Independent reviews
From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.
Backpacking Gear
A closer look at two synthetic insulated pieces for three-season backpacking, covering warmth, weight, packed size, customization, and value against comparable down gear.
Rain Jackets
A practical look at the Enlightened Equipment Visp Rain Jacket, a roughly 5.5-ounce ultralight shell with a slim layer-friendly fit, long sleeves, pit zips, and a large adjustable hood.
Camping Stoves
A detailed look at the Esbit 1100ml Cook Set, a solid fuel stove system that heats water reliably but carries a high price and a very specific use case.
Camping Stoves
A practical look at the large Esbit solid fuel stove, from its 6.1 oz galvanised steel frame and 12 tablet capacity to the pot fit, wind exposure and burn time trade-offs that shape who should buy it.
Camping Fuel
Two 27 gram solid fuel tablets go head to head on burn time, heat, odour, and value, so you can pick the right one for your kit.
Backpacking Gear
A practical guide to the gear order that makes a first backpacking trip easier, plus four field-tested picks covering navigation, food and water treatment.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at three backpacking essentials covering first aid, emergency communication, and safe drinking water, plus how to decide what your own trips require.
Outdoor Gear
A practical look at five day hiking essentials, including a lightweight rain shell, two insulating layers, and two first aid kits for longer days on the trail.
Hiking Gear
A practical look at five day hiking essentials, including a lightweight rain shell, two insulation options, and first aid kits at two levels of completeness.
Sleeping Pads
A practical comparison of two well-regarded three-season sleeping pads, covering comfort, insulation, weight, bulk, noise, and valve design.
Everyday Carry
A practical everyday carry roundup covering a slim wallet, wireless earbuds, a pocket flashlight, a phone setup, a folding knife, a smartwatch, and a tracker, with the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
Everyday Carry
Seven everyday carry items that earn their place in a daily rotation, from a minimal bifold wallet and a magnetic pocket flashlight to a folding knife and a Bluetooth tracker.
Climbing Shoes
A soft bouldering specialist and two all-day trad shoes from Evolv, compared by feel, rubber, fit, and the kind of climbing each one suits.
Climbing Shoes
The Evolv V6 is a flat-feeling, vegan climbing shoe aimed at new climbers progressing toward V6, with a stiff forefoot, relaxed heel, and easy on-and-off design.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at the Mirage merino sun hoodie, the Space Ranger and Ranger 2.0 backpacks, and the 750 and 1100 cook pots from Evolve Supply Co.
Backpacks
A detailed look at the Evolve Supply Co Ranger, a frameless roll top backpack with recycled laminated fabric, a modular accessory system, and two build options.
Sleeping Pads
Two of the only sleeping pads with tested R values above 10, compared on warmth, comfort, stability, noise and price.
Backpacking Gear
Eight comfort-focused backpacking items, from a 608 g framed pack to a complete sleep system, with what each one does well, where it falls short, and the cheaper alternatives worth knowing about.
Backpacking Gear
A practical look at ten high-end backpacking items, where the money genuinely buys comfort and weight savings, and where a budget alternative makes more sense.
Backpacking Gear
Two experienced backpackers, one trail, two very different kits. A practical look at the packs, shelters, sleep systems, and layers that earned a place in each pack.
Camper Vans
A short-wheelbase, low-roof Ford Transit camper conversion built for travel, with a finished interior, all-wheel drive, and a deliberately simple set of systems.
Winter Camping Gear
A practical look at three pieces of extreme cold sleep gear, the Therm-a-Rest XTherm NXT pad, the Therm-a-Rest Polar Ranger bag, and the Enlightened Equipment Revelation Apex quilt, and how they fit together.
Backpacking Gear
A practical fall backpacking kit built around a warmer sleep system, regulated cooking and a pack with room for bulkier layers.
Backpacking Gear
Six lightweight pieces for fall backpacking, including a draft-free down sleep system, a three layer jacket combination, and cold weather accessories that earn their place.
Backpacking Gear
Nine practical gear swaps for fall backpacking, from a roomy white Dyneema pyramid shelter to an honest 20°F down bag, a comfortable pad, a light down jacket, a GPS watch and a winter pack.
Camping Stoves
A six-month look at the Fam G Tripod Alcohol Stove, a budget alcohol stove kit that pairs a double-wall burner with a stainless steel tripod stand and a storage bag.
Backpacking Gear
Three pieces of family backpacking gear worth a closer look: a three-person Dyneema shelter, a framed child carrier with 36 L of storage, and a merino blend sock with a lifetime warranty.
Family Camping Gear
Seven family camping upgrades tested on a real trip, from a low insulated loveseat to a six-person tent, a washable sleeping pad, and a baby sleep setup.
Camping Gear
A practical walkthrough of the tents, sleep systems, camp kitchen gear, storage, power, and furniture that make family car camping comfortable.
Camping Gear
A practical look at the tents, sleep systems, cooking gear, storage and camp furniture one family takes on car camping trips, plus what to weigh before buying.