Blue Ice Squirrel 22L I was in the market for a small rucksack to wear on multi-pitch climbs in the mountains that could also carry all my gear to the start of the route. I decided it needed to be in the low 20 litre size range, have a rope carrying system, helmet holder and […]
We spend a lot of time using and wearing our different bits of outdoor gear, so we get pretty attached to them. We asked some of the Beyond the Edge team to share what their favourite bits of outdoor gear are and why. Perhaps there’s some Christmas gift inspiration in there somewhere? James: Mountain Equipment […]
La Sportiva TX4 Review Approach shoes are part of the Outdoor Instructor uniform along with brightly coloured trousers, gilets and VW vans. I’ve worn, and worn through, half a dozen pairs of various sorts over the last decade, mostly to the point where they become more hole than shoe. For the less fashion conscious instructors […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A review of the Leatherman Skeletool CX. One of our most popular blogs of 2021 was How to Choose a Knife for Walking, Climbing and Mountaineering. In this article we recommended carrying a multitool for Scottish winter mountaineering. The ability to quickly repair a crampon is essential so a tool with pliers and screwdrivers is very […]
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 […]