A video look at what's in my daypack

 

Mountain Style: the history of British outdoor clothing

Outdoor clothing has changed dramatically since I started going to the hills back in the 1960s. There was little specialist clothing back then and the basic materials were wool and cotton. Technical fabrics meant Ventile cotton (still around!) and similar. There was no big outdoor industry either. 

How we got from there to here is told in this excellent new book by Henry Iddon and Max Leonard. The story of how climbers and innovators, often starting out with no money and just a sewing machine in a back room, helped create the vast outdoor industry we know today is fascinating. 

To produce the book the authors did a huge and impressive amount of research, talking to company founders, key innovators and designers; compiling brochures, catalogues and magazine reviews; and sourcing original garments. Here you'll find the stories of Mountain Equipment, Berghaus, Rab, Rohan, Craghoppers, and many, many more, some long gone. There's also the rise of the technical materials, starting, of course, with Gore-Tex, plus Pertex, fleece, polycotton, Velcro, Lycra and more, that allowed the new companies to develop new designs.

The large format book is packed with illustrations from studio photos of garments taken specially to ones of clothing in use, company logos, advertisements, and catalogue pages. 

Having been involved in the outdoor trade as a gear reviewer since the late 1970s and a hill goer since the 1960s I was asked to contribute an essay on my personal experience of the history of outdoor clothing and the rise of the outdoor industry. This has become the introduction to the book and I'm honoured by that as this is a marvellous book that tells a story that deserves to be recorded and remembered.

Mountain Style is published by Isola Press and can be purchased here. 

A Spring Trip Last Year With A Look At The Gear I Used

A chilly morning at the camp in Glen Affric

 

Glen Affric is one of my favourite glens and I hadn’t been there for over a year, which is far too long, so I decided to make a visit my first spring trip of the year. I started the walk on a sunny day along the Kintail-Affric Way in the woods above Loch Affric, an easy stroll on a forest track with good views over the trees to the hills.

Leaving the woods behind I walked up the open upper glen and camped near the river Affric, a fine site with spacious views. That evening I sat watching the sun set over the mountains, glowing gold in the last light. As the sky darkened stars appeared and the temperature quickly dropped. Dew formed on the tent and soon froze. There was no wind.

A frosty starry night

By dawn the tent was crackling with frost inside and out. The hills were in mist, soon dispersed by the sun and the sky was clear when I set off on the track up to the Bealach Coire Ghaidheil.

One reason for taking this route was to explore a path marked on the map that made a rising traverse across the hillside from the bealach then stopped abruptly not far below the summit of Mam Sodhail. I couldn’t remember ever taking this path before and I wondered how clear it was and if it really did just stop part way across the hillside. It turned out to be more dramatic than I expected. The path is narrow but easy to follow - I don’t think many people come this way as it’s not an obvious route – and towards the end it runs along the edge of steep crags with excellent views of Mam Sodhail and Carn Eighe, the two highest summits north of the Great Glen.

Carn Eighe and Mam Sodhail from the path from the Bealach Coire Ghaidheil

The path did just stop too but from its end it was an easy short walk up grassy slopes to the ridge above and then on to Mam Sodhail and its massive cairn, built by the Ordnance Survey in 1848. The wind was strong and cold on the summit. The views were excellent though distant hills were hazy.

My plan had been to take a path down into Coire Coulavie but the top of this was blocked by a large steep snowbank. Attempting to descend this without ice axe or crampons seemed unwise so instead I took the long ridge over Mullach Cadha Rainich to Sgurr na Lapaich. This is a splendid walk and gave better views than I’d have had in the corrie anyway.

The ridge to Sgurr na Lapaich

As the wind was fierce on the ridge I descended from Sgurr na Lapaich before camping. An intricate rough narrow path winds a way down through little crags on the steep south-east ridge of the hill to a flat boggy area where I had to continue a fair way before finding anywhere dry to camp. Here on the edge of the woods I was sheltered a little from the strengthening wind. The sky was clouding over and that night there was no dew or condensation. In the morning it was just a short walk through the trees to my car.

