Gear reviews

Gear Review: The best walking poles (2023)

Posted on April 23, 2023 by Helen Webster

Walking poles are a great addition to your kit. Taking some of the strain off your knees, particularly when heading downhill, becomes more important as those fragile joints age, and heading uphill using poles spreads the work onto your upper body. Avoiding slips and stumbles on loose or wet ground is also important, as is the stability of having an extra couple of “legs” for crossing rivers and testing the depth of ominous looking bogs. They can also be used as tent poles for some tarp-type tents as well as a camera tripod with the addition of a metal converter…

Posted in Accessories, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: The best walking socks (2023)

Posted on March 30, 2023 by Helen Webster

Socks are one of the most important bits of outdoor kit. Too often they are overlooked or poorly cared for – something of an afterthought. They can help enormously to keep feet warm, dry and blister free, essential for a comfortable day. Prices and technical features have been creeping up in recent years and with most people wanting a range of socks for different conditions/footwear, it’s important to get the choice right. Socks should fit well so that they don’t ruckle, and seams should be flat, or the sock should be as seam-free as possible to avoid rubbing points. Confusingly,…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Water Filters

Posted on February 12, 2023 by Helen Webster

Staying hydrated is crucial for both enjoyable day walks and multi-day hikes. Getting hold of additional water on a walk in Scotland is often not a problem, but knowing whether it is safe to drink can be. The presence of animals (who will be defecating and sometimes dying near or in water sources) and humans who may be contributing chemicals as well as their own waste to the environment can result in nasty illness as a result of drinking contaminated water. People can also be worried about industrial, agricultural and sewage effulent as well as micro-plastics in water. Unless you…

Posted in Accessories, Camping, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review – Midlayers

Posted on December 1, 2022 by Helen Webster

As winter approaches, layering becomes even more important. In the past we’ve reviewed a variety of synthetic and down layers that offer lots of insulation – but when it’s cold, I often also want a additional warm layer I can wear all day over my base, both for the additional warmth but also the flexibility – so that I can remove my padded insulating jacket when working hard on an ascent without getting too cold. The main things to consider are warmth, breathability and drying speed (both the material and venting features such as zips). Does the garment fit easily…

Posted in Features, Gear reviews, Magazine, Midlayers

Gear Review: Dried Backpacking Meals

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Helen Webster

Tasty, nutritious, filling food is as important as weather and scenery to the enjoyment of overnight camps. Exploring some long distance Scottish routes this year while researching a new guidebook has seen us try a number of dried camping meals alongside our “go to” staples of instant mash, cup-a-soups, noodles and couscous. We tried a selection of meals from most brands including meat and vegan, main meals, breakfast and dessert options where available. The selection included brands that dehydrate the whole meal (said to preserve flavour), meals where ingredients are dried separately and then combined, and freeze drying which prolongs…

Posted in Camping, Features, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Trail Shoes

Posted on June 21, 2022 by Helen Webster

Outside of the snowy season, more and more walkers are opting for trailshoes over boots these days. With lower weight and increased flexibility comes more comfort… though the low rise compromises waterproofing. As usual, we’d recommend trying on in a shop rather than buying online, as fit is the most important factor with footwear. Many people find they are wearing a size too small, which can’t be fixed; if the shoes are big enough you can easily adjust with footbeds/socks/lacing. All weights are per pair; the women’s shoes were tested by Helen and the men’s by Paul, so be careful…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Alpkit Ranger Ventile Jacket

Posted on May 23, 2022 by Helen Webster

Recommended Price: £349.99Weight: 720g (women’s size 10) Originally developed in the late 1930s, clothing made of Ventile is said to have saved the lives of countless RAF pilots who ditched into the sea. A very tightly woven cotton, it was created to be cool and practical when worn in the cockpit but warm and impenetrable when it came into contact with water. Later used both during the first ascent of Everest in 1953 and by Sir Ranulph Fiennes to cross the Arctic, it has continued to be championed especially by polar travellers, but largely fell out of favour as other…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Gear review: Alpkit Brevent 22l rucksack

Posted on February 28, 2022 by Paul Webster

Recommended Price: £119.99Weight: 780g In recent years, retro-styled gear has been making a comeback – with many outdoor brands once again making rucksacks in canvas; perhaps heavy, but durable. The Alpkit Brevent is a 22l pack made from tough 330 denier dry waxed cotton. The dry wax treatment means ensures it’s water repellent for showers but does not lose wax to your clothes, though as with all (non-waterproof) rucksacks you’d want a cover or liner in heavy rain. There are two bellows style side pockets with compression straps – generously sized to easily take a litre water bottle a piece,…

Posted in Gear reviews, Rucksacks

Gear Review: Rab Kangri waterproof jacket

Posted on December 28, 2021 by Helen Webster

Recommended Price: £275Weight: 465g Rab is now making their long-popular Kangri jacket with recycled outer fabric – I’ve taken full advantage of the shockingly wet Scottish autumn to put this updated classic through its paces. Made from 70 denier 3 layer Gore-Tex, I’ve found it to be a reliable hardshell with excellent features that make it comfortable for all day wear. The fabric feels very robust but is still reasonably flexible and doesn’t make too much noise during wear. I found the sizing true to size; I’m 5’3″ and it properly covered my bum and the arms are long enough…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Gear review: Synthetic insulated jackets

Posted on November 25, 2021 by Paul Webster

When it comes to keeping warm on the hill, there are three main options. A traditional fleece offers warmth but very little protection from the wind, and so is best as a mid-layer. Down jackets offer the most warmth for the weight and pack the smallest, but lose most of their insulating properties when wet. Synthetic insulated jackets offer warmth but also protection from wind, and perform much better than down when conditions are wet. Highlander Lewis insulated jacket Recommended Price: £99Manufacturer Weight: 350g Livingstone-based Highlander Outdoor produce a range of outdoor gear towards the lower end of the price…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine