Category: Gear

All Gear Posts
Gear

Gossamer Gear Mariposa (Robic)

Probably the best money I ever spent on gear was when I shelled out £40 for a GoLite Jam backpack (some background here). I bought it in the winter of

5 March, 2015 5 Comments
Gear

Lakeland Fells Map

Buy Me:  £3 This topology map of the Lake District fells came around after a chance conversation with my walking friend Matthew King. He was creating a bespoke map of the

23 November, 2014 No Comments
Camping

A Light in the Darkness

I would probably describe myself as a 3-season backpacker. I much prefer the longer walking days of the months between April and September, the relatively better weather (pah!) and the

14 November, 2014 7 Comments
Gear

C2C Guide Book Review

A new Coast to Coast guide book has recently been released. As one of the world’s most popular long distance walks, this route isn’t short of guide books, so I

2 October, 2014 2 Comments
Gear

Re-purposing

As modern, global citizens we should all be looking at how we can re-use, re-cycle or re-purpose the stuff we come across on a daily basis. I’m part of the

31 August, 2014 1 Comment
Camping

Liebster Award Nomination

First of all, as part of the protocol, I have to thank Cath (http://wellycath.wordpress.com/) for nominating my blog for this ‘process’. I read Matt’s (http://hillplodder.wordpress.com/) recent blog posting on the

7 July, 2014 No Comments
Sheltered camp at Light Hazzles Reservoir
Gear

Brasher Boots Ate My Socks

I posted a few weeks ago about my terminal disappointment with my Salomon Comet 3D GTX boots (click here to catch up). Basically, I was fed up of wet feet,

1 April, 2014 12 Comments
Brasher Supalite II GTX
Gear

Goodbye Salomon, Hello Brasher!

I’ve had a real love-hate relationship with Salomon over the last few years – we’re talking boots here. I also have Salomon trail shoes and I love them unequivocally! But

6 January, 2014 15 Comments
Gear

Review: Trailblazer South West Coast Path

A few weeks ago I posted a review of the first volume, in a series of three, planned by Trailblazer to cover the entire length of the South West Coast

16 April, 2013 No Comments
Gear

Win Some, Lose Some

I’m a huge believer in coincidence – not during a murder investigation or while uncovering a spy-ring of course – but generally during normal life, coincidence plays an important part

5 March, 2013 No Comments
Gear

Review: Salomon Comet 3D GTX #2

I’ve had the Salomon Comet 3D GTX boots for about a year now and I thought it about time they had an “Update Review”. I’ve just returned these to Go

4 March, 2013 No Comments
Gear

My Winter Kit

The weather at the weekend (in the Lake District at least) showed the first proper signs of winter arriving. On the summit of Little Hart Crag (not exactly Scafell Pike

29 October, 2012 5 Comments
Gear

Smartphones on the Hills – Part 2

There’s been quite a lot of criticism recently, from various quarters, about hill walkers relying on mobile phones for navigation and then getting into trouble and having to be rescued.

12 September, 2012 13 Comments
Berghaus Spectrum Hat
Gear

Review: Berghaus Spectrum Hat

I was sent this hat for review by Berghaus, on the basis that I do a review and they allow me to keep the hat afterwards – in the interests

25 July, 2012 1 Comment
Berghaus Ardennes Softshell Jacket
Gear

Review: Berghaus Ardennes Softshell Jacket

I was invited to review this jacket by Berghaus as part of their Outdoor Clothing range – and in exchange for the review, I get to keep the jacket –

25 July, 2012 No Comments
Gear

Using a Smartphone on the Hills

Over the past few years I’ve come to depend more and more on my mobile phone while out walking on the hills. It has been a gradual phasing in of

18 June, 2012 10 Comments
Gear

Review: Hi-Tec Ottawa Waterproof Boots

I reviewed these boots on the request of Go Outdoors, my favourite walking equipment emporium and despite my usual avarice for any new walking equipment I almost turned them down.

17 May, 2012 3 Comments