The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[Faust66]

LordHaveMurci said:

Faust66 said:

Hmmmm, going to check this firm out (they are not that far from me).

I really struggle to get boots re-soled as most places don't or won't repair boots in my size (15). Even Lowa - the boot manufacturer - can't help. It's bloody annoying as I've got many pairs of 200 quid a time boots with perfect uppers that I can't get resoled.

Lancashire Sports Repair I think they’re called, worth a look from what I’ve heard.

Tried them. No joy.

I've tried most places in the country that advertise re-soling for combat boots. None of them can help.

Altberg are a possibility but they didn't seem to keen (spun me a line about how they couldn't confirm what sole unit would be fitted and how there was no guarantee that the re-sole would be any good etc. Got the distinct impression they were not interested).

[Snow and Rocks]

Matt.. said:

I use trail runners and burn through them fast. I get 500-600km from a pair before retiring them to non-hiking use. I go through approximately 3 pairs a year! They are ~£150 a pair. Hiking isn’t cheap!

I live at the bottom of a small range of hills in Aberdeenshire and do 10k with the dogs almost every day along with occasional longer jaunts out onto the munros.

I'm still on the same pair of Scarpa SLs that I bought in 2013! Haven't even had them resoled although they could do with it now. They're obviously pretty heavy but you soon forget about that!

[Muppet007]

Matt.. said:

I use trail runners and burn through them fast. I get 500-600km from a pair before retiring them to non-hiking use. I go through approximately 3 pairs a year! They are ~£150 a pair. Hiking isn’t cheap!

I do the same but I go for what ever Gortex version is on sales and sports shoes.
I'm on my 3rd set this year but spent about 200-250. Current runners are La Sportiva Lycan, however they are more expensive than the adidas Terrex Swift R2s they replaced (actually this is more of a walking show than running).

[ATG]

Snow and Rocks said:

Matt.. said:

I use trail runners and burn through them fast. I get 500-600km from a pair before retiring them to non-hiking use. I go through approximately 3 pairs a year! They are ~£150 a pair. Hiking isn’t cheap!

I live at the bottom of a small range of hills in Aberdeenshire and do 10k with the dogs almost every day along with occasional longer jaunts out onto the munros.

I'm still on the same pair of Scarpa SLs that I bought in 2013! Haven't even had them resoled although they could do with it now. They're obviously pretty heavy but you soon forget about that!

I use SLs too. Tough as old ... Mine have lasted for years and thousands of kms.

[Gren]

LordHaveMurci said:

Matt.. said:

I use trail runners and burn through them fast. I get 500-600km from a pair before retiring them to non-hiking use. I go through approximately 3 pairs a year! They are ~£150 a pair. Hiking isn’t cheap!

Having spent £400 in the last two months, I have to agree!

I got 3 years out of my last pair of Inov-8 Roclite 275s. Probably did around 300 miles a year out of them. Uppers were still pretty good, the lugs were fairly flat in a couple of places. Lasted around 3-4 times as long as the Salomon XA-Pros they replaced.

Replaced with an identical pair and I now have a GTX pair for winter.

[ben5575]

With the weather turning even more miserable, I recently bought one of these and it's great! (if a little plasticky). £26.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HS3YZ4J?psc=1&r...

[Gren]

ben5575 said:

With the weather turning even more miserable, I recently bought one of these and it's great! (if a little plasticky). £26.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08HS3YZ4J?psc=1&r...

Took me a second or two looking at that picture to realise it wasn't a treadmill. The ultimate accessory for crappy winter weather..... and ultimate boredom

[ben5575]

Ha, I’m sure I put boot drier when I first typed that.

Come to think of it, it does look like a treadmill!

[TGCOTF-dewey]

I've got a similar one. Uses ozone for 10 mins to de-stink, then a set time for drying.

Misses hated it as it's yet another gadget, but having dry, stink free shoes, has won her over.

Great bits of kit.

[ASA569]

I didn't know these existed - proper game changer and about to go and order one

Thanks for this!

[Faust66]

Also thought it was a very small treadmill

I use these:

Boot Bananas

Good for the environment and very effective. There is a major issue though: every time I use the damn things I get a song going through me head... 'Gimme Hope Jo’anna' by Eddy Grant.

Only the lyrics go "Give me boot banana, boot banana, hope before the morning come"... for hours and hours . Still, helps keep the spirits up on a rainy hike.

[ben5575]

Looking for a cold weather wind/waterproof(ish) soft shell jacket that I can chuck on as my 'go to' outer with a simple merino base layer. I tend to run hot when moving.

I'm thinking Mountain Equipment Vulcan jacket which is well reviewed, but I'm a little concerned that it won't be heavy/warm enough - is it just a mid layer with a hood or is it heavier/warmer? Does anybody have any experience of it? Or an alternative that they really rate?

https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/products/vulc...

If it's properly cold/wet I'll throw a down/hardshell over it, but the Vulcan seems like sufficiently wind/water resistant for 0-5degrees with drizzle/wind e.g. winter.

