Patagonia R1 Air Zip-Neck Review It’s easy to dismiss the humble fleece. They have become such a staple of the outdoor wardrobe since the 1980s. But they have evolved and the Patagonia R1 Air Zip-Neck is an excellent example of the modern fleeces. These newer designs tend to be lighter, warmer, more breathable and dry quicker. Patagonia […]
The first thing I noticed about the Signal is how much the Leatherman designs have evolved since I bought my first one in the mid 1990’s. It was a Leatherman Mini Tool which I carried for Ice Climbing, Scottish winter and Alpine mountaineering and expeditions. It was small, very strong, simple, a bit crude but […]
A Review of the Blue Ice Octopus 45L Climbing Pack How many packs does one person need? The answer of course is that it depends! You could probably get away with just one if you just went hill walking, maybe a 40L, big enough for a bit of extra stuff in the colder months. But […]
Lunch is important. I’ve been trying to find better ways of managing my food when I’m instructing. I was just grabbing whatever I could find and usually ended up heading out with an energy bar and a banana chucked in my pack. The banana inevitably ended up squashed and the bar lost amidst the waterproofs, […]
I’d longed for a Patagonia R1 Techface Hoody for a while, but it was hard to work out whether I actually ‘needed’ one or whether it was all down to the R1s reputation and its rather catchy advert. But now I come to reflect on it, this has become my go-to do-all jacket. A bit […]
Opinel N°08 One of our most popular (and most controversial) blog posts (how-to-choose-a-knife-for-walking-climbing-mountaineering-and-expeditions) was about how we believed that for walking, trekking and climbing in the UK outdoors you really only needed to carry a Swiss Army Knife or maybe a Opinel. Swiss Army Knifes are great but if you’re out overnight and need to […]
Long term review: Soto WindMaster cannister stove. This little stove must be doing something right as it has rendered most of my other stoves completely redundant! Our Verdict: the headlines The keyword for the Soto WindMaster is consistency. It is reliable and consistent in windy conditions (thanks to its burner shape and low pot stand) […]
These are my best Items of Gear in 2021. This was another year in which I didn’t end buying a huge amount of kit, but what I did acquire was all excellent and these items of equipment definitely stand out. Mountain Equipment Guide Gloves These have been a really versatile glove and they now live […]
A review of the HebTroCo Storm Stick Stove, a light, compact and efficient all in one system for boiling water in the outdoors. I’ve been interested in the idea of a stick stove for a while now. I like the idea of having the ability to boil some water for a brew with twigs and sticks […]
The clocks have gone back and suddenly the hills feel a little bit more intimidating. It’s colder, the winds bite more fiercely and of course it gets dark earlier and earlier as we approach the winter solstice. But careful planning and packing can enable us to safely enjoy the hills right through the winter months. […]