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…
Looking for the top 10 walking shoes of 2025? Want to power walk the city, hike forest paths, or rack up steps on your daily commute? Here, we break down the best-selling walking shoes for men and women to meet a range of needs from joint-supporting cushioning to barefoot-like flexibility. Our picks focus on real-world…
The Aurora 2 is a spacious, durable, and comfort-focused tent that straddles the line between backpacking and basecamp. Build & Materials The tent comes with a footprint included, which is rare at this price point and adds value and longevity. The materials feel robust—more like a car camping tent than a fragile ultralight shelter. Setup…
I bought the Fidlock TWIST 590 after my partner bought an electric Mountain Bike with limited frame space. After a few months of use across road, gravel, and MTB trails, I can confidently say: this isn’t just a bottle—it’s a system. And it works. Magnetic Mounting System I’ve never lost a bottle, even on rooty…
A rugged, supportive approach shoe built for long days and rough terrain Build & Materials The Boulder X is built like a tank. The full rubber rand wraps the toe and sides, offering serious protection against rock strikes and abrasion. The board-lasted construction gives it a stiff, supportive feel—more akin to a light mountaineering boot…
Big Adventures, Small Prices Top 10 AliExpress Camping Products of 2025: In a world of carbon-titanium-this and Dyneema-that, it’s easy to assume quality outdoor gear must come with a premium price tag. But AliExpress has quietly become a goldmine for savvy adventurers hunting high-performance gear without the designer markup. Yes, there’s the occasional gamble—but if…
The Compact Hiker Trekking poles are a pragmatic blend of simplicity, durability, and trail-friendly packability, clearly geared toward hikers who value low bulk without compromising on strength. At just 275 g per pole and a collapsed length of 38 cm, they’re tailored for those who move fast and light—especially useful if you’re integrating them into…
Specs & Construction Comfort & Warmth This quilt punches well above its price point. I’ve used it down to 2°C with a decent pad (R-value 4.5) and a light puffy, and stayed warm all night. The loft is generous, and the down doesn’t migrate much thanks to the box baffle construction. The zippered footbox and…
In a world of bloated pack designs and endless attachment loops, the Black Diamond Rock Blitz 15 stands out as a streamlined, purpose-built alpine pack designed with precision. Originally released as a minimalist companion for multi-pitch climbing, it’s grown in popularity among alpine scramblers, fast-packers, and technical hikers seeking low-profile efficiency with reliable storage and…
A Minimalist’s Dream Shelter The Outdoor Research Helium Bivy is a top-tier ultralight shelter designed for fast-and-light backpackers, bikepackers, and alpine climbers. Weighing just 494g and packing down to the size of a water bottle, it’s one of the lightest hooped bivy sacks on the market. But does its minimalist design compromise comfort or protection?…
A Budget Chair That Overdelivers The Moon Lence Backpacking Chair has quietly become one of the most popular ultralight camp chairs on Amazon—and for good reason. With a sub-£40 price tag, a 900g weight, and a surprisingly comfortable bucket seat, it’s a compelling alternative to premium models from Helinox, Big Agnes, and REI. But is…
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,…
