Blog

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 …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: ReviewThere is a lot to love about this new-for-2022 tent. It weighs just 1242g (the second lightest on test) and boasts a spacious interior, steep wallarchitecture, good features, hassle-free inner- first pitching and solid all-round stability. The eco credentials are top-notch too, courtesy of a manufacturing process that reduces water consumption by 50% and both chemical and ene …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Gear of the year 2022If you're serious about wild camping and backpacking. you can't beat this sleeping bag. High quality, 900 fill power goose down delivers an EN/ISO comfort rating of 0°C, despite weighing just 580g-so the overall warmth-to-weight ratio is top-notch. This is aided by the zoned design, with 70% of insulation placed on the top and sides (where you need it most) and …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: New for 2022New for 2022, MSR has updated the FreeLite series of tents to make them even lighter. At just 1.06kg, the 2-person FreeLite is now 270g lighter than the previous model, and includes added features for ease-of-use and durability, including no-curve door zippers, extra storage pockets and reinforced tension points (for when the weather inevitably turns). The 1-person vers …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Best in testWith its generous headroom and floor space, plus twin doors and two spacious porches, the Dagger is great for weight-consciouscampers who appreciate plenty of room to spread out. It pitches inner-first but is super quick to set up. You also get great airflow that minimizes condensation, though this is a slight disadvantage in colder and breezier conditions.VERDICTNot qu …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: A Latrine dreamAlatrine trowel for digging holes to do your business in isn't exactly a glamorous item of kit. But somehow The TentLab has brought some real design flair and creativity to this superb product. At just 17g, it's incredibly light and slim lideal for weight-conscious backpackers), and the aerospace-grade aluminium delivers superb digging power. Other options include Th …

The Lite+ stove is a tower-style, all-in-one cooking system, including aluminium pot with integrated heat exchanger, stove with piezo ignition, fuel stabiliser, and bio -plastic lid. New for 2022, the Lite+ XL is a larger version of the original Lite+, featuring a 1L pot and a more powerful 1700W output ideal for bigger meals or cooking for two.The use of recycled plastics and cork alsoenhance thi …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Fast boiling, lightweight and fast boilingLightweight and compact with a rapid boil time, there's little to dislike about the MSR Pocket Rocket Deluxe canister-top stove (3200W, 989). It is feature-rich, with an in-built lighter, three fold-away support prongs, valve controller, wide burner head, excellent simmer control, and concave design with a protective lip, which significantl …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: An Excellent intrigued cook systemI took this integrated cooking system on a 5-day winter hike of the Dales High Way. I loved the pot, which has excellent features (fold-out insulated handle and plastic lid with pouring hole) and works well as a bowl or mug. The boil times were decent (but not spectacular), yet the all-round cohesive design, low-ish weight (239g) and stable, squat …