Gear reviews

Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Gerber Onyx 50 hand torch review

The Onyx 50 flashlight presents a blend of features that make it a practical option for outdoor pursuits. With its compact size, push-button tailcap switch, and an output of 30 lumens, it provides adequate brightness for various tasks. Powered by a single AA battery, it offers convenience and cost-effectiveness, especially for those who prefer not to invest in specialised batteries.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Forclaz hiking pole caps review

Designed for gripping on hard surfaces and reducing impact on your joints, these caps boast a flexible, yet robust design tailored for the rigours of hiking trails.

Crafted from 100% rubber, these caps from Decathlon feature a knobby pattern that ensures grip and traction on various terrains, from rocky paths to muddy trails. The rounded shape not only minimises noise but also absorbs shocks, providing a smoother hiking experience.

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hiking, bikepacking, Trekking Chris Shirley hiking, bikepacking, Trekking Chris Shirley

Hilly ‘Marathon Fresh’ running anklet socks review

In our humble opinion, the Hilly 'Marathon Fresh' anklet socks are a pretty great choice for ultramarathons, multi-day bikepacking races, and trekking adventures at an okay price.

Made with Polygiene fabric solution, these socks boast an anti-smell elimination feature that remains effective for a long time on these slow travel endeavours.

Designed to reduce the likelihood of blisters on the most challenging terrains, the anatomically defending ankle protectors provide stability and support on unstable ground, ensuring you can conquer any trail with confidence whether you’re on a bike or in boots.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Forclaz Inflatable Trekking Mattress - MT500 air L (180 x 52 cm) review

Needing a new air mattress for reconnaissance missions of the Pennine way, led us to buy this inflatable sleeping bag from Decathlon.

Weighing a mere 510g, this mattress is engineered to provide good insulation and support in the summer months without burdening your backpack. Its ultra-compact design packs down to just 1.7 litres, saving valuable space for other gear.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Forclaz MT500 hiking pole review

Embark on your hiking adventures equipped with the ultimate companion: the hiking pole designed for regular hikers and mountain trekkers alike.

Engineered to tackle rugged terrain with ease, this pole features a super-fast and precise adjustment system, ensuring great performance on any trail.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Montane Featherlite Micro-Down Jacket review

The Montane Featherlite Down Micro Jacket stands out as a really versatile and lightweight option for us outdoor enthusiasts engaged in a range of adventuress, from climbing, bikepacking to mountain walking.

Constructed with 100% recycled PERTEX QUANTUM nylon outer fabric, this jacket strikes a perfect balance between warmth, weight, and durability.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Firepot foods dehydrated meals -Porcini mushroom risotto

As avid outdoor enthusiasts, we understand the importance of a hearty and satisfying meal after a long day of pedalling, hiking or climbing.

We were thrilled to discover the Mushroom Risotto from Firepot foods as a nicer alternative to dried noodles, and this rice-based meal with pan-fried porcini and chestnut mushrooms, is definitely a game-changer for any outdoor adventure!

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Alpkit Hunka XL waterproof bivvy bag review

The XL Hunka bivvy bag, expertly tailored to accommodate longer sleeping bags and bigger people, offers a snug yet spacious shelter for us adventurers seeking a dry outdoor experience.

Built with versatility in mind, it seamlessly transforms your sleeping arrangement into a protective cocoon, amplifying the joys of sleeping under the stars without a tent if you want to (assuming the midgies aren’t attacking you!).

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Hiking, Trekking, Remote adventure Chris Shirley Hiking, Trekking, Remote adventure Chris Shirley

Altberg warrior boot review

Whilst the Altberg warrior boot was designed for military, it’s also incredibly well suited to adventurers, trekkers and those travelling in remote places!

Available in a wide range of sizes from 3 to 14 UK, including half sizes, it provides a good fit for every foot that needs stability and grip in mud. Constructed with 2.4mm full grain Anfibio leather, renowned for its water-repellent properties, the boot's upper promises durability and weather resilience, making it a dependable choice for exploring remote terrains where unpredictable weather conditions prevail.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

ISM PR 2.0 bike Saddle review

I bought this in 2017 and have found it to be an excellent saddle for mountain biking, gravel riding and multi-day bikepacking trips on roads.

