I’ve been testing the revamped 2019 version of Alpkit’s Phantac down jacket, which is designed to keep you really toasty whilst keeping weight low.
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Book Review: Scotland – a Rewilding Journey
It’s not often that a book is stunningly beautiful to look at but also conveys an important message – but “Scotland – A Rewilding Journey” may be one such. This new book is published by Scotland: The Big Picture, a not-for-profit social enterprise set up by a group of Highlands-based conservation photographers. Their track record is a strong one, with previous books including a study of the red squirrel, and – earlier this year – ‘The Lynx and Us’ which took an in-depth look at what it might be like if Scotland decided to reintroduce the lynx. This new book,…
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Review: The Secret Life of the Mountain Hare
Out of all the creatures with which we share Scotland’s hills, for me there are none that can match the charm of the mountain hare. Whilst on most encounters we walkers only manage to get a fleeting glimpse of their rear end as they skip gracefully away over the snow or through the heather, a close encounter with a relaxed hare reveals their endlessly endearing facial expressions and gestures. When it comes to photographing these magical creatures there’s one man who has risen to prominence as the pre-eminent hare photographer in recent years – Andy Howard – so this book…
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Gear review: Osprey Levity 60L backpack
Recommended Price: £240 Weight: 0.9kg Capacity: 60 litres When backpacking, excessive weight on your back can easily destroy your enjoyment. It’s obvious you need to minimise the weight whilst still carrying all the things you really need and when you’re trying to save every gram, it’s rather galling to see that the weight of many larger backpacks exceed 2kg. One of my favourite items amongst all the kit I’ve ever owned was the original GoLite Gust minimalist pack, based on Ray Jardine’s designs. This radical piece of kit really reduced design features to an absolute minimum, cutting the weight of…
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Gear review: AKU Tengu GTX Low hiking shoes
Recommended Price: £169.90 Weight: 1220g pair (UK size 10.5) I was very impressed when testing AKU’s Alterra boots last year. The full height Aku Tengu GTX boots are a lightweight winter mountaineering boot with a B2 rating – so how could that translate into this low cut trail shoe version? The first thing to strike me was the shoes’ stylish appearance – as I’ve come to expect from the company; the spongy tongue material extends right around the top of the shoe which makes them look very different. They are towards the heavier end for trail shoes, but then when…
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Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews
Gear review: Columbia Silver Ridge II convertible trousers
Recommended Price: £55 My past experience, years ago, with convertible trousers was not a good one – the zips that enable them to be converted into shorts were bulky and rubbed against my legs. Designs have improved greatly, however, and like most modern convertibles the zips in the Columbia Silver Ridge II are enclosed with fabric flaps that prevent any chafing. I’ve worn these trousers now on several Munro-bagging days and found them very comfortable in both trousers and shorts mode. The Silver Ridge II are made from a very lightweight ripstop nylon, making them especially suitable for hot weather…
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Posted in Gear reviews, Trousers
Gear review: Summer base-layers
I’ve not known a Scottish summer to be as warm as this one so far… and it’s provided the ideal conditions to test out a range of lightweight baselayers. Summer t-shirts for walking are generally one of two fabrics these days: polyester and merino wool (it’s important to avoid cotton which traps moisture next to the skin, becoming cold and uncomfortable). Polyester and merino wool have their advantages and disadvantages; polyester is lighter, cooler, cheaper, quicker drying and more durable, whilst merino wool is softer to touch, requires more care when washing, is warmer, less durable, more comfortable when wet,…
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Gear review: Rab Longitude Pants
Recommeded Price: £65 Weight: 232g (32″ regular) I’m not sure I’ve ever known such a long spell of hot, dry weather in Scotland, and with the clegs biting what’s been needed is long trousers to give some protection, but that are very lightweight and cool to cope with the heat. It’s pretty fortunate then that I’ve been testing out these summer trousers from Rab. The trousers are made from a single weave Matrix SW fabric (100% polyamide) which is soft to touch, very lightweight and quick drying. There’s a diamond gusset and articulated knees which aid freedom of movement, and…
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Gear review: Berghaus Fellmaster Active GTX walking shoes
Recommended Price: £125 Weight: 490g per shoe UK size 11 Trail shoes have become an ever more popular alternative to boots over the last decade, and it’s often said that every 100g saved on your feet is equivalent to 500g in your pack. Without a doubt trail shoes make it easier for many people to walk both further and faster, and in more comfort, with the downsides that they do not last as long as boots nor can they provide as much support (though this largely depends on the torsional rigidity rather than the ankle cuffs). Personally I wear trail…
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Posted in Footwear
Gear review – Alpkit Arro wind shell
Price: £35 Weight: 140g (men’s large) I never really understood the point of windproof jackets – until I actually tried one in the hills. Can’t your waterproof hardshell jacket do the job of keeping the wind out when needed? Well, yes, it will… but when it’s not raining, a dedicated windshell is so much lighter, less restricting and more breathable – especially on warm summer days – that it makes a huge difference to your comfort. The Alpkit Arro is made from nylon and has an admirable simplicity of design. The jacket has been treated with a durable water repellent…
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