Hiking Gear
Six Pieces of Long-Distance Hiking Gear Worth Carrying
Rain protection, hand warmth, socks, footwear, layering, and sun coverage: six pieces that earned their place on a cold, wet long-distance trek.
Independent reviews
Product Reviews and Buying Guides – 548 / 805
From everyday tech and home products to lifestyle and specialist gear, each review focuses on practical use, strengths, limitations, and who the product suits.
Base Layers
Mesh vs Wool Base Layers: Three Cold-Weather Options Compared
A Brynje mesh layer, a lightweight WoolX merino top, and an Arc'teryx zip layer compared on warmth, water retention, drying time, and price.
Camera Backpacks
Moment x Alex Strohl Mountain Light Backpack Review: A 45L Pack Built for Hiking With Cameras
A detailed look at the Moment x Alex Strohl Mountain Light Backpack, a 45-liter pack that carries camera gear comfortably on day hikes, overnights, and flights, plus the trade-offs worth knowing before you buy.
Outdoor Gear
Mount Kilimanjaro Gear List: 14 Items Worth Carrying Up the Mountain
A practical Kilimanjaro packing list covering the daypack, sleep system, hydration, rain gear, and electronics that make the biggest difference on the mountain.
Backpacking Shelters
Mount Laurel Designs Poncho Tarp and Solo Bivvy Review: A Field-Tested Ultralight Shelter System
A field-tested look at the Mount Laurel Designs Pro Rain Poncho Tarp paired with the Super Light Solo Bivvy, covering weight, weather protection, condensation, and who this ultralight setup suits.
Hiking Gear
Mountain Equipment Waterproof Gear Roundup: Four Layers Worth Knowing
Four Mountain Equipment waterproof pieces, from packable overtrousers to a down-insulated shell, with the strengths and trade-offs to weigh before buying.
Backpacking Tents
MSR Elixir 2 Review: The Roomy Three-Season Two-Person Tent That Earns Its Place
A practical look at the MSR Elixir 2, a roomy three-season two-person backpacking tent that includes a footprint and prioritises living space and durable fabrics over low weight.
Outdoor Gear
New Backcountry Gear 2026: Eight Bikepacking and Backpacking Picks Worth a Look
Eight new pieces of bikepacking and backpacking gear for 2026, from a silt-friendly water filter to a custom three-quarter sleep system.
Backpacking Gear
New Backpacking Gear for Family Trips: Zpacks Trio Pivot, Osprey Poco Premium, and Bombas Merino Socks
A three-person Dyneema shelter, a 36-liter child carrier, and a pair of merino blend socks: what each piece solves, what it costs, and the trade-offs to weigh before a family overnight trip.
Backpacking Tents
Nordisk Norheim 1 Review: A Four-Season Solo Tent With Real Living Space
A close look at the Nordisk Norheim 1, a four-season solo backpacking tent with a 30D sil nylon fly, a 70D bathtub floor, twin doors and vestibules, and interior space that sets it apart from the tent it is inevitably compared with.
Tents
Nordisk Vardag 1 Review: A Four-Pole All-Season Solo Tent Built for Bad Weather
A close look at the Nordisk Vardag 1, a 3.2 kg solo backpacking tent with four 9.6 mm DAC poles, a 3,000 mm fly, a 10,000 mm bathtub floor, and a canopy that lifts into a sheltered porch.
Backpacking Tents
Nordisk Vern 1 Review: A Four-Season Solo Tent With Two Doors on One Side
A four-season solo backpacking tent with twin doors on one side, a 328 cm floor plan, and a 1.7 kg packed weight, plus the trade-offs to weigh before buying.
Hiking Boots
Nortivate Waterproof Full-Height Hiking Boots Review: Serious Value Under £50
A waterproof, comfortable full-height hiking boot with a generous fit and a low price. Here is what it does well and what to check before buying.
Emergency Communication
Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 vs Garmin inReach and ZOLEO: Which Emergency Beacon Belongs in Your Pack?
A practical look at the Ocean Signal rescueME PLB1 and how it compares with the Garmin inReach and ZOLEO Satellite Communicator for off-grid emergencies.
