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17th Apr 2015 Salomon S-Lab Running Gloves
Sadly I managed to lose these glove after wearing them only a handful of times ('suce the pun). However that was enough time to assess them fairly well. I was after a pair of lightweight gloves to...
15th Apr 2015 Life Of A Tent
Not exactly a Blog post in its own right, but a pointer to an entirely new Blog called Life Of A Tent that I created yesterday to follow the life of one of our tents, reviewed here last year.
14th Apr 2015 Salomon Trail Gaiter - Low
Having done a fair amount of running in the snow this winter I wanted to try a system to keep the said cold stuff out of my shoes, and in particular, to keep it from balling up on top of the...
1st Apr 2015 X-Kit Jacket - Preview
Am pleased to say that I've had a sneak preview of this jacket. Looks amazing. I love the cost point and the PDF download option of the pattern. My Mum will be hard at work producing these for the...
1st Apr 2015 The North Face Paramount Convertible Trousers
OK so convertible trousers may not be hip, but they are just the ticket when going light is important and the weather is mixed. I've had a few pairs of convertibles before - convertible, if you're...
31st Mar 2015 Sprayway Grendel Jacket
Sprayway have been well established as one of the UK’s leading outdoor brands for more than 40 years building, over that time, a level of trust in the overall quality of their wide range of...
31st Mar 2015 Beyond Limits - A Life Through Climbing - Steve McClure
Steve McClure is one of the best rock climbers in the world; and undoubtedly the best sport climber in the UK over the past 15 years. With climbing parents, growing up within easy reach of the...
27th Mar 2015 Mud Claw 300 - Inov-8
Just as Five Ten make the stickiest rubber in the climbing shoe world, Inov-8 seem to have mastered the art for running shoes. This latest pair give more confidence on a variety of surfaces around...
25th Feb 2015 North Wales Scrambling
This is a gem of a book. I first saw it on Amazon after a friend had recommended it. Got a copy and am thoroughly impressed. So is my Dad. He lives in Snowdonia, has done for over 40 years, and...
11th Dec 2014 VauDe Aqua Back 24l Pannier
Introduction Having done some research on the type of panniers to get I opted for fully waterproof - there's an argument that you are better off going for non waterproof ones, and keeping your...
9th Dec 2014 Frog 55 Children's Bike
Introduction We'd been meaning to upgrade our now 7 (then 6) year old's bike from a good, but not geared, bike for too long. We're keen cyclists and we wanted to get her a bike that would allow...
25th Nov 2014 Raidlight LED Running Vest
I had a conversation with a friend a few weeks back about the merging of technical kit with fashion and we quickly moved on to discuss the combining of 'real' technology such as AI, nano-computer...
24th Nov 2014 Thule Touring 780 Roof Box
Introduction This is a great piece of kit which we borrowed to take on a week’s trip down south, avoiding our usual trick of ramming our medium sized car to the gunwales again. Fitting ...
21st Nov 2014 Adidas Terrex Solo Approach Shoes
Introduction It took a while, but the acquisition of Five Ten by Adidas has finally resulted in some Adidas shoes carrying Stealth rubber. The Terrex Solos are the first of these that i have had...
20th Nov 2014 Didriksons Slaskeman Kids Waterproof Set
These are a basic and sturdy set of children’s waterproofs, ostensibly designed for sailing. The waterproofs come in funky, gender neutral colours - in this case a bright green jacket and...
18th Nov 2014 Multimat - Superlite Air L
I'm so impressed with this little number that I've done a very basic video review. There really aren't too many features to mention in a review. It is incredibly light and low-volume when packed...
7th Nov 2014 Coleman CPX 6 quad Camping Lantern
Introduction Every now and then somebody invents something quite clever and this is one of those things. Essentially it's a large camping lantern that will light a table, cooking area or tent...
5th Nov 2014 Thule Pack N Pedal Cummuter Pannier
Introduction Panniers would usually come in pairs, but this is designed specifically for commuting so works by itself. First off, it's not a lightweight, but then it doesn't really need to be on...
3rd Nov 2014 Rab Atmos Maya Jacket
Introduction I'll dispense with the intro about lightweight gear as it's a recurring theme in many of my reviews. Suffice to say that this one fits the bill neatly. A minimalist waterproof jacket...
20th Oct 2014 Rab Boreas Pull-on Jacket
Introduction If you've read any of my other reviews you'll know that I am a keen advocate of lightweight kit. The Boreas Pull-on is just that. Weighing just 259g and packing down into a fist...
