The hiking gear and adventures thread...

[Venisonpie]

dontfollowme said:

Patagonia and Montane are both respected quality brands. It is worth trying on the jacket if you can as I have found Patagonia gear is big for the size.

I tried one on yesterday along with a "Mountain" brand and both had very peculiar hood designs - they're for giraffes! When the hood goes up and over your head there's too much material and so it flops over your eyes. I then remembered I had a similar problem with one I bought a few years ago and actually still have - worn twice!

Dug it out and it fits perfectly bar the hood. I then remembered I'd completely independently bought a walking cap - solution is to put the cap on then raise the hood and voila - it works perfectly! £350 saved.

[dontfollowme]

This may be due to the hoods being able to accommodate a helmet. It easy to carried away with gear; often something from Decathlon will do the job just as well.

[Matt..]

Does anyone have any multi-day trips planned this year?

I am trying to decide on a June/July hike somewhere. My list at the moment is GR20 or norther Kungsleden. Kungsleden might be too full of mosquitoes though!

[MonkeyBusiness]

Matt.. said:

Does anyone have any multi-day trips planned this year?

I am trying to decide on a June/July hike somewhere. My list at the moment is GR20 or norther Kungsleden. Kungsleden might be too full of mosquitoes though!

I'd really like to tick the Dales Way off. I end up on some part of the route every weekend but would like to complete it all.
The LDWA is a good resource for finding long distance walks in the UK.

[daddy cool]

Guys, after some recommendations for a new backpack. I mostly do bikepacking, but a buddy and I are planning a multi-day hike/wildcamp in Scotland in April, and my 30 year old Vango 65L weighs 2.5kg and all the waterproof lining has rotted away...

Im after the sweetspot in terms of weight/price/capacity.

- Capacity: i think 55L should be fine
- Weight: 1 - 1.5kg ideally
- Price: Dont mind paying for quality, but dont want to pay £400+ for some featherlight thing made from hummingbird eyelashes
- Features: Usual i guess - slot for hydration bladder, built in rain cover, a few different storage sections rather than one big compartment.
- Me: 5'10, and a weedy 11st, hence trying to keep the weight down

Was looking at the Osprey Talon 55 - 1.6kg but a reasonable price.
https://www.ldmountaincentre.com/walk-hike-c1/bags...
Anything better?

[Faust66]

daddy cool said:

Guys, after some recommendations for a new backpack. I mostly do bikepacking, but a buddy and I are planning a multi-day hike/wildcamp in Scotland in April, and my 30 year old Vango 65L weighs 2.5kg and all the waterproof lining has rotted away...

Im after the sweetspot in terms of weight/price/capacity.

- Capacity: i think 55L should be fine
- Weight: 1 - 1.5kg ideally
- Price: Dont mind paying for quality, but dont want to pay £400+ for some featherlight thing made from hummingbird eyelashes
- Features: Usual i guess - slot for hydration bladder, built in rain cover, a few different storage sections rather than one big compartment.
- Me: 5'10, and a weedy 11st, hence trying to keep the weight down

Was looking at the Osprey Talon 55 - 1.6kg but a reasonable price.
https://www.ldmountaincentre.com/walk-hike-c1/bags...
Anything better?

I'd go for the Osprey Aether 55l... I'd imagine it'll be better suited to a multi day trip. The Talon is more of an enlarged day pack IMO (awaits the inevitable arguments).

I really like Osprey packs... I've got 3 and I'm thinking about splashing out on number 4.

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/osprey-aether-55...

Shop around a bit and you should be able to find it for a lot less.

[LordHaveMurci]

Remember though the Osprey may beslightly heavier, they carry weight really well so it’s not so much of an issue.

I have a Kestrel 68, my mate has a 70l Anti Gravity one - both great packs & highly recommend Osprey as a brand.
You can get desls on their Second Life site too …

[MonkeyBusiness]

LordHaveMurci said:

Remember though the Osprey may beslightly heavier, they carry weight really well so it’s not so much of an issue.

I have a Kestrel 68, my mate has a 70l Anti Gravity one - both great packs & highly recommend Osprey as a brand.
You can get desls on their Second Life site too …

I agree. My Exos 48 is a cracker.
I've also bought two items from the Second Life site but can't seem to get on it now. Goes to the main site when I sign in and view the catalogue.

[i4got]

Another vote for Osprey. I have used an Osprey Exos 48 for a few years now on multi-day up to multi-month trips and am very happy with it.

[Matt..]

Backpacks are like shoes and it's all about fit, especially when carrying a load. You really should go to a shop and try different options with weight to see if they work for you and your body. Most stores selling backpacks have weighted bags you put in the pack to simulate real world loads. It would be very beneficial for you to know approx load weight prior to going to look at packs. Packs carry weight very differently. 8kg load is totally different to 15kg. Carrying weight using a pack that doesn't fit is not fun.

