Gear

On test: two- to three-season walking boots reviewed
Twelve pairs of walking boots put to the test through extensive hoofing across the hills, but which scored best?.
Kathmandu's Gore-Tex wedding dress takes away the worry from outdoor brides' big day
Brides who want to celebrate in the great outdoors on their big day can now keep dry if the weather turns, with the launch of a wedding gown featuring waterproof Gore-Tex fabric.
Bird charity benefits from sales of Country Innovation Avocet jacket
The founder of a West Country brand has pledged to donate £10 to a bird conservation charity from each sale of a jacket aimed at birdwatchers and photographers.

On test: Teva Arrowood 2 Mid WP boots reviewed
Price: £130 Colour: blue/tan Weight: 764g/pair Construction: leather and suede uppers with fabric ankle cuffs Country of manufacture: Vietnam Sole stiffness: 2/10 Women’s version: yes Sizes: men’s 6-13; women’s 3-9 The Arrowood 2 Mid WP is the mid-height boot version of Teva’s lightweight shoe of the same name.
On test: Hanwag Tatra II GTX boots reviewed
Price: £230 Colour: grey Weight: 1,664g/pair (size 9½) Construction: Nubuck leather uppers Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Country of manufacture: Croatia Sole stiffness: 7/10 Women’s version: yes Sizes: men’s 6-13 (half sizes); women’s 3½-9 (half sizes) The Tatra II GTX is the updated version of the Bavarian boot brand’s best-selling model.
On test: AKU Superalp GTX boots reviewed
Price: £229.95 Country of manufacture: Italy Weight: 1,630g a pair Colour: black/grey Construction: suede and Air 8000 synthetic uppers Waterproofing: Gore-Tex Performance Comfort Sole stiffness: 7/10 Women’s version: yes Sizes: men’s 6-13; women’s 3-8 This Italian-made boot from AKU has been designed, the company says, for use over long distances, particularly backpacking trips when carrying heavier loads.

On test: walking poles reviewed
Walking poles are useful in spreading the load and aiding stability when walking. A well adjusted pair of poles can be used to take some of the strain...
Polartec's new Power Air fabric sheds five times fewer fibres than similar material
Outdoors textile company Polartec has unveiled a new fabric it says will cut down on the shedding of fibres.
PrimaLoft follows insulation innovation with new biodegradable fabric
Hot on the heels of its announcement on a new biodegradable recycled insulation material, PrimaLoft has unveiled its latest development: a biodegradable fabric.
On test: headtorches reviewed
A headtorch should be in every outdoor enthusiast’s kit. The ability to light your way when it gets dark could mean the difference between gettin...

Bridgedale launches Polarity Fusion science to end mystery of socks lost in wash
Leading brand Bridgedale has come up with a technical solution to that age-old problem faced by walkers: losing a sock in the wash.
On test: Danner Mountain 600 Weatherized insulated boot reviewed
Price: £178.89 Weight: 1,208g/pair Construction: full-grain leather uppers Country of manufacture: Vietnam Waterproofing: Danner Dry Insulation: PrimaLoft Gold 200g Sole stiffness: 5/10 Women’s version: yes, one width only Sizes: men’s medium width 7-14; wide 7-13; women’s medium width 3-8½ When we tested the version of Danner’s 600 boot without insulation, we were impressed by the performance of footwear that doesn’t look that technical but actually worked really well on the hill.
New Houdini fleece is first to use Polartec's biodegradable Power Air fabric
Swedish outdoors brand Houdini has revealed its first garment using the innovative Polartec insulation.

PrimaLoft unveils first outdoor brands to use its innovative biodegradable insulation
Insulation manufacturer PrimaLoft has announced five outdoor brands that will begin using its innovative biodegradable material.
On test: Lowa Locarno GTX Lo shoe reviewed
Price: £140 Country of manufacture: Slovakia Weight: 990g/pair Colour: brown Sizes: men’s 7-13; women’s 4-8 The Locarno GTX Lo is, in Lowa’s words, where lifestyle meets outdoor.
Grough's great big Christmas gift guide to goodies for the outdoor fan
December is now upon us, so we think it’s safe to mention the c-word now. What to buy the outdoor fanatic who already has a cupboard full of clot...

On test: lightweight waterproof jackets reviewed
You want to protect yourself from the wind and the rain, but you don’t want to add a huge amount to your kit’s weight.
On test: camp foods reviewed
One of the delights of reaching the end of a day’s activity on the hills is the anticipation of replacing all that expended energy with a tasty meal in the comfort of your camp.