Reviews - October 2009

Back in September last year we reviewed the TNF Blue Kazoo, an exciting new bag for the ‘fairer sex’. It received a favourable review, with a roomy foot area, no snagging material, toasty and plenty of comfortable nights’ sleep. The Green Kazoo is its environmentally friendly cousin. Made from 100% recycled fabrics it is essentially the same bag, but a whole lot ‘greener’. Suffice to say that it is green in colour, and lest anybody seeing the bag not realise, its foot is plastered with some fairly gaudy text explaining just how eco-friendly the bag is. TNF claim that by using recycled fabrics, each bag reduces energy consumption by 84 percent and CO2 output by 77 percent. Presumably this is in relation to it’s blue cousin. The savings come at a cost though. Whilst the Blue retails at £139.99, the Green is a fairly significantly more expensive £199.99. £60 for peace of mind that you are doing your bit. Put that way it’s quite possibly worth paying the extra, but I suspect many won’t.

So what do they mean by 100% recycled fabrics? The shell itself is 100% post-consumer recycled polyester ripstop. The fill is pure goose down so those with an aversion to being complicit in the trade of goose farming will not be tempted, and argue that the bag should really have been filled with an equivalently friendly material. Given that the weight of the fill accounts for a fairly substantial part of the bag’s weight it brings into question how TNF have arrived at their figures quoted above of 84 and 77 percent. Presumably these relate only to the shell, and not to the fill, which is the same as for the Blue.
All in all an interesting experiment, but one that only really scratches the surface of the producing environmentally friendly kit. Let’s hope it is the start of a bigger campaign.

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Many tears ago The North Face began hit upon the genius idea of making some very eye-catching and durable kit bags and presumably gave them away left right and centre to expeditions heading to the greater ranges. They did this having cunningly predicted that every expedition would take cameras and video cameras with them and that pictures of trains of porters and yaks lugging chains of multi-coloured giant bags would make good eye-candy. How right they were. There is barely a mountaineering film around these days that doesn't feature a TNF kit bag being carried in to Base Camp. Somebody at TNF has hit upon another pretty good idea, that being to start churning out miniature versions of the said kit bags. The Canister is just such a bag. It has a capacity of about 2 litres and is the perfect size for a neat little wash bag. It's not hugely practical as a wash bag as it only has one internal pocket, but it looks the business, makes you think gnarly thoughts about expeditions to Trango Tower, and even has a hanging strap to keep it off the floor of your squalid guest house in Bangkok or wherever you end up with it. My one gripe is that it's a little pricey at £24, but would make a very neat Christmas present.

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Situated on the picturesque Marine drive, right next to the popular tourist town of Llandudno Parisella’s is regarded as one of, if not the premiere hard bouldering venues in the British Isles, so it’s about time that an up-to-date topo was produced. Affectionately referred to as “The Cave of Justice” or ‘the Cave’ is a relatively small chunk of limestone, but when it comes to hard problems it hosts to an embarrassment of riches.

With the increased popularity of bouldering in the past decade, coupled with the cave’s wonderfully convenient road-side location and wonderful views across the North Wales coastline, it’s no surprise that Parisalla’s has attracted many top climbers, from far and wide, vying for coveted first ascents or repeats of any number of fantastic problems which have deservedly attained classic status.

Apart from the topo, all the photos are in black and white. Whilst this ‘moody’ look is understandably popular with bouldering photos, one or two colour ones wouldn’t have gone amiss. Fortunately, where it really counts, the photo topos are in full colour, making them easy to decipher. Each problem also has its own description to go with the line in the topo, meaning that even the most inexperienced boulderer should be able to get the gist. Topos and descriptions two popular and worthwhile areas either side of the cave, Split Infinity and Breck Road are also included in the guide.

Even the most ardant of cave devotees are catered for, with plenty of entertaining local link-ups and eliminates also receiving attention.

Quite simply, whoever you are, if you’re planning a visit to the cave you’d be hard pushed to find a better way to part with £4.95 than buying the guide - enough said!

Reviewed by Ben Heason
 

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Retailing at £39.99 and weighing in at 120g these must rank as one of the most expensive pence-per-gram bit of outdoor kit, but that shouldn’t stop you buying them! Granted, if you are off for a long day’s slog in the Northern Corries this winter you’ll want something a little more robust and durable, especially if crampons feature! Where these babies come into their own is the fact that you can take them pretty much anywhere without noticing them, and have an emergency pair of waterproof trousers (it bugs me they market them as pants in the UK!) wherever you are. The last 3 summers in the UK have been blighted with unpredictable weather, with heavy showers blowing in without any notice. This last summer I normally had these trousers with me, whether out cragging, mountain biking, walking, or even just picnicking with the kids. The breathable material works pretty well, keeping out heavy rain at the same time as keeping sweating to a minimum. There’s an elasticated drawcord to tighten the waist, with a miniscule plastic toggle illustrating how Montane have shaved off every possible gram. The fit is tight enough that they haven’t included any excess material which would add to the weight, but loose enough that climbing is still possible (I climbed Preposterous Tales at Pembroke in them – a subterranean adventure involving some incredibly wet pot-holing high in the roof of a sea cave – and they kept me perfectly dry).

Highly recommended.

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Using natural oils from lemon and eucalyptus this insect repellent is designed specifically for kids. Isn't it strange how we will liberally cover ourselves in all sorts of horrible paraben-containing creams, sprays and ointments, but our kids only deserve the very best? It isn't recommended for kids under the age of 6 months, or for malarial areas. We used it in the Peak District against midges and in Mallorca against mosquitoes. In neither place did it completely deter them, but it certainly put up a good fight. Highly recommended.

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