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TRAIL MAGAZINE: New for 2022Although not a stove in its own right, added to any one of MSR's canister-top mounted burners (including the Pocket Rocket series, Reactor series, or the WindBurner Personal) the Low Down makes these stoves even more useable and effective. By taking the burner mount away from the gas canister and giving it its own platform, the Low Down makes these stoves lower and more …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Best in testA Trail 'Best in Test' winner for two years running, this small but mighty Japanese-designed stove is just about the best lightweight backpacking stove out there. Its impressively low weight, tiny pack size and impressive performance, especially in gusty conditions, all elevate it above the competition. Unlike inferior ultralight models, it also packs in a built-in igni …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: New for 2022Exped's new lightweight, compact sleepingmat range gives you three choices of insulation: air, synthetic or down depending on the 'R' rating. from R1 (10°C min) to R8 (-40°C min). All come in mummy or rectangle shapes and 1-4 also have a double option. That's a lot of choices but we reckon the -5°C rated 3R is best for hillwalking.VERDICTWith so many options it's practi …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Ideal mat for fast and light adventuresWeighing a featherlight 250g, this is one of the lightest insulated air mats on the market. It also packs down to just 15x9cm, meaning it occupies minimal space in your pack. Pair it with an ultralight down bag/quilt and you'll have an efficient sleep system for long-distance hikes or minimalist mountain missions.VERDICTWith its lightweight an …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: A Luxurious 3-season bag made of durable fabricsWith premium 800FP moisture-resistant down, durable fabrics and some innovative features, this is a warm and well-built bag designed to keep you warm down to 0°C. Unusual design elements include zoned fill,an unusual 'foot warmer' flap in the toe-box, a thermal lining designed to trap radiant body heat, and nifty straps that attach th …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Best in testThis sleeping bag is a maverick. There's no zip, but it still opens wide thanks to a curved, wraparound comforter - a duvet-like flap that pulls over your upper body. This delivers a sensation far more akin to your beloved bed at home than any other sleeping bag. With 419g of BOD fill power down and a -3°C comfort rating, warmth is pretty impressive for the price too.VE …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: A Professional level compassThis traditional baseplate compass is the industry standard for mountaineering in this country. With a chunky, easy-to-use dial;sticky rubber feet; 1:25.000, 1:40,000 and 1:50,000 romer scales; luminous markings; magnifying glass and a clinometer for measuring slope angle, it has all the tools you need for precise navigation.VERDICTA professional level c …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: A mid-range affordable down bagThe down's fill power is only 650, but there's a lot of it - 700g to be precise, which ensures a solid comfort rating of -2°C. The adjustable hood is well-shaped with good coverage, there's a thick and close-fitting neck baffle for sealing out the cold, and the Pertex Quantum outer fabric is more durable and tougher than the shells of many other bags. …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: New for 2022I've always loved the Ridge Raider, if onlyfor the name alone. But this updated version from Rab takes what was already a great compromise between a body-bag style bivvy and an actual tent and makes it better.The Pertex Shield Air (replacing eVent in the old Raider) waterproof fabric offers impressive condensation control, while the addition of a pole at the foot end pr …

This single-pole, hooped tent has been around land loved by wild campers) for ages, but it has received an upgrade for 2022. The updated version now has a factory silicone-sealed main seam you no longer need to use the waterproof cover over the main pole), a new guy line system, anda new style of peg. The flysheet has a 3000mm hydrostatic head, the groundsheet is 7000mm and the all-in weight is 97 …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Best in test.A cleverly-designed skeletal pole creates near-vertical walls and maximum headroom in this palatial tent for one (1.29kg). A good-sized side porch and a non-tapered floor add to the sense of spaciousness. The inner, which is pitched first, is freestanding with a bathtub-style floor and mesh upper for good ventilation, while the Durashield-coated flysheet provides 3-sea …

TRAIL MAGAZINE: Gear of the year 2022With wild camping and backpacking going mainstream, cutting through the noise to pick out the best tents is getting trickier. But the Alto TR1 Plus (1228g) is amazingly roomy - with what must be best-in-class headroom, liveability and all-around spaciousness. This is achieved via a rather ingenious skeletal, all-in-one pole structure featuring the 'Tension Ridg …