Blog

Out of all the items we have reviewed from this season, the Trailblazer has been the most difficult to make a decision on. There is so much we liked, a few areas we disliked, and in between a variety of design elements we had not seen featured before that left us confused as to what we thought of them! It’s easy to say that the Trailblazer isn’t your usual pack and combines elements from …

Having a cutting blade out in the hills or on the trail is generally a must for most people visiting the outdoors. The Minimalmist Pocket Tool by TrueUtility not only has as its main feature a UK legal small knife which is very strong and sharp, but also a wealth of other useful features.The non locking knife is easily opened by accessing a finger groove, although this would not be possi …

The Mammut Sertig shorts are a lightweight option for use during particularly warm spells. Perforated polyester-elastane stretch fabric is used in sections where a moisture build-up is most common, and we have to say it works fantastically and offers unrivalled breathability. Whilst working hard on steep ground or mountain biking, the Sertig offered great air flow and never felt restrict …

The MSR Pro Bivy is currently one of MSR’s lightest bivy bags. At 246 grams, it packs down small with MSR describing it as being “Designed for professional alpinists and serious adventurers, the Pro Bivy delivers quick-pitch protection in cramped spaces too small for a tent.” On first appearance this is a bivy that’s very much on the simple side. The fly fabric is made up of brigh …

Weighing in at a miniscule 100 grams the Patagonia Houdini is a super lightweight/packable jacket. Although small in stature the Houdini has a lot of great features. Made entirely from 100% recycled rip stop nylon which, although very thin, is tougher than it first appears. The DWR finish surprised our guides as it holds up very well against light to moderate showers, although if caught …

As the title suggests the Fire Box is a compact, fold-away grill, whilst still being light enough for long expeditions in wilderness areas. Growing up, any movie featuring a bunch of people in the outdoors had them sitting around a campfire enjoying a freshly cooked meal, not huddled under a tarp eating from a foil pouch. The idea of a hot and smokey piece of food whilst out in the wilde …

A step away from plastic items is certainly a priority for most outdoors people preferring a more sustainable alternative that will stand the test of time. The Eagle Spork from Vargo offers a tough but lightweight (18 grams) option that is built to last. To help prolong the life of your spork Vargo have included an integrated locking system that makes sure your spork won’t accidently go …

Any knife, no matter the size, is one of those items that can be used to solve a multitude of issues. It might sit in your pack for months but can be relied upon when needed the most. With a short blade length of 4cm and a total weight of 16 grams, True Utility describe it as “a knife that’s been stripped down to the bare essentials, to provide a strong yet lightweight design.” It’s …

Every year we get sent through pieces of gear which may not be that common in the UK but are growing in popularity in other countries. The Silver Shadow Umbrella certainly fits this category. We have to say that we have never seen anyone in the high mountain ranges of the UK with an umbrella, and it did make us wonder why not? Walk around a city in a shower and you are constantly dodging …

The Rab Torque is said to be designed for summer alpine climbing and active mountain use, offering complete freedom of movement and breathability. We are big fans of the Torque Pants which are our ‘go-to’ choice for long days in the mountains where unrestricted movement, breathability, and comfort is of much importance, so we excited to try the jacket. As with the Torque pants it’s great …

The Chockstone Hoody is a lightweight softshell with a focus on unrestricted movement with the use of its 4-way stretch Chockstone fabric; a mix of 91% Nylon and 9% Elastane. To the touch, the double weave construction is certainly the most noticeable feature and it is obvious that Mountain Hardware’s concept for the Chockstone is for active adventures rather than for insulation. …

Used extensively by Cairngorm Treks throughout Autumn and Winter 2017/18 within the Cairngorm National Park, Skye, and surrounding areasThe Montane Ajax jacket is labelled as ideal for climbers, mountaineers and mountain walkers looking for a no-nonsense, uncompromising waterproof shell jacket. Constructed from lightweight 40 Denier Gore-tex combined with tough 70 Denier Gore-tex in high abrasion …