Blog

GSI Outdoors Microlite 500 Twist Vacuum Bottle Review - ''It really is great having an instantly hot or cold drink straight from your backpack''

Posted by Trek Scotland on Aug 21, 2023

The GSI Microlite 500 Twist Vacuum Bottle is one of those items you might consider as a bit of a luxury, especially when going ultralight. Many will opt to carry a filter system over carrying liquid, so why do you need an insulated flask? The first thing to note is that the Microlite Twist can keep liquid cold for 20 hours and hot for 10 hours, so is suitable for both winter and summe …
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Optimus Polaris Optifuel Stove Review - ''A single hose which takes seconds to screw off and onto the alternative fuel source. A great feature for a stove of this type!''

Posted by Trek Scotland on Aug 21, 2023

Stoves have evolved much over the years with the new standard generally being a screw on stove which solely relies on a gas canister rather than alternative fuel. There are not many places in the UK where you won’t be able to source a range of canisters in various sizes, season ratings, and brands. So, is there still a place for a stove like the Polaris which covers a wide range of fuel …
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Big Agnes Gold Camp 3 UL Review - ''Great for use with groups due to the abundance of headroom and space whilst keeping compact and fast to pitch.''

Posted by Trek Scotland on Aug 21, 2023

After using a pyramid tent for the first time a few years ago this style of shelter quickly became a favoured choice of ours. Great for use with groups due to the abundance of headroom and space whilst keeping compact and fast to pitch. Used as simply a tarp over a bivy bag in bad weather, or a communal base for food prep and a chat of an evening. A walking pole can be used instead of a …
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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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Big Agnes Prospector 50L Rucksack Review - "A triumph of a pack with loads of great features'

Posted by Trek Scotland on Jul 19, 2023

Big Agnes would not be a name that springs to mind when considering a proper expedition backpack. To be completely honest very similar to choosing footwear we often tend to stick to the brands we know are tried and tested. A backpack can be a very personal item and an ill-fitting pack that causes issues on route will inevitably ruin an otherwise enjoyable trip. To quickly skip to the e …
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Exped Orion II UL Review - “Strong and spacious it became the tent we would look to carry if expecting mixed weather”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 18, 2023

This is a tent we are certainly familiar with, having been one of the first pieces of kit we tested and  reviewed for UOG back in 2017. The Orion II UL is back with us again with a few updates for added strength and more liveable space internally. Previously we commented on how impressed we had been with the weather resistance of the  Orion II UL. The new DAC poles have b …
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Exped Ultra 7R Down Mat Review - “Unrivalled in comfort, the Ultra 7R offered us a seriously good night’s sleep throughout the winter months”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 18, 2023

With a weight of 650 grams and an R-Value rating of 7.1, this is a mat reserved for the winter seasons or travel in below freezing environments. These were our first thoughts when first looking up the specs for the Ultra 7R. What we found out after only our first few nights sleep is this is a mat which we kept reaching to place in our kit over a winter season that fluctuated widely in t …
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Exped Lightning 60 Rucksack Review - “This really is a tough piece of kit with a low weight of just above 1kg for a 60-litre pack”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 17, 2023

Exped’s Lightning 60 rucksack has recently been updated to be lighter and tougher, whilst importantly keeping its minimalist roots. We gave the Lightning 60 some heavy use in the Cairngorms and the Isle of Arran to see how it would fit into life for multi-day wild-camping in the late Scottish winter months. With a weight of 1180 grams and a high capacity of 60L, you’d expect the low w …
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Thermarest NeoAir XLite and XTherm Review - “Increased the comfort and thermal qualities making this the perfect option for lightweight wild-camping ”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 11, 2023

Thermarest had, for us, changed our approach to wild-camping when we first received a NeoAir XLite around a decade ago. We have now used the XLite and XTherm as our core piece of kit for multi-day wild-camping group activities since we started our business 9 years ago. We suppose that once you put trust in a product it’s easy to stick with it, with  Thermarest offering a dependabl …
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Exped Camp Slipper Review - “The Exped Camp Slipper fits a great balance between weight, comfort, and insulation”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Apr 11, 2023

For longer journeys an extra pair of footwear can come in very handy. This will often be a super light option to wear around camp after a long day in the hills. Letting your feet relax, breathe, and recover is not only for comfort but also helps prevent foot niggles and injuries. This is all part of self-management on route and will ultimately make your overall journey as easy as possib …
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Soto Fusion Stove and Montbell Pot Review - “A versatile stove and a great addition to the Soto line-up”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Oct 17, 2022

This is the third stove from Soto we have now had the pleasure of using, the Windmaster being a firm favourite of ours for lightweight solo adventures throughout the warmer months, whilst also spending much of last winter using the  Stormbreaker; a truly versatile multifuel option making for a reliable stove for group activities in remote and harsh conditions. The Fus …
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Gregory Stout 60L Review - “We were very impressed with the overall build quality.”

Posted by Trek Scotland on Sep 15, 2022

The Stout 60L backpack from Gregory is a backpack built for multi-day trekking, well suited for our activities through winter and summer in the Cairngorms and Northwest Highlands. At a total weight of 1758 grams, including the rain cover, this is certainly not for those who scrutinise every gram. As with the previous Gregory packs we have used, the focus is more on comfort, …
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