Waterproof, washable, fabric maps This is an unbiased review by our Gear Editor Chris Townsend, which SplashMaps have supported with sponsorship. A map you can scrunch up and stuff in your pocket, wear round your neck, and stick in the…
New hillwalking boots suitable for winter This is an unbiased review by our Gear Editor Chris Townsend, which Keen have supported with sponsorship. Keen says it’s latest European-made boot is ‘our most technical backpacking boot yet’. The Karraig is certainly…
An environmentally friendly wind resistant softshell jacket Regular readers will know I really like windproof jackets and wear one more than any other garment. The latest windproof I’ve been trying is the Vanadis 2.0 from Klättermusen. It’s made from a…
A warm and comfortable environmentally friendly synthetic sleeping bag A white sleeping bag? My first reaction on seeing this at an outdoor trade show was the same as everybody’s – but it’ll show the dirt. So why have Mountain Hardwear…
Walkers crampons with a unique easy-to-use binding system Crampons for hillwalking should be lightweight, easy to attach, and adequate for moderately steep slopes. Micro spikes are okay on easy terrain, climbing crampons are best for really steep slopes – steeper…
Lightweight winter walking boots with a unique design The futuristic hi-tech look of these new Merrell boots with a very long name – I’ll just call them Thermo Rogues – is appropriate as they are futuristic and hi-tech and very…
A lightweight breathable Primaloft midlayer Lightweight insulated jackets are excellent for chilly days. They can provide better weather protection and more warmth than a heavier fleece. Mountain Hardwear’s Kor Strata Hooded Jacket is a good example. It only weighs 380…
A warm wool beanie Moving away from their brimmed hats Tilley has introduced some beanies into its range. I’ve been trying the Merino Beanie, which is the one I think best suited to hillwalking. It’s made from two layers of…
Lightweight boots with an unusual sole Swiss company On Running has launched its first lightweight hiking boot, the Cloudrock Waterproof, using the same Zero-Gravity CloudTec technology as it’s running shoes. The boots have a distinctive sole with slots running through…
A lightweight very powerful headlamp Petzl’s latest headlamp is small, light and powerful. I’ve now used it on several trips and found it very effective. It has Petzl’s Reactive Lighting so the power of the beam varies with distance, which…
A warm ultralight sleeping bag Lightwave’s Firelight 350 sleeping bag is made in Poland and filled with 900 fill power Polish goose down by the EU norm and 970 by the USA standard. That’s an extremely high fill power. Combined…
Return of an old favourite with a modern update Back in the 1990s the Sprayway Torridon was a popular waterproof jacket. Now Sprayway has relaunched an updated version that looks very similar to the original – with the same rather…