Camp below Sgurr na Lapaich

Planning & Preparation

The forecast was for sunny and windy weather the first two days with a frost at night then clouding over with rain on the third day. As usual for spring trips in the Scottish Highlands this suggested a bit warmer sleeping bag and clothing than in summer but not full winter kit.

Glen Affric & Beinn Fhada

As the weather had been hot for the past week I suspected there’d be little snow left so I didn’t take ice axe or crampons. As it was I had to change my route once due to a steep snowbank. The dry weather also suggested the ground would be fairly dry so I chose non-waterproof footwear, reckoning comfort from good breathability preventing sweaty feet would be more important than keeping out water. My feet did get damp once, in the bogs below Sgurr na Lapaich near the end of the second day.

I planned on low level camps due to the likelihood of strong winds up high, though I still took a tent with good wind resistance.

As I intended climbing at least one Munro with the full pack and I knew the ascents in the area were steep I wanted to keep the weight as low as possible so where there were choices I went for the lighter option.

 

EQUIPMENT

Atom Packs The Mo VX60    935g (M)   £285  ****1/2 best buy

• Likes: ultralight, pockets, tough fabric, comfort
• Dislikes: expensive 
  
• Capacity: 60 litres
• Materials Body: EPX200 200g/m2 recycled 200 denier face fabric, 45-degree cross ply, recycled 70 denier backing fabric. Back: 500D textured nylon. Side pockets: 210D Robic Extreema. Front pocket Dyneema Mesh.
• Closure: rollover with stud and buckle fastenings
• Back System: framesheet with 12mm alloy bar, shaped 8mm closed cell foam panel
• Hipbelt padded: adjustable
• Pockets: 2 open side, front mesh, base mesh, 2 mesh shoulder strap
• Features: front and side elastic
• Sizes: 4 length, 5 hipbelt
• Load capacity: 19kg 
• www.atompacks.co.uk                              

The Mo 60 is the larger version of the Mo 50 I gave Best Buy to in 2021. The extra capacity is the only difference between the two packs. For this spring backpacking trip the 60 litres were welcome as I had bulkier clothing and sleeping bag than I’d carry in summer.

The back system is comfortable and stable with the frame transferring the weight to the wide hipbelt well. The body-hugging style does lead to a damp back on warm days, as I found on the walk down Glen Affric, but I don’t mind this as I’d rather have good stability. The latter was very useful for balance on the steep rough descent from Sgurr na Lapaich.

The pack is well-made from tough materials and feels very robust. There are plenty of pockets for items needed during the day, though none of these are waterproof so drybags are needed in wet weather. I added the Atom Packs optional hipbelt pocket (28 grams, £20) for access to small items while wearing the pack. There are also long adjustable shockcords on the side and back for attaching extra gear. I used these for carrying the bulky closed-cell foam Multimat.

I can’t fault the Mo 60. It is expensive though.

 

Atom Packs The Roo VX bum bag  105g (L)  £39.50     ****1/2  Recommended

 

• Likes:            volume, water-resistant zip, made from offcuts
• Dislikes:        expensive
• Capacity:       2.5 litres
• Materials:      VX21   210D nylon/polyester/PET film
• Features:       Lycra stretch front pocket, YKK Aquaguard zip, nylon strap
• www.atompacks.co.uk

This little bum bag held various items I wanted quick access to such as smartphone, mini binoculars, sunglasses (on and off many times) and more. The first day I wore it as a waist pack but it didn’t feel that comfortable. I guess I could get used to it like this but for the next two days I wore it as a sling, which I preferred.

It’s made from offcuts from pack manufacture and has a waterproof zip and a mesh pocket on the front. I used the latter for my phone. There’s a key clip and a small compartment inside the bag. The long strap is adjustable but not removable.

