Crux's AX50 Climbing Pack (50L) Preface This Crux AX50 review was a "special mention", but now the Blue Ice Warthog 40 (pre-2019) is impossible to track down, the equally capable AX50 takes the top [...] Read more
Modular Tent (1. Body): Best Hooped Bivvy (Bivi, Bivvi, Bivy, update)
Macpac's Bush Cocoon (Pertex Shield Version) Preface From eVent to Pertex A few years ago Macpac made some changes to their Bush Cocoon; they stopped using eVent (due to eVent's overly aggressive [...] Read more
Special Mentions: Headwear for Dynamic Activities
Beanies, Balaclavas & Caps for Dynamic Activities Special Mentions [ * below we've bolded the relevant condition for the item(s) reviewed here ] Over time we've come across a number items that [...] Read more
Best Solo Cooking Pot (900ml)
Keith's 900ml Titanium Single Walled Pot (Ti3209) Preface As always, we're looking at the Keith 900ml Titanium Pot from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: [...] Read more
Best Head Torches, Flashlights (Budget & Sub Zero Lighting Updated)
Torches, Batteries and the Cold (2024) Preface Note: This post has been updated following the 2023 summer and 2024 spring (wet weather) kit tests. If you want to jump to the updated sections, click [...] Read more
Best Ultralight Trekking Tripod
GPN Media's Scrambler UL Modular Trekking Tripod Preface As always, we're looking at the GPN Media Scrambler from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain (please note our [...] Read more
Best Ultralight Trekking Tripod
GPN Media's Scrambler UL Modular Trekking Tripod Preface As always, we're looking at the GPN Media Scrambler from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain (please note our [...] Read more
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
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 Standard Baseplate Compass
Suunto's A-30 Metric Baseplate Compass Preface As always, we're looking at the Suunto A-30 compasses from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test item: A-30 NH Metric [...] Read more
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
Best Lightweight (~100g) Trekking Towel
Lightwave's RAP-VAP Towel Preface As always, we're looking at the Lightwave RAP-VAP from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest 42", Waist 33", Height: [...] Read more
Best Tent Pegs (For Various Conditions)
A Tent Peg Arsenal for Almost All Conditions (2024) Preface As always, we're looking at this collection of tent pegs (stakes) from the point of view of long distance solo trekking over challenging [...] Read more
Modular Sleeping Bag 2: Best 1 Season and 3 Season Outer
Carinthia's G-90 Sleeping Bag (L) Preface The following assumes the use of a tent or hooped bivvy (hammock and or tarp / non-hooped bivvy users will need to decide whether such a system may benefit [...] Read more
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
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 Trekking Knife (and Backup)
Ka-Bar's Dozier Folding Hunter (Drop Point) Preface In this review we're looking at two knives. The main one is Scramble's official recommendation (a consensus opinion) and the backup is the editor's [...] Read more
Best Cold Weather (Sub Zero) Sleeping Mat
Multimat's Expedition Summit Compact 38S Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat Preface As always, we're looking at the Multimat Expedition Summit 38S from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough [...] Read more
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
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
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 Pack Accessories (Dry Bags, Stuff Sacks, Packing Cells etc...)
Roll-Top, Drawcord & Zippered Pack Accessories Preface The purpose of most of the items outlined in this post, aside from providing some form of protection, is to make packing and unpacking in [...] Read more
Tarp + Bivvy Bag (1. Tarp): Best Deluxe Solo / 2 Person UL Tarp
Scramble's G-55 Deluxe Solo / 2-Person UL Tarp Preface To understand how we arrived at the tarp + bivvy bag setup for long duration treks in warmer conditions, please read our companion post "Reasons [...] Read more
Modular Tent (2. Porch, Quick Shelter): Best UL Solo Tarp
Scramble's G-38 Ultralight Solo Tarp Preface To understand how we arrived at the (hooped) bivvy + tarp setup, please read our companion post "Reasons To Go Modular". The G-38 is the upgraded version [...] Read more
Best ~4 Litre Belt Bag (Pouch)
Scramble's Machine 4L Belt Bag Preface A couple of things to note. Firstly, the item photographed in this review is a prototype, as such the finishing is a little rough and ready; the product images [...] Read more
Best Lightweight (Under 400g) 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
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. Note (October 2024): The [...] Read more
Best Backpack Side Pocket (Rucksack Side Pouch, Cell, Pod)
Scramble's Tower 11L Full Zip Pack Extender Preface To understand why we made the Towers read our post "The Problem with Pouches, Pockets and Dry Bags". In addition we've outlined the reasoning [...] Read more
Best Trekking Mug
Tatonka's Expedition Mug Preface As always, we're looking at the Tatonka Expedition Mug from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test item: Expedition Mug Kit Tests: [...] Read more
Best Water Bottle & Carry Pouch (MOLLE, Belt System)
US GI 1 Quart Canteen & Bulldog Tactical Gear's Laser MOLLE Medium Upright Utility Pouch Preface This review will be most relevant to those who prefer climbing or military "patrol" packs that [...] Read more
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
Tarp + Bivvy Bag (2. Bivi): Best Bivy Sack
Alpkit's Hunka Bivvy Bag Preface To understand how we arrived at the tarp + bivvy bag setup for long duration treks in warmer conditions, please read our companion post "Reasons To Go Modular". As [...] Read more
Best 3 Season Sleeping Mat
Nordisk's Ven 2.5 Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat Preface As always, we're looking at the Nordisk Ven 2.5 from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test subject: Chest 42", [...] Read more
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 All-Round Trekking Ice Axe (Under 500g)
Blue Ice's Bluebird Preface As always, we're looking at the Blue Ice Bluebird from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Though the Scramble team are regular users of ice [...] Read more
Best Hot Weather 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
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)
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 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
Modular Sleeping Bag 1: Best ~450g 1 Season and Inner
Alpkit's Cloud Cover Preface The following assumes the use of a tent / hooped bivvy or a tarp and bivvy in warmer conditions (hammock users will need to decide whether such a system may benefit [...] Read more
Modular Sleeping Bag 3: Best 4 Season (Sub Zero) Bag and Extreme Outer
Carinthia's Defence 4 Sleeping Bag Preface The following assumes the use of a tent / hooped bivvy or a tarp and bivvy in warmer conditions (hammock users will need to decide whether such a system may [...] Read more
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 Trekking Bowl
Snow Peak's Titanium Trek Bowl Preface As always, we're looking at the Snow Peak Trek Bowl from the point of view of long distance trekking over tough terrain. Test item: Trek Bowl Kit Tests: Winter, [...] Read more
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 Static Thermal Headware For Sub Zero Conditions (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 4 Season Gas Stove
Kovea's Spider Remote Canister Stove Preface Kovea are a Korean company that specialise in manufacturing outdoor equipment and are predominantly known for their stoves, but they aren't nearly as well [...] Read more
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)
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
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
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 ~20 Litre Pack
Blue Ice's Dragonfly 18L Packable Backpack (pre-2019) Preface: Dragonfly 18L v.2 (2017 - good), v.3 (2019 - not good) 2019 (v.3) - The Bad I hope we're not going to have to add Blue Ice to the list [...] Read more
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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