Most people think you have to spend a small fortune to keep dry in British rain. I used to believe it myself, until one Dartmoor autumn taught me that expensive doesn’t always mean better. The Quechua MH500 jacket promises solid weatherproofing at a fraction of “prestige” brands. After countless foul-weather
This is one thing you need to know – cold hands can ruin a great trip. I’ve been there, wrestling with tent poles in a frosty breeze, fingers too stiff to work a zip. I must tell you; it’s no fun at all. So when heated gloves started popping up,
Two-person tents have a bit of a reputation. Most of the time, they’re barely big enough for one person and a backpack – never mind two humans and their gear. I once found myself crammed into a budget tent in the Lake District, elbow-to-elbow with my mate and soaked kit.
Let’s get straight to it – some boots look good on paper, but fall apart once you’re knee-deep in mud or halfway up a sodden ridge. That’s why we didn’t just wear the Scarpa Terra GTX around the block and call it a day. No, we properly lived in them.
Let’s be honest – finding the right walking boots is a bit like dating. Some look great out of the box but fall apart at the first sign of bad weather. Others feel stiff as breeze blocks and never break in. Somewhere in between is where you’ll find the Meindl
Most people think you need a massive generator to stay powered up outdoors. You don’t. The Jackery Explorer 500 proves that lightweight and capable can go hand in hand – if you know its limits. I’ve seen this unit show up at campsites from Cornwall to the Cairngorms, powering everything
Most people think a rugged tent and sturdy boots are all you need for wild camping. That’s a rookie mistake. After enough mornings boiling water with a half-dead headtorch and trying to decide between charging your phone or running the fridge, you start to realise: power matters. A lot. If
Most people assume bigger means better when it comes to campervan awnings. But take it from someone who’s wrestled soaked canvas in sideways rain – bulk doesn’t equal bliss. I found that out the hard way on a stormy weekend in Snowdonia, where setup turned into a two-hour endurance test
Most people think any old down jacket will do the job in a British winter. Then the heavens open, the wind bites, and you’re soaked through before your first tea break. That’s why the Rab Valiance Jacket isn’t just “another puffy” – it’s designed to survive the worst kind of
Most campers think they can get by with a torch and a rusty stove – until the batteries die, the heater gives up, and your phone’s flat before breakfast. I’ve been there. Freezing in a tent with no light and a half-boiled kettle is no badge of honour – it’s
