product reviews
Our team of product reviewers love the outdoors. Lynda and her family, Laura and her tribe, Jon & Hazel, Annette and Eamon, Joe and Jamie, Barry (Testing Chuf) and Jill & Andy (Editor Chuf) are out and about all the time testing clothing and equipment in a wide variety of environments across Europe.
If the product has got a size we've got a size to fit it!
Products are given a boot rating depending upon the score we give. The scoring matrix changes with the product we are reviewing. For instance with clothing we look at fit, style, comfort and value for money with a rating of 1 to 5 against each.
The higher the score the better and if a product has a total score of 125 points we give it our 125 product review top score badge.
We test over time, not just out of the box so all of our reviews will be visited again & again & again &... to give our readers the long view of buying a product and the reviews updated accordingly.
If you would like to add your comments to our product reviews please create your own account and we'll tell you how....
If you have a product you'd like us to review please do not hesitate to contact us
osprey atmos 25 day sack review
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osprey atmos 25 day sack review
First impression of the sack was small but full of the normal features associated with a day sack including walking pole attachment, hydration compatible compartment, feed and strap locater, small zipped hip belt pockets, side pockets, front pocket and top zipped pocket.
All pull cords and fixings are very robust and have positive actions.
We initially used the sack with a hydration reservoir but found that because the hydration compartment stretched the reservoir dropped into the bottom restricting the main compartment.
Once we had packed our sandwiches and a two layer waterproof there was no more space in the main compartment.
The first outing for the sack was on the 16th February 2012 and the temperature was 8°C and breezy.
Three of us tried the sack and all found it very comfortable to wear. The straps containing EVA foam cushioned the load on the shoulders and the BioStretchTM fabric on the hip belt kept the sack close to the body.
We had thought that the chilly breeze would aim straight for our backs as the construction of the frame allows for ventilation of the space between rucksack and back with their AirSpeedTM mesh backpanel but that was not the case. The sack actually acted as a wind break and kept our backs warm without sweat.
We've made a note to review this again in warmer weather.
Conclusion
Very comfortable to wear. Need to think carefully what to take on a day walk in order to fit it all in effectively. We like it so far...
best in snow
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We've had some lovely snow up in North Yorkshire so we've taken the boots out to see how they preform. We used Point 6 Hiking Tech superior merino wool socks.
We've looked at sole grip, lace grip, warmth and how long it takes to dry out naturally afterwards.
lowe alpine mountain attack 30
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lowe alpine mountain attack 30
We thought it was about time we went back and reviewed one of our old favourite 30litre sacks so we're packing it for the Pennines...
sole lightweight sport crew sock review
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sole lightweight sport crew sock review
We were given these socks by those nice people at Sole and we wondered how they would fit into reviewing walking equipment?
Berghaus plans load carrying revolution with second generation BIOFLEX®
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Berghaus plans load carrying revolution with second generation BIOFLEX®
For spring/summer 2012, Berghaus has focused its MtnHaus™ design and development innovation team on load carrying The result is the second generation of BIOFLEX®. The original and hugely successful BIOFLEX® system has been completely re-engineered, taking out weight, improving performance and comfort, and increasing durability.
Read more: Berghaus plans load carrying revolution with second generation BIOFLEX®
walking books lakeland pack 2 book review
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walking books lakeland pack2
The 25 classic walks arrived on my desk in a glossy, robust box with tempting images of the adventures ahead.
brasher ahklun gtx boot review
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Brasher Ahklun GTX boot review
First steps in the Brasher Ahklun GTX mountain boots was on the Pennine Way to Blacton Reservoir
2nd January 2012 2.5°C to 4.5°C snow showers with intermittent blue skies very wet under foot grass and peat bog
hi-tec altitude IV WPi NT enviro boots review
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hi-tec altitude IV WPi NT enviro boots review
Just arrived for test and review and their first outing will be walking the three peaks of yorkshire so that will give them a bit of "Altitude"
Trekmates Soft Shell Gaiters review
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Trekmates Soft Shell Gaiters review
Together with the Long John's came two pairs of gaiter from Trekmates for us to review. They too are going with us to the Pennines for their first review.
Our first test of the Trekmates Dry SoftShell gaiters took place on the 14th January 2012 on a route incorporating peat bog and heather in the South Pennines of northern England.
anatom q3 walking boots review
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review of anatom q3 walking boots with superfeet insoles
we met Andy from Anatom at the motorway services on the A1M near Wetherby in North Yorkshire UK because he insisted on fitting them himself. What a great service...
trekmates merino long johns review
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trekmates merino long johns review
Very light weight material, hardly feel you have them on.
First time out worn under a pair of lightweight Craghopper Trousers and a pair of Trekmates Soft Cell gaiters.
-4°C overnight rising to around 0°C during the day. Kept lower body comfortably warm and combined with a Trekmates upper body base layer with amble length led to a very pleasant days walking in the Pennines.
A subsequent test has revealed that wearing them with the gaiters stopped them from riding up the leg. Without the gaiters they tend to rise above the ankle giving cold spots on the sensitive areas of the lower leg / ankle
UPC 5 055053 230749 505505320749
Trekmates Sprint Gaiters review
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Trekmates Sprint Gaiters review
Together with the Long John's came two pairs of gaiter from Trekmates for us to review. They too are going with us to the Pennines for their first review.
Start of review will be posted early next week....
walking in madeira cicerone guide review
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Walking in Madeira by Paddy Dillon
As we were staying in Funchal we decided that Walk No 1 was the ideal starting point to begin our review of the walking guide.
Mammut Mt Trail XT GTX Boots Review
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Mammut Mt Trail XT GTX Boots Review
OK I got the wrong socks
OK the Boots are very dark brown
I'll come back to these statements later in the review.
If you look at the Mammut Web site for these boots, and other boots developed by Mammut, you will see that they are brimming with technology such as TPU inserts, PV wedge, MT-Traction Sole and written on the side of the boot is Motion Control, but what does it all mean.
trekmates merino wool long johns review
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trekmates merino wool long johns
We have just received two pairs of trekmates merino wool long johns and with the temperature dropping we will be using them and review them from this weekend on!
We'll let you know how warm we are?
if you've got a head headtorch reviews
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head torch reviews
We've been out testing three head torches that you might want to place on it?
We've been out on clear starry nights and foggy nights, wild camping in the North Pennines, used them to navigate around a castle at night and a dark night in late December....
