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Notes On Long Distance Footwear (2023 Update)

Notes On Long Distance Footwear (2023 Update)

Preface If you spend your whole time walking along designated paths, then there may not be too much of relevance in this article. If however, you have a more "as the crow flies" approach to distance [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 150g) Trekking Top (Updated)

Best Lightweight (Under 150g) Trekking Top (Updated)

Rab's Sonic Range (SS, LS, Ultra) This review has been updated to include a section on the long sleeved Sonic Ultra. If you've already read the review and/or want to jump to the update click here. [...] Read more

Special Mention: Ultralight Synthetic Insulated Jacket (Updated)

Special Mention: Ultralight Synthetic Insulated Jacket (Updated)

Haglofs L.I.M Barrier Jacket (Primaloft Aerogel Version) This review has been updated to include a section on the L.I.M Barrier Vest (Gilet). If you've already read the review and/or want to jump to [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 350g) Softshell Jacket

Best Lightweight (Under 350g) Softshell Jacket

Rab's Borealis Tour Softshell (& Borealis Range) Preface Although this is primarily a review of Rab's Borealis Tour Jacket, it's best viewed as a review and recommendation of the overall Borealis [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Baselayer

Best Cold Weather Baselayer

Brynje's Super Thermo Baselayer with Shoulder Inlays Preface As always, we're looking at the Brynje Super Thermo mesh baselayer from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. [...] Read more

Special Mention: Hybrid Wind-Top & UL Waterproof Jacket

Special Mention: Hybrid Wind-Top & UL Waterproof Jacket

Black Yak's Bruna UL Waterproof Jacket / HD Wind-Top Special Mentions [ * below we've bolded the relevant condition(s) for the item reviewed here ] Over time we've come across a number items that [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 300g) Softshell Pull-On

Best Lightweight (Under 300g) Softshell Pull-On

Rab's Borealis Pull-On (Hooded Softshell) Preface Rab updated their Boreas Pull-on for 2018 renaming it the Borealis Pull-On. Unlike many upgrades in recent times (that have proven to break something [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 350g) Softshell Trousers

Best Lightweight (Under 350g) Softshell Trousers

Mountain Equipment's Comici Softshell Pants Preface As always, we're looking at the M.E. Comici trousers from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. This review comes with a [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Trekking Cap

Best Cold Weather Trekking Cap

Mountain Equipment's Tuolumne Softshell Cap Preface As always, we're looking at the Mountain Equipment Tuolumne from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Head [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 400g) Insulated Jacket

Best Lightweight (Under 400g) Insulated Jacket

Mountain Equipment's Rampart Hooded Jacket Preface We recently wrote a post about synthetic insulation titled "A Fraud of Meaningless Measures" which serves as a companion piece to this review. It, [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (~200g) Thermal Sleepwear Top

Best Lightweight (~200g) Thermal Sleepwear Top

Montane's Allez Micro Pull-On Preface As always, we're looking at the Montane Allez Micro Pull-On from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest 42", Waist [...] Read more

Best Heavy Duty Cold Weather Softshell Trousers

Best Heavy Duty Cold Weather Softshell Trousers

Mountain Equipment's Ibex Mountain Pants Preface This review makes a modular case for winter legwear and references two related components. We recommend looking at the following reviews for a more [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Gaiters

Best Cold Weather Gaiters

Alpkit's Colca Hiking Gaiters Preface As always, we're looking at the Alpkit Colca Gaiters from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Height: 5ft 8", Inside [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 350g) Softshell Hooded Jacket

Best Lightweight (Under 350g) Softshell Hooded Jacket

Mountain Equipment's Echo Hooded Jacket Preface This review has been updated to include the results of the recent Winter Kit Test findings where the jacket was paired with the light Rab Momentum [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (3 Season) Baselayer

Best Lightweight (3 Season) Baselayer

Megmeister's Drynamo Long Sleeve Crew Preface As always, we're looking at the Megmeister Drynamo Crew from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest 42", [...] Read more

