Just in for test… Nah, no way I can keep a straight face saying that. Normally press releases and the like get scanned and filed if something immediately appropriate doesn’t jump out, but I met up with Si from Lyon Equipment the other day and I spotted these monsters. The Stratos were the result of [...]
Posted on November 26th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 6 Comments »
Yes, yes, I know about the colours, in for an exclusive test is next year’s Half Dome from TNF. “It’s all about the fabric” they said to me when I first saw this, and now having spent a good bit of time in it, I can see what they’re saying. The whole jacket is cut [...]
Posted on November 24th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 14 Comments »
Oh, I hope this good. In for test, the new Apollo Ti from Go System. The link above is the to regular Apollo, the Ti version is much lighter at 198g, helped by the titanium construction and the absence of a piezo ignition. A remote canister stove is the way to go in winter and [...]
Posted on November 19th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 7 Comments »
What’s my most-used bit of outdoor kit? That’s easy, it’s a Victorinox Rucksack. It goes everywhere with me at work along with a small shifting spanner, an electrical tester screwdriver and a Petzl e+lite. It’s amazing how many jobs I go to and I can fix it with just the contents of my pocket. So when [...]
Posted on November 19th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | No Comments »
It’s a flask surely? No, it’s a Stanley Vacuum bottle. I did wonder about this one, I actually wanted to test Stanley’s new stainless water bottle with the leak-proof sports cap, but none were available, so with a shrug I went for this instead. I took out out on the Ben Vane trip last week [...]
Posted on November 19th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 2 Comments »
In for test is an update of something that’s already been on my feet the past few years, Bridgedale X-Hale TrailBlaze multisport socks. When the X-Hales and the Ventums came out I thought they were a real step-up (hmm…) from Bridgedale, zoned fabrics, minimal padding, an asymmetric fit on the Ventums, everything a traditional sock [...]
Posted on November 19th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | No Comments »
Harvey have a couple of new Scottish maps, the Suilven SuperWalker and the Southern Highlands British Mountain Map. The Suilven SuperWalker map made it just in time for the recent Assynt backpack and it was interesting comparing it the official LAMM map we had, which is a mix of 1:50,000 and 1:25,000 OS mapping. The Superwalker [...]
Posted on November 18th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 9 Comments »
I’m getting there with the test kit first-looks, and there’s some more bits and pieces that have come in. New brands which is always nice and some unusual items in there too. But first, a quick look at some of the kit that got it’s first taste of winter last Sunday. Haglöfs Col Pant These were [...]
Posted on November 15th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 3 Comments »
This has been a talking point already, are they lying about the weight, what corners have they cut, is it really a Berghaus logo on there. Let’s see, in for test the Berghaus Asgard Smock from the top-end tech MtnHaus range. The inspiration and design input for the smock are well covered already, but all [...]
Posted on November 12th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 21 Comments »
Not often the packaging gets top billing is it? But it’s part of the story of the new Altitude IV WPi NT from Hi-Tec. Hi-Tec are holding hands with the National Trust and they’ve brought out a range of boots for the family, kids, mens and wummins, all made to the same spec. That spec [...]
Posted on November 11th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 6 Comments »
When Haglöfs LIM Ozone came out it was the lightest Gore-Tex ProShell jacket out there, even with a full zip, proper hood and two chest pockets. But the LIM Ozone had quirks, holes stamped in pocket lining for ventilation where folk expect mesh, printed shoulder reinforcement, the wacky colourway, so of course, like all good kit it [...]
Posted on November 10th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 30 Comments »
Berghaus don’t seem to have these on their website, but they are out there for this winter, the new Mountain AQ2 Hardshell Gloves. The AQ is the waterproof lining, Berghaus’s own membrane. I’ve used half a dozen different membranes in gloves and general breathability isn’t the issue as much as construction and longevity. I’ve had a loose liner that [...]
Posted on November 10th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 3 Comments »
Saw the Edelrid Kiro Ti at KORS earlier in the year and I’m pleased to have one in for test. You know me, faff-free performance is a fun-friendly prerogative, and with Markill’s DNA running through it the Kiro Tis fits the bill. Light, folds up small, but folds out big to support a wide pot base. The [...]
Posted on November 9th, 2010 by PTC*
Filed under: Gear Diary, Kit Reviews | 6 Comments »