Also winter warm trousers wind/waterproof(ish) for when my regular (Fjallraven Keb) trousers are too cold?

Montane Terra XT seem to well thought of and have ventilation zips as well. Any experience or alternative recommendations please?

https://montane.com/collections/mens-all-legwear/p...

ETA links

Edited by ben5575 on Thursday 21st December 22:54

[Faust66]

ben5575 said:

Looking for a cold weather wind/waterproof(ish) soft shell jacket that I can chuck on as my 'go to' outer with a simple merino base layer. I tend to run hot when moving.

I'm thinking Mountain Equipment Vulcan jacket which is well reviewed, but I'm a little concerned that it won't be heavy/warm enough - is it just a mid layer with a hood or is it heavier/warmer? Does anybody have any experience of it? Or an alternative that they really rate?

https://www.mountain-equipment.co.uk/products/vulc...

If it's properly cold/wet I'll throw a down/hardshell over it, but the Vulcan seems like sufficiently wind/water resistant for 0-5degrees with drizzle/wind e.g. winter.

Also winter warm trousers wind/waterproof(ish) for when my regular (Fjallraven Keb) trousers are too cold?

Montane Terra XT seem to well thought of and have ventilation zips as well. Any experience or alternative recommendations please?

https://montane.com/collections/mens-all-legwear/p...

ETA links

Edited by ben5575 on Thursday 21st December 22:54

I also find Kebs a bit cold... Vidda Pro or Vidda Pro ventilated is the answer for me. If it's really cold, I wear a pair of icebreaker merino leggings underneath. This is rare though as I also run hot (last used this set up in the peaks a couple of weeks back. It was -6c at 09:30 and probably -11c with the windchill).

I like Montane stuff but it's cut a bit 'racing snake' and I'm not built like that. Mate has a pair of Terra XTs though and he really rates them.

[troc]

Arc’teryx Gamma MX maybe? It’s a very versatile jacket (with matching trousers) and one of my favourite jackets for when it’s dry.
I’ve often worn it over a simple merino t-shirt but also over a base and midlayer when colder.
Also works under a goretex shell if necessary although that’s not a very breathable combination.

[Gren]

troc said:

Arc’teryx Gamma MX maybe? It’s a very versatile jacket (with matching trousers) and one of my favourite jackets for when it’s dry.
I’ve often worn it over a simple merino t-shirt but also over a base and midlayer when colder.
Also works under a goretex shell if necessary although that’s not a very breathable combination.

My missus has one of these and can't praise it highly enough. Pretty heavy for a softshell but still not that bad

[ben5575]

Thanks for the help guys.

Turns out my trousers are actually vented vidda pro (doh) so for once I’ve decided to be sensible and just wear thermals under, if and when I venture out when it’s really cold.

Re jacket, having tried loads of different ones on, I ended up with a Patagonia R2 Techface Hoody. A left field choice given where I started from, but as soon as I put it in I knew it was what I needed and it immediately felt warmer that anything else I’d tried.

[LordHaveMurci]

Guys
Any suggestions on a warm isg pair of wsterproof gloves for a sufferer of raynauds, budget about £50 preferably.

Trekmates Taktil Dry currently the favourite without trying any on.

[troc]

LordHaveMurci said:

Guys
Any suggestions on a warm isg pair of wsterproof gloves for a sufferer of raynauds, budget about £50 preferably.

Trekmates Taktil Dry currently the favourite without trying any on.

Not a recommendation for the waterproof bit but I would recommend some silk inner gloves under whatever you end up wearing.

[Faust66]

LordHaveMurci said:

Guys
Any suggestions on a warm isg pair of wsterproof gloves for a sufferer of raynauds, budget about £50 preferably.

Trekmates Taktil Dry currently the favourite without trying any on.

I've got big hands and struggle to find gloves that fit well. The following have all been tested in pretty foul conditions in the peak district (any of them would be perfect for more 'sensible' weather).

Montane Prism dry line: very warm, very light and packable, waterproof ish for a couple of hours (they soak through in heavy rain or snow eventually)...

Trekmates Trion 3 in 1: very warm. They come with a goretex infinium liner glove and an outer fleece lined glove. Warm and waterproof but a bit bulky.

My favourite glove at the moment for cold and wet?

Keela Extreme: very warm and waterproof. They are a bit bulky but not as bad as the Trekmates.

If you shop around, you should be able to pick up any of the above for about 50 quid.


I've heard good things about the Mountain Equipment guide glove, but their XXL is a bit small for me. Oh, and AVOID Sealskin gloves... they are complete crap (NOT waterproof despite what the manufacturer claims).

[LordHaveMurci]

Local indie store had very few options, ended up with ME Mountain gloves.

Not too bulky, should be warm enough & meant to be waterproof so should be wind proof.

Not a bad price either, on offer at £36, down from £45.

Hopefully try them either Friday or Saturday as hiking both days.