In the last 10 years or so, you won’t have been able to avoid Merino wool if you have had the slightly interest in the outdoors – it is just everywhere. It seems that every company out there is making at least one Merino wool product, even if they make only hardware! In any case, I […]
Compass – what is it and what makes it work
Compass (magnetic compass) is a basic navigation device that uses the earth’s magnetic poles to point a magnetized needle towards the north pole. A compass works because the earth’s rotation (and some theories add that the molten lava in the Earth’s crust) create 2 magnetic poles that allow a magnet (the compass needle) to be […]
Gear review – Inov-8 Trailroc 235
I have mentioned in the past that my feet are wide, like flippers wide, and so finding footwear is a real nightmare. My search for suitable outdoors footwear is more of an epic quest rather than a search, and when I moved to minimalist shoes, it was no different. Mika is a huge fan of […]
What inspires me to go outdoors
Staying at home is great, it really is – you are mostly comfortable, you have company, entertainment, food as you like, water that doesn’t need filtering, you can sit/lay/rest as you wish and many other great things. Yet for some reason we still go outside, to the cold/hot weather, the bugs, the sweat, the wet […]
Hiking with toddlers – London Hiker guest post
My two favourite bits of kit that make my hiking life, and my daughter’s experience, much easier outdoors: a fully featured backpack carrier and a folding changing mat. Check out my review at London Hiker and also increase your outdoors experience if you are a Londoner – Catherine is a well of knowledge and I’m […]
How to fix a simple broken stitch in your gear
When it comes to outdoors gear, there are two main schools of thought: 1. Buy cheap and replace when something breaks – very common approach with lightweight gear seekers or when the level of interest in the outdoor recreation is unclear. Here gear is measured in how many days of use you can get from it; […]
Cape Wrath – update 2
It has been a while since I gave an update on what is going on with my preparations to walk the Cape Wrath way, but with two months left till May, the clock is ticking. Transportation to and from the trail is sorted now and lead to changing the route plan – I will be […]
Should you use a bivy?
Bivy bags, also known as bivvi, bivvy, bivouac or any other form, is essentially a sleeping bag cover, which means it is simple, usually very light and very, very discreet. If you don’t know, camping (in non marked camping grounds) in England is illegal and requires the land owner’s permission (pretty much all of England […]
The best trick to take your family outdoors in winter
For outdoors enthusiasts, going outdoors in winter is just as exciting as in the warmer seasons; actually, it is sometimes more exciting – being active when it’s cold is amazing. Getting our families, especially with young babies or partners who aren’t too thrilled about the cold, to join us on those glorious winter days is […]
A true breakfast of champions when outdoors
Getting a good breakfast when outdoors is vital – you need energy to fuel the day, a boost of sugar to shake off the night’s stiffness and some protein to help your much needed recovery from yesterday. Oh, and don’t forget – easy to make, easy to pack in and easy to pack out. So […]