Alex’s Top 5 Best Items of Gear in 2023.
Another very active year! Beyond the Edge has been busy delivering our usual selection of walking, climbing and mountaineering training courses. As usual my kit has been used all day everyday and as usual has received a good battering. These are my top 5 Best Items of Gear in 2023.
Leatherman Charge +
I’m a huge fan of the Leatherman Signal and it has a permanent place in my climbing pack. However this year I’ve been playing with the Leatherman Charge; It’s a bit more useful for everyday use. This Leatherman is beautifully made and the knife blade is razor sharp. Surprisingly other than the knife (mostly cutting up cheese and salami!) the tool I’ve used the most is the small bit driver which is ridiculously handy for tightening the screws on my reading glasses. Buy it here – Leatherman Charge +
Leatherman Charge +
La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX
At the beginning of 2023 I was looking at buying a new pair of mountain boots. I popped into Outside and tried on a variety of the usual suspects fairly determined to buy an all leather boot. However the La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX caught my eye and as soon as I tried them on and had quick walk about I decided to buy them. The stand out feature for me is the chunky vibram sole unit which is nice and beefy and bites into steep wet grassy slopes very reassuringly. Buy here – La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX
La Sportiva Aequilibrium ST GTX
Jetboil Stash
This has been my stove of choice in 2023. It’s been used predominately on Mountain Leader courses, but also for brewing up lunch time drinks on rock climbing courses. The Jetboil stash is light, compact and very efficient. It packs away very nicely and the pan is the ideal size for solo use. The design is clever enabling a small 113g sized gas canister to clip into the lid with the burner unit tucked in underneath. Buy it here – Jetboil Stash
Jetboil Stash
Viking Osprey ED 8×42
My appreciation of the outdoors has been greatly improved this year by carrying binoculars. I’ve been using the Viking Ospreys at work but also out and about on my own trips. I tried out a few different models and these were my favourite. Easy to hold and focus. They are covered in a tough black rubber coating and are waterproof to 1m. They are very well made and will last many years. Buy here – Viking Osprey ED 8×42
Viking Osprey ED 8×42
Nortent Vern 1
I’ve always liked tents than provide easy viewing of the hill and mountain landscape. The Nortent Vern 1 is a new lightweight tent which is cleverly designed to enable the opening up of the whole of one side of the fly sheet . This allows a wonderful panoramic view akin to sleeping under the stars. The inner is very long so suits my lanky frame. Light enough for solo mountain camping, wild camps and bike packing. Buy it here – Nortent Vern 1
Nortent Vern 1
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses.
Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest rock climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
