Winter is still with us yet, and there’s only one way to make those winter lunches tolerable. Piping hot soup. Now if I claim that the only soup for this is tomato, and Heinz Cream of Tomato from a tin at that, I’m sure I’ll get people’s hackles up. I’m not about to do that …
Extremities have just launched some funky new kit for 2015. Thier Performance Baselayers are made from extra fine Australian Merino wool and are available in both men’s and women’s styles as well as zip necks, long or short sleeves and even long johns. We don’t think they’d look so fetching on us, so here are …
We all love a bargain, and after the wife kept nicking my Kahtoola Microspikes during any spell of icy weather I decided to buy her a pair of these budget micro-crampons. For only £12.98 including postage, these Vtech Anti Slip Ice Cleats Shoe Boot Grips Crampon Chain Spike Sharp Snow Walker – hereby known as Vtech microcrampons –  will …
Vktech Micro Crampon Review – As good as Kahtoolas? Read More »
You may well be ready for your first winter walk, but there are some things that you may or may not have expect on the hill in winter. It’s also an excuse for us to churn out another page full of lovely snowy pictures! 1 Sunburn – You may well have packed the summer kit …
Five Things You Might Find Surprising on Your First Winter Walk Read More »
It’s December already, and while there’a nary a flake fallen on the Welsh hills it doesn’t hurt to prepare for all that lovely snow we’re sure to have in the coming months! So here’s a run down of some of our winter themed articles from the archives to get you started. You know, a bit …
What You Need To Know Before Heading to the Hills This Winter Read More »
I’ve never been one for using these myself as I tend to run warm. So when we got our hands on a couple of these to review, and night time astrophotography being a blossoming new interest, we could finally see some use for them. First and foremost, I’m a firm believer in taking kit that’s …
Winter’s upon us and walking the hills at this time of year is a totally different proposition to the summer. Here’s a run down of our Mud and Routes Winter Skill Posts to get you started. You’ll need to start by knowing exactly what to take with you, so here’s our Winter Gear kit list …
With winter upon us, if you’re lucky, you may have to set out in the snow. Here’s a run-down of the kit you’ll need in addition to the basic summer kit. This is typical kit for a typical winter in Snowdonia, and you will need to be more prepared for avalanche risk if you venture into …
When the days start getting shorter and there seems no end to the winter months in sight, keeping fit and motivated can be a real challenge. However, with some adjustments to your approach and the right gear, it’s still possible to stay on track when it’s less than inviting outside. 1. Goal Setting for Extra …
5 Things: Coping with the Winter Blues – How to Keep Running in the Winter Read More »
Thanks to Tryf – Tryf’s Blog – for this idea. Finding himself needing to carry a spanking new pair of crampons on a walk, he realised that he had no way of carrying them without them damaging his kit inside the pack. He improvised by using a stud bag as a crampon bag, and does …
The Beast’s Tip of the Week – Improvised Crampon Bag Read More »
Tryf’s Blog reviews the Primus Vacuum Bottle, a hard wearing, durable flask for a hot cuppa on those winter walks. Check out the full blown review here http://twcymru.mudandroutes.com/2013/04/13/optimus-primus/
Camping in winter takes a certain amount of challenge compared to summer. Nothing is particularly straightforward, even your water bottle and boots will freeze solid over night and trying to cook on your regular gas stove can be nigh on impossible. However, one essential piece of kit for winter camping has to be the sleeping …
Snugpak Softie Chrysalis Winter Sleeping Bag Review Read More »
There’s only one ‘tache that still cuts it, and that’s got to be Tom Selleck. While other lesser men who’ve tried it have just looked like throwbacks to the 70s, he’s managed to carry it off with his timeless ‘tache. He really is the ‘tache god. There are still some arguments about the Merv Hughes, but …
We’ve been lucky enough to get our hands on and our arms and legs eventually into some SUB Cold base-layers  We tested the compression fit Mock Neck top and a pair of SUB COLD compression shorts during the recent cold snap. Top Long Sleeve This looks like some sort of action man top when you first take …
The virtues of a thick, down jacket for winter walking is petty obvious. An uber warm top layer is one of the winter essentials on the hill that’s as likely to be left behind in the car as your boots, or bag of emergency Jelly Babies. Treating your pins to the same comfort as your …
Whilst summer isn’t ordinarily the time to think of winter warmwear, 2012 might be the exception. This funky hooded jacket from The North Face is a sleek, hybrid, body-mapped soft shell that combines the warmth of a puffy, the moisture transport properties of fleece, and the protection of a soft shell. The body is made of new …
First Look – The North Face Polar Hooded Jacket 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 …
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, …
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 …
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 …
I’ve struggled in the past with a cheap and nasty pair of goggles that had to be padded around the nose as they made it bleed and were just foul all around. They were only half effective, and even then only if you didn’t breathe. Following on from the last two decent winters we’ve had, …
While we had a bit of a winter this week up in Snowdonia, it’s likely to be mostly gone after this weekend. It did however give us a chance to test out one of the bargains of the year so far, a collapsable snow shovel from B&Q for just a shade over ten quid. The …
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 …
If there’s one item that I own that’s elicited any curiosity in people over the last few years then it has to be these Kahtoola MICROspikes. From work colleagues, to neigbours, they’ve seen these in use over the recent harsh winters and politely enquired about them before quickly ordering their own pair. Even if you …
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