walkhighlands



Gear review: bottles and bladders

Years back all we had were dented Sigg bottles in our rucksacks, but of course times move on. We now have a whole array of different ways of carrying water in the hills. The thing that mixed it up and moved us on was plastics giving us bladders with drinking tubes and new bottle designs but metal hasn’t been left behind, stainless steel bottles have become the standard and the durability and easy-cleaning nature of one of those could see you use the same bottle for life. I take my hydration very seriously on both day walks and on backpacking

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Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews

Gear review: two person tents

There’s no way for me to avoid clichés when talking about tents because they’re true you know, every word. Tents are a gateway to adventure, a passport to freedom, a ticket to ride and also something you’re going to have to carry up and down mountains as well as sit in while it’s raining or the midges are trying to strip you to the bone, so it pays to do a bit of research. I love camping, I actually go out of my way to camp on mountains. I can drop Holly off at school, nip out and climb Ben

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Posted in Camping, Features, Gear reviews, Magazine

Windproof jackets review

Your waterproof is windproof, so why carry two things for doing the same job? Waterproofs have got lighter and more breathable, windproofs were an escape from a heavy, sweaty jacket years back, but a windproof is still far better at sweat management and some of the current fabrics are incredibly light but are still pretty durable. Where a waterproof usually has a membrane to keep the rain wet out and transfer the sweat from the inside, windproofs tend to be single skin fabrics that happily absorb the sweat and spread it out through fabric to help it dry faster. You

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Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets

Lightweight Waterproofs review

I know you might not believe it as we’ll be kicking through fresh snow in the hills this weekend, but summer is coming so it’s time to lighten the load a wee bit. I like big protective hoods in the winter, I like wide cuffs I can pull over gloves and as the years are racking up I’m feeling quite happy out there with a heavier fabric to keep a little bit more of the windchill at bay. However for the past few weeks as I’ve been back in lighter shells and I’ve adjusted to all the cut corners and

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Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Gear review – backpacking rucksacks

If you think of backpacking the first thing that comes to mind is probably carrying a big rucksack and walking a long distance trail, or maybe exploring a new country while being as self-sufficient as possible. In Scotland, although we’re not the biggest plot of land around, both still apply. We have an expanding network of long distance paths, and hostels are still busy with explorers from near and far. To many though, backpacking at home has become something else, an activity with a shorter scope but with perhaps a bigger prize which is getting the most out of our

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Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks

A sideways look at outdoor gear

There’s no getting away from it. If we have shoes on our feet, a jacket on our backs and we’re carrying something on our back to keep our lunch in, we’re using outdoor gear. Of course as we’re human beings it’s not as simple as that – gear isn’t just a means to an end or a tool. We can’t help ourselves, we get enthused, we want to know more about it, what’s it made of, what’s coming next season, what’s the best? Many will roll their eyes at the thought of this enthusiasm and are happy in the same

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Posted in Features, Gear reviews, Magazine

Outdoor gear for kids – review

A few winters back we were coming down from a fine day on the hill and came across two people coming up towards us exchanging loud words until they spotted us. We had a quick chat, it was dad and junior making mixed progress in both their ongoing friendship and their ascent up the snow filled gullies and over iced rock. Dad was dressed for the Alps – either Arrochar or further afield – and junior was red faced and unhappy-looking in a damp cotton Gap hoodie. Of course I don’t know the whole story, but that youngster was miserable

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Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine, Rucksacks

Gear test – Hooded fleece

Last winter I did a roundup of various midlayers and some of the feedback I got was that plain old fleece still has a lot of fans. This includes myself by the way, more often than not you’ll find me in a microfleece of some sort as its versatile, quick drying and low bulk which means it layers well. With these thoughts in mind I put together this review, but because it’s coming out in early winter I added in another favourite feature of mine: a hood. A fleece hood done well replaces a hat as it’ll move with your

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Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Daypacks – Group Test

A daypack is something most or all of us will have. It’s a rucksack to take all of our kit for a day in the hills, small enough to be easy to manage but sometimes big enough to carry your gear for a lightweight night out. A daypack is also general use kit carrier, you can take it to work, school, it won’t get in the way too much on a busy train and if you pick the right model it’ll also be perfect for a cycle commute. This adaptability is important to me as I do so many different

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Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks

Outdoors trousers – Group Test

The first thing you have to ask yourself is this; what do you want from your trousers? As odd as that might sound when you say it out loud it’s something you have to think about when looking at outdoor trousers. You can go from simple, just something to keep your legs covered to something technical with as many features and attachments as backpacking rucksack and in the review I’ve gone to both ends of that spectrum. Whatever the style you like there are still important constants to look for, the first of which is as always the fit, are

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Posted in Gear reviews, Trousers


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You should always carry a backup means of navigation and not rely on a single phone, app or map. Walking can be dangerous and is done entirely at your own risk. Information is provided free of charge; it is every walker's responsibility to check it and to navigate safely.