Jon Doran tries out a really nice, broad-fitting, all-round mountain walking boot which features traditionally high ankle cuffs and traditional underfoot lateral stiffness, but without the accompanying discomfort or clumpiness.
Petzl Tibloc 2 review
Kevin Avery tries out the new version of the Tibloc…
Montane Phoenix Jacket review
Montane’s Phoenix – and its men’s variant, the Icarus – looks suspiciously like a classic, lightweight, micro-baffled down jacket…
Outdoor Research BitterBlaze Gloves preview
If you’ve climbed, technical water ice, you’ll know that gloves that work ‘just right’ are super hard to come by. They need to be warm enough that your hands don’t freeze and lose dexterity. But also dexterous enough that you can, say, place and ice-screw and clip it, then set up a belay, without taking them off.
6 Of The Best: Crampons
Will Harris chooses six crampons for six different occasions, from ice climbing to winter walking…
The Big Question: What’s with down-like insulation?
This year’s must have is a jacket that looks and feels like down, with baffled construction, but is actually filled with a 100% bird-friendly synthetic that’s designed to mimic the way down works.
Inov-8 Terraultra G 260 review
‘It is, says inov-8, ‘the world’s toughest shoe for running the world’s toughest long-distance trails’, but it’s also quite good for shorter runs in the Peak District’ – Jon Doran goes for a run to test out these claims (especially the second bit).
Air Opus review
T&M roadtrip around Europe for six weeks in an Opus camper…
The Big Question: Which rubber sole is the stickiest?
If you’re a climber, walker, mountaineer or runner, you’re pretty much dependent on the rubber on the soles of your shoes or boots to keep things sunnyside up or, in the worst case scenario, for stopping you cratering. But mostly we just take rubber compounds and technology for granted. So what’s going on? What makes one brand’s sole unit stickier than another’s and who makes the stickiest rubber soles?
The Big Question: What extra kit do you need for the winter hills?
As conditions get colder and winter days get shorter, it’s worth having a hard think about what extras you should consider packing for a day in the mountains…