Vango Helium Superlite 200

, October 12, 2011

To me the key performance indicator of a tent is that it keeps me dry. The biggest test of this: 2 days of near continuous rain in Slovenia, the tent passed. After a brutal night of rain I woke, and in my usual wet routine, got dressed in the tent into my cycling kit. This requires some contortion due to the tents compact size but is possible. With waterproofs on and kit packed into dry bags I dived out and was able to drop the tent in 2 minutes. Pannier on and I hit the road.

Osprey Manta 25

, October 2, 2011

Colorado-based Osprey have been designing packs for the outdoors since 1974.  Maintaining a strong commitment to the environment, they support a number of North American conservation organization and even sew the 7 … Read more

Salomon XA Pro 3D Ultra 2

, September 13, 2011

Having relied on Salomon products for freestyle skiing because of their reliability and quality, I was curious as to whether their footwear could achieve similar results. Selecting the XA Pro 3D Ultra 2. The trip would take me through a number of different environments, ranging from cities to arid steppe and snow-covered mountains to endless desert – a bunch of conditions that I thought the ‘run-hike’ model would really enjoy.

Terra Nova Laser 20 Elite Backpack

, September 3, 2011

I’ll start by stating that I’ve a fair bit of experience with lightweight packs having run numerous mountain marathons over the past 10 years and gravitated gradually towards lighter and … Read more

Haglöfs P2 Velum Jacket

, August 28, 2011

Now an established household name in outdoor equipment, Haglöfs is characterised by high usability, advanced construction and functional design. The P2 Velum Jacket certainly lives up to these lofty standards when providing me with an essential part of my pack on a trip through Central Asia and to the 4000m Molda-Too Range in Kyrgyzstan.

Introducing Movescount: Training Software from Suunto

, August 26, 2011

As technology takes a greater hold on the way we run our lives, it’s no surprise that adventure brands are jumping on the digital band wagon to enhance user experience. To bring their adventure software in line with established platforms from other watch manufacturers, Suunto released Movescount, their version of performance tracking. As well as updating training data features, Suunto introduced a neat social networking element to enhance the Movescount product. Here I’ll outline some of the key features, and guide you through the process of setting up an account.

Suunto T6d GPS Watch

, August 20, 2011

The Suunto T6d is described by the manufacturer as a ‘sports laboratory on your wrist’ and it’s an apt description for a watch that is compatible with a variety of … Read more

Arc’teryx Cita 3/4 Running Tight

, August 3, 2011

After reviewing the Cita Bra earlier this month, I headed out with another recent addition to Arc’teryx’s trail running line. The new running legging, the Cita 3/4 tight, extends the brand’s focus on breathability for high intensity exercise. With this feature in mind I looked at the product’s general ability in handling a warm and heated environment – conditions at distance from Arc’teryx’s alpine heritage. Of course comfort would come into play as I assessed the material’s limits in the summer season.

Vivobarefoot Neo Trail Running Shoe

, July 25, 2011

Vivobarefoot and its parent company Terra Plana offer a range of ‘barefoot’ shoes that cover everything from smart office wear to serious athletic shoes. Barefoot footwear bases itself on the idea … Read more

SealLine Boundary Pack

, July 22, 2011

Sitting alongside a number of prestigious outdoor brands in the Cascade Designs family, SealLine has a lot to stand up to. The Boundary Pack is SealLine’s go everywhere-do -everything pack and is designed to be as comfortable as a backpack on a the train as holdall deep in the canyon.

Haglöfs Sumo 75

, July 15, 2011

Haglöfs are recent nominees of Sweden’s ‘Fashion Export of The Year Award’ and as Scandinavia’s biggest outdoor equipment manufacturer they’ve got a reputation for pushing out top gear. Catering to the demands of discerning outdoors experts, Haglöfs have garnered a reputation for innovative, timeless design and a strong commitment to sustaining the environment their products are designed to be used within.

Beet It

, July 7, 2011

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.

CS300 Polar Heart Rate Monitor

, July 5, 2011

Convinced by Polar’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of sports instruments, I invested in a CS300 during the 2006 season to track my cycling training. Five years later, I now swear by the product, taking it out on rides on the mountain and on the road. It took three years and hundreds of hours of usage before my CS300 battery ran out, and Polar just three days to find and mail fresh replacement. As a example of how simple tech can enhance and simplify the training process, my experiences with the CS300 are almost entirely positive.

Old Favourite: Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew

, July 3, 2011

I’m moving towards the core with this review, away from the shell garments discussed in the earlier ‘old favourites’ blogs. The Helly Hansen Lifa Stripe Crew is my favourite baselayer and in twenty years of running, mountaineering, climbing and cycling I’ve tried many alternatives, but none do everything a baselayer needs to do as well as the humble Lifa.

Arc’teryx Cita Bra

, July 1, 2011

Aware of a growing trail running trend in adventure sports, Arc’teryx have diversified their collection of high quality performance products by expanding an established alpine collection to include active wear. … Read more

Columbia Drainmaker

, June 29, 2011

As an advancement from the 2010 release of the Ravenous, the Drainmaker adds a unique and specific shoe to Columbia’s footwear collection. Check out the video below to see a demo of the product.

Soreen Malt Loaf

, June 28, 2011

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.

Nathan TrailMix 4 Bottle Belt

, June 23, 2011

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

Arc’teryx Cierzo 25 Pack

, June 19, 2011

Weighing in a just 415 grammes, the Cierzo 25 Litre backpack from Arc’teryx builds upon the brand’s performance focus in an ultra minimalist design that takes lightweight to a new level. Despite … Read more

Shetland Fishing Adventure

, June 17, 2011

Over the week we aimed to explore this remote group of islands whilst fly fishing, hiking and camping along the way. At 60 degrees North the Shetland Islands lie closer to Norway than mainland Scotland and consist of approximately 100 islands of which only 16 are inhabited. The largest island is called Mainland and is where the capital Lerwick is located.