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I’ve had an up and down relationship with this stove – here’s how it went. I bought the version with the Piezo Igniter, thinking that it was integrated with the stove in some way – not unreasonable given other stoves in this category. However, I was disappointed to find it's actually a separate item altogether. As I always take a Firesteel as backup, I left the igniter at …

Leki are still the market leaders in trekking poles, there are lighter alternatives but there always seem to be compromises, which Leki doesn’t do. So, the SkySolo FX.One Carbon are definitely in the ultralight class just not the lightest, but what you get is a superb pair of poles with no compromises that I could find compared to much heavier brethren. The bit that impressed me most was th …

I decided to try a solar power option because I expected it to be sunny quite a lot of the time. That sounds obvious, but I know from experience that to get the best out of a solar panel, you need full sun directly onto it. Attaching it to the back of a rucksack can be its nemesis. I was also conscious I’d be hiking West to East. This is not ideal since most of the walking should be done by …

The Suunto Vertical Titanium Solar (72g) is a rugged, GPS-enabled multi-sport watch built for outdoor adventure. It offers offline maps, dual-band GNSS tracking, an altimeter, barometer, compass, and solar-assisted battery life. While it’s capable of tracking just about every sport under the sun, I’ve used it exclusively for hiking and camping. I first started using the Suunto Vertical …

The Times Roam Sunglasses were put to the test on a very sunny holiday. I was immediately impressed with how lightweight and packable they are. Thanks to the clever folding strap that stays securely in place when worn, you can also fold them flat when not in use. They’re ideal for wearing loosely around your neck or for storing in your pack or pocket. The adjustable, flexible strap allows f …

Being a convert to the Jetboil world, having owned a previous incarnation of the Flash for the past 10 years, it was good to give the latest version a go to see what has changed. Jetboil first introduced their innovative cooking systems over 20 years ago and revolutionised backpacking cooking. They developed the flux ring that combined with the interlocking sections and neat packing created a sup …

  My first MSR Whisperlite was purchased around 25 years ago whilst on a bike-packing trip to Austria, where access to fuel canisters proved impossible outside of major towns. This hybrid-fuel stove has many familiar features to my original stove but with the added capability to connect a gas canister as well as burning white gas, Kerosene and unleaded fuel. On my recent outing the temperatu …

Comfort and Warmth Wrapped up in one lightweight package. Heading out on be it a day hike or a multi-day trek, gloves are something that can be easily overlooked. I myself, have fell foul of this oversight. Keeping your hands warm is rather important, but in cold and damp climates it makes this task especially difficult. A good pair of gloves can make or break a day out. With snow and cold weathe …

The Primus Ulti stove is an all-in-one stove system with a large burner and a range of pot sizes. The aim of the stove is to provide a hot meal under any circumstances. In Scotland we encounter a wide range of weather conditions that can change dramatically over just a short space of time. Having a reliable stove which can provide our group with a hot drink and warm meal is key to keeping morale …

I should start this review by stating that I'm not a runner, so this did fill me with some slight trepidation that I wouldn't get the best out of these headphones. I needn't have worried though as I found myself using these whilst out walking, training and climbing. The fact you can still hear people, vehicles and nature whilst wearing them makes them a great and safe way to listen to music. …

When I started out using the Suunto Sonic Headphones, I never anticipated how impressive these headphones would perform. Tech and Specs: Starting off, connecting the headphones couldn't be easier. It's a simple process of connecting the headphones to your chosen device via Bluetooth. No proprietary apps, just connect and go! Included with the headphones is a charging cable (the headphones us …

The Suunto Wing Bluetooth Headphones are a perfect way to listen to music or podcasts whilst out on a run or outdoor activity. Their bone conductive technology means they do not go in the ear, but rather conduct through the bone just at the front of the ear. This means you can still hear ambient sounds, such as cars or people, while still enjoying your music. This is a much safer option …