Best Trekking Trouser Belt

Best Trekking Trouser Belt

Edelrid's Turley Belt Preface Though we're predominantly looking at the Turley belt, this review is as much a piece about a specific type of belt (or accurately a type of buckle) and below we've [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (~250g) Down Vest, Gilet (Thermal Booster Layer)

Best Lightweight (~250g) Down Vest, Gilet (Thermal Booster Layer)

Decathlon's Quechua Trek 500 Down Gilet Preface As always, we're looking at the Decathlon Trek 500 Down Gilet from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest [...] Read more

Best 3 Season Trekking Cap

Best 3 Season Trekking Cap

Ronhill's Trail Split Cap Preface As always, we're looking at the Ronhill Split Cap from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Head circumference: 57.5cm [...] Read more

Best Ultralight (~100g) Hooded Wind Jacket

Best Ultralight (~100g) Hooded Wind Jacket

Mizuno's Lightweight Hoody Wind Jacket (Kato 2.0) Preface As always, we're looking at the Mizuno Hoody Wind Jacket from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: [...] Read more

Best Sub Zero Trekking Gloves (Combination)

Best Sub Zero Trekking Gloves (Combination)

Sub Zero Trekking Glove Combination Part 1. Dexterity Preface This review is for people who spend extended time in the mountains during winter and will be most relevant for those who expect to use an [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Balaclava (Face Mask, Neck Gaiter)

Best Cold Weather Balaclava (Face Mask, Neck Gaiter)

Pyua's Flash Balaclava Preface As always, we're looking at the Pyua Flash Balaclava from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. The Flash Balaclava is available in two sizes: [...] Read more

Best Lightweight Beanie for Dynamic Activities (~50g)

Best Lightweight Beanie for Dynamic Activities (~50g)

Bergans of Norway's Varde Beanie Preface As always, we're looking at the Bergans Varde Beanie from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Head circumference: [...] Read more

Best Trekking Baselayer Bottoms

Best Trekking Baselayer Bottoms

F-Lite's Megalight 140 Base Layer 1/2 Shorts Preface The F-Lite baselayer bottoms are a year-round baselayer. In winter we pair these with the Odlo Cubic Tights (now called "Active F-Dry Light [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Waterproof Tent Boots

Best Cold Weather Waterproof Tent Boots

3 Layer Thermal Tent Boot Ensemble Preface As always, we're looking at this tent boot ensemble from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Foot Size = 9, Foot [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Trekking Socks

Best Cold Weather Trekking Socks

Darn Tough's Mountaineering Socks Preface As always, we're looking at the Darn Tough Mountaineering Socks from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Foot Size: [...] Read more

Best Cold Weather Beanie Hat (Under 70g)

Best Cold Weather Beanie Hat (Under 70g)

Mountain Equipment's Plain Knitted Beanie Preface As always, we're looking at the Mountain Equipment Plain Knitted Beanie from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (~200g) Thermal Sleepwear Bottoms

Best Lightweight (~200g) Thermal Sleepwear Bottoms

Rab's Power Stretch Pro Pants Preface As always, we're looking at the Rab Power Stretch Pro Pants from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Waist 33", Inner [...] Read more

Best Waterproof Trousers (Under 300g)

Best Waterproof Trousers (Under 300g)

Keela's Lightning Trousers Preface As always, we're looking at the Keela Lightning Trousers from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Waist 33", Inner Leg [...] Read more

Best Lightweight (Under 300g) Waterproof Jacket

Best Lightweight (Under 300g) Waterproof Jacket

Keela's Saxon Waterproof Jacket Preface As always, we're looking at the Keela Saxon from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest 42", Waist 33", Height: [...] Read more

Best Midweight (~700g) Insulated Jacket

Best Midweight (~700g) Insulated Jacket

Keela's Belay Smock Preface As always, we're looking at the Keela Belay Smock from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest 42", Waist 33", Height: 5ft 8" [...] Read more

Best Thermal Sleepwear (+ Backup) Socks

Best Thermal Sleepwear (+ Backup) Socks

British Army Issue (ECW) Arctic Socks Preface As always, we're looking at the British Army Issue (Extreme Cold Weather) Arctic Socks from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough [...] Read more


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