Back to the footwear conundrum I have been dealing with for the last… forever, I have tried my luck again with a pair of Inov8’s: the Race Ultra 290. I know I said I would be avoiding Inov8 shoes after my Cape Wrath Trail experience with the Trailroc 235 in 2015, but I had a […]
Gear Review – Platypus PlusBottle and Platy Bottle
Water containers are such a trivial item but there many opinions about it, mainly since there are always the ultimate cheap and light options: empty soda bottles. I’m not against soda bottles (or any disposable bottle) in any way, but I hate the disposable aspect of them. For years I have been a Nalgene user: […]
Gear Review- Haglofs Gram Comp 25 Backpack
Picking a day pack is a very sensitive issue for hikers, almost as much as footwear and big trip backpacks – they are very personal and can be very controversial. I have experimented with more than my share of day packs, trying to find the combination of the features and volume (22-27 litres) I want […]
Gear Review – Arc’teryx Squamish Hoody
For a long time I saw wind shirts (or jackets) as a novelty or an indulgence, something that is not at all necessary, especially since I always carry some sort of waterproof jacket. In 2011 I had a chance to buy a North Face Verto jacket for about 60% off, so I opted in and […]
Gear Review – Elemental Horizons Kalais Backpack
Backpacks are a sore point for many backpackers as it is both the defining and the most painful item if not used correctly. I have used my share of backpacks, starting from the worst kind (case style, no frame with about 90L of volume) to the lightest and simplest (28L running packs for a weekend […]
Gear Review – Mountain Hardwear Quasar Pullover
The controversy around rain jackets, waterproofs and rain protection in general is pretty extensive, especially in the lightweight circles or the UK walking community. Opinions and what the “right waterproof” might be are as many as there are users (and sometimes even more than that!), so it is not surprising that we are often so […]
Gear Review – Arc’teryx Atom LT Hooded Jacket
We all have a jacket which is our “go-to” jacket – the one you find yourself using most times, even when it may not be the most appropriate, right? Don’t have one? Impossible, but it is probably a good time to upgrade. Let me recommend my go-to jacket: the Arc’teryx Atom LT hooded jacket. I […]
Gear Review – Janus Merino Tops
About two years ago I put together a set of tops to wear when going outdoors, and I have been using pretty much the same outfit ever since: a short sleeve Merino tee and a long sleeve hooded (balaclava style) Merino shirt – both made by Janus. I have no idea exactly how this happened, […]
Gear Review – Thermarest Neoair
A good night’s sleep in the backcountry is one of those things that everyone talks about – it is not only a great moral booster but is also vital for your physical recovery. When hiking day after day, sleeping outdoors, it is easy to not sleep well: the unfamiliar environment, the excitement and general tiredness […]
Gear Review – Ribz Pack
Sometimes we get hooked on weird gear, really, just the weirdest things that there is a good chance you’ll never need – unless you do? I got the Ribz under with the idea that I think I’ll need it, not sure how, but I want it. It is a very odd pack, and I get […]