For both backpacking and travelling (I used it for phone, keys and wallet in cafes on the drive to and from Glen Affric) this is an excellent little bag.

 

Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL       575g (outer)    $275/£218* (outer)  ****1/2  Best Buy

*price conversion correct in early May

• Likes:                   lightweight, spacious, headroom
• Dislikes:               only available from USA
•  
• Design:                 pyramid
• Material:               silpoly
• Pitching:               flysheet first
• Fabric:                  20D silpoly, hydrostatic head 5,000+mm
• Pole:                     trekking pole
• Dimensions:          280 x 142cm, max. height 140cm
• https://mountainlaureldesigns.com

This tent was my Best Buy in June’s Solo Tents review due to the low weight, roominess, headroom, storm resistance, and ease of pitching. It’s made from silicone polyester rather than silicone nylon which has the advantage of not stretching when wet. This was a boon the first night of the trip as by dawn the tent was soaked with dew and condensation. Silnylon would have sagged. The silpoly didn’t.

By dawn the dew had frozen. This soon melted once the sun rose, and the tent dried very quickly. Silpoly is meant to absorb less moisture than silnylon.

The SoloMid is easy and fast to pitch, not that there was any hurry on this trip. I didn’t attach guylines to the four tie-outs on the sides, though I had them with me, and the tent resisted the gusty wind on the second night fine. Just one trekking pole is needed.

I enjoyed the space inside and the wide door, which I never closed so when I work during the night I could gaze at the stars. I just used a groundsheet inside as it was too early in the year for midges. In summer I’d want a mesh inner tent. 

Therm-A-Rest Parsec 20F/-6C   865g (Reg)          £415     ****1/2  Recommended

• Likes:                          lightweight, warm, comfortable, recycled fabric                        
• Dislikes:                      expensive                    
• Fill:                             800 fill Nikwax Hydrophobic Down
• Shell:                          Recycled nylon
• Construction:              box wall baffles, heat mapped zoned insulation, quilt
• Zip:                             full-length                              
• Sizes:                         Small, Regular, Long                         
• Rating                         comfort 0°C, comfort limit -6°C
• www.thermarest.com

With the likelihood of frosty nights I wanted a bag that would keep me warm a few degrees below freezing. The Parsec 20F seemed a good choice and so it proved the first night when the temperature fell to -2°C. I slept warm without even closing the hood.

The Parsec is designed to attach to a sleeping pad and has two stretchy straps on the underside. I find doing this restrictive as it prevents me sitting up in the bag so I didn’t use the straps. This wasn’t a problem as there’s enough room to move around inside. The base has less insulation than the top but stayed under me both nights. If I’d felt too hot I’d have turned the bag upside down so the base was on top.

The down is hydrophobic and the foot of the bag did get a little damp the first morning when I pushed it against the wet tent fabric. It dried quickly.

The shell fabric is very soft and I found the Parsec really comfortable and ideal for the conditions. It’s an excellent lightweight sleeping bag but it is expensive.

 

Therm-A-Rest NeoAir XTherm NXT         455g (Reg)          £260   ****

• Likes:             lightweight, warm, very comfortable
• Dislikes:         very expensive
• Type:              air bed
• Materials:       nylon with reflective inner coating
• Dimensions    183 x 51cms
• Thickness       7.6cms
• R-Value           7.3
• www.thermarest.com

The latest version of the XTherm sleeping pad is thicker, warmer, much less noisy and a touch lighter in weight than the original version. It’s thick and comfortable and reasonably light and compact given the warmth. It made for a very comfortable night’s sleep though I didn’t need such a warm mat on this trip. With an R-rating of 7.3 this is a mat for the coldest winter nights as it should be warm down to -32°C, which is lower than the coldest night ever in the UK. Therm-A-Rest says it has the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any sleeping pad. This warmth perhaps justifies the very high price. For most UK camping a lighter mat like the XLite would be fine.

The low weight and high warmth come from its internal construction which has two layers of triangular baffles plus reflective material. The baffles also help the pad keep its shaped when inflated.

