If you’re looking to camp out this winter then firing up a backpacking gas lantern can add a more than welcome warm glow to your evening gatherings. It goes without saying that you’ll need to use caution at using these in any sort of confined space and that they can be dangerous if not properly […]
Five Things – Backpacking Gas Lanterns Read More »
We can now declare that Mud and Routes is officially open. On the site you can now do the following: 1 – Open an account and share images, chat and organise trips with your friends (if they register!). You can create groups for your club and use it to organise meets and events. 2 –
Submit your Honest Gear Reviews and Activity Routes 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’ve read my disappointing review of solar chargers, or rather the poor summer that made them rather redundant, you’d know that I’m on the lookout for a different option. While I’d considered spare batteries for my phone, you’re still in the position where you need to leave your phone unattended if you manage to
New Trent iCruiser IMP1000 External Battery Pack Review Read More »
The Black Diamond Ion head-torch has to be one of the tiniest and lightest headtorches on the market Used on our recent superlightweight challenge, this has found its way into our emergency bag as a spare torch, many a wild camp and into small short pockets for those twilight runs you hope you can complete before it
Black Diamond Ion Torch Review Read More »
If you’re looking to kit out lightly and cheaply, then you can’t go far wrong with a Light my Fire spork. It’s a spoon one end and a fork, with a cutting edge, on the other. Ideal for those meals when a spoon alone isn’t enough. Not only is it highly functional in exactly the
Light my Fire Spork Review Read More »
This is a combo pack that combines the Freeloader Solar Charger, Super Charger solar panel, carrying pouch and various charging tips (though curiously no new micro usb!). The Freeloader Solar Charger is a compact battery pack (capacity) that comes complete with a pair of built in solar panels that you can use to recharge the unit
Freeloader Globetrotter Solar Charger Review Read More »
You’ve read, possibly, out previous jaunts into the hills, and being staunch day walkers you’ve thought it not for you. The luxury of the b&b and the pub, a comfortable bed and a good night’s sleep are all you crave between your days of walking or biking. Well, we’re a soft bunch here really, and while
Lightweight Luxury Wild Camping? Wild Glamping? Read More »
Used on our recent Ultralight Challenge, this is more of an emergency bivvy than a full on mountain bivvy, but can still be useful. Made of shiny shiny Thermolite fabric it reflects a significant proportion of warmth back, 80% according to the specifications, and could conceivably be used as a very warm weather sleeping bag,
Adventure Medical Kits Thermo Lite 2 Bivvy Review Read More »
WIMM Labs recently announced a multifunctional, wearable android device. Will this take over from your GPS watch and mp3 player soon? Following on from our review of android running apps, one of the issues we found was carrying the phone with you. This would be a much more elegant solution. It’s also water resistant, so along
WIMM – Wearable Android Platform Read More »
The least glamorous piece of gear you’ve got, bar a pair of Paramo Long Johns, is more than likely your cooking pot. Couple that with the fact that the MSR Titan Kettle is very limited in what you can cook with it and you’ll be asking why I’m raving about it as a classic piece
Classic Gear Review 3 – MSR Titan Kettle Read More »
The Golite Shangri-la tent is seriously cool. It doesn’t conform to your boring hoop, tunnel or ridge shape but instead takes on the tipi shape that makes you certain to stand out. Stand out further and buy the bamboo yellow instead of the usual green. Initially called the hex as it has six sides, the Golite
Golite Shangri-La 3 and Nest Review Read More »
The Klymit Inertia X Frame pad is the worlds lightest full size inflatable sleeping mat, measuring over 180cm in length and under 260g in weight. It packs down into a tiny package, invariably described as smaller than a “soda can” and takes up virtually no room in the pack. It’s also claimed to be one
Klymit Inertia X Frame Sleeping Pad Review Read More »
If you’ve read part one, then you’ll know that following on from the Wild Camp on a Budget challenge, we wanted a new one. This time, we decided to wild camp in proper mountains by using just the tiniest Sea to Summit 20 litre day pack. Now the first thing you quickly realise is that
The Superlighweight Challenge 2 – On the Hill Read More »
Berghaus is one of those brands that has a long history in hillwalking, being one of those brands that I’d aspire to as being the best when I started hillwalking *cough* years ago. But since gaining street cred in the late 90s, I’d been given the impression that they were no longer the serious brand
Berghaus Trek Stretch Baselayer Review Read More »
I wanted an anemometer to see how strong the winds really were that were rocking my tent. I want to be able to relate the speeds given on the forecast to something i can see on the hill. So i wanted one of these. Their basic model, XPlorer 1, is just a wind speed meter
SkyWatch Xplorer 4 Review Read More »
Ok, this is old news by now, but searching online for this piece of kit sees a few reviews that deride this as an impractical gimmick. Just search for the pack on Google Images and see how many people have actually taken a pic of this pack in the field! The nearest is on page
World’s Lightest day pack – Sea to Summit Ultra Sil Lightweight Day Pack Review Read More »
Athletes are known for trying all sorts of alternative ideas in order to improve their luck, and the methods used have ranged from the unusual to the downright barmy. Superstitious cricketer, Neil McKenzie had to insist all the toilet seats were down in the dressing room before venturing out onto the field, not to mention
Trion:Z Dual Loop Bracelet review Read More »
If you insist on taking those little sachets of salt and pepper from Little Chef along on your wild camp then you might want one of these Easy Camp Pepper Mills. Instead of insipid powdered pepper, you get flavoursome ground pepper that can add a bit of extra to any bland meal. It works as
Easy Camp Pepper Mill Review Read More »
Since drooling over this on the Real Coffee Makers article a few months back, we’ve been waiting to get our greedy little mitts on this piece of shiny shiny. Sick to the stomach and a bit beyond of various coffee sticks, this was deemed the essential bit of kit for the summer. Ordering in early
GSI Outdoors Mini Espresso Maker Review Read More »
I’ve owned the OMM Classic 32 Pack for a fair few years and this piece of kit has suffered hours of abuse under my skill-less needle in preparation for wild camps and never complained. The liner is about shot and one of the pouches won’t zip up and the other repaired by self to close.
OMM Classic 32 pack – Classic Gear Review Read More »
Windshields are certainly not one of the most exciting or glamorous bits of gear out there, but can be useful. If you use meths or petrol stoves, then a windshield is part of the kit, but for gas less so. This brushed aluminium offering from Primus looks the job and one of those items you
Primus Clip-on Windshield Review Read More »
Terra Nova is adding to its range of successful lightweight packs with three alpine and expedition rucksacks. The Quasar packs have been designed to offer the best combination of low weight, high strength and functionality on the market, appealing to the weight conscious climber or mountaineer. The result is a weight saving of around 30%
Terra Nova Promise Groundbreaking Packs for 2012 Read More »
When we reviewed the Vango Ultralight Gas Stove we thought that it was a pleasant change to find any item that advertises itself, nay includes it in the name, as lightweight and falls at the lower end of the price scale. This offering from Vango, with flashes of their trademark orange impress on the scale
Vango Ultralite Gas Stove Review Read More »
You must be logged in to post a comment.