~ Gear reviews ~
Montane Icarus lightweight down jacket
The Montane Icarus jacket boasts versatility and comfort, making it a good choice for a range of outdoor adventures in various conditions.
MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes review
The MSR Groundhog Tent Stakes are a type of tent peg designed for use in a variety of ground conditions, including rocky or hard-packed soil due to their strength. These stakes are lightweight, durable, and provide excellent holding power, making them a popular choice among backpackers, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts.
Hilly ‘Marathon Fresh’ running anklet socks review
In our humble opinion, the Hilly 'Marathon Fresh' anklet socks are a pretty great choice for ultramarathons, multi-day bikepacking races, and trekking adventures at an okay price.
Grangers 2-in-1 cleaner and waterproofer
This 2-in-1 cleaner and waterproofer by Grangers offers a convenient solution for cleaning and reproofing your outdoor gear, addressing the challenge we all face in preserving waterproofness and maintaining fabric performance.
Inov-8 parkclaw 275 trail running shoes
The Inov-8 Parkclaw 275 trail running shoes are designed for different terrain, offering comfort and performance on both trails and roads – which is why I picked them for the Marathon des Sables in 2019.
Insta 360 X3 action camera and invisible selfie stick
The Insta360 X3 is a fantastic camera for adventurers venturing into the natural world, whether conquering the vast Atlantic Ocean during a rowing expedition, tackling rugged trails and deserts in multi-day endeavours, or pushing boundaries in gruelling bikepacking races.
Garmin Fenix 5x multisport watch
The Garmin Fenix 5X is a high-end, multi-sport GPS watch with advanced features for outdoor and fitness activities that you’ll probably see on just about every athlete in adventure these days!
Wedze G500 winter sports goggles (from Decathlon)
Needing a new set of goggles for winter fatbiking adventures, I found these in a Decathlon store, and found them to be exactly what I needed at a decent price.
They are certified as 100% anti-UV, (meeting the EN-174 safety standard), effectively shielding the eyes from harmful UV rays and glare – which means everything has a slightly pinkish hue, however this doesn’t seem to affect my depth perception (even at night). This is particularly crucial during activities in snow where the brightness can be vast even on overcast days.
Osprey Archeon 30L backpack
This Osprey Archeon 30L hiking backpack has been designed to provide a comfortable experience when yomping across difficult environments. Its build quality, robust construction, and sustainable materials ensure are pretty dependable when out on the trail.
What sets the Archeon apart is its commitment to sustainability, being constructed from GRS certified recycled materials and featuring a PFC-free DWR treatment. This dedication to eco-friendliness resonates with me, however it still feels like it’s a little behind.
Montane Ice Melt Thermal Gloves
The Montane Ice Melt Thermal Gloves proving to be great companions in extreme cold weather, such as winter fatbiking in the Baltics!
Their design, tailored for demanding mountaineering terrains, but have a useful second utility when it comes to gripping handlebars when the temperature is -10. The durable softshell outer fabric, coupled with a waterproof feature, shielded hands against biting winds and icy conditions, offering really good protection without compromising on breathability.
Gerber recon multicoloured mini torch review
The Gerber Recon Torch is a compact and powerful flashlight designed for outdoor enthusiasts and tactical professionals. It is built with high-quality materials and features an innovative design that provides excellent performance and durability.
The Recon Torch is made with aircraft-grade aluminium that is lightweight and durable, and it is equipped with a powerful LED bulb that provides a maximum output of 22 lumens. The light has three different modes – high, low, and strobe – which can be easily adjusted with a simple click of the tail cap switch.
Adidas terrex two ultra trail running shoes review
The Adidas Terrex Two Ultra trail running shoes are a top-of-the-line option for trail runners, hikers, or urban explorers who demand the best in comfort, support, and performance. Designed with input from top trail runners and tested in the most challenging conditions, these shoes are built to withstand even the toughest conditions.
Sealskinz waterproof socks review
When I rowed across the Atlantic in 2017, I wore these with the Vivobarefoot Ultra III aqua shoes listed below and had nice, dry feet even when it’s cold (and it does get cold at night when you first start in Europe).
Nowadays, I still use the same pair for mountain biking, riding my motorbike (to keep my feet dry), but not for hiking as they cause my feet to sweat excessively when walking in them (they’re really good at retaining warmth but not very breathable given they’re designed to keep your feet dry).
Aeropress Portable Travel Coffee Press
It’s not easy making coffee when you’re out on an adventure, but the other team members will be your best friends if you do so, or it’ll enhance your enjoyment of a solo endeavour.
JBL tune 115BT wireless headphones
They’re not waterproof and don’t claim to be, however they handle my sweaty heads for many months without complaint.
They’re highly affordable, coming in at under £40 (especially when compared to big brand name wireless in-ear headphones) and the sound quality is superb. I particularly like listening to podcasts and audio books when I head out on the gravel bike after a long day on the computer.
Whether you're a seasoned climber seeking new mountains to conquer, an endurance runner craving the rush of Marathon des Sables, or a bikepacker in search of the perfect mult-day route, we've got you covered.
Check out our curated collection of articles, categorised to ensure you find the gear that speaks to the adventure you’re seeking to complete: