Category Archives: Kit

28
Jun
2010

What is the best expedition backpack?

16 comments
Posted in Expeditions, Kit, Lists
During my preparation for next month’s expedition to Iceland I did a lot of research into what was the best large pack out there. Here are some of the good ones I found. Dana Design Astralplane Gregory Denali Pro, Gregory Massif, and Gregory Wind River Osprey Xenith and Osprey Crescent Aarn Bodypacks; the Load Limo CiloGear Work Sacks Arctic Dry Pack Mountain [...]

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22
Jun
2010

Top 10 bits of kit for a long walk

7 comments
Posted in Expeditions, India, Kit, Lists
10 of the best bits of kit that I took to India. 1. Orthotic insoles and trainers Profeet and Mizuno Wave Inspire 5 £149 (insoles and fitting), £68 / 252 grams (shoe) I used to associate long distance running and walking with inevitable injuries and pain. No longer. Since I began using Profeet’s orthotic insoles I have had no [...]

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15
Jun
2010

Kit selection for a walk across India

4 comments
Posted in India, Kit, Writing
The night train thunders past. The vibrations shake the ground I am lying on through my small inflatable mattress. My head rests on my rucsack. From the darkness I snatch glimpses into the brightly lit carriages. As suddenly as it arrived, the train is gone. The darkness and the silence it leaves behind feel more [...]

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01
Apr
2010

Advice on packing light for expeditions

4 comments
Posted in Guest Blog, Kit
In this guest post Phil Turner, an ultralight backpacking specialist, shakes his head, tutts, and slaps my wrist for persisting with old, heavy, cheap kit! “I’ve been corresponding with Alastair for a while now regarding his gear choices for his upcoming walking and packrafting trip to Iceland. I have to admit I was slightly horrified by [...]

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31
Mar
2010

Review of hammocks

3 comments
Posted in Kit
Here jungle expedition leader and trainer Dom Hall from Fieldskills runs through his favourite hammocks for jungle camping: If you are camping in the rainforest there’s really only one way to do it – in a hammock. Hammocks are airy and cool, light to carry, easy to set up and give you loads of flexibility [...]

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06
Jan
2010

Top 3 Camping Stoves

9 comments
Posted in Kit, Lists
Continuing my occasional series of inviting gear geeks to review kit on my site (because I don’t know a lot about kit!): here outdoor enthusiast Eric Tomczak shares his thoughts on his favourite three lightweight camping stoves; the MSR Whisperlite International, Jetboil and Snow Peak Gigapower. MSR Whisperlite International The Whisperlite International has set the standard for [...]

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15
Oct
2009

Micro Adventure kit list

3 comments
Posted in Expeditions, Kit
Following on from last month’s guest kit review by Steve Lord on his Top 3 Touring Bicycles, here adventurer Kevin Shannon gives us an insight into what he carries on the micro adventures he does to keep him sane until he sets off to cycle round the world. I like Kevin’s attitude of “Just Do [...]

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08
Sep
2009

Top 3 Touring Bikes

8 comments
Posted in Cycling, Kit
I have had a few requests for some technical blog posts, gear reviews and the like for the gear head geeks out there. I’m not an expert on kit at all. Most of my equipment choices are based on a) what’s cheap b) what’s already in my cupboard at home. But I am well aware that posts on gear [...]

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