~ Gear reviews ~
Thule Gauntlet laptop case review
Protecting your laptop during travel is a must, and the Thule Gauntlet laptop case provides reliable protection. Its molded EVA foam construction and rugged exterior shield your laptop from bumps and scratches. This case comes in a range of sizes, and is designed to fit most laptops and features a clamshell design for easy access. Check out my detailed review of the Thule Gauntlet laptop case and see why it's my top choice for laptop protection on the go.
Morakniv basic bushcraft Knife
If you're in search of a reliable and affordable bushcraft knife, the Morakniv Basic is an excellent option. Its durable carbon steel blade is ideal for outdoor activities like carving, whittling, and food prep. The comfortable, rubberised handle offers a secure grip in all weather conditions. Read on for my in-depth review of the knife and discover why it's a top pick for outdoor enthusiasts.
Quechua 350ml insulated flask with filter review
The Quechua insulated flask is a great option for trips when you need to keep their hot or cold drinks close to hand for regular usage.
The flask features a double-walled stainless-steel construction that is vacuum-insulated for maximum temperature retention. The 0.35L capacity is perfect for a single serving of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or hot squash (my go-to choice as it can be drunk hot or cold), and the built-in filter lets you brew your favourite loose-leaf tea or coffee on the go.
Exped Synmat Lite 5 Sleeping Mat review
The Exped SynMat Lite 5 Sleeping Mat is a light and comfortable inflatable sleeping pad designed for bikepacking, backpacking, and camping, and is made with a 75D polyester fabric that is durable and resistant to punctures, (although I still use it with a thin lightweight roll mat if using in particularly spiky forest floors!).
The pad weighs in at 655g, is large enough for a 6 foot plus adult (its dimensions are 183cm x 52cm) and ends up around 5cm thick when fully inflated.
Light my Fire titanium spork review
Made of lightweight and durable titanium, (which makes it strong, corrosion-resistant, and hypoallergenic), the LMF titanium spork is a cool but costly addition for those fed up with breaking the plastic versions!
As you can see from the photos, the spork features a spoon on one end, which can be used for scooping soup, chili, or other liquids, and a fork on the other end, which can be used for eating solid foods like meat, vegetables, and pasta. The spork also has a serrated edge on the fork side, which can be used for cutting food or as a makeshift knife.
AKU Pilgrim MK2 DS Desert boots review
I bought these when they were on sale for using on my adventure motorbike on slow speed, off-road, and warm riding expeditions.
The AKU Pilgrim MK2 DS Desert boots are military-style boots designed for use in hot and dry environments, and an updated version of the original AKU Pilgrim DS boots and feature several improvements.
Quecha inflatable pillow
Quecha’s inflatable pillow is a relatively lightweight addition to your exped gear to avoid those uncomfortable nights when a stuff sack of gear just won’t cut it. It’s a simple yet robust inflation method – just pull out the valve, inflate, and enjoy.
Road ID watch plate review
The Road ID Plate for Watches is a customisable identification plate that can be attached to your watch strap or fitness tracker. The purpose of the Road ID Plate is to provide critical identification and medical information, such as allergies or contact person details, in case of an emergency.
Salomon X Ultra 4 mid Goretex boots review
The Salomon X Ultra 4 Mid Goretex boots are a popular hiking and backpacking boot designed for outdoor enthusiasts. They’re pretty ubiquitous now, and so with a cold Baltic winter to contend with, I decided to invest in a pair (which I’m hugely glad I did!).
Topeak pocket rocket micro pump review
To ensure I can inflate the tyres if I get a puncture, I pack a Topeak Pocket Rocket Micro Pump - a compact and lightweight pump designed for lightness in case you need extra inflation when you’re on a ride.
The most notable things I like about it, aside from the price (c.£15), are:
Topeak toploader top tube bag
It has a capacity of 0.75 litres, which is enough space to store your essential items such as a phone, keys, wallet, or energy bars, however I use mine for carrying a thin waterproof jacket and bulkier snacks on bikepacking expeditions, as it keeps it quickly accessible for when it inevitably starts to rain.
Giant ToughRoad 2 gravel bike review
After getting bitten by the bikepacking bug back in 2018, I decided I should invest in an entry-level gravel bike to see how interesting it really is (I love it is the short answer!).
The Giant ToughRoad 2 is a rugged and versatile gravel bike designed for off-road adventures and cycle touring. It is built around a hydroformed aluminium frame (referred to Aluxx technology). The bike is equipped with 700c wheels, which offer a balance of speed and stability, and it has a wide range of gears (16 in a 2 x 8 setup), making it suitable for steep inclines, descents, and on the flat.
Yamaha Tenere 660 XTZ adventure motorbike review
The Yamaha Tenere 660 XTZ is my first adventure motorbike after several years riding super bikes, café racers, and others – and I really love it, it’s robust, rugged, doesn’t need much maintenance, and starts every time (so far!). In 2022, I rode it over 1000 miles from the UK to Estonia, via the Netherlands, Germany, Lithuania, and Latvia, on my first transcontinental expedition, and it’s given me loads of confidence to go further, and more remote.
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).
Topeak Versacage (bottle cage for carrying expedition gear)
The Versacage set come with 3 of Topeak’s excellent versamounts to attach to the frame or forks to hold the cage in place, and as you can see – it holds a 1.5-litre water bottle without any problems. I’ve cycled over 500 miles across Estonia in 2022 without any problems from either one of them
Fix Plus straps
I’ve been using Fixplus straps since I started bikepacking in 2022 and now swear by them!
They come in many sizes and can be used to secure all kinds of items to the bike, or for holding heavy things together.
They work by having a small amount of stretch in the belt (but nowhere near enough to make it snap), which then pulls back against what you’re holding once you’ve found the correct hole for the belt.
Anker PowerCore 10,000mAh Power bank
This power bank is relatively lightweight (for its size to storage ratio), is robust and packs a good few phone and bike light charges in on one single charge! It’s compatible with current models of iPhone, carries 10,000 Milliamp Hours of charge and is quite light at around 180 grams.
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: