While it’s a convenient categorisation there’s no doubt that the traditional seasonal sleeping bag rating system (where sleeping bags are designated one, two, three, four or even five season) is highly subjective, and the introduction of the standardised EN13537  testing procedure was designed to make things a bit simpler for the consumer. Thanks to the variances in the way people sleep (a hot or cold sleeper, a side, back or front position, male or female, whether you’ve just eaten etc) I’m not convinced that it is. Nonetheless, put simply, the EN13537 Comfort rating is the lowest temperature that a woman can…

Often regarded the preserve of climbers perched on inaccessible rocky ledges or soldiers hidden in the bushes, in the right conditions the bivvy (bivi, bivvi or bivouac) bag can add a whole new level of enjoyment to an overnight camp. They’re basically a waterproof cover for a sleeping bag, ideally made from a breathable fabric to reduce condensation build-up within, and sometimes fitted with a zip to make access easier. Combined with a sleeping bag and a ground mat (placed within the bivvy bag or left outside) the small footprint makes it possible to sleep in places where a tent…

Simple, clean, lightweight and efficient, the canister-mounted stove is justifiably popular. Most stoves in this category are simply a burner head with pot supports that screws on to the top of a pressurised canister containing a blend of propane, butane and/or isobutane. Simply open the valve and light. No priming, no smelly fuel and it’ll all fit into your cooking pot for transport. What’s not to like? Well – as the gas is in a liquid state in the canister it can be a struggle to get any gas out of the canister in cold weather, so a liquid fuel…