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One-year review: As Tucas Sestrals Quilt

A wonderfully simple and effective piece of ultralight gear ‘Sleep outdoors, comfortably,’ is the tagline for the Sestrals Quilt by As Tucas – a simple, ultralight, synthetic quilt optimised for three-season conditions. As Tucas gear is made by hand in the Pyrenees by an experienced long-distance walker who knows a lot

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Review: ÜLA CDT ultralight pack

Unlike ÜLA’s larger Circuit, I don’t love this pack – but it gets the job done at a little over half the weight. Here’s my review of the ÜLA CDT ultralight pack. Specifications * Description: a frameless pack for ultralight backpacking * Volume: about 54 litres including all external pockets;

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The Fujifilm X-E1 review

Although this camera is now considered obsolete, it’s only after a year of intensive use that I feel qualified to review it. Is the X-E1 competitive today? Almost certainly not. But is it a classic? My photographic background When I started to take my mountain photography seriously in 20151,

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Gear review: Speedster 30ml meths/alcohol backpacking stove

Is this the best ultralight alcohol burner for summer backpacking use? After testing it on my recent 280-mile hike in the Scottish Highlands, I think it just might be. First, some context. You can read about my journey from alcohol burners to canister gas and back again in my article

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Review: Merrell All Out Peak trail shoes

Update 2016: having now been through several pairs of these shoes, it’s important to note that they’ll probably only last you a few hundred miles. For more, read Are trail shoes durable enough? A review of Merrell’s All Out Peak trail shoes, from the perspective of a

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Review: Grisport Peaklander hiking boots

I’ve had a pair of Grisport Peaklander leather walking boots on test for the last few weeks. I recorded my first impressions back in early October, but I’m now ready to share my full review. Read on for the details! Basic facts * Weight: 1.12kg per pair (size

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Fujifilm X30 mirrorless compact camera review

The Fujifilm X30 is a compact camera in Fuji’s ‘X’ series of professional and enthusiast mirrorless cameras. While the X-Pro1, XT1 and X100T occupy the top of the range, the X30 brings up the rear – but is it a capable camera in its own right? I put it through

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Electronics on the trail – what works for me

Please note that this article is now out of date. Here’s an updated version. “Nothing that uses a battery can be relied upon in the wild.” This is something we hear from time to time, but how true is it? What level of electronic gadgetry is necessary or appropriate

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The Tarptent Notch backpacking tent — First Impressions

Recently I blogged about how my old Laser Competition was showing signs of wear and tear, and that for my planned hike of the Cape Wrath Trail I would need to find a new shelter. My requirements for a new shelter were as follows: 1. Lightweight — specifically, under 800g; 2.

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Inov-8 Roclite 295 trail shoes — first impressions

I don’t often review outdoor gear on this blog, but in light of the new ‘words – mountains – imagination’ tagline I am going to be broadening my horizons a little. I hope my readers who are into the great outdoors find these articles interesting. Since childhood, I’ve mainly worn

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