I'm looking for a bit of advice and recommendations please... my other half has asked for handheld GPS but I'm completely lost and have no idea where to start. Can I please have some recommendations on the best mid priced devices please? Thanks in advance

Anyone used a pro 2+? How does it get on in our lovely windy weather?

Hello, I live in Scotland and work in Film/TV which means often time I’m found filming outdoor in whatever the weather throws at me. I have had a Berghaus Arran Jacket for the past 7 years. It serves me well but I do find it a bit bulky and not very breathable.

Would anyone be able to recommend a more lightweight rain jacket that I can use in conjuction with the Berghaus Arran?

Had a look at the RAB Kangri GTX in a store and I like it although not sure if it’s much less bulky? Also had a look at the downpour plus 2.0 and it was much more lightweight, but would it be waterproof enough?

Thanks!

Looking for an all round pair of hiking boots - if some quality brands can be recommended that are durable

Mostly because I took up running, my past couple of holidays I've taken trail runners as my only pair of footwear instead of Brasher Supalite GTX boots.

It's been great, including the couple of hikes I did on the trips. Next year I'm planning a long trip to South America including the O Trek in Patagonia and more hikes than I usually do overseas (my usual hiking trips are to Scotland).

A big problem with trail runners has been the slippiness on wet concrete or rock. I could've had a bad accident in Athens when I slipped on a ramp and into a road.

I have and all are slippy in such conditions:

Brooks Divide 3
Saucony Endorphin Edge Trail
Karrimor Sabre 3

A Karrimor pair I had were actually really good, but they don't have that model any more. I've ran over 500 miles and walked about 300 miles in them, and they're still going! Not in the best condition now.

I'd like something with cushioning and support, which the Endorphin Edge are good for (I like the carbon-fibre plate too).

Hi,

Looking for some winter hiking boots, was thinking Scarpas as they are highly rated. Any experience with them or other recommendations. I’d prefer boots due to the stability in winter.

Hi all,

For those who cold soak, what are you using to do it in? Have a trip coming up where a stove won't be feasible. After something around 600ml.

Thanks!

What sleeping bag/quilt do you use for the winters when camping above the tree line. I have a budget of about £500. Looking for a buy once sort of item.

I didn’t think I had a big head but I must do, every woolly hat I have is a tight fit.

Any recommendations for me?

Thanks :)

I have a pair of On Cloudventure Peak (v2), which are coming to the end of their life, and am struggling to find a suitable replacement. Can anyone help please? I've done quite a bit of researching online recently, and while I might be being overly-picky, I can't seem to find anything that feels like it would meet my criteria - everything seems to be over the top on cushioning everywhere these days, or just more bulky than I would prefer.

On changed the shoe a lot for the v3. It's now aimed clearly at speed, so doesn't appear suitable for distance (more flimsy materials, next to 0 cushioning, reduced overall sole area).

I've tried a couple of highly recommended options, and tbh was very underwhelmed by Lone Peaks and Olumpus. The fit around the heel and mid foot feels sloppy, even after trying some different sizes on.

What I like about my Ons:

• Super snug fit overall, but not cramped in the toe box - they really do lock your heels in, which results in no rubbing, and great stability when moving downhill (toes never touch the end)
• Great grip overall, though on wet smooth surfaces, they're not so good
• The Aggressive lugs and slightly flared sole provide great support on uneven surfaces
• Lightweight, and don't feel like you're wearing a long distance or hiking shoe
• Flexible enough to allow for good foot movement, but enough protection underneath to prevent fatigue and irritation from sharp rocks
• Thinner materials around the top of the heel and sock area - I'm not a fan of bulky big cushioning on uppers

I don't think I need something with crazy amounts of cushioning like most Hokas or Altra Olympus. While a slightly wider toe box would be nice (I certainly don't want anything that feels cramped), It doesn't necessarily need to be as pronounced as Altras.

I’m looking for a 4 season tent for UK conditions that is approx 2kg as I don’t believe the 1kg tents are true 4 season. Heard the Scarp is almost the perfect tent but not a 4 season shelter. I’ve used the Akto and it just flaps way too much to sleep. Is there any tent out there that really meets the criteria? Kuiu storm star seems promising but not many videos on it.

Update: a hell of a lot of replies which I didn’t expect! I am pretty much set on the storm star as my akto will do for most use so I think the scarp wouldn’t be a good purchase as they cover the same ground imo (I’d rather be in the akto but it might not be as comfy as the scarp. The storm star seems perfect as I’m not needing anything ultralight for my winter tent as the rest of my pack is pretty solid weight wise.

I’m in the UK and like to camp through the winter. I already own some good warm and lightweight layers, but my current down jacket is 780g. I would like a down jacket to wear over a t shirt and fleece and maybe under a shell if needed. Ideally I could wear it in warmer camps with a T shirt also but this isn’t a necessity. Lowest temp would probably be -5 (-10 to account for wind) and highest temp I’d consider to bring it would be 10-12C.

Any recommendations? I don’t really have a budget I will spend whatever i need to.

Current ideas:

Norrona Superlight Trek 100/500 Rab Electron Pro

When I was younger and fitter, back packed with my hilleberg nallo 2 and an osprey Atmos 50 litres.

Now kids are getting older I'm getting the chance to escape to the hills again.

15 yrs on, the nallo seems to take up a lot more pack space and a 50 litres sack doesn't seem big enough anymore.

Can't afford a new tent, so options are a bigger sack, tent on outside of sack, carry less, by newer smaller/lighter kit.

I've got an mountain hardware phantom 32 bag (600g ish), jetboil flash, thermarest self inflating matt.

