Durston Iceline Trekking Poles After many miles and camps, my trusty Alpkit trekking poles were coming to the end of their life. The twist locks were starting to slip and so I took the plunge and bought these beauties off … Continue reading New Gear for 2026
Kit list for the Snowdonia Way walk – 7th – 13th May 2023 Current load out for Sunday. The weather looks wet so am going full waterproofs this time. First time out with the Enlightened Equipment quilt and Big Agnes sleep mat – hopefully keep me warm enough! Feels like I’m getting to a point of nailing down my core kit now – it’s only taken 3 years! Continue reading Snowdonia Way gear load out
Finally took the plunge and treated myself to a couple of new additions to my 3 season load out. Having spent last April up in the Highlands walking the Great Glen Way I was caught out in the cold with my summer set up, so thought I’d better sort myself out before I’m back in 2023! I don’t know why but I’ve always found sleep mats with vertical baffles suit me better. I move about a bit in the night but I predominantly sleep on my left side so comfort trumps weight every time for me, hence the purchase of … Continue reading New Year, New Gear…
A quick look at my new Dan Durston tent. I’ve been waiting a long, long time for this to arrive! Just got back from a couple of days in the Peak District putting it through it’s paces. Despite costing a tidy sum (£400+additional charges), I have to say this is a great piece of kit. It’s no wonder it’s often referred to as the worlds most sought after tent. Positives: Trekking pole tent that pitches with just 4 titanium pegs, weighs in at just 795g and packs down incredibly small. Has a huge vestibule with plenty of space for cooking, … Continue reading Durston x-mid 1p v2
I’ve been aware of Atom Packs for a while but have always been put off by justifying the price v usage, that said I’ve struggled to find a pack that’s comfortable for a while having tried several. I’ve got the Osprey Exos 48 as my chosen pack at the moment but I just find it’s got too many features and pockets that I just don’t really use. Anyway, long story short, I picked one up prior to my Cumbria Way walk and I can tell you it’s frickin great. It’s a 50L pack made up of a main compartment of … Continue reading Atom Packs ‘The Mo’ EP50
Kit list for the Great Glen Way 29th April – 6th May 2022 All set for Friday! Somehow managed to get it all in my Exos 48L! Might still thin out a few items though, plenty of food stops on the trail and the weather forecast is improving so I might just go with a poncho rather than full waterproofs. Anyway a tad over 10kg isn’t too bad. Pitched the tent in the back garden just to make sure it’s good to go. Compared to my West Highland Way kit I’ve switched my rucksack from the Montane Trailblazer to the … Continue reading Great Glen Way prep & kit
Sierra Designs Cloud 800F 35°F Sleeping Bag I’ve recently upgraded my Alpkit Skyehigh bag to this Sierra Designs bag. I’m a side sleeper so find normal side zip sleeping bags quite restrictive, whereas the Sierra Designs bag is zipless with a duvet-like flag that is perfect for me. I especially like the ability to put my feet out of the bottom through a clever opening. I get really hot feet at night so this has been a marvel! This isn’t a 4 season bag and for me, someone who sleeps cold, I wouldn’t want to be using this under about … Continue reading New additions…
West Highland Way 2021. Kit for my West Highland Way walk during August 2021. Just got to get it all in a 44L pack! With food and water comes in at 10.5kg which I’m pretty happy with. Update: A few ‘on reflection’ comments regarding some of my kit choices: Montane Trailblazer 44L pack. I bought this to keep my kit to the minimum and took this instead of my normal Osprey Exos 48L pack. In hindsight I wish I’d taken my Osprey, don’t get me wrong the Montane is a decent pack, but it just didn’t sit comfortably on my … Continue reading West Highland Way load out
Rusty Outside 