Gear
Gender-specific Osprey Xenith and Xena rucksacks aimed at distance trekkers
Osprey's new large-capacity packs are aimed at long-distance trekkers and come in different versions for women and men.
Sidas insoles will ease the pain for Sir Ranulph Fiennes's Coldest Journey
Outdoors footwear specialist Sidas has stepped in to help adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes complete one of the toughest challenges ever attempted.
Two trailrunning shoe models unveiled by Karrimor
Karrimor, the venerable old British brand that can trace its origins to 1946 when it started making bicycle bags, is now owned by Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct group.
brasher's Fellmaster boot makes the grade for Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Boot brand brasher has received the seal of approval for one of its models from the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Osprey and Brunton aim their new gear at technology users
There will be more innovation on show in Munich when Osprey reveals a series of rucksacks aimed at the ‘urbanite’.
Helly Hansen adds trail-running gear to its spring collection
Fast-moving outdoor fans are catered for with Helly Hansen’s additions to its spring 2013 training collection.
On test: Zamberlan Baffin GT RR WL boots
Zamberlan Baffin GT RR Price: £185 Weight per pair: 1,560g (size 42) Sizes: European 38 to 48 (approx UK 5 to 12½) Material: 2.4mm to 2.6mm Hydrobloc Nabuk leather with Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Footwear waterproof membrane Colour: espresso Country of manufacture: Italy This boot is the updated version of the Baffin, and is aimed firmly at British hillwalkers, based on the wider Vibram Darwin WL sole, developed to accommodate Zamberlan’s new ZWL wider last.
On test: brasher Hillmaster II GTX boots
brasher Hillmaster II GTX Price: £150 Weight per pair (men’s size 9) 1,482g; (women’s size 5) 1,174g Sizes: men’s 7 to 14 (all half sizes except 12½ and 13½) ;women’s 3 to 9 (including halves) Material: 2.2mm to 2.4mm full-grain leather with Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Footwear waterproof membrane Colour: chocolate Country of manufacture: China What do you want from a walking boot.
Sherpa Adventure Gear unveils its Nepal-style winter outdoor range
Nepalese gear brand Sherpa Adventure Gear has unveiled its range for the winter season, from waterproof shell jackets to base layers.
Gold for Haglöfs Roca II softshell as Swedish firm bags four ISPO awards
A softshell jacket from Swedish brand Haglöfs has been named a gold winner at the giant ISPO trade show in Munich.
The North Face scoops Munich trade show awards with backpack and softshell
An innovative backpack and a softshell jacket have won awards for The North Face at one of Europe’s biggest trade shows.
On test: Marmot Project Alpha Jacket
On test: Marmot Project Alpha Jacket Price: £180 Weight: 439g Fabric: shell, combination of panels of 100 per cent nylon; 53 per cent polyester, 38 per cent nylon, nine per cent Elastene.
On test: Sherpa Lithang jacket and Tsepun baselayer
Sherpa Adventure Gear Lithang 3-Layer Jacket Price: £200 Weight: 543g (men’s); 432g (women’s) Fabric: Polyester main body with polyester panels.
Eider and Marmot unveil Polartec Alpha jackets ahead of ISPO trade show
Outdoor gear manufacturers are giving a tantalising glimpse of some of their upcoming goodies ahead of one of Europe’s biggest trade shows.
Marmot jackets among first to use Polartec's new breathable Alpha insulation
A brand new synthetic insulation fabric will start appearing in outdoor gear later this year. Polartec’s Alpha is, according to the company, focu...
Spiro Bodyfit compression baselayer claims to increase muscle performance
They grace the bodies of all sorts of athletes, from Olympians to rugby prop forwards, and now compression garments are on offer for outdoor enthusiasts.
On test: Patagonia Capilene 4 Expedition Weight Bottoms
On test: Patagonia Capilene 4 Expedition Weight Bottoms Price: £70 Weight: 153g men's; 130g women's Fabric: Polartec Power Dry High Efficiency, 91 per cent polyester; nine per cent Spandex Colours: Forge Grey or Black (men's), Nickel/Grey or Black (women's) Sizes: XS to XL Country of manufacture: Colombia We’ve had these baselayer bottoms for a couple of months but only now, with the onset of cold conditions, are we able to put them to the test properly.
Anti-allergen certification for Trangoworld self-inflating mattresses
Self-inflating mattresses from Spanish outdoor brand Trangoworld have been certified to an international standard guaranteeing their anti-allergenic qualities.