For a while now surfers have been at the forefront of the eco-conscious green movement. But do surfers ever stop to consider actually how to tackle the environmental side-effects of … 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.

Having witnessed the painful thawing-out process first hand, my flatmate gave me some new overshoes for my Christmas. He chose Endura’s Luminite, made of a stretched waterproof fabric with taped seams. The design is simple and the shoes are attached by velcro fastenings behind the cleat, at the heel and up the back. The overshoe can be opened up fully, allowing an adjustable fit and ensuring that putting them on is hassle free, even when wearing gloves. However, the real beauty of the design lies in the fact that, although adjustable, the end result is still a tight (and aerodynamic) fit. The Luminite is compatible with almost all kinds shoe and cleats.

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.

Little Marlow Lakes and the Westhorpe Watersports club lie in the heart of Buckinghamshire, providing a stunning setting for summer open water swimming. At under an hours train ride from central London, the lakes grant an ideal escape from the city for both the casual swimmer and the training triathlete.

If you’re looking for an event in the Scottish Highlands this summer, check out the Alliance Trust Cateran Yomp. The 54-mile challenge is held in support of the ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, Prince’s Scottish Youth Business Trust and the Alliance Trust Staff Foundation, passing through Highland Perthshire where the idyllic hills and glens form a breathtaking course for this epic adventure. The distance is covered in under 24 hours and is set to be one of the chestnut adventures in Scotland in years to come.

As bastions of functional sportswear, Peak Performance have got a few things right over the years to promote mobile lifestyles. Most recently, their iPhone App helps you locate, download and share maps from your favourite ski resorts that include weather reports, slope and lift statuses and snow forecasts. Working alongside Åre local Henrik Windstedt in the design of their active line helped to reemphasise a commitment to great looking, high performance apparel. With big aims in active clothing, Peak Performance are one to watch as their two labels, HIPE and R&D stamp a quality product on shelves throughout the UK.

Since 1973 Marmot have evolved their line of products to become a prime manufacturer of apparel and equipment to the outdoor market. Their numerous technologies meet the demands of the specialist adventurer, maintaining a close bearing to the brand’s portfolio of sustainable fabrics. Looking for a winter shell, I got tucked into the Spire Jacket over the season.

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

If you’re looking to stay warm and dry warm and dry on the bike throughout the season, Nikwax must be the best bang-for-buck purchase. The Nikwax waterproofing system is trialled; cleaning, … Read more

Magnetic Junction’s Seb Fish caught up with Reine Barkered at the Freeride World Tour in Verbier over the weekend. Here’s the exclusive interview.

While many of the white water meccas are a long-haul flight from the UK, one of the world’s best destinations flows right passed Europe’s doorstep in Montenegro. Currently the world’s youngest country, Montenegro deserves recognition from adventure travellers; stunning alpine and fjord scenery and peaks reaching over 2000m are the setting. Couple geography with a rich Slavic culture and a warm summer climate and its no surprise this destination needs to be on the top of the checklist.

I recently went to the quiet Scottish island, Isle of Mull for a restful weekend with my girlfriend. Lying off the west coast of Scotland, the island offers a raw … Read more

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

DaKine is derived from the Hawaiian Pidgin word meaning “the best”. Founded in 1979 in Hawaii, DaKine were primarily innovators in surfing technology. They are now a worldwide brand specialising in backpacks, apparel and accessories for men, women and children.

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

Founded in 2004, POC are a young Swedish company who started out specialising in snow sports protection. They have now seamlessly segued into three main areas: snowsports, cycling and eyewear. Pushing environmental awareness, POC’s ‘Bug Series’ is an innovative range of protective gear of which 1% of each purchase is donated to an project in the Amazon Rainforest.

An appetite for the mountains and a spare three weeks were all I needed to head cross the Swiss Alps in July 2010. Two friends and I chose to tackle the ‘Alpine Pass Route,’ a 15-part trail that goes over most of Switzerland’s most famous passes. In total the route covers some 350km, crossing from the town of Sargans in the East to Montreux in the West over nearly 20,000m of ascent. Travelling through such terrain on foot provides a unique ability to appreciate a stunning landscape and discover the smaller details of mountain life.