An unusual retro-look rucksack Millican is a small company based in the Lake District who make ‘practical and ethical products that last a lifetime’. The name comes from Millican Dalton, the self-proclaimed ‘Professor of Adventure’, who lived in caves and…
An unusual highly breathable down/synthetic midlayer
Ultralight filter bottle for solo use Water is heavy. You really don’t want to carry more of it than you have to. At the same time water is essential. In many areas water away from buildings and livestock is safe…
An ingenious lightweight camping lantern Over the years I’ve used many lights for camping from simple candles to gas lanterns. I’ve never stuck with any for long as the disadvantages always seemed to outweigh the advantages. Recently I’ve taken to…
A warm version of the Buff The Original Buff is highly versatile. I’ve carried one for years, using it as hat, headband, scarf and balaclava. In summer it’s often the only headwear I take. In winter, if used at all,…
A lightweight two-person backpacking tent Two-pole tapered tunnel tents have been popular since flexible poles first became available some forty plus years ago. The design has stood the test of time because it’s easy to pitch, roomy for the weight…
Ultralight pack with a tensioned mesh back Ultralight packs have been slowly creeping into the mainstream for the last few years as more established companies start making them. Now Osprey, one of the biggest names in packs, is launching its…
Supportive fabric boots with a good sole Salomon’s latest boot in the Quest series, the Quest 4D 3 GTX, is a nubuck leather and synthetic fabric model that looks and feels fairly substantial but is quite lightweight at 1.334kg for…
Innovative snowshoes from Norway Plentiful snow in the Cairngorms so far this winter mean it’s been ideal for snowshoeing and I’ve been trying a pair from Norwegian company Fimbulvetr (‘the great winter’ that precedes the end of the world in…
A useful inclinometer/thermometer When there’s masses of snow on the hills, as there is now in the Scottish Highlands, there’s always a risk of avalanches. Every winter season (which can last from October to May) there are many avalanches, most…