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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. …

There are basically three types of synthetic insulation used in outdoor jackets: 1. Sheet Insulation – Fibres are woven into a ‘mat’ structure and this is used to fill the jacket, this is the ‘traditional’ way of doing this and provides excellent warmth to weight and is pretty durable. 2. Loose Fill Insulation – This is where synthetic fibres are ‘loose’, like dow …

I have to admit that this review is a tad late. In my defense, I was waiting for some appropriately cold weather to test the jacket; thankfully, November has arrived and brought some wintry conditions. Montane has brought two new down jackets to the market this season: the  Alpine 850 Lite Down Hoodie, and the jacket I have been testing the Alpine 850 Down Hoodie. The l …

Hiking in the winter can be a magical experience, with pristine, snow-covered landscapes and crisp, invigorating air. However, it also comes with unique challenges, including fluctuating temperatures and unpredictable weather conditions. Mastering the art of layering your clothing is essential to ensure you stay warm, comfortable, and safe during your winter hikes. In this comprehensive guid …

The popularity of fleeces seems to come and go. Sometimes they are everyone’s go to mid-layer and other times lightweight synthetic insulated jackets become the trend. Ultimately though, everyone has at least one fleece in their outdoor wardrobe because of their versatility. The Abisko Lite fleece uses Fjallraven’s own grid-backed fleece fabric. Being made from 100% recycled polye …

The Vapour-Rise™ system excels across the mountain, offering you all-in-one temperature regulation, moisture management, and protection from the elements. Its ability to maintain comfort in a range of conditions allows you to put-on and press-on.

The new Vapour Rise Summit Jacket is an update on the classic series that has been a constant fixture in the multisport jacket category for years. The reason for this is the high level of versatility it offers not just in the activities that you can use it for but also the conditions that you can use it in. Making it one of the first things you will want to pop into your bag whatever …

Daytime insulation is tricky when you’re Backpacking, especially if you’re moving through a mountainous region where you could be slogging up a steep incline one minute then traversing a windy ridge the next. I find the ideal insulation is ‘not very much’, but you do need something to keep the wind chill at bay. As far as  Montane’s Fireball Nano is concerned it seems pretty muc …

The OMM CORE Range is a new concept in active insulation made entirely from PRIMALOFT ACTIVE ultra-light insulating fabric. Built from a synthetic plume woven through a knitted mesh CORE offers the warmth of a fleece but with less than half the weight. Paired with a shell, the CORE is an incredibly effective insulator, but the lightest breeze can take away that heat thanks to near-total air perm …

The Vapour Rise series of RAB garments are designed to provide comfortable insulation and protection from the wind without causing you to overheat if you start climbing up something, or the sun comes out. To achieve this Nirvana a garment needs to transfer moisture away from the skin or base layer so you remain dry and comfortable. I tested the Vapour Rise Summit Jacket on a recent h …

The L.I.M (Less Is More) range from  Haglofs, it is all about saving weight without compromising performance. So when it came to choosing a mid-layer for my 2 week trip across Scotland I was set from the start on the new  L.I.M Mid Comp Hood. Wanting something close fitting to work with a layering system, and thinking I would be in my wet weather gear for long spells of t …

The Haglofs Mid Touring jacket is a technical piece of clothing aimed for use in the colder months, working as either a mid-layer or a stand-alone outer layer for calmer days. In terms of stylings the Mid touring jacket certainly stands out, with us receiving a colour mix of blue and green, clearly highlighting the two separate forms of insulation used. There’s no denying this is a …