The PR 2.0 saddle features a split nose design, which allows the rider to sit comfortably without putting any pressure on sensitive soft tissues. The saddle also has a large cut-out in the centre that further relieves pressure on the perineum area, reducing the risk of numbness and discomfort.

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Ciccerone Pennine way guide

The Ciccerone guidebook detailing the Pennine Way presents a comprehensive and invaluable resource for seasoned hikers and adventurers (such as those aiming to complete the Montane Spine Race) seeking to conquer England's most challenging National Trail. From its meticulously detailed route description to the convenient inclusion of OS 1:25,000 mapping, this guidebook is a must-have companion for anyone embarking on the 427km journey from Edale to Kirk Yetholm.

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Grangers 2-in-1 cleaner and waterproofer

This 2-in-1 cleaner and waterproofer by Grangers offers a convenient solution for cleaning and reproofing your outdoor gear, addressing the challenge we all face in preserving waterproofness and maintaining fabric performance.

The specially formulated solution effectively cleans and enhances the water repellency of all types of outdoor fabrics, including Gore-Tex, in just one wash cycle. By combining powerful cleaning agents with durable water repellency technology, the product not only removes dirt and stains but also restores the protective properties of the fabric.

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Marathon des Sables, hiking, camping, travel Chris Shirley Marathon des Sables, hiking, camping, travel Chris Shirley

Inov-8 parkclaw 275 trail running shoes

The Inov-8 Parkclaw 275 trail running shoes are designed for different terrain, offering comfort and performance on both trails and roads – which is why I picked them for the Marathon des Sables in 2019.

Engineered with a dual-usage design, they provide exceptional grip and traction with their Multi-Directional Claw lugs, ensuring stability on rugged terrain while still allowing for smooth transitions on paved surfaces.

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Montane Icarus lightweight down jacket

The Montane Icarus jacket boasts versatility and comfort, making it a good choice for a range of outdoor adventures in various conditions.

Its snug fit provides warmth without overheating, especially in cool, windy weather, while the synthetic PrimaLoft ThermoPlume fill offers a soft and comfortable feel akin to down insulation.

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Insta 360 X3 action camera and invisible selfie stick

The Insta360 X3 is a fantastic camera for adventurers venturing into the natural world, whether conquering the vast Atlantic Ocean during a rowing expedition, tackling rugged trails and deserts in multi-day endeavours, or pushing boundaries in gruelling bikepacking races.

With its ability to capture 5.7K 360-degree video and harness the power of AI for editing, this action camera ensures every moment of the journey is immortalised in sharp, vivid detail, empowering adventurers to relive our conquests from any angle using intuitive reframing tools.

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Garmin Fenix 5x multisport watch

The Garmin Fenix 5X is a high-end, multi-sport GPS watch with advanced features for outdoor and fitness activities that you’ll probably see on just about every athlete in adventure these days!

It has a large, colour display and a variety of built-in sensors, including GPS, GLONASS, and heart rate monitoring (through a red light on the back).

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Chris Shirley Chris Shirley

Sidas snow walk crampons (from Decathlon)

The crampons are versatile and ideal for various activities, offering stability on both icy streets and short hikes in hard, packed snow. With nine non-slip metal spikes, they provide reliable grip on such terrains, ensuring safety during flat terrain treks.

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Travel, Climbing, Mountaineering, Hiking, Bikepacking Chris Shirley Travel, Climbing, Mountaineering, Hiking, Bikepacking Chris Shirley

Garmin Inreach mini satellite communicator

The Garmin Inreach Mini is a compact and lightweight satellite communication device that allows users to send and receive text messages and track their location in remote areas where cell service is not available. It uses the Iridium satellite network to provide global coverage, and it can also be paired with a smartphone or tablet for messaging through the Garmin Earthmate app.

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Whether you're a seasoned climber seeking new mountains to conquer, an endurance runner craving the rush of Marathon des Sables, or a bikepacker in search of the perfect mult-day route, we've got you covered. 

Check out our curated collection of articles, categorised to ensure you find the gear that speaks to the adventure you’re seeking to complete: