The Great Outdoors Gear of the Year Awards

The Nice Open air Gear of the Yr Awards 2024 are right here, a choice of 30 very good merchandise in 16 classes. These awards recognise the perfect outside gear accessible, all totally examined by our crew of skilled knowledgeable gear testers within the hills and wild locations from the Scottish Highlands to Dartmoor.

Annually, our crew does a whole lot of hours of area testing in all weathers and seasons, throughout Britain and additional afield. From this, we draw up a shortlist, which results in extra dialogue and deliberation. Belief is essential to the whole course of: we solely award in classes the place we establish a transparent candidate, and all our exams are carried out 100% independently. We’ve additionally awarded manufacturers pushing innovation and sustainability, manufacturers which are driving ahead the outside {industry} to raised and extra environmentally pleasant merchandise. So, with out additional ado, we current our decide of the crop for 2024; The Nice Open air Gear of the Yr Awards 2024.

The Nice Open air Gear of the Yr Awards jury: Lara Dunn, David Lintern, Peter Macfarlane, John Manning, Kirsty Pallas, Alex Roddie, James Roddie, Fiona Russell, and Chris Townsend.

Our gear evaluations are renown for his or her rigour, trustworthiness and independence. With over 200 years’ expertise between them, the crew consists of mountain leaders and instructors, wildlife rangers and wildlife photographers, scramblers, hikers, bikers, boaters and runners.

Primary picture: Deep within the Fisherfield | Credit score: David Lintern

The Nice Open air Gear of the Yr Awards 2025: the classes

Mountaineering boots

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX

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“The Mojito Hike GTX is a particularly snug, supportive strolling boot of the type that you simply quickly neglect you’re carrying”, says tester John Manning, who wore them on this 12 months’s TGO Problem, and gave them Males’s Finest in Check in a three-season boot overview. The boots have waterproof suede uