A minimalist climbing pant with maximum mobility, storage, and style 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,…
Breathable softshell protection for high-output adventures in cold weather Overview The Patagonia Wind Shield Pants are a hybrid softshell designed for high-aerobic activities in cold, windy, and variable conditions. Built with a mix of windproof panels and breathable stretch zones, they’re engineered to balance weather protection, moisture management, and mobility—making them a go-to for trail…
Overview: The £60 Jacket That Punches Above Its Weight The MT100 is Decathlon’s entry-level down puffer, designed for cold, dry conditions and minimalist packers. It’s filled with RDS-certified 800 fill-power duck down (90/10) and weighs in at around 300g (size L), making it one of the lightest insulated jackets in its class. It’s not flashy,…
Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip – A User’s Review After a Full Winter of Wear I picked up the Smartwool Classic Thermal Merino 1/4 Zip as my primary base layer for cold-weather cycling, hiking, and general outdoor faffing about. After a full season of use—from frosty bivvies in the Peaks to misty dog walks…
This isn’t just another Merino top—it’s a bit of a revelation. Fit & Feel Right out of the bag, the Flatiron 185 feels premium. The Nuyarn Merino blend is buttery soft, with none of that scratchy wool feel you sometimes get. It hugs the body without being restrictive—think second skin, not sausage casing. The stretch…
FORCLAZ MT500 Trekking Trousers – Rugged, Reliable, and Ridiculously Good Value I picked up the MT500s from Decathlon as a “see how they do” pair of trekking trousers — and they’ve since become my go-to for everything from misty ridge walks to muddy bikepacking weekends. For the price, they’re an absolute steal. Build & Materials…
Passenger 365 Organic Cotton Short – Laidback Comfort with a Conscience I picked up the 365 Shorts as a summer-ready alternative to my well-loved 365 Trousers, hoping for something that could handle everything from lazy Sunday strolls to impromptu paddleboard launches. After a few weeks of wear, I can safely say: these shorts are ridiculously…
Fjällräven Vidda Pro Ventilated Pants – Built for the Long Haul I bought the Vidda Pro Ventilated Pants after one too many soggy, snag-filled hikes in trousers that promised “durability” and delivered disappointment. I wanted something that could handle dense brush, rocky scrambles, and sudden downpours — and these have delivered in spades. Build &…
Outdoor Research Apollo Rain Pants – Dependable Wet-Weather Armour The Apollo Rain Pants are a lightweight, packable solution for unpredictable UK weather — the kind where the forecast says “light drizzle” and you end up in a sideways monsoon. After months of use on muddy footpaths, misty bikepacking trips, and a particularly damp Dartmoor hike,…
I picked up the Coldfront LT Hoodie looking for a packable, do-it-all insulator that could handle shoulder-season hikes, cold-weather layering, and the odd pub garden chill. After a few months of real-world use, I can confidently say: this thing punches above its weight. Build & Materials The jacket combines 130g of 700-fill RDS-certified down in…
Ultralight warmth with a conscience—can this microfleece still compete in the age of active insulation? Overview The Patagonia Micro D® Fleece Jacket is a minimalist midlayer engineered for everyday warmth, light layering, and travel-friendly versatility. Weighing just under 200g, it’s one of the lightest full-zip fleece jackets on the market. Its soft microdenier construction makes…
First Impressions First impressions, the Arc’teryx Gamma Pants are a sleek and minimalist design. They felt robust yet light, with craftsmanship oozing from every stitch – just what you’d expect from Arc’teryx. Fit and Comfort The moment I slipped them on, I knew the fit was a winner. Cut with an athletic cut, providing comfort…
