Along with boots and rucksacks, waterproofs definitely sit high in the top three bits of essential kit needed for tackling mountains and the great outdoors. Let’s face it, if you were asked which bit of kit you’d grab if the conditions kicked off whilst in the mountains, I think most of us would say waterproof […]
How to Choose a Waterproof Jacket Read More »
Two things are true when it comes to choosing the perfect walking boots; 1) Probably one of the top three essential bits of kit you need to spend both time and money on when it comes to choosing the right pair (along with waterproof jackets and a good rucksack). A good pair of well fitted
How to Choose the Perfect Walking Boots Read More »
“What have you got in there, the kitchen sink?” Pete gets asked, unashamedly struggling his way up the Miners Path on Snowdon, knees bowing under the weight of his old framed 65ltr Karrimor rucksack, a day’s walk on one of the hottest days of the year. Whilst Pete is prepared for any eventuality and the
How to Choose a Rucksack Read More »
This time of year, its essential to make sure that your waterproof jackets and leggings are fully waterproof and ready for the autumn and winter conditions. This guide outlines how you waterproof the more typical Gore-tex and it’s many varieties which cover most waterproof jackets sold, and the Paramo Analogy system which is another popular
How to Clean and Reproof Gore-tex, eVent and Paramo Waterproof Jackets Read More »
If you’re a keen walker, runner camper or mountain biker then you’ll probably have some sort of kit bloat. Partake in all of these, and you begin to have a problem! This doesn’t even touch the storage of photography kit! Cull. This is the most obvious method, but can you really face parting with all
How to Organise Your Outdoors Kit Read More »
The Summer’s here, well sort of, so you may be thinking of your first wild camp. Unless you’re going to live off the land or a bagful of sausage rolls (you know who you are!), you’ll need a camping stove of some description in order to heat your food and drinks. Here’s the Mud and
How to Choose a Wild Camping Stove Read More »
What do you look for when buying a wild camping tent? There’s such a selection available, and with so much marketing speak; what’s really important to get the most suitable tent for you? Being waterproof is a given, Basically, the fabric’s tested in order to determine how much water it can withstand before leaking, and
How to Choose a Tent for Wild Camping Read More »
Choosing a sleeping bag can be a pain! Here are the main things to consider when buying a new sleeping bag for wild camping. Shape – You’ll probably go for the mummy shaped bag for wild camping. You’ll struggle to find any other shape for a serious bag, with a few exceptions (quilts and half bags, and
How to Choose a Sleeping Bag Read More »
With winter looming, we hope, it’s time to stow away those summer only bits of kit safely for the winter as well as catching up with those repair jobs ready for the spring. Here are some hints and tips to keep your kit at their best over the winter months. 1 – Sleeping Bags –
Kit Care – Storing Summer Kit for the Winter Read More »
Evenings are already getting darker, and it will soon be dark as soon as most of us leave work. Here are our tips on choosing a head torch for these dark evening walks and runs. Technology type In the past, the only choice was your common or garden incandescent bulb – which gave off as much
Choosing a Headtorch for Night Running and Walks Read More »
These can be so handy on a hot day, no need to stop to take a drink, but they get scummy and manky without proper care. There’s a few really simple things you can do to keep yours clean and mould free. These tips work for drinks bottles, as well as hydration pouches and collapsable
The Beast’s Tip of the Week – Hydration Bladder Care Read More »
Fed up of that fusty and minging flask on a hill walk frosty morn? Get rid of the stink by adding a load of bicarb in it overnight. Not sure how much, just get a decent tablespoon’s worth in there and it’ll absorb any niffs that might be hanging about. Make sure you clean it
The Beast’s Tip of The Week – Sprucing up that Flask Read More »
Windproofs aren’t waterproofs, obviously, but they do offer some protection against light rain. This protection is soon lost if you don’t look after your windproof kit properly. Here are The Beast’s tips on keeping them as water resistant as possible. 1 – Don’t wash them in your usual detergent. This strips them of any water
The Beast’s Tip of The Week – Keeping Windproof Kit Water Resistant Read More »
It’s staggering how many people you see setting off from the usual trailheads dressed from head to toe in waterproof Gore-Tex, eVent or even Paramo. That’s fine during the typical wet weather that we get, but utterly inexplicable at most other times. They’ll usually plod onwards, trying to work out why they’re overheating and getting sweaty. Next
Why Windproofs are Essential for Hill Walking Read More »
All waterproof kit eventually loses its water repellancy after enough use, usually failing on you during a wet and cold winter walk. Fortunately, they can usually be re-proofed if you know how. My Sealskinz All Season gloves, which are half leather and half fabric, didn’t perform particularly well on a wet January walk and so I
How to Proof Sealskinz Fabric and Leather Waterproof Walking Gloves Read More »
As we’ve now added a Skills and Tips section to the site, here are a selection of our best Gear Care articles from the 50 or so articles published so far. We’ve even managed to stick to the five things as mentioned in the title, sorry! 1 – Check your boots – There are a
Five Things – Gear Care Skills and Tips Read More »
If you’ve recently read the article on how to give your boots an overhaul, or the previous on waterproofing leather boots and own fabric boots, then you’ll need to proof them slightly differently. This should take about 10 mins, plus drying time and is well worth the effort if you want your boots to keep
How To Proof Goretex Fabric Boots Read More »
Normally we’d be saying that it’s that time of year when you’re going to have to think about getting the wet weather kit out, but ours haven’t been put away this season. Nevertheless, it’s as good a time as any to make sure those boots are in good order. If you’ve got to ask yourself
How To Give Your Boots an Overhaul Read More »
Can I get kitted out and tackle Snowdon for under a £100 from the skin up? We take on the challenge – the only rules being that any thing I can’t buy can be made up from everyday clothing most people will have (e.g. pants) and that I’d be going as part of a group
Get Walking on a Budget – Under a Ton! Part 1 Read More »
If you’ve got a lightweight titanium pot or similar, then while they’re perfect for boiling water, if you try anything more adventurous you’ll soon find how easy they are to burn. I managed to carbonise popcorn on my MSR Titan Kettle, leaving it totally unusable. Soaking overnight in the sink didn’t have much of an effect,
Kit Care – Cleaning Your Titanium Pot Read More »
This is probably one of the more daunting cleaning jobs, but not all that difficult if you’re prepared. It’s a good time of the year to get the spring/summer bag washed seeing as it’s not going to see much use for a good few months. Of course, it’s not the best time of year to
How to Clean and Reproof a Down Sleeping bag Read More »
It’s getting that time of year when you need to give those long abused leather boots a make over. 1 – Clean ’em – Water works, though you can get some proprietary boot cleaners that work out a little expensive in the long term. Use a brush to clean out all the dirt from the seams. You
How To – Waterproof Leather Boots Read More »
If like me, you’re a little nervous with merino wool, here’s a brief run down of how to make sure it gets washed properly. 1 – Read the label! If it say’s anything different to us, then take the label’s advice over ours! 2 – Fill the sink with hand warm water. Don’t put water
How To – Wash Merino Wool Read More »
The challenge accepted, camping out in the Snowdonian mountains with just £100 worth of camping gear was the next step. What was certain is that the trip would have to give the gear a proper testing. You could take a pop up tent onto the summit of the Ben in fine summer weather; it doesn’t mean
Wild Camping on a Budgie (under £100) Part 2 – Out there! Read More »
You must be logged in to post a comment.