The hiking gear and adventures thread...
Discussion
mickythefish said:
Ok. I did look as Osprey for a 100, decathlon have one similar priced but a 10 year warranty.
Just not sure, I do like decathlon bags though.
Osprey warranty is very good. Just not sure, I do like decathlon bags though.
A friend returned a bag to them for repair, it had been driven over by a car so not a warranty claim.
It was too far gone so they sent her £300 of vouchers to use on Osprey kit!!!
I really like Osprey packs... I've got 4 of them! (30 L for work, 38 L Kestrel for summer day hikes, 68 L Atmos for winter day hikes and a 105 litre Xenith for longer trips).
If you want a good alternative, the Decathlon Trek packs are supposed to be very, very good (Luke on the Outdoor Gear Review channel loves them).
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-trekking-backp...
I did consider buying one recently, but I couldn't deal with the bright colours (went for an Osprey Atmos AG 65 in the Black Friday sales as the price was too good to turn down IMO).
If you want a good alternative, the Decathlon Trek packs are supposed to be very, very good (Luke on the Outdoor Gear Review channel loves them).
https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men-s-trekking-backp...
I did consider buying one recently, but I couldn't deal with the bright colours (went for an Osprey Atmos AG 65 in the Black Friday sales as the price was too good to turn down IMO).
Packs are always a personal choice. For me it about lightness and ease of access.
A pack is one of the easiest ways to save 1kg from your carrying weight. And you should be able to access stuff you need on the trail whilst you're moving with minimal effort. So a large stuff pocket for waterproofs, food, spikes, stuff you need to grab along with big side pockets and pockets on the waist and shoulder straps (like a race vest).
You should only really need to open your pack when you set up camp at the end of the day.
I use a Durston Kakwa 55, Atom Packs are a similar (UK) design, have a look at their sites. They're not cheap, but if you think that type of design could work for you, then there are/will be Chinese rip offs for a lot less. I have an amazon copy of the Ultimate Direction 30l fastpack for example.
A pack is one of the easiest ways to save 1kg from your carrying weight. And you should be able to access stuff you need on the trail whilst you're moving with minimal effort. So a large stuff pocket for waterproofs, food, spikes, stuff you need to grab along with big side pockets and pockets on the waist and shoulder straps (like a race vest).
You should only really need to open your pack when you set up camp at the end of the day.
I use a Durston Kakwa 55, Atom Packs are a similar (UK) design, have a look at their sites. They're not cheap, but if you think that type of design could work for you, then there are/will be Chinese rip offs for a lot less. I have an amazon copy of the Ultimate Direction 30l fastpack for example.
craig1912 said:
Phil. said:
I’m travelling to top Norway in mid-March (-10C plus windchill) and need a new winter jacket for a few excursions day and night. Flexible on budget as I’ll keep it for years.
Recommendations please.
PS Would I be best looking at Ski jackets?
Love my Fjallraven Nuuk Parka. Stood up to freezing driving rain in Iceland.Recommendations please.
PS Would I be best looking at Ski jackets?
Edited by Phil. on Monday 27th January 19:00
https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/clothing-me...
Matt.. said:
I’m back from a couple of weeks in Patagonia. Highly recommended!
Have any of you been to Georgia or Kyrgyzstan? They’re on my list for potential destinations this year.
Kyrgyzstan to climb Peak Lenin a few years ago. Cant say I saw very much of the country - a few hours in Bishek then Osh otherwise three weeks on the mountain which was spectacular. What I did see of the country was pretty, though nothing to give me a big desire to see more.Have any of you been to Georgia or Kyrgyzstan? They’re on my list for potential destinations this year.
Bill said:
25 for me, photos would require a rummage through a box...
Sounds worthy of a little scanning project anyway….do it!eta: here, to encourage you….me & some pals doing Offa’s Dyke in 1981 - first night in a quarry!