The XTherm is quick and easy to inflate and deflate. I found it most comfortable if I didn’t inflate it fully as then I could sink a little into it and was in no danger of rolling off.

 

Multimat Superlite 8    171g           £27.50        ****1/2   Recommended

• Likes               ultralight, inexpensive, durable, warm
• Dislikes           very bulky, not very soft
• Type                closed cell foam
• Materials         cross-linked Plastazote polyolefin foam
• Dimensions     180 x 50cm
• Thickness        8mm
• Rating              -70°C
• www.multimat.uk.com

Given the warmth of the XTherm I didn’t need this closed cell foam pad for sleeping on. However it was useful for protecting against the cold, damp and hardness when sitting outside the tent and during the day as a sitmat. As it can’t be punctured I’d rather use a closed cell foam mat for this than a mat like the XTherm. There’s no need to check the ground for anything sharp. The mat can just be chucked on the ground.

The Superlite mat is very light but it’s also bulky so I strapped it on the outside of the pack, which was convenient for quick access anyway. The foam is quite tough so I wasn’t bothered about it being scraped on rocks or vegetation. I wouldn’t carry an inflatable mat like this.

 

Primus Express        75g                         £40         **** Recommended

•  Likes:                  ultralight,         
• Dislikes:               needs windshield
•  
• Type:                    canister-top stove
• Fuel:                     gas canisters
• Dimensions:          115mm/90mm
• Burner Diameter:  35mm
• Power:                  2600W
• https://primusequipment.com

The Express stove is a simple gas burner that’s very light and compact. It folds flat and takes up little room in the pack. I selected it for this trip as I hadn’t used it in a while and wanted to remind myself how it performs. I used it with the Evernew and MSR 900ml and 600ml pots that have been favourites for decades and which have a combined weight of 229 grams plus a foil windscreen weighing 53 grams. Primus says the narrow flame is good for wind resistance but in more than a gentle breeze the windscreen is needed.

The Express doesn’t have a piezo igniter, though one is available as a standalone extra, which I don’t mind as I’ve broken many of them and so always carry a Light My Fire FireSteel to light the stove.

The pot supports lock into place firmly and could hold big pots. However the flame is narrow and concentrated and so best used with smaller pots.

The Express isn’t as powerful as some gas stoves but still boiled water fast enough for me, including on the frosty morning after being left in the porch all night. It simmers well too.

 

Inov-8 Rocfly G390       818g (9)  £175        *****    Best Buy

•  Likes:        lightweight, durable, good grip, wide fit
• Dislikes:     nothing
• Uppers       mesh with overlays
• Sole           Graphene-Grip
• Sizes          men 6-14, women 3-8.5
• www.inov-8.com

With the forecast for warm weather breathability seemed more important for footwear than water-resistance so I wore these boots from Inov-8. Whilst they do have a higher ankle than trail shoes they are actually more like a beefed-up version of the latter than like a hiking boot.

The boots have one feature that makes them very comfortable – Graphene-infused foam in the midsole. This is meant to deliver greater energy return than other midsole materials. It’s certainly soft and comfortable on hard ground, like the forest road I followed on the first day. Graphene is also found in the outsole which should mean excellent durability. I found the grip fine on the wide variety of terrain I crossed on the trip.

The uppers are made from breathable knitted mesh with a tough rand to protect against abrasion. Breathability is excellent and my feet never felt too hot or sweaty. Drying time is good too. I did get the boots wet at the end of the second day on boggy ground. They dried very quickly during the short walk the following morning.

The Rocfly G390 boots have a wide fit, which is just right for my wide feet. They’re very light too and ideal for three-season backpacking. 

*Note: currently on sale on the Inov-8 website. It looks as though this non-Gore-tex version is being discontinued, which would be a great shame.