Backpacking Tents
OEX Panther 2 UL Review: A Sub-1.5 kg Summer Backpacking Tent
A genuinely spacious two-person ultralight tent that weighs under 1.5 kg all in, with clear summer-only limits worth understanding before you buy.
Camper Van Awnings
Olpro Uno Breeze V2 Review: A Weatherproof Inflatable Camper Van Awning
A detailed look at the Olpro Uno Breeze V2, an inflatable camper van awning with a 5,000 mm hydrostatic head, flexible panel layouts, and serious wind stability.
Backpacking Gear
OM Classic 32 and Add-Ons: A Modular Ultralight Backpack System
A practical look at the OM Classic 32 and its clip-on pods, which together turn a 32 litre frameless pack into a roughly 45 litre modular setup.
Filming Gear
One-Person Filming Kit: 10 Pieces of Gear That Keep a Solo Setup Running
A practical look at the cameras, lens, support, audio, and editing hardware that hold a solo filming workflow together in real weather.
Backpacking Backpacks
Osprey Exos 48 Review: A Framed Backpack That Stays Under 1.3 kg
A close look at the Osprey Exos 48 after a year of use: the frame and suspended mesh back panel, the removable lid, the load range it handles well, and the extras to budget for.
Backpacking Backpacks
Osprey Volt 65 Review: A Mid-Range Backpacking Pack That Rewards Careful Loading
The revived Osprey Volt 65 pairs a 1.9 kg build with an 11 to 16 kg load range, a full front J-zip, and an adjustable back panel. Here is how it holds up on real trips.
Outdoor Books
Outdoor Books for Ireland: 10 Guide Books and Skills Reads Worth Owning
Ten outdoor books for Ireland and beyond, from route guides and coffee table inspiration to field guides and skills manuals, with a clear look at what each one does best.
Outdoor Gear
Outdoor Research Helium Pants Review: A Packable Rain Shell for Your Legs
A close look at the Outdoor Research Helium Pants, a lightweight Pertex Diamond Fuse rain layer that packs into its own pocket and pairs with the Helium jacket.
Outdoor Gear
Outdoor Research MGS Shell Gloves: A Gore-Tex Shell That Makes Sense at Surplus Pricing
A waterproof, windproof Gore-Tex shell glove built for layering over a liner, with a steep $270 retail tag and a surplus market that changes the maths.
Ultralight Backpacks
Outdoor Vital Shadowlight Review: A Sub-2 lb Ultralight Backpack With Real Features
A close look at the Outdoor Vital Shadowlight, a sub-2 lb ultralight backpack offered in 45 L and 60 L with zipper access, a tall stiff frame, and reinforced high-wear fabric.
Travel Backpacks
Outdoor Vitals Kota UL Review: One Pack for Flights, Cars, and Backcountry Camps
A close look at the Outdoor Vitals Kota UL, a travel-first backpack designed to stay comfortable under backpacking loads and still slide into an overhead bin.
Camping Sleep Accessories
Outdoor Vitals LoftTek Hybrid Balaclava Review: A Cold-Weather Hood for Top Quilt Sleepers
A lightweight insulated hood built for top quilt sleepers who need head warmth in the 20s and 30s, with a fit system designed to stay put overnight and insulation that keeps its loft when it gets damp.
Camping Lanterns
Outtask Telescoping Lantern Review: One Light, Many Jobs
A telescoping tripod lantern with magnetic feet, a rotating head, a power bank, and long runtimes. Here is what works, what does not, and who should consider it.
Backpacking Clothing
PCT Clothing List: Eight Lightweight Pieces From a Sub-7-Pound Base Weight Kit
A Pacific Crest Trail clothing kit built around breathability, durability, and layering, with eight pieces worth copying and the trade-offs to understand first.
Backpacking Gear
PCT Gear Changes: Ten Thru-Hiking Swaps and Upgrades Worth Knowing
Ten practical gear changes for long-distance backpacking, from wind pants and an ultralight trowel to camera downsizing, battery strategy and pack volume.
Trail Nutrition
Powder Drink Additives for Hikers and Backpackers: Three Options to Consider
A practical look at three powder drink additives for long-distance hiking, what each one adds to trail nutrition, and the trade-offs to weigh before buying.