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Nemo Tensor Extreme Review - “With an R rating of 8.5, the Tensor Extreme is about as good as it gets currently.”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 25, 2024

Extra consideration is often required when choosing a winter kit. Especially kit you wish to spend a night in below zero conditions with potentially a long walk away from the nearest road. How much each piece of gear weighs will be a factor but more importantly, it needs to be up to the job. A sleep mat is a key item as it is the main barrier against the frozen ground, to help provide a wa …
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Rab Sleeping Mat Guide

Mar 28, 2024

Harnessing our decades of experience in insulation and innovative heat-reflective technology, we’ve created a range of lightweight, packable, comfortable sleeping mats as the perfect foundation to your sleep system.

Rab Sleeping Mat Technology Explained

Mar 28, 2024

Harnessing our decades of experience in insulation and innovative heat-reflective technology, we’ve created a range of lightweight, packable, comfortable sleeping mats as the perfect foundation for your sleep system.

Big Agnes Sleeping Mat Buying Guide

Posted by Mark Richardson on Mar 18, 2024

In this post we look at the Big Agnes sleeping mats that we stock and tell you a bit about them. Big Agnes's sleeping mats start at around 400 grams, they tend not to make extremely lightweight pads, preferring to focus on comfort and high insulation value, their pads are light for the job that they do.

MSR's Lightweight Bikepacking Kit List

Posted by Lois Fife on Mar 01, 2024

Whether you are racing the length or breadth of the country or enjoying a scenic tour of coffee shops and stately homes, your basic needs for shelter, sleeping and making a brew won’t differ greatly so, here are a few items that are compact and lightweight enough to fit on the bike and not weigh you down, allowing you to enjoy your next adventure.

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing an Ultralight Sleeping Mat

Posted by Fran O'Donnell on Feb 26, 2024

The key factors to take into consideration when choosing a sleeping mat are the pack size, weight, your budget and most importantly what time of year you will be using it which, determines the level of insulation you need. Comfort in an outdoor sense is partly dictated by being able to iron out the lumps and bumps in the ground with the mat, but insulation is king and if you’re cold you won’t slee …
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Exped Sleeping Mats Explained

Posted by Mark Richardson on Feb 23, 2024

What's in a Name? Exped have named their mats in a way that identifies the key features of the mat. Some examples are dissected here.

Ultralight Outdoor Gear Awards 2023

Posted by Andy Neil on Dec 22, 2023

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. …
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Rab Winter Sleep System

Posted by Andy Neil on Nov 30, 2023

Winter camping enthusiasts understand the importance of a good night's sleep in extreme conditions. When the temperatures drop and the elements become more challenging, having the right gear makes all the difference. This article explores the perfect winter camping sleep system that combines cutting-edge technology, lightweight design, and unparalleled warmth.

Exped Winter Kit List

Posted by Andy Neil on Sep 19, 2023

As the nights are drawing in and the temperature is starting to dip, we are excited about the prospect of the upcoming winter camping season. Winter camping can be more challenging, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Cosy nights curled up in the tents, crisp frosty mornings, and dark star-filled skies are all only a few months away. So, we have teamed up with our friends at EXPED to de …
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Exped Dura 5R M Sleeping Mat Review - "A very tough and dependable mat that should see out many years’ worth of adventure with little worry of punctures and failures''

Posted by Trek Scotland on Jul 20, 2023

Exped describes the Dura 5R M as a ‘durable, extra-warm mat for demanding adventures, including extended outings in alpine and polar regions, rugged paddling trips and overlanding.’ Compared to their Ultra range this is quite large in comparison with a weight of approx. 900 grams including the inflation bag and an R-value of 4.8. Having also been using the Exped Ultra 7R alon …
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