Guides

The best waterproof hiking gaiters for your walk aren’t necessarily the tallest or most heavily built. Alongside waterproofing, consider your route, footwear and how the gaiters fasten. They help keep water, grit and sno…

The biggest water bottle isn’t always the best choice for a day outdoors. The right option depends on how you’ll carry it, when you can refill and whether you want a quick drink on the move or a warm brew at camp. Water …

The best outdoor kit for a UK trip isn’t necessarily the biggest or most expensive. A shelter suited to a calm campsite may not be right for an exposed night, while extra layers and cooking gear can add weight to a walki…

What if the difference between a triumphant summit photo and a miserable, sodden retreat was just three inches of space in your rucksack? It’s a question every hillwalker eventually faces when the British weather decides…

What if your most reliable piece of shelter wasn't a heavy, double-walled tent, but a single sheet of fabric weighing less than a litre of water? For many, the idea of ditching the poles and groundsheet feels like a reci…

Is your camping kettle actually a vital piece of kit, or is it just dead weight in your rucksack? Many trekkers assume a standard cooking pot is enough, yet they often find themselves huddled in the wind, watching a slow…

The most dangerous item in your rucksack isn't a blunt knife or a dead phone; it's often that heavy cotton hoodie that refuses to dry. We've all been there, shivering on a windswept ridge whilst the mist rolls in, wonder…

What if your heaviest burden on the trail wasn't the steep incline of a ridgeline, but the very shelter meant to protect you? We've all been there; huddled in a damp sleeping bag while the British rain tests every seam o…

Your favourite fast-boiling stove might actually be the biggest hurdle to a decent meal on the trail. Most of us have spent years accepting the "blowtorch or nothing" heat setting, which usually leads to scorched porridg…

Have you ever calculated the true cost of those "bargain" multi-packs of alkaline batteries you're constantly stuffing into your rucksack? It's a common frustration amongst hikers; you're halfway through a late-night tre…

You're standing on a windswept ridge, the drizzle is turning into a downpour, and your stomach is growling for a hot meal. You've spent ten minutes shielding a flickering flame that refuses to stay lit whilst your tea re…

Last November, a hiker in the Peaks discovered exactly how quickly a simple evening stroll can turn stressful when their cheap torch batteries died just as the fog rolled in. It's a scenario we've seen too many times; ge…