 

Falke TK1 Adventure Wool Trekking Socks       95g (42-43)      £29        *****      Best Buy

• Materials:      70% merino wool/30% polyamide
• Length:          calf
• www.falke.com

I’ve had these socks for a few years but hadn’t worn them much until last winter. After wearing them on many trips I’m impressed. They’re soft, comfortable and warm. They come with shaped left and right feet. I’m never sure how much difference this makes but these socks certainly fit closely with no bunching or loose fabric. And they’ve kept their shape after many washings and when worn for three days at a time, as on this trip. They wick moisture fast and combined well with the Inov-8 boots so I never had sweaty feet. Near the end of the second day they did get damp in the bogs below Sgurr na Lapaich but still felt warm and comfortable. They dried quickly the next day.

Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Hoodie    315g (L)   £220   ****  Recommended

•  Likes                light, warm
• Dislikes             non-adjustable hood
• Fill                    85% recycled VerticalX SuperStrand polyester
• Shell                  ripstop nylon
• Front                 full-length zip         
• Hood                 stretch rim
• Cuffs                 stretch
• Hem                  stretch
• Pockets             zipped hand
• Sizes                 men S-XXL, women XS-XL
• www.outdoorresearch.com
  

Since I first used it in spring last year this lightweight insulated jacket has become a favourite. In sub-zero weather I’ve worn it while walking, on trips in milder weather like this one I’ve worn it in camp. On this occasion it was just right for keeping me warm at the first frosty camp.

It’s filled with an 85% recycled synthetic insulation that mimics the shape of down clusters and has a lattice structure to keep its shape. This fill is very soft and compresses easily so the jacket is comfortable to wear and packs down small for carrying. The jacket has distinctive discontinuous quilting that is also said to make compressing the jacket easier and which also reduces the amount of stitching.

The jacket has roomy handwarmer pockets. These are cut off by a pack hipbelt and I did wish this wasn’t the case when walking in the jacket in winter. On this trip it didn’t matter. The non-adjustable hood does blow back in a strong wind if worn on its own as its quite loose but worn over a hat it stays on.

Overall this is one of the best insulated jackets I’ve tried. It’s very comfortable and has excellent warmth for the weight.

 

EDZ Merino Wool Plaid Flannel Shirt   365g (L)    £110 ****1/2      Best Buy

 

• Likes          temperature range, comfort, wind-resistance
• Dislikes      pockets could be bigger
• Fabric:        merino wool
• Pockets:     2 buttoned
• Cuffs:          buttons
• Sizes:         S-XL
• www.edz.co.uk

Like the Outdoor Research SuperStrand jacket I first tried this shirt in spring 2022 and like that jacket it has since become a favourite and an excellent alternative to a lightweight fleece. I’m particularly impressed with the wind-resistance of the close-woven fabric. This is just enough to keep out the wind on days with above freezing temperatures. It was the only outer layer I wore while walking on this trip and the wind was quite strong and cold at times. The only other walkers I saw on Mam Sodhail were both wearing waterproof jackets.

The fabric is also very breathable so when the sun came out and the wind dropped I didn’t overheat. It’s more comfortable over a wider range of temperatures than a fleece. The thin, soft wool doesn’t itch and feels comfortable next to the skin. On this trip I wore it over a thin short-sleeved base layer. On winter days I’ve worn it as a base layer.

The shirt has buttoned front, cuffs and pockets. With cold fingers the small buttonholes are a little awkward to use and could do with being a bit larger. Bigger pockets would be nice too as they won’t hold a smartphone. Overall though this is an excellent shirt.

This feature first appeared in The Great Outdoors last year.

 

Favourite New Gear of 2023

Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL, Atom Packs The Mo 60

Here's my annual favourite gear of the year roundup following another twelve months testing gear for The Great Outdoors. Not all the items were new for this year, just tested by me for the first time. As in previous years they don't necessarily replace ones from previous years or old favourites and they're in no particular order. More detailed reviews of some of the items can be found on the TGO website - I've given links to these reviews. For other items, a few of which I haven't reviewed yet but most of which appeared in the print magazine in trip reports or comparative reviews, the link is to the company page or a UK retailer.

