The hiking gear and adventures thread...
Discussion
yellowbentines said:
Enjoying a beer after an up and down of my favourite hill in the UK (so far), Buachaille Etive Mor at Glencoe.
In terms of gear, whilst you can undoubtedly spend fortunes and it does make things easier, a decent pair of boots and a jacket can get you far in the UK. The first time we went to the lake district my wife and I stopped at Glenridding, wondered 'whats up there'. and a couple of hours later we were clambering over striding edge to the summit of Hellvellyn, with not much more than a bottle of water each and her handbag slung over her shoulder
Photo taken from the Kingshouse Hotel? Surprised no deer drinking your beer!In terms of gear, whilst you can undoubtedly spend fortunes and it does make things easier, a decent pair of boots and a jacket can get you far in the UK. The first time we went to the lake district my wife and I stopped at Glenridding, wondered 'whats up there'. and a couple of hours later we were clambering over striding edge to the summit of Hellvellyn, with not much more than a bottle of water each and her handbag slung over her shoulder
Edited by yellowbentines on Friday 9th September 12:24
yellowbentines said:
Could anyone recommend some waterproof gloves from experience?
Have to be gloves not mitts, preferably nothing bulky, bonus points if they are warm too. Its for a Xmas gift for my good lady.
I've eyed up some of the sealskinz gloves but the reviews are a bit patchy - some say they are great, others that they aren't actually waterproof if youre out for any length of time. I have sealskinz gloves myself which are grand but they don't seem to make them in a ladies version/small enough.
I'd avoid Sealskinz: bought a pair and they are rubbish if I'm honest (not waterproof and fairly uncomfortable).Have to be gloves not mitts, preferably nothing bulky, bonus points if they are warm too. Its for a Xmas gift for my good lady.
I've eyed up some of the sealskinz gloves but the reviews are a bit patchy - some say they are great, others that they aren't actually waterproof if youre out for any length of time. I have sealskinz gloves myself which are grand but they don't seem to make them in a ladies version/small enough.
Rab goretex gloves are pretty good, I also rate Mountain Equipment guide gloves (they are a bit bulky, but they are damn warm).
I've also got some Montane Prism gloves... they're not the most waterproof if you're using them all day, but they are very warm and not too bulky, so might be ideal for your partner.
https://montane.com/products/montane-prism-glove
Re the gloves... What will she use them for. It does make a massive difference.
One thing I would recommend any walker or climber to add to their Christmas lust is a 2 person bothy.
They take up so little space and are a life saver if you or a party member take a tumble.
It can take MR several hours to get to you after getting the call-out.
One thing I would recommend any walker or climber to add to their Christmas lust is a 2 person bothy.
They take up so little space and are a life saver if you or a party member take a tumble.
It can take MR several hours to get to you after getting the call-out.
TGCOTF-dewey said:
One thing I would recommend any walker or climber to add to their Christmas lust is a 2 person bothy.
They take up so little space and are a life saver if you or a party member take a tumble.
It can take MR several hours to get to you after getting the call-out.
I have one (from Lomo I think and the one person) - great piece of kit. Whilst I thankfully haven't had to use it in anger, when I first got it I sheltered from the rain for 30 mins They take up so little space and are a life saver if you or a party member take a tumble.
It can take MR several hours to get to you after getting the call-out.
Faust66 said:
I'd avoid Sealskinz: bought a pair and they are rubbish if I'm honest (not waterproof and fairly uncomfortable).
Rab goretex gloves are pretty good, I also rate Mountain Equipment guide gloves (they are a bit bulky, but they are damn warm).
I've also got some Montane Prism gloves... they're not the most waterproof if you're using them all day, but they are very warm and not too bulky, so might be ideal for your partner.
https://montane.com/products/montane-prism-glove
Thanks, echos my thoughts of my own Sealskinz a little, mine are waterproof (they're the tight ultragrip neoprene type) so fine on some days but no warmth in them at all.Rab goretex gloves are pretty good, I also rate Mountain Equipment guide gloves (they are a bit bulky, but they are damn warm).
I've also got some Montane Prism gloves... they're not the most waterproof if you're using them all day, but they are very warm and not too bulky, so might be ideal for your partner.
https://montane.com/products/montane-prism-glove
Went for the Mountain Equipment - not as bulky as I thought they'd be, very lightweight and a reinforced finger and palm area which will be good for the odd scramble.
I like Montane stuff but no stockists nearby and I've left it too late to order online!
Mr Squarekins said:
yellowbentines said:
Enjoying a beer after an up and down of my favourite hill in the UK (so far), Buachaille Etive Mor at Glencoe.
In terms of gear, whilst you can undoubtedly spend fortunes and it does make things easier, a decent pair of boots and a jacket can get you far in the UK. The first time we went to the lake district my wife and I stopped at Glenridding, wondered 'whats up there'. and a couple of hours later we were clambering over striding edge to the summit of Hellvellyn, with not much more than a bottle of water each and her handbag slung over her shoulder
Photo taken from the Kingshouse Hotel? Surprised no deer drinking your beer!In terms of gear, whilst you can undoubtedly spend fortunes and it does make things easier, a decent pair of boots and a jacket can get you far in the UK. The first time we went to the lake district my wife and I stopped at Glenridding, wondered 'whats up there'. and a couple of hours later we were clambering over striding edge to the summit of Hellvellyn, with not much more than a bottle of water each and her handbag slung over her shoulder
Edited by anonymous-user on Friday 9th September 12:24
Muppet007 said:
Another vote to avoid Seal Skinz gloves. I have a pair of All Weather Sports gloves that are not warm, not comfortable and a bit bulky.
