The La Sportiva Helios III is positioned as a transitional shoe—perfect for runners tackling hardpack trails, forest paths, and light technical terrain without stepping into full mountain shoe territory. It’s the third evolution in the Helios line, bringing refinements in comfort, breathability, and weight reduction while maintaining aggressive trail chops. Whether you’re looking to bounce…
The Otimos X-Lite Nomad Solo is a 4-season, 1+ person backpacking tent designed for ultralight travel, modular pitching, and year-round reliability. At just 1.8kg packed, it aims to deliver the performance of premium alpine shelters at a sub-£300 price point. Design Philosophy: Outer-Pitch First Meets Modular Utility Otimos has engineered the Nomad Solo with a…
The OneTigris Stella is a 4-season, 1–2 person backpacking tent designed for cold-weather resilience, stealth camping, and minimalist pack weight. At just 2kg trail weight and under £200, it positions itself as one of the most affordable double-wall shelters for UK wild camping. Design Philosophy: Dome Simplicity Meets Tactical Stealth The Stella adopts a semi-freestanding…
The Alpkit Soloist Ultralight Tent is designed for independent adventurers who prefer solitude over luxury, and weight savings over palatial interiors. At under 1.2kg packed, with a price under £150, it’s one of the most compelling options for UK-based wild campers, fastpackers, and bikepackers seeking a no-nonsense, reliable shelter for solo missions. Combining a lightweight…
Garmin’s Flagship Running Watch Evolves The Garmin Forerunner 965 represents a significant leap forward in Garmin’s premium running watch lineup. Building on the success of the Forerunner 955, the 965 introduces a stunning AMOLED display, titanium bezel, and refined interface—all while retaining the multisport depth and training analytics that make Garmin a leader in endurance…
The La Sportiva Karakorum HC GTX is a mountain boot with roots in traditional craftsmanship and engineering aimed at modern high-altitude adventure. Designed for alpine trekking, backpacking in variable terrain, and glacier travel, it blends a robust full-grain leather upper with Gore-Tex waterproofing and Vibram performance traction. In this review, we evaluate how the Karakorum…
The Trek Velocis MIPS Helmet is the brand’s flagship road model—built for riders who demand aerodynamic advantage, top-tier comfort, and reliable protection without excess weight. Originally developed with input from professional cyclists on the Lidl-Trek team, it seeks to balance ventilation with race-day aerodynamics and multi-hour wearability. Aerodynamic Design & Shell Construction The Velocis MIPS…
The CamelBak Chase Protector Hydration Pack occupies a rare niche in the world of mountain biking gear: it’s a hybrid between a minimalist hydration pack and a protective spine guard. Designed for aggressive trail riding, enduro racing, and high-speed technical routes, this pack isn’t just about carrying water—it’s about riding harder with confidence. CamelBak’s legacy…
The Kuiu Mountain Star 2-Person Tent is a purpose-built shelter designed for backcountry hunters and minimalist backpackers who need lightweight gear that performs in harsh conditions. Kuiu, known for its ultralight hunting apparel and equipment, brings that same ethos to its tent design—delivering a shelter that’s fast to pitch, storm-resistant, and impressively light. Design and…
The Black Diamond BetaLite 45 represents a tactical shift in pack design philosophy—leaning toward speed, stripped weight, and terrain fluidity. As more hikers and alpine runners chase efficiency over bulk, manufacturers are responding with purpose-built gear that maintains structure without load-bearing overkill. The BetaLite 45 taps into this demand with a carefully calibrated layout, premium…
The Therm-a-Rest BaseCamp Sleeping Pad is a classic in the world of self-inflating mattresses. Designed for campers who prioritise comfort over ultralight packability, it’s a go-to choice for car camping, basecamp setups, and short hiking tours where weight isn’t the limiting factor. With a 6.0 R-value, 2-inch foam thickness, and rugged polyester shell, the BaseCamp…
Serious Cooling for Serious Adventures The YETI Roadie 60 Wheeled Cooler is purpose-built for extended outdoor missions, group outings, and mobile food or drink operations that demand high capacity and portability. Where traditional coolers collapse under pressure or uneven terrain, the Roadie 60 doubles down with overbuilt wheels, a durable periscope-style handle, and signature YETI…
