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TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewIn the competitive, crowded market of canister-top stoves, the Windmaster from Japanese brand SOTO stands out. Firstly, the burner head has a concave shape with a protective lip, providing better wind protection la common flaw of canister-top designs). Secondly, you get four-pot support arms - unlike most other three-pronged stoves - thus ensuring improved pot stability with …

This lightweight merino-blend top has the most athletic fit of all the garments I tested. So it's efficient at wicking moisture, and it's good at thermal regulation too, in a wide range of temperatures. However, I found the fit a little too snug. Amen's Medium usually fits me perfectly in most products but this was uncomfortably tight around the chest and upper arms. The fabric's stretchy, so it d …

Patagonia's Capilene base layers have been around for many years, through multiple redesigns and generations, and are available in a range of weights from light to heavy. The Capilene Midweight is, in my opinion, the Goldilocks base layer. Despite being a slightly thicker and heavier garment than the others tested, it's light enough to perform well in warmer conditions (although the black colour o …

The Dart Thermo is new from Montane this season. The fibre combination of nylon and spandex gives this fabric a denser feeling than polyester and a surprising degree of warmth given the low garment weight. It's close-fitting without being spray- on and has four-way stretch although less than I expected given 12% spandex (I could have done with slightly more on the forearms). The inner face feels b …

THE GREAT OUTDOORS: MAGAZINEThe Dart Thermo is new from Montane this season. The fibre combination of nylon and spandex gives this fabric a denser feeling than polyester and a surprising degree of warmth given the low garment weight. It's close-fitting without being spray- on and has four-way stretch although less than I expected given 12% spandex (I could have done with slightly more on the forea …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewOur judges waxed lyrical about this 10cm-thick, warm and comfortable sleeping mat, which features Air Sprung Cell technology and boasts an R-value of over 6. Judge David Lintern said: "No corners are cut with the Ether Light - the high R value ensures protection from the ground in truly sub-zero temperatures and the regular size is wide enough that your arms don't fall off th …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewThe one-person High Route 3000 is a lightweight, versatile tent erected with trekking poles. It is a solid, practical shelter with a clever design, good interior space, and lots of features. It weighs 898g (excluding pegs and bags) and compresses down to slightly larger than a Nalgene bottle. Judge Chris Townsend said: “This European version is a beefed-up, stronger model of …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Review"This is extraordinary,' said judge Chris Townsend, after testing this jacket in the Cairngorms. “It weighs only 115g and is as warm as a heavyweight fleece, as long as you wear a shell over it in wind. It's so breathable that just walking about in still air you lose heat. My only concern is over long-term durability, but on initial testing this is very impressive.” The OMM C …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewNew for 2021, the Montane Fireball is a warm, breathable and versatile jacket for hiking in colder conditions. Featuring synthetic insulation, which keeps you warm even if damp, the Fireball also comes with an insulated hood, articulated arms, elasticated cuffs, adjustable hem and a full- length zip with stormflap. Judge Chris Townsend said: “This is a nice insulated jacket w …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewThe Jetboil Stash is a fast, light and compact camping stove, weighing just 200g. It weighs 40% less than Jetboil's previous lightest models - the Zip and MicroMo (both 340 grams) - whilst having the same size pot. This has been achieved by simplifying the design and reducing the weight of components, but without losing what makes Jetboil special - the integrated cooking syst …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: reviewNeither an ultra-light, trainer-like modern boot nor a heavy, traditional leather boot, the Rush TRK GTX is instead a bit of a halfway house, striking a balance between the two. The aim is to give walkers the best of both worlds: a boot that is strong, waterproof and protective enough for genuine 3-season use in all conditions, but that simultaneously feels light, nimble and …

TRAIL MAGAZINEMontane Pac Plus XT £240 and 3-point adjustment. Shaped cuffs with secure Velcro closures cover the wrists superbly. As a result, it feels very protective, even in a full-on downpour. Last year, Montane's Pac Plus jacket managed to nab both Trail Best in Test and Best Value awards. All in all, we thought it was just about the best 3-season hillwalking jacket out there. So what's chan …