I bought my wife a pair of Extremities water proof gloves (forgot the model) which she loves. Might have to get myself some.
Adding to this, they are not waterproof in anyway shape or fashion. I bought my wife a pair of Extremities water proof gloves (forgot the model) which she loves. Might have to get myself some.
Was out on Gavel Fell this afternoon, the weather is pretty minging. Popped them on thinking they would keep my hands warm and dryer (not expecting them to be totally waterproof) and within 5 mins they had failed and I could wring them out
How do people wax/treat their boots in winter?
I have leather boots which I treat with G Wax when I can but I need to do them more often. G Wax recommends the boots are clean and dry before applying the wax, but in winter I wear them 2-3 times a day, so they never get chance to dry out.
I have leather boots which I treat with G Wax when I can but I need to do them more often. G Wax recommends the boots are clean and dry before applying the wax, but in winter I wear them 2-3 times a day, so they never get chance to dry out.
I use Leder Gris for my boots. Great stuff and I've not found anything better.
https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/leder-gris-bootcar...
https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/leder-gris-bootcar...
Faust66 said:
I use Leder Gris for my boots. Great stuff and I've not found anything better.
https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/leder-gris-bootcar...
Thank you. It looks like.you can use whilst the boots are drying.https://www.altberg.co.uk/boots/leder-gris-bootcar...
Ordered
Really enjoying reading through this thread, and a happy new year to all hikers. Can't help much on the gear suggestions, least of all walking boots, but here's some photos from some of our strolls in the foothills of the Carpathian mountains this year.
Our last hike of the year in the Muránska planina yesterday was atmospheric if a bit disappointing for the views, but given that we were there primarily for the saunas on this occasion we weren't complaining:
Autumn can be stunning:
as well as mystical:
but tends to make trails hard to follow*:
Summer gives us chance to explore routes that would otherwise be impassable:
Reassuring to know that you're not the first to go that way:
Entrance to Muráň Castle at 935m:
Leaving the Shire for Mordor
the fauna gets interesting. Bears, wolves, lynx, golden eagles, and... dragons?
* a wrong turn on the return leg did find us in a commercial quarry, which involved nearly an hour of sneaking down without being seen** before we could find a path out. Quarries don't half look bigger up close.
** which was an improvement on the time we were swiftly escorted out of the secure perimeter surrounding a drinking water reservoir that we'd somehow found ourselves in
*** Our plan for 2023 is probably to buy some maps
Our last hike of the year in the Muránska planina yesterday was atmospheric if a bit disappointing for the views, but given that we were there primarily for the saunas on this occasion we weren't complaining:
Autumn can be stunning:
as well as mystical:
but tends to make trails hard to follow*:
Summer gives us chance to explore routes that would otherwise be impassable:
Reassuring to know that you're not the first to go that way:
Entrance to Muráň Castle at 935m:
Leaving the Shire for Mordor
the fauna gets interesting. Bears, wolves, lynx, golden eagles, and... dragons?
* a wrong turn on the return leg did find us in a commercial quarry, which involved nearly an hour of sneaking down without being seen** before we could find a path out. Quarries don't half look bigger up close.
** which was an improvement on the time we were swiftly escorted out of the secure perimeter surrounding a drinking water reservoir that we'd somehow found ourselves in
*** Our plan for 2023 is probably to buy some maps
I spent the last few days of 2022 in South Devon and other than when this picture was taken it rained, hard. My wet weather gear was found seriously wanting so an investment is needed!
Taking advice from this thread I think the jacket will be this
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/patagonia-mens-t...
And the trousers this
https://montane.com/collections/mens-waterproof-tr...
Any thoughts or input gratefully received.
Taking advice from this thread I think the jacket will be this
https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/patagonia-mens-t...
And the trousers this
https://montane.com/collections/mens-waterproof-tr...
Any thoughts or input gratefully received.
2nd vote for trying a jacket on before splashing out.
I bought an Arctrex BETA SV (I think
) online.
Bomb proof jacket, love 90% of it, but I cant gel with the hood. It's big (helmet fit) but when pulling the drawcords to adjust it for a closer fit, it's feels like a massive pressure on your head. It horrible.
If I'm out in rain, I wear a baseball cap in summer to keep it (the hood) off my head and a waterproof and insulated baseball cap in winter.
I bought an Arctrex BETA SV (I think
) online.Bomb proof jacket, love 90% of it, but I cant gel with the hood. It's big (helmet fit) but when pulling the drawcords to adjust it for a closer fit, it's feels like a massive pressure on your head. It horrible.
If I'm out in rain, I wear a baseball cap in summer to keep it (the hood) off my head and a waterproof and insulated baseball cap in winter.
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