightly warmer and tough …

This is a technical, premium, ultralight jacket with a standout design. Unlike classic soft shells which all have that distinctive soft shell outer material, made from a stretchy, sturdy and wind-resistant nylon or polyester - the Vapour-Rise Summit does things differently. The outer is constructed from Pertex Quantum Air, a highly breathable, open woven fabric which prioritises air permeability a …

Montane's Dyno and Krypton ranges are classic soft shells - you'd pick them off the shelf and immediately think "this is a soft shell". There's none of that identity-crisis confusion you get with some of the hybrid crossover styles. While the Dyno is slightly tougher and beefier, the Krypton still feels mountain-ready, striking a nice balance between durability, flex, comfort and weather-resistanc …

The Arc Eco won Gold in last year's TGO awards in the sustainability category, and it is the standout jacket in that capacity here, too. The jacket's face fabric, membrane and backer are all made up of a single polymer, which makes it much easier to recycle at the end of its life, whilst the impacts of production are also reduced. I've been using it since that initial test in autumn last year, and …