 

Built to Send X3 

This tough lightweight minimalist pack was the surprise of the year. I didn't expect it to be that good for backpacking but after using it as a daypack in winter and finding it comfortable I took it on a two-week backpacking trip in Knoydart and was impressed with the performance. (The trip is described here and here.)

Designed for mountaineering it's built to be "virtually indestructible". The single piece fabric is almost waterproof, which is great. There's no frame, just padding in the back, and this isn't shaped. There are no top tensions traps either but the shoulder straps and hipbelt are well padded. Despite this basic design it carries as well or better than manypacks with much more complex "technical designs".

It has no external pockets, just webbing straps and shockcord, and no lid, just a foldover top. Once I adapted my packing to this design I found it easy to use.

Alpkit Loki 

I've always liked lightweight simple fleece tops, finding them versatile because they aren't too warm and thus easy to layer with other garments without overheating. The Loki snap-neck pullover is one of the best I've tried in many years. The fleece is soft and comfortable and it has a big kangaroo pocket on the front which I love and which can be used when wearing a hipbelt. My review is scheduled for the March issue of The Great Outdoors.

Inov-8 Rocfly G 390 

Described as hiking boots the Rocfly G are actually more like trail shoes with a high ankle as they're very light and very flexible. The wide fit is just right for my feet and I find them very comfortable. I used them on several trips, including the two-weeks in Knoydart, and they performed perfectly and look as though they should last well. They are well-cushioned and have good grip. 

 

Rab Vapour-Rise Alpine Light   

As an alternative for a fleece/windproof combination Vapour-Rise is excellent with its wind-resistant outer and wicking inner. The Alpine Light has the thinnest inner of Rab's Vapour-Rise range and so isn't too warm when walking in cool but not freezing weather. I wore it every day on a stormy October trip in the Eastern Cairngorms and it was superb. The jacket is very light and has a good hood and useful pockets. 

 

Mountain Laurel Designs SoloMid XL

Pitching with a single trekking pole this ultralight pyramid shelter is roomy and easy to pitch. Headroom is great too. There's a mesh inner for bug season but most of the time I've used it with just a groundsheet. 

The SoloMid Xl is made from silpoly rather than silnylon which has the advantage that it doesn't stretch and sag when wet.

 

Pacerpole Tops

Pacerpoles have been by far and away my favourite trekking poles since I first used a pair many, many years ago. I haven't done a long-distance walk without them since. The key to Pacerpoles is the shaped handle, which I find very comfortable and which make using the poles very efficient. 

Pacerpole Tops are the handles and top sections with cam-based lever locks to attach them to the lower sections from other poles. I've tried them with several different poles and they work really well.

Berghaus MTN Arete LB Synthetic Hoody 

Back in 2016 I reviewed the Berghaus VapourLight HyperTherm Hoody and was very impressed with this ultralight insulated jacket. I wore it on my Yosemite Valley to Death Valley walk that year and have taken it on every long-distance walk since. It's astonishingly light and compact, very comfortable, wind resistant, and about as warm as a midweight fleece. I love it! Berghaus dropped it several years ago though, something I have bemoaned quite a few times.

Now, though, it's back. The name is different and there's a few design tweaks but essentially the MTN Arete LB is the same as the VapourLight HyperTherm. It's just as comfortable and performs just the same. Thank you Berghaus! 

Keen WK400

It took me a little while to get used to these unusual shoes as they have soles that curve up at the front and the back. This give a rolling feel when walking. On hard fairly smooth surfaces like roads or well-made paths this really does have an effect. On rougher terrain it's less noticeable. 

The shoes have good grip and thick cushioning and are very comfortable. My only gripe is that they don't come in Kenn's trademark wide fit and I had to go up a size and even then can only wear them with thin socks. I'd love a wider pair!