16th Oct 2014 Quickhiker Ultralight 4 Tent - Decathlon
Introduction It came as something of a surprise to discover that very few tent manufacturers make a lightweight 4 person tent. I discovered this ahead of a recent cycle touring trip to Denmark....
2nd Oct 2014 France En Velo, Hannah Reynolds and John Walsh
France en Vélo - The Ultimate Cycle Journey From Channel To Med - St Malo To Nice by John Walsh and Hannah Reynolds. Writing a guide book is a tricky beast. You need enough detail and...
29th Sep 2014 Smartwool PhD Support Bra
Smartwool Women’s PhD Support Bra* - My Initial Impressions. Following my glowing review of Smartwool’s ladies’ Merino NTS Baselayer, Matt asked if I fancied reviewing the Smartwool bra for...
5th Sep 2014 XA PRO 3D ULTRA 2 GTX® W Running Shoes - Salomon
At first I found the Saloman quite stiff to wear around the ankle but actually that is part of the durable nature of the shoe and has caused no problems. The lace system means there is always a...
4th Sep 2014 NTS Micro 150gm2 Tshirt - Smartwool
Review for the NTS Micro 150gm2 Tshirt The resounding characteristic of the smartwool thermal Tshirt is how hard wearing it is for such a light soft material. I have worn this day after day...
6th Aug 2014 Scottish Rock - Volume 1 - South
A while back I reviewed Scottish Rock Volume 2 very favourably so it's no surprise that Volume 1, though reviewd in reverse order, is also a cracker. The guide claims to cover the best mountai,...
4th Aug 2014 Rab Neutrino Endurance Down Jacket
Introduction For years I've sat around camp fires wearing various thermals, fleeces and jackets, but I've never had a properly warm down jacket. I managed for a few years with a light weight...
29th Jul 2014 Ranger 90 Folding Roof Box - Thule
Introduction A roof box might be used for two or three weeks of the year. For the rest of the time it needs a home. If you don't have a garage or a spare storage room in the house then this...
16th Jul 2014 The North Face Banchee 35 Litre Rucksack
The North Face Banchee 35 Litre rucksack Review By Dan Webber Introduction When I first received this sack to review I was somewhat disappointed. I was expecting a lightweight day sack ideal...
15th Jul 2014 Rab Neutrino 400 Sleeping Bag
Introduction It seems fitting that after writing a Blog piece on supporting local businesses I should now be writing a review of a company who, as one of their selling points, point out that...
14th Jul 2014 DMM Highball Bouldering Mat
Introduction A reassuringly tough, chunky and easily portable hinge style mat in a lovely shade of yellow (unless you get the green one). Landing I’m very impressed with this mat. As well...
11th Jul 2014 Salomon Trail Twinskin Short
Introduction Shorts are shorts right? Wrong. Whilst it's perfectly possible to run in pretty much any old shorts if you are running fast or light or far, or any combination of the three then it...
10th Jul 2014 Berghaus Vapour Shell Goretex Trousers
Introduction Also known as the Vapour Shell Pant (I still find it strange adopting this Americanism and like to call trousers trousers, and not pants!). Features It's pretty tricky writing in...
4th Jul 2014 Thule Wing Bar Edge Roof Bars
Introduction I recently reviewed a Thule bike rack so am familiar with the brand and build quality of their products. Our car (Skoda Octavia estate) has fitted roof rails (running the length of...
3rd Jul 2014 VR Lite Alpine Maya Jacket - RAB
Introduction I have two young boys so whenever we are out and about I am invariably carrying my kit and theirs, be it spare jackets on a day-walk, or full camping gear if out overnight. It means...
2nd Jul 2014 Salomon Advanced Skin S-Lab Hydro 5 Set + Hydration Backpack
Introduction I'd been on the look out for something that I could run in, with front pockets on the chest, for a while. When I'm running I generally don't like to stop, especially whilst racing,...
1st Jul 2014 Inflatable Kayak - Advanced Elements Convertible With Double Deck
Introduction We are a family of 4 and recently had a week on the Isle Of Mull of the West coast of Scotland. Armed with a 2 person inflatable kayak purchased from Decathlon a few years back it...
13th Jun 2014 Paclite Inflatable Kayak Review - Advanced Elements
I watch a large number of adventure films in my line of work and I've noticed an increasing number of expeditioners travelling on foot to remote parts of the world now carry lightweight kayaks...