Appreciate any advice. Thanks

I’m thinking of creating my own modular sleeping system using either two quilts or a sleeping bag and a quilt. -5°C is probably as low as I’ll need to go. If I chose a summer quilt at perhaps 10°C, what would I need to combine it with to achieve the -5°C?

If anyone is in the market for a head torch. Nitecore have the NU20 classic newly in stock. £27.95 which I thought was reasonable (+P&P). 38 grams total.

I've been camping for a while, but I've only ever done one-nighters. I want to do a longer distance, thinking Handrian Wall Path.

I have been using a pretty heavy first kit which is ok for one nighters but I really need to lighten the pack if I want to walk 6-7 days.

On a trip of that length and in that kind of area, what do I really need to take on the first aid kit?

edit: My first aid kit currently is ~900g (including gold bond, sun screen, deodorant, toothbrush as well as all the first aid stuff proper).

I am heading out for some wild camping soon and I need some help choosing between these four sleeping bags. I have narrowed these various reddit posts and internet search. I do not know which one to choose among these?

1. Snugpak Softie Kestrel 6 - £106, 1.2kg
2. Naturehike Snowbird -3 (medium) - £123, 800g
3. Alpkit Pipedream 400 - £200, 800g
4. Snugpak Softie Elite 3 - £101, 1.3kg

Which one would you go for and why? Looking for any advice or personal experiences with these (if you have any)

Cheers

Edit: Thanks guys, i’m gonna take some with me. I don’t plan to use them in light rain, but they will be a nice bit of security if the weather takes a turn for the worst.

I’ve come back from a great South Downs Way walk and i’m keen for more. My plan is to do the Walking Tour of the Lakes (90 Miles and options for high and low routes).

How essential are Waterproof trousers for the Lakes? I have some Frog Toggs but they are too baggy for my skinny waist so I would have to invest in to some new ones.

My plan would be to delay the walk if the weather looks very bad, but I will still go if there is minor rain.

Last time you guys gave me some amazing advice, so any other advice would be appreciated.

Lighterpack:

https://lighterpack.com/r/5s5pl9

Walking route:

https://www.ukhillwalking.com/articles/destinations/walking_the_tour_of_the_lake_district-13472

Hi,

I'm looking for recommendations for a tent for backpacking. Here are the requirements I have:

Needs to fit 2 people plus two 50-60l packs (and so probably a 3 person tent).

Needs to be very windproof and waterproof (I need it to be suitable for heavy winds and rain in the hills and mountains of Wales, Scotland and Ireland. Preferably it wouldn't flap too much in the wind either.

Needs to be light (no more than 3kg) and pack down small enough to fit in one pack along with the rest of my gear.

My budget is around £350, which could be stretched to a maximum of about £450.

Thanks in advance!!

Hi, we’re a new ultralight hiking store based in the UK that stocks American cottage brands that are expensive to import and difficult to return should you need to. We have some amazing products, if you’re interested here is a link to our store, https://thegearcottage.com See you there!

Hi there, is someone able to explain which tent is better between the Terra Nova Vault Duo and the Southern Cross 2?

I'm a convert to the sun hoodie train, but the one I bought from Amazon is "aggressively polyester", it's too shiny and I feel like I couldn't wear it anywhere else but the moors without looking odd.

Does anyone have any recommendations for cheap sun hoodies that have a more conventional cotton/wool appearance/texture/pattern?

I can't really justify the cost of Marino but maybe a cheaper blend?

https://lighterpack.com/r/hdubsc

Honestly felt heavier than 14KG putting it on my back for a hike this weekend but maybe I'm just weak! This kit would be for a 3 day/2 night hike.

Am I missing anything obvious? Am I taking too many clothes? I feel like I got through all of my socks!

Looking at upgrading my sleep set up. I currently use a phoxx 1v2 tent which does the job but is just so small. I'm thinking about switching to a tarp set up and this is where I'm at so far.

RAB SilTarp2 - unsure on whether I want this larger one or just the smaller one. If I'm upgrading I feel like I should go larger. Any tarp users feel like this would be an issue at any point?

Terra Nova Moonlite bivi bag - really just after some protection for my sleeping bag. Looks to be very lightweight.

Silva Aluminium Cork trekking poles - only used a cheap pair of poles for the first time recently. I'd probably get a bit of walking use from them but more for my tarp setup.

I use a snugpak softie expansion 3 sleeping bag and either a ground sheet or roll mat on the ground.

Anybody with experience with any of these or any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hi all,

I'm hoping for some feedback on my pack for Scotland ~April to ~October. This isn't for hardcore mountain climbing or hiking in really remote areas. More like the Rob Roy Way, Great Glen Way, couple of days in the Ochils etc. I'm not fanatical about losing every possible gram (e.g. I'd rather take my cook stuff and enjoy some hot food in the evening and hot coffee in the morning), but equally, I hate carrying needless weight, so would be helpful to know if there are any easy wins I'm missing. I'm trying to do things in a reasonably budget way (some of the more expensive items here are 2nd hand), but when the time does come to replace an item, I'd be willing to pay a bit more for a lighter option.

One obvious area to save weight is the sleep system in the summer. I'll probably look to buy a light, low R-value pad and a summer quilt at some point, but even in the summer, it still tends to get quite chilly overnight.

The down jacket and waterproof overtrousers might get left behind, depending on the forecast. I also might take a heavier 10000mAh powerbank if i'm not going to be able to recharge anywhere for a few days.

I'll probably look to buy some trail runners in the future. So any advice there would be appreciated. Will probably stick to boots when hill walking in Scotland though.