Gruezi Biopod DownWool Subzero 185 Sleeping Bag 

This unusual sleeping bag is filled with a mix of down and wool.Gruezi says the wool absorbs any moisture, allowing the down to loft fully. I can't say just how well it works but I have used it on a succession of very damp nights and it kept me warm. It is adequate to just below zero but it's not a full winter bag.

The bag is comfortable. I like the zip design. It curves over the bag and across  the base so you can stick your feet out if they get too hot.

 

Atom Packs The Mo 60

This is the larger version of The Mo 50 that I included in my Favourite Gear of 2021 and reviewed here. Whilst I have used the 50 for overnight warm weather trips I prefer 60 litres for longer trips and ones where I need more or bulkier gear. For me it's the ideal size for backpacking. 

The Mo 60 is lightweight and has plenty of pockets. I find it very comfortable and very stable.

 

 

Nortent Vern 1 

I hadn't heard of Nortent until Valley and Peak asked if I would like to test the Vern 1. The tent only arrived in the autumn and has not had much use yet. So far I am impressed. It's a solo single hoop tent with a huge porch with doors that open both sides of the pole. The inner is very long and has good headroom in the centre. It's very easy to pitch as a unit. It comes with a second pole that runs the length of the tent for extra stability in strong winds and snowfall. I have't used this yet but will do so soon.

 

 

Outdoor Research Helium AscentShell

Lightweight and very breathable this waterproof jacket is ideal for year-round backpacking. I wore it on the wet two-week Knoydart trip mentioned in the Built to Send X3 review above and it was excellent. The membrane inside is Pertex Shield Air. This is slightly air-permeable, which aids breathability, but does mean the jacket isn't 100% windproof. However I've worn it in some very strong cold winds and not noticed this so I don't think it's significant.

 

 

 

 

Therm-A-Rest Parsec 20F/-6C Sleeping Bag

This is a very comfortable lightweight sleeping bag with an 800 fill power hydrophobic down fill and a recycled nylon shell. There are straps for attaching it to a sleeping mat on the bottom. I haven't used these
as the bag is roomy enough for me to turn over inside it, keeping the base, which has less fill, under me. I've been warm in it with no extra clothing at -5C so I reckon the rating is about right, at least for me (I am a warm sleeper).

Moggans Midweight Merino Crew Socks

Moggans was a new name in socks to me. It means woollen stocking in Scots and the company is Scottish. These socks are made from merino wool, recycled polyamide, and elastane. I find them very comfortable even when soaked. They breathe well and are quite warm.

 Altra Lone Peak 7 Wide 

Altra Lone Peak lightweight and flexible trail shoes have been a favourite for the last seven years and I've worn them on several long-distance walks. This latest version comes in two widths for the first time. Given my foot shape I went for the Wide fit, though I suspect the Original fit would have been fine. Lone Peaks have a wide toebox and a zero drop sole, both of which I like. The grip is excellent and the cushioning good.

 

 

Rab Mythic G 

Down jackets are usually very light for the warmth provided. The Mythic G however is not just very light, it's astonishingly light. And very warm. This is due to 1000 fill power down and a reflective lining. The jacket feels instantly warm as soon as you pull it on and is very comfortable. It packs into a tiny bundle too - tiny even for a down jacket. It's designed for mountaineering but I think it's superb for backpacking.

Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60L 

I've been impressed with the Flex Capacitor pack since I tested the original version back in 2018.  I liked it so much that I took it on a 400 mile walk in the Colorado Rockies the next year. The supportive and comfortable back system hasn't changed and the volume can still easily be changed with adjustment straps. However the latest version has big stretch mesh pockets on each side.I think this is an improvement.

Keela Pinnacle

Big burly fully specified waterproof jackets designed for the winter mountains are usually expensive. The Pinnacle is an exception. It has all the features and performance of other jackets at a much lower cost. It has an excellent wired hood, roomy pockets, and underarm zips. Breathability isn't quite up to more expensive fabrics but I haven't notice this make a significant difference.