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TentsIt almost goes without saying you need a four season tent, but which one to choose? The ability to cope with high winds, rain and potentially snow mean that strength has to be a major consideration.Hilleberg make a range of tents that are certainly capable of withstanding the worst winter conditions you can expect to encounter in the UK. Their Red Label range of tents offer a balance of weigh …

Extensively tested by Cairngorm Treks in the highlands of Scotland. I think we have a strong claim to have used this tent more than most.We received the tent shortly after its release and have used it on all our multi-day treks this season.As a lightweight operator in some of the harshest UK mountain conditions, we were really excited when the MSR Access solo and two-person tents came on the marke …

To begin, Ultralight Outdoor Gear asked us to pick a few products that we believe would fit into our approach to lightweight multi day trekking. One of the shelters we picked had to fit the criteria of an ultra-light and compact shelter, which incorporated a walking pole to reduce carrying extra poles, and also most importantly had full midge protection. We are big fans of the versatilit …

We began by looking at industries that require ultra-durable waterproof coatings to protect their products from the elements. Taking cues from their coating formulas, we developed a coating that’s revolutionary for the tent industry. We’re calling it Xtreme Shield. How is it different? The magic is at the molecular level. Xtreme Shield’s polyurethane features a molecular chain that’s for …

The Lightwave G15 Ultra Tent is described as a storm proof compact and light 2 man tent which is often also used as a larger 1 person tent. Although I found it to be a tad too heavy and bulky for solo use, it certainly worked well as a compact 2-person tent ideal for lightweight treks where reducing the size of equipment is of importance. Just enough room inside for 2 sleep systems and spare gear. …

Arguably the most important aspect of choosing a tent is understanding what you need if for. Knowing the conditions you are most likely to use it in will help you narrow down your options effectively. The following groups of tents will suit different people and the activities they most regularly do.Ultralight Backpacking / Adventure Racing TentsCarbon Reflex SeriesAimed at the ultra minimalist, pr …

TFS Dawn Tent ReviewAs a quick overview I wasn't a huge fan of the tent to be honest, and was surprised that seemed so highly rated by others. Although I think that a few of my issues with the tent would probably be fixed by using Dyneema Cuben Fibre or another more rigid fabric. Also media around the web and from TFS show it pitched more like a tarp, without the mesh insert which would make it a …

MSR Access 2 ReviewWhen MSR heard that I was heading to the Highlands they very kindly offered to let me try one of their new Access tents. Mark at UOG had previously tested the Access 1 tent earlier in the year in snowy conditions so I had no doubt it was a great choice for this trip. He’d been extremely impressed when using one in the Cairngorms so I was looking forward to trying one for myself. …

Tested regularly throughout Autumn and Winter 2017/18 in the Cairngorms and surrounding areas.The Mountain Hardwear Trango range comes with a big reputation and is a product of which most mountaineers have some familiarity. First introduced in 1995 it became a very reliable shelter and a favourite amongst Alpinists. We owned the 3-man version ourselves around 10 years ago, shared amongst a group o …

MSR Access 1p - 4 Season TentMSR's Access tents are excellent - a four season tent weighing in at a shade over 1.3kg is a noteworthy achievement and I was delighted to have the opportunity to test one on a short excursion in Scotland during February. I was mightily impressed, the pole structure works amazingly well so the tent kept its basic shape despite strong gusty conditions.The Access tents a …

Light, warm and strong - the ultimate tent for winter backcountry touring.Built to be the ultimate shelter for winter backpacking, backcountry skiers and snowshoers, the Access 2 tent is lighter than a mountaineering tent, but warmer than our backpacking tents. Limited mesh on the tent body offers greater warmth on frigid nights, while the light and packable design saves you precious energy on the …

Nemo Hornet 1P tested in the PyreneesI took the hornet on a ten day trek in the Pyrenees, part of the Pyrenean High Route from L’Hospitalet pres d’Andorre to Banyuls sur Mer. The route is over exposed mountain areas for most of the first five days then more sheltered trekking down to the sea, while there was only occasional rain (and one very heavy storm shower) there was plenty of wind to te …