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The Haglofs Trail Fuse GT is something we were looking forward to trying out for fast and light days in the hills as it is fundamentally a lightweight trail walking/running shoe. As with most synthetic shoes, the Trail Fuse GT can be worn straight out of the box and needs little to no wearing in. The fit is snug around the heel and allows a little lift. Towards the toe area the shoe narr …

Gossamer Gear have built up quite a following for their ultralight packs in recent years so we were very happy to receive the news that the Gorilla 40 would be making its way to our base in the Cairngorms. Dubbed as “the guru of lightness”, Gossamer Gear’s founder Glen Van Peski has built his reputation on creating ultra-lightweight products that have a focus on aiding trekkers throughou …

Rab have certainly made a name for themselves for offering high quality sleeping bags with a focus on warmth and weight, matched with a build quality that stands the test of time. This updated Rab Neutrino 200 we received is one of the ‘Pro’ versions. This is because the Pro version is made using a Pertex Quantum Pro outer fabric which offers better protection in damp conditions when com …

Extensively tested and reviewed by Cairngorm Treks from May to September in the Cairngorms, Glen Affric, and surrounding mountainous areas.Rest and recovery! An important factor for anyone who spends a great deal of time in the outdoors. Whether your adventure is on land, water, two wheels, or climbing a rock face - if you intend to spend multiple days in the wilderness it is essential to pac …

When it comes to fire-lighting, quick and simple is the best option. The Vargo Titanium Flint Lighter is just that. Compact, well-built, and lightweight coming in at a mere 10 grams, it’s a reliable way to light your stove no matter the weather conditions. We tested it out on a range of stoves and found that it worked best with either a meths or a simple gas stove.

Over the years we have used a number of toilet trowels with varying degrees of success, with many not standing up to robust use and often snapping or bending when digging hard ground. Our needs are pretty simple in terms of a tool for digging ‘cat holes’. Basically: Is it strong enough to withstand continual use? Is it lightweight? Is it easy to use? And, ultimately, will it do the job it is princ …

The main considerations we have for waterproof jackets are that they will stand up to repeated Multi Day Trekking in the pouring rain, be light enough to stash in a backpack on dry days, and not soak us through with condensation when working hard and at speed. As such, the Montane Atomic had a lot to get right to win our approval. Waterproofness comes top of the list and the Atomic worked wel …

On first appearance the Icarus Stretch has the look of a regular micro insulated hooded jacket with a stylish build up of diagonal panels. However, it didn’t take long to see the key addition of stretch panels along the jacket sides and under the arms, giving this jacket an extra dimension. This allowed us to trial it across a range of mountaineering disciplines including high mountain walking, cr …