All of the normal brands will be fine for what you are looking for. Just select one that fits you.

Edited by Matt.. on Monday 9th January 13:21

[daddy cool]

Cheers chaps, will investigate them.
I have an Osprey Escapist 25 as a day pack, so rate them as a brand.

[yellowbentines]

Matt.. said:

Does anyone have any multi-day trips planned this year?

I am trying to decide on a June/July hike somewhere. My list at the moment is GR20 or norther Kungsleden. Kungsleden might be too full of mosquitoes though!

We've got a cottage booked for a week in late May up in Achiltibuie, been wanting to spend a good bit of time exploring that area and I'm told May is the best month in terms of good weather/less midges.

Will tackle Suilven, Ben More Assynt, Ben More Coigach, Stac Pollaidh and more - really looking forward to it and will need to get my fitness up before then as we plan to be on the hills every day.

[Matt..]

yellowbentines said:

We've got a cottage booked for a week in late May up in Achiltibuie, been wanting to spend a good bit of time exploring that area and I'm told May is the best month in terms of good weather/less midges.

Will tackle Suilven, Ben More Assynt, Ben More Coigach, Stac Pollaidh and more - really looking forward to it and will need to get my fitness up before then as we plan to be on the hills every day.

Let’s hope the weather is kind to you!
That is one of my favourite parts of Scotland. Suilven is a classic for good reason!

[gareth h]

Venisonpie said:

I tried one on yesterday along with a "Mountain" brand and both had very peculiar hood designs - they're for giraffes! When the hood goes up and over your head there's too much material and so it flops over your eyes. I then remembered I had a similar problem with one I bought a few years ago and actually still have - worn twice!

Dug it out and it fits perfectly bar the hood. I then remembered I'd completely independently bought a walking cap - solution is to put the cap on then raise the hood and voila - it works perfectly! £350 saved.

If you want a good value goretex jacket, take a look at these
https://www.onlyarmysurplus.co.uk/French-Army-Wate...
I’ve had one for a couple of years, really well made (as you’d expect for military kit) and cheap as chips!

[Venisonpie]

Matt.. said:

Does anyone have any multi-day trips planned this year?

I am trying to decide on a June/July hike somewhere. My list at the moment is GR20 or norther Kungsleden. Kungsleden might be too full of mosquitoes though!

I started doing these last year and it really adds an extra dimension to walking. I'm hoping to go from home in West London to Woodbridge in Suffolk to visit my parents- a sort of walking home holiday. Suspect it will take 10 days.

[Venisonpie]

gareth h said:

If you want a good value goretex jacket, take a look at these
https://www.onlyarmysurplus.co.uk/French-Army-Wate...
I’ve had one for a couple of years, really well made (as you’d expect for military kit) and cheap as chips!

Crikey, they are good value!

[daddy cool]

daddy cool said:

Cheers chaps, will investigate them.
I have an Osprey Escapist 25 as a day pack, so rate them as a brand.

Update - i settled on an Exos 58 - £144 inc next day delivery - arrived yesterday, its a nice bit of kit. Only 1.3kg, or less if you ditch the removable top section.

[MonkeyBusiness]

Anyone got any Revolution Race gear? I thought at first they were 'just another brand' but seeing their kit more and more.

Don't like they are online only but the stuff looks decent. Is the sizing true?

Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Friday 20th January 17:59

[Faust66]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Anyone got any Revolution Race gear? I thought at first they were 'just another brand' but seeing their kit more and more.

Don't like they are online only but the stuff looks decent. Is the sizing true?

Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Friday 20th January 17:59

I've got a pair of their trousers. Waist/length sizing is spot on.

They're good for the price (think Fjallraven Vidda Pro but cheaper) but I don't wear them often as the cut is very 'skinny jeans'.

Also, the hem is stupidly narrow. I appreciate that I've got big feet, but I can barely get my feet through when putting them on - my missus was kind enough to alter the hem, but they are still very narrow. Never had this issue with other trousers. I wear Fjallraven in the winter and either Craghoppers Kiwi or Keela Combats in the warmer months.

The RR only just fit over my boots.

Mate has also got a pair of the RR trousers and doesn't get on with them for similar reasons above.

Note: Luke on the Outdoor Gear review (excellent youtube channel) says the same, so I'm not alone!

TLDR: they're good but only for the more skinny/slender chap/ess.

[Matt..]

MonkeyBusiness said:

Anyone got any Revolution Race gear? I thought at first they were 'just another brand' but seeing their kit more and more.

Don't like they are online only but the stuff looks decent. Is the sizing true?

Edited by MonkeyBusiness on Friday 20th January 17:59

They send free gear to a huge number of people on social media platforms. It’s their advertising strategy and it completely puts me off ever considering them. It’s become a bit of a joke, especially on Instagram.

Edited by Matt.. on Friday 20th January 22:48