Aware of the similarities between adventure apparel and functional travel gear, many brands have begun to develop products that represent this crossover within the leisure sector. Columbia Sportswear offer a particularly extensive range of travel-suited adventure gear and with some exciting new products on the shelves this season, I’ll run through some flavoursome products from their summer alpine range.

As a key product in Columbia’s trail running armoury, the Trail Pro Freezer Crew reflects the brand’s efforts to innovate and design for an emerging adventure activity. While many apparel and footwear brands jostle for recognition in trail running, Columbia have developed the Trail Pro to create a unique product with a simple effectiveness, mirrored by similar inroads on the backpack scene with the now legendary Mobex. Though more minamalist and sport-specific, the the Trail Pro garners similar support.

Following research into the therapeutic benefits of beetroot juice in reducing high blood pressure, scientists then looked at the advantages of nitrates as a sports supplement. The William Harvey Institute has conducted research in the area to find out the effects of vascular contraction and dilation, while Exeter University Sports Science have been testing athletes changes to their their oxygen efficiency and stamina levels when taking the shot itself. Find out more about this research on the Beet It Research Page.

Having ridden in the Chiltern Hills for nearly three years now, I thought that I would share my favourite road routes in the area. In the Google Map below is a 17 mile loop that can be extended by taking a right, or carrying straight on through the Fingest junction. Fingest is often rates one of the prettiest places to live in the UK, and is within walking distance of great pubs such as The Chequers Inn and The Bull & the Butcher in Turville. There is also a pub nearer Marlow, The Prince Albert.

Despite its wide availability in supermarkets across the country Soreen malt loaf benefits for sportsmen and women shouldn’t be overlooked. Each loaf is packed with carbohdyrate goodness and, with the newly released banana flavour, now offers something new for active lifestyles and performance athletes.

Any runner has got to love a brand that goes by the slogan of ‘Human Propulsion Laboratories’. Nathan Performance Gear, aware of the growth of running and multi-sports activities, design gear to aid … Read more

For mountain bike enthusiasts and trail runners in the London area there’s a new event worth checking out – the Columbia Hellrider. The duathlon challenge not only adds an extra competition to the racing calendar, but promotes a stunning outdoor location at West Wycombe Park, less than an hours train or drivve from the centre of London.

This season sees the launch of a new fleet of performance yachts into the European Racing scene. Sunsail have released 42 of their new F40 range to establish a firmer foothold in both the European racing circuits and the emerging novice market. Together the 42 yachts make up the world’s largest matched charter fleet.

Win a pair of Smith Optics Goggles in the Magnetic Junction Spring Giveaway

The Alpine Invader ski jacket is part of the Columbia Omni-Heat collection, the brand’s latest innovation for outdoor winter adventures. Whether challenging black pistes or baguette-break runs make up your morning agenda on the mountain, the Alpine Invader promises to be a trustworthy ally.

Armada Subversion Ski Pant

Following the tsunami that hit Japan on 11th March 2011, international disaster relief charity ShelterBox have arrived on the scene to help the response to the situation. The 8.5-magnitude earthquake … Read more

Local cycling enthusiasts at Edinburgh’s The Bike Station and Hillside Agency have developed an innovative map of the city’s off-road cycling paths. The map outlines the car-free routes throughout city, unveiling many … Read more

In 2010, Columbia released their first trail running line that included the Ravenous trail shoe, a range of technical apparel and the robust Mobex back. The Mobex soon won acclaim … Read more

Going Going Bike is an online auction marketplace dedicated to connecting second-hand bike sellers to buyers. Launched in July 2010, the website hopes to differentiate itself from other auction sites … Read more

As one of Scandinavia’s top outdoor and equipment manufacturers, Haglöfs hold nothing back with their sleeping bag range. I’ve been using the Zensor Nordic Winter over the season and have been amazed by just how comfortable and warm it has been. Suitable to a -20 degrees Celsius, The Zensor has held up well in -10 at Ben Alder Bothy. However, to work out why this Haglöfs bag is so comfy, a further analysis of the product’s features is needed.

Inspired from a young age to adventure, George Bullard isn’t known for turning down opportunities to get out into the wild. At a financial services lecture in London early 2008, George found was introduced to somebody looking for a team to go down to Antarctica with BSES. Since this first expedition at the age of 18, George is now a world record holder and athlete on Team Accelerate, one of the UK’s top adventure racing outfits.

Norrona have been developing outdoor garments with a Norwegian twist since 1929. Known for their innovation, with products like Europe’s first Gore-Tex jacket in 1977, to base layers for Everest expeditions, Norrona have established themselves as a premier adventure brand.

In 2002 Alex Smith and Jimmy Docherty, started trying recipes to create tasty, nutritious food for adventure. A little later they created Fuel For Adventure, turning the heat on with a view to taking their products to a commercial scale. Now an established brand in adventure racing, Mule Bar have sponsored the Absa Cape Epic, South Africa and the Tour of Britain, and make some great products at the same time.