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RAB Montane Terra XT Pants
Used these pants a lot this winter - and I'm reminded just how good they are, very warm, easy to move around in due to the articulation and should really be listed as softshell - they dealt with the odd hail storm with aplomb.
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RAB Baltoro Guide Pro Jacket
Recently took one of these on a winter walking trip to the Cairngorms - its was awesome, the first day was bright and sunny with only spindrift to worry about - the Baltoro kept me very warm, comfortable and dry. The next day I experienced driving rain and hail - not all day - but sporadically - I didn't bother putting my hardshell on and the Baltroro kept the weather out fantastically.
By the end of the day the inside was dampish, but considering what the jacket had handled I was delighted - its a much more comfortable experience than wearing a hardshell.
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Montane Fury Jacket
Take a lightweight Polartec Micro fleece jacket and give it 'the treatment' - Polartec Power Dry stretch fabric side panels, under arm and across the shoulders and hood gives superb freedom of movement. The close fitting hood makes it ideal for wearing under a hooded shell, or even a helmet, ealstic binding on the cuffes keeps the wind out. An out and out functional fleece that keeps the weight down by the use of lightweight fabrics without compromising features or performance - its even got an internal baffle behind the zip to maintain its insulating integrity.
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Vaude SkyFly Cycling Jacket
You can't always count on the weather, but you can always count on this jacket. An extremely lightweight jacket small enough to be stored in your jersey pocket, providing excellent protection when needed. Reflective stripes on the sleeves and back ensure visibility when riding in the city.
Our Verdict
The fabric has brilliant waterproof and breathability characteristics for something this light, with a long drop tail, channel-backed main zip and tight elasticated cuffs it delivers awesome performance - styling isn't bad either.
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SOTO Pocket Blow Torch
Slip in the ubiquitous disposable lighter and you have a blow torch - superb piece of kit this - especially as the disposable lighter is available just about everywhere. Without the lighter it weighs 50g which you may think is a luxury weight - however I've wasted loads of meths in the past struggling to get my burner lit, especially when only half full - I suspect with this I'll save the weight in fuel.
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Nemo ZOR Pad
Simply put - our lightest full length self inflating mat - it does this by utilising horizontal as well as vertical cutouts and by being 2cm rather than 2.5cm thick like most of its competitors. But its brilliantly light and the pack size is also the smallest for this category of mat.
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Exped Synmat Ultralight
Not quite as light or as packable as the Pacific Outdoor Peak AC Elite, or the Thermarest Neoairs, but with the Exped product you get a full sized rectangular mat with a higher thermal resistance rating than its peers and with Exped quality built in; such as the two valve construction, one for inflation, the other for deflation - makes both these processes fast and easy.
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GSI Spice Missile
This ingenious container has 6 compartments and is exapndable indefinitely. Each pair of compartments share the same shaker lid which twists to the selected spice. The spice labels are a nice touch - like being at grandma's house - bless!
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PodSacs First Aid Drybags
Great idea this for those who know enough about First Aid to make up their own kit and principally because it makes your First Aid kit easily identifiable - if its you lying on the deck then you'll be glad that someone can identify your FA Kit in your pack easily and quickly.
The small drybag is probably the one for a solo kit, and the large size for groups or extended trips into wilderness areas.
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Nuun Hydration Tablets
Say you’re out on a long run, ride or maybe at the gym, rather than settle for water or a traditional sports drink loaded with sugar you just fill up your reusable water bottle and drop in a Nuun tab. By the time you tie your shoes or throw on your pack, you’ve got a superior electrolyte drink that gives you optimal hydration.
It has a light refreshing taste that efficiently absorbs faster than water alone and, unlike traditional sports drinks, it’s sugar free.
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SealLine E-cases
Touch, Talk and Listen with Full Protection: These cases give your critical electronics submersible protection while still allowing you to operate them.
Fantastically well made, prior to discovering these the lightest waterproof pouch for my iPhone was three times the weight.
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Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Poles
Black Diamond have really created something new here - they've taken the 'sectional' concept of the lightest poles - added a decent foam grip and somehow created a pole that weighs just 135g yet feels very solid and rigid, making it suitable for walking and trekking.
They've just won 'Editors Choice' Award from the Backpackers Magazine - and with good reason.
When not in use they stow easily into your pack using the pouch supplied.
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Granite Gear Multi-Activity Packs
We're using this area to bring to everyone's attention how good the new multi-activity packs are from Granite Gear - we've shouted about them before but we're doing it again mainly because I've been using the Habanero as a winter daypack - it is really superb - the harness works really well - ventilated yet very stable and close to the back - and the organisation that the pack offers is second to none.
The new harness from Granite Gear is really interesting - it looks an behaves like a close fitting padded back panel - but actually its curved and sits quite well off the back - in addition the stippled nature of the padding makes it feel 'airy'. We love it - Granite Gear seem to have achieved a close fitting pack which vents very well - Nirvana!