Yours will be WAY more exciting
Edited by mikeiow on Monday 10th February 10:06
Edited by mikeiow on Monday 10th February 10:07
silentbrown said:
I was at that spot last week! Cerro Torre was sadly not visible until we were walking back though! I will post some photos later. It was a fun trip with 4,000km of driving and easily 500km+ of that on gravel roads. The Fiat Cronos we had definitely took some abuse on the trip. The most basic rental car i've ever had but it survived!Landing in Heathrow to rain on the plane windows and 5c wasn't fun after 34c and sun in Buenos Aires.
Edited by Matt.. on Monday 10th February 16:47
Does anyone know of a recycling service for knackered sleeping mats?
We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if
Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...
We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if
Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...
Harpoon said:
Does anyone know of a recycling service for knackered sleeping mats?
We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if
Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...
Can you not cut the old mats up and use them to put muddy boots on etc? Keep them in the boot of your car to stop stuff ratling about? Fold them up several times and wrap a bit of duct tape around them - kneeling pad for gardening/working on a car/whatever?We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if
Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...
Shame to just sling them into landfill when you may be able to repurpose.
Harpoon said:
Does anyone know of a recycling service for knackered sleeping mats?
We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if
Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...
Kitsquad is a charity to give camping gear to people who are struggling to get decent kit , could email them and ask if it’s any use to them.We've got one that has more holes than a Swiss cheese and another with a massive air bubble. Could just sling them at the local tip but would be nice if
Alpkit's recycling / reuse service says items must be functional, so I'm not sure somebody else wants a sleeping mat that goes flat...
Gaiters
My current (unbranded as far as I can tell) rather old gaiters are delaminating and helpfully created cricket ball sized/weight ice balls under them at the weekend.
I wear trail shoes with waterproof socks. The gaiters are just for added protection as I am now finding I'm doing A LOT of off path yomping through tussocks/bogs for extended periods of time.
Several on the team wear Berghaus Yetis (which have a sort of over/underboot thing) but these are too heavy to carry and a real faff to put on. Look heavy duty though.
Waterproof
Minimum faff is the main priority
Heavy duty
Any suggestions please?
My current (unbranded as far as I can tell) rather old gaiters are delaminating and helpfully created cricket ball sized/weight ice balls under them at the weekend.
I wear trail shoes with waterproof socks. The gaiters are just for added protection as I am now finding I'm doing A LOT of off path yomping through tussocks/bogs for extended periods of time.
Several on the team wear Berghaus Yetis (which have a sort of over/underboot thing) but these are too heavy to carry and a real faff to put on. Look heavy duty though.
Waterproof
Minimum faff is the main priority
Heavy duty
Any suggestions please?
ben5575 said:
Gaiters
My current (unbranded as far as I can tell) rather old gaiters are delaminating and helpfully created cricket ball sized/weight ice balls under them at the weekend.
I wear trail shoes with waterproof socks. The gaiters are just for added protection as I am now finding I'm doing A LOT of off path yomping through tussocks/bogs for extended periods of time.
Several on the team wear Berghaus Yetis (which have a sort of over/underboot thing) but these are too heavy to carry and a real faff to put on. Look heavy duty though.
Waterproof
Minimum faff is the main priority
Heavy duty
Any suggestions please?
No help here I'm afraid, but I thought the point with the Yeti gaiters was that you put them on and left them on your (yeti-compatible) boots rather than putting them on "in the field". From my reading they are the best in terms of being fully waterproof around your boot though. My current (unbranded as far as I can tell) rather old gaiters are delaminating and helpfully created cricket ball sized/weight ice balls under them at the weekend.
I wear trail shoes with waterproof socks. The gaiters are just for added protection as I am now finding I'm doing A LOT of off path yomping through tussocks/bogs for extended periods of time.
Several on the team wear Berghaus Yetis (which have a sort of over/underboot thing) but these are too heavy to carry and a real faff to put on. Look heavy duty though.
Waterproof
Minimum faff is the main priority
Heavy duty
Any suggestions please?
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