The windproof is often regarded as one of the least useful or essential bits of kit by many, surplus to requirements and doing what the waterproof shell does only less so. Personally, I think that it is one of the essential bits of kit in a day pack, even more so for multi day trips […]
Paramo Fuera Windproof Smock Review Read More »
Admit it, we’ve all got a few running, cycling or walking tops that have been pushed to the back of the kit drawer or dumped completely due to baselayer stink. I’ve a couple of cheapo tops that I can’t wear anymore as after a good run they start to stink like an incontinent cat has
Nikwax Basefresh Wash-in Conditioner Read More »
How light can a pair of trews get? Not much lighter than the Montante Featherlite pants that’s for sure. Suitable for those fast and light summer trips, running in less favourable conditions or as an emergency layer in your waist pack on a trail or fell run. As new, the Durable Water Repellancy treatment means that water
Montane Featherlite Pants Review Read More »
There are few items that can provide such functionality in such a small package. The Páramo Waterproof Cap is a very lightweight waterproof mountain cap that provides you with just enough protection without unnecessary insulation. I personally hate hoods – I’m usually walking with it down when all others have withdrawn turtle-like into their waterproofs.
Paramo Waterproof Cap Read More »
These spring mornings tend to be cold and frosty, so you need some decent insulation to counter this. It’s just not cold enough to justify a full on duvet jacket and a simple fleece might not be warm enough. You need something in between. The Microlite Jacket from RAB is more of a down cardigan
RAB Microlight Down Jacket Read More »
If you suffer from cold hands then it can make winter walking a miserable experience. So when we received a pair of super warm Women’s Mountain Mitts by Extremeties, I just had to ask one of the Mud and Routes walking buddies to give these a spin. Eleri finds that her hands are always cold,
Extremeties Women’s Mountain Mitt Read More »
The Extremeties brand is a sister brand to Terra Nova who are best known for their tents. The Extremeties brand sells gloves, socks and hats; items for the extremeties of the body, hence the name. I had the pleasure of reviewing a couple of different pairs of gloves (see the our Super Windy Gloves review)
Extremeties Corbett Gloves Read More »
Terra Nova are best known for their tents, with those in the know starting to appreciate their new range of packs and sleeping bags. You don’t usually associate them with gloves and socks, which is probably as they’re branded as ‘Extremeties’. Being asked to review a couple of these gloves, I had high expectations from
Extremeties Super Windy Gloves Read More »
While looking for a pair of cheap and cheerful walking trews, I found these Craghopper Basecamp trousers that are an entry level version of the classic Kiwi trouser. Officially known as Basecamp Pants, I’m still wondering when this Americanism managed to slip in under the radar and replace the fine British usage of pants as a derogatory term Entry
Craghoppers Basecamp Men’s Trousers Read More »
The Paramo Mountain Top is designed specifically to be worn with their waterproofs. The cut is snug, and fits well beneath something like an Aspira Jacket for winter use. The more expensive Mountian Vent top even has zipped vents corresponding with the ones on the outside jacket for cooling down to the skin. You can wear this
Paramo Mountain Pull On top Read More »
The Montane Bionic base-layer is constructed from 23% merino and 77% polyester, aka Sportwool™. This makes it dearer than your usual synthetic top, and cheaper than your quality merino base-layers, so does it bring together the best of both worlds? While you can’t expect it to feel as soft as pure merino, it is still as comfortable next to
Montane Bionic Long Sleeve Crew Neck Baselayer Review Read More »
Following on from the other Paramo reviews, you may have noticed a trend in colour. Even my summer smock is a fetching black. Not so my winter coat. My Aspira Jacket – circa 2007 and a honeymoon present, so I better hope that I don’t get THAT year wrong. This is red and proud to be
Paramo Aspira Jacket Review Read More »
Winter conditions call for suitable kit, and these Paramo Aspira Trousers are designed for any winter conditions you’re likely to encounter. With padded knees and backside, you can comfortably sit or kneel in the snow; useful if you’re doing serious climbing or just sitting down on the summit enjoying a cuppa. This does mean that
Paramo Aspira Trousers Long Term Review Read More »
The classic down jacket is one of the best bits of kit you can get for keeping warm. Gram for gram, there’s nothing warmer than the combination of pertex and down of one form or the other. In that respect, synthetic insulation doesn’t come close. That said, there’s no need to write off synthetic insulation
Paramo Torres Smock Review Read More »
Cheap and cheerful running windproof. While it may have an RRP of £45, it’s available for a very reasonable £14 from the Sport Direct website. For that price, you can’t go far wrong. For the full price, you could easily get a better windproof from the likes of Montane. It’s durable, being used for a
Men’s Karrimor Hi Viz Run Jacket Read More »
When you buy any running baselayer for under a tenner (rrp is £27, but you can get it for under a tenner on Sports Direct), you’ve got to be ready for anything. This top looks good on the images, and it pleased on arrival as well. Sporting a useful quarter zip and a highly visible
Men’s Karrimor Quarter Zip Long Sleeve Top Read More »
Cheap and cheerful running shorts that might suffice if you’re not used to more salubrious inner pants (to put it lightly). Probably ok if you’re starting out, but go for a size up! Again, we see the overpricing of the Karrimor items in order for them to be highly discounted – so we’ve reviewed them
Mens Karrimor Run Shorts Read More »
I bought this about a month ago when the zip went on my North Face soft shell. The North Face had served me well for the last couple of years, but I decided to go for the Rab on the recommendation of a friend. This Vapour-rise jacket claims to be warm and wind resistant, but
Rab Vapour-Rise Jacket Read More »
Following on from last week’s review of the Icebreaker Mondo Zip, you’ll know how impressed we are with both merino wool and the ethical approach of Icebreaker, so we won’t bore you further on that one. The Aspiring hood is a heavier grade of Realfleece merino at 320 that’s roughly the equivalent of a heavy duty
Icebreaker Aspiring Hood Review Read More »
If you’re looking for a balance of lightweight and breathability – the Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock is one option. Perhaps it isn’t a lightweight option once you consider that it weighs in about 600g, but it’s certainly breathable. Constructed from Nikwax Analogy Light, this offers the same performance as the rest of the Paramo
Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock – Long Term Review Read More »
There’s little doubt that one of the best materials available for baselayers is merino wool. Comfortable and stink-proof, this ideal fabric for multiday trips or those of you who’re just too skanky to wash your gear after use. Merino wool originates in New Zealand and on the Icebreraker website you can even identify from which
Icebreaker Mondo Zip Merino Baselayer Review Read More »
With the impending winter and the already fierce autumn fully with us, you’ll need to start layering up again. I find that gloves have always been a little problematic at this time of year as the thinner gloves tend not to be waterproof and bulky winter gloves are overkill. The Sealskinz Versatility glove doesn’t appear
Sealskinz Versatility Gloves Review Read More »
Of all the bits of gear I’ll carry on a day walk or longer trip, there’s not a single item that outperforms this gram for gram. At only 100g or so, the Montane Windproof packs down to barely the size of an apple and is perfect on breezy days when you’re working hard, but need
Classic Gear Review 6 – Montane Windproof Featherlite Smock Read More »
Not only but also, the Golite Poncho Tarp is primarily a light weight tarp shelter made from SiLite fabric that doubles up as a poncho, though is more of a Tarp Poncho than the other way around. Tarp – The main problem with tarps is working out how to pitch them. The second problem, once you know
Golite Poncho Tarp Review Read More »
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