12th Jun 2014 Smart Wool Merino NTS Baselayer
A Rambling Introduction on brand loyalty As event organisers Matt Heason and I spend oodles of time designing eye-catching documents to woo potential sponsors. We have solid stats on ticket...
10th Jun 2014 Challenger Wetsuit - Aqua Sphere
A Triathlon Last year I took part in my first triathlon (the Slateman in Llanberis, North Wales). I borrowed a wetsuit off a friend who is a little smaller than me and struggle to get out of it...
23rd May 2014 Men's Navigator Cargo Trousers - Berghaus
Website Description Men's Navigator Cargo Trousers by Berghaus - Classic Polycotton Walking Trousers In Practice Pretty much exactly what it says in the description above. Comfortable, with an...
16th May 2014 Didriksons Donau Pants - Waterproof Trousers Review
Who Are Didriksons? I'd not come across the brand Didriksons before, but they are apparently pretty big in their native country of Sweden where they've been going for 101 years! These Donau Pants...
15th May 2014 Wild Running Guidebook by Jen & Sim Benson
Introduction / The Authors Ironically yesterday I reviewed a book co-authored by Adrian Berry (Peak Bouldering by Rockfax), and today I am reviewing one with a picture on the front cover of his...
14th May 2014 Peak Bouldering Guidebook - Rockfax - Review
Introduction I've reviewed a fair number of Rockfax guides over the years, but this one sets some new records. Had they made the cover from high density foam it could almost have doubled as a...
12th May 2014 Men's Aiglun Stretch Climbing Trousers - Berghaus
I'd been in need of some new climbing trousers for a while, something I can climb and walk comfortably in. Enter the Aigluns. First off they look nice. In recent times Berghaus seem to have...
1st May 2014 Beinn 26 Small - Isla Bike & Ortlieb Panniers - Review
This is the second Isla Bike we've had. The first was a Beinn 20 Small and was reviewed here. That was for our youngest and since the review he has gone from strength to strength on the bike. I'd...
10th Apr 2014 Muc-Off Bike Cleaning Products
I was watching the new Steve Peat documentary film Won't Back Down last week and was somewhat taken aback to see a bottle of Muc-Off in some footage of Steve way back in the early nineties....
21st Mar 2014 Salomon Trail Tight Review
When I started running a couple of years ago I wouldn't be seen dead in a pair of tights. I think that was because the vast majority of tights on the market were slightly baggy Ron Hills (I don't...
10th Mar 2014 Otterbox Preserver Phone Case Review For Iphone 5s
Otterbox Preserver for Iphone 5s When you spend good money on a phone it's as well to take certain precautions to protect your investment. Insurance is all very well, but you may as well also put...
5th Mar 2014 Purple Harry Bike Cleaning Products
When I were a lad I remember sitting for (seemingly) hours after a ride polishing my bike clean and lubricating the moving parts. Currently my lads are too young to pass that sort of job onto...
28th Feb 2014 Berghaus Men's Cuesta Approach Shoe Review
A good solid pair of approach shoes that I have worn virtually every day since getting them and are showing very little signs of wear. They retail at £85. Approach shoes generally fit into two...
25th Feb 2014 Olympus Stylus Tough TG2 Compact Camera Review
Introduction I've had this camera on review for a while now so it's been through the mill and I can safely say that it has been thoroughly tested! I was fed up with a succession of digital...
4th Feb 2014 Cragghoppers Mosquito Repellent (Nosilife) Clothing
When I were a lad, Mam used to make us drink a spoonful of Syrup of Figs every day in the winter. When we grumbled, she said it was to keep the elephants away. It must of worked, ‘cos we never...
29th Jan 2014 Salomon Spikecross Running Shoes
I've run in both Speedcross and Fellcross, so it was a bit of a surprise to hear that Salomon had another varient on the shoe - the Spikecross. Essentially it's much the same as the Fellcross, but...
28th Jan 2014 Running Food - Chia Charge
I was half way through a 21 mile race a couple of months back and was struggling. Approaching a check point a friend caught me up and I managed to stay with her for about a mile at which point she...
11th Dec 2013 Isla Bike - Beinn 20 Small Review
Our kids first bikes were basic affairs, heavier than lead, ineffective brakes and with tiny wheels. They'd both actually started off on balance bikes (bikes with no pedals that teach them how to...
24th Jul 2018 Wild Swimming - France
UPDATE Wild Things Publishing have now made most of their books available as interactive apps via Itunes and Google Play. The apps work pretty nicely featuring a navigable map, as well as...