Rab Protium 35 Pack - people hiking

Rab Protium 35 Pack Review: Streamlined Mountain Versatility for Fast, Light Missions

The Rab Protium 35 Pack reflects Rab’s evolution into technical carry systems that complement its high-performance apparel range. Drawing from its climbing and mountaineering heritage, the Protium 35 aims to deliver a stable, breathable pack that accommodates fast hikes, scrambles, and lightweight overnight setups without excess bulk or complexity. Across a full season of testing—from…

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La Sportiva Karakorum HC GTX - Mountains

La Sportiva Karakorum HC GTX Review: Leather Precision for High Mountain Adventure

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…

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Black Diamond BetaLite 45

Black Diamond BetaLite 45 Review: Ultralight Durability Meets Fastpack Precision

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…

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Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell Review: Ultralight Rain Protection with Alpine Agility

Lightweight Shell for Fast and Wet Adventures The Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell is designed for those who move fast and pack light. Whether you’re scrambling up Tryfan, bikepacking through the Lakes, or dodging showers on a coastal trail, this jacket offers storm-ready protection in a sub-300g package. It’s not a full alpine hardshell—but it’s…

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Petzl Neox

Petzl Neox Review: Lead Belaying Reinvented with Wheel-Assisted Precision

A Belay Device That Feeds Like Butter The Petzl Neox is Petzl’s latest innovation in assisted braking belay devices (ABDs), designed specifically for lead climbing. While it resembles the iconic Grigri in shape and function, the Neox introduces a rotating wheel mechanism that dramatically improves slack feeding without compromising safety. For climbers frustrated by short-roping…

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Alpkit Orion 45L Mountaineering Backpack

Alpkit Orion 45L Mountaineering Backpack Review: Lightweight, Affordable, and Built for Winter Missions

The Alpkit Orion 45L is a streamlined, Alpine-style backpack designed for mountaineering, winter hillwalking, and scrambling. With a sub-1kg weight, reinforced fabrics, and technical features like ice axe retainers and rope storage, it’s built to carry heavy racks through Scottish winters and multi-day Alpine epics — without breaking your back or your budget. Priced under…

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Mammut Wall Rider MIPS Helmet

Mammut Wall Rider MIPS Helmet Review | Best Lightweight Climbing Helmet 2025

A Helmet That Balances Safety and Performance The Mammut Wall Rider MIPS is a lightweight climbing helmet designed for alpine, trad, and multi-pitch climbers who want maximum protection without sacrificing comfort or ventilation. It combines a hybrid shell construction with MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System)—a technology more commonly seen in cycling and snow sports helmets….

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Moon Warrior Bouldering Pad

Moon Warrior Bouldering Pad Review: A Mid-Sized Classic for Serious Boulderers

A Trusted Name in Bouldering Protection The Moon Warrior Bouldering Pad is a mid-sized, taco-style crash pad designed for climbers who want a balance of durability, foam performance, and portability. Positioned between Moon’s smaller Pluto and larger Saturn pads, the Warrior is built for serious boulderers who need reliable protection without the bulk of a…

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Edelrid Ohmega

Edelrid Ohmega Review: A Game-Changer in Assisted Belaying

Rethinking Belaying for Modern Climbers The Edelrid Ohmega is a revolutionary brake-assist device designed to address one of the most common challenges in climbing: significant weight differences between climber and belayer. Building on the success of the original Ohm, the Ohmega introduces a host of improvements—lighter weight, smoother rope handling, and adjustable braking levels—that make…

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La Sportiva TX2 Evo

La Sportiva TX2 Evo – women’s Review

The La Sportiva TX2 Evo Women’s is the lightest and most agile member of La Sportiva’s Traverse X approach shoe family. Designed for climbers, scramblers, and alpine minimalists, it’s a shoe that prioritizes sensitivity, grip, and packability over brute durability. With a sock-like fit, sticky Vibram Idrogrip outsole, and resoleable construction, the TX2 Evo is…

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Rungne Harness Utility Pants

Rungne Harness Utility Pants Review – Lightweight Climbing Trousers for 2025

Overview The Rungne Harness Utility Pants are a refined evolution of the brand’s original Harness Pants—designed by climber and YouTuber Magnus Midtbø. This updated version adds more pockets, a bungee waistband, and subtle tweaks to fit and fabric, making them even more versatile for climbing, training, and everyday wear. Built from a lightweight polyamide-elastane blend,…

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The North Face Route Rocket Review

The North Face Route Rocket Review

Overview The North Face Route Rocket 16 is a minimalist climbing pack designed for multi-pitch routes, alpine scrambles, and fast-and-light missions where every gram counts and every feature must earn its place. Originally developed with input from climbing legend Peter Croft, this 16-litre pack is purpose-built for vertical terrain—whether you’re hauling it up a granite…

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