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Big Agnes King Solomon Double Width Sleeping Bag
One bag that is just about unique is this King Solomon Double Wide bag - enables you to get up close and personal with your camping mate while still providing a lightweight, high quality down bag suitable for backpacking.
Its got twin collar-bits to keep your shoulders cosy and twin pillow pockets so that you can stuff them to your desired size and firmness. There's also a zip down either side so you won't end up with an elbow in the ribs if you need to climb over your partner in the night to go for a pee.
So slip a couple of NeoAirs into your King Solomon and forget about resting, (there must be a euphemism in there somewhere but I can't find it).
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Edelrid Scoop
Well we got really excited when Edelrid presented the Spatula last year - now we have the Scoop as well - simple but brilliant.
If you haven't seen these before it uses an Edelrid Spork as the handle so you really need one of these as well:
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Nite Ize DomeLit Tent Light
Brilliant bit of kit that weighs only 20g - on a long trek either side of the summer I'd take a backup light as well as a headtorch - if I take a DomeLit then I'm not only carrying a miniscule amount of extra weight but it gives me the option of a general light or focussed headlight whilst in the tent - why wouldn't I?
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Luger LR 6 x 18 Waterproof Binoculars
Binoculars aren't the top of everyone's backpacking list - especially if you're counting the grams - but if you're a bit of a twitcher or like to know what those people in the distance are doing - then you might as well have the lightest pair of binoculars we could find.
Just 135grams!
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SOTO Micro Regulator stove
Winner of two prestigeous industry Editors Choice awards in 2010 the Micro Regulator stove is not only pretty damn light for a stove with an igniter - it also has hidden talents such as its ability to work normally at low temperatures - awesome.
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Ortlieb Snap
Achieving a completely waterproof seal on a pouch normally means its tough and time consuming to get your camera in and out - Ortlieb have recongnised this and solved it with the Snap by employing a fold and flap arrangement which is easy and quick to use.
So its not a waterproof case as such because if you drop it into a river you've got problems - however the fabric is completely waterproof and the seams are too - so wearing it on your hipbelt will provide excellent protection even during a downpour - we like it!
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Vaude Fresco 18
Not an ultralight pack but highly technical and virtually waterproof. Superbly made.
The harness system comprehensively transfers the load to the hips and we like the strap adjustment - basically this is a well-made, highly spec'd good looking daypack that wouldn't be out of place on the hill, around the streets or on yer bike!
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GSI Outdoors Halulite Minimalist Solo Backpacking Cookset
A great piece of kit if you intend living off freeze dried meals such as the Travel Lunch range that we stock, that only require hot water to be poured onto the ingredients to reconstitute the meal.
Using the Halulite Minimalist kit is ideal for this application because you can boil the water for the meal then boil some more for your tea or coffee - then the pot slips into its insulating cosy and you fit the inverted lid to keep your drink hot and sip it without spilling or burning your lips on a metal pot.
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GSI Outdoors Halulite Micro Dualist Backpacking Cookset
Brilliant set for two people, it includes a 1.4L pot which we think is an ideal size for two, then for each person it includes a bowl, an insulated mug with sipper lid and a plastic telescopic spork.
It all comes in a waterproof pouch that doubles as a small water bucket - OK for washing up pots or hands.
Just a shade over 500g.
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Platypus 'Insulator' Hydration System
Having experienced a frozen water tube in winter and warm/hot water in summer then I know that an insulator is worthy of consideration. This one is well executed, as well as all the insulator gubbins you get Platypus's top line hydration bladder and the bite valve cover - ace!
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Edelrid SPOF and SPATULA
The SPOF is a spork, but with spoon and fork at either end, made of dishwasher safe polycarbonate. The SPATULA can be attached to the Edelrid SPOF making the smallest, most versatile outdoor cutlery on the market.
Our Verdict
Fantastic - never seen anything like this before! The Spatula is small but its also pretty robust, the SPOF slips inside it to form the handle. Total weight is an astonishing 22g.
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FREELOADER Pico Charger
Brilliant ultralight solar charger, don't expect miracles, but if you need emergency power on a long trek - when only electrickery will do - this little gem can provide it.
Best bit is the price! - £19.99
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Sea to Summit Ultra-Sil Day Pack - 68g / 2.4oz
Superb idea, its amazingly strong - so much so that you don't have to worry about abusing it. This is ideal as an aircraft carry on with minimal weight penalty, and you can use it as a stuff sack when you hit the trail.
These days your pack will generally go into the aircraft hold because you will almost certainly have items that are not allowed in the cabin, such as a knife, trekking poles, sharp tent pegs etc.. Just in case the bag never reappears I like to take some items as hand luggage - tent, sleeping bag, sleeping mat etc, things that can't be replaced easily at the other end. Using the Ultra-Sil Daypack is the ideal way to do this.
- all in all you shouldn't be without one.
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