Will Harris takes a look at the latest version of La Sportiva’s popular winter and alpine workhorse, the Nepal…
Patagonia Macro Puff Hoody review
Jon Duran tests a new jacket from Patagonia that combines the warmth-to-weight ratio of high-loft down, but the water-resistance of heavier synthetic filled jackets…
The Big Question: Has Synthetic Insulation finally caught up with Down?
It was a sort of outdoor industry pipe-dream: a synthetic fill that was a light and warm and compressible as down, but didn’t collapse in the face of rain. Is that dream finally a reality, asks Jon Doran?
First look: Rab Ladakh GTX Jacket review
Jon Doran tries out an all-round waterproof mountain shell with helmet hood that’ll cope with anything from UK mountain walking through to the Alps and beyond…
First Look: Leki Black Series Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles £194.95
The new for spring 2019 Leki Black Series Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles, MVC for short, cost almost £200 per pair. That’s a cool £50 than the standard version of the pole and well over twice as expensive as a lightweight Leki alloy pole that weighs only slightly more…
The Big Question: How many pockets do you (really) need?
How many pockets – and what kind – do you need on your hardshell jacket? Jon Doran gives the lowdown on this important yet seldom discussed aspect of clothing design…
The Big Question: What’s fit got to do with it?
The fit of outdoor clothing, and jackets in particular, varies hugely from brand to brand – Jon Doran discusses the differences and explains how getting the right fit is as important as fabrics and features
Petzl SWIFT RL Headtorch review
Jon Doran tests a new rechargeable all-round headtorch that uses Petzl’s Reactive Lighting technology…
Keen Karraig Women’s boot review
Amanda Travis tests Keen’s new, more technical women’s trekking boots…
The Big Question: How do I choose the right headtorch?
How bright does your headtorch need to be? USB rechargeable or normal batteries? What about beam patterns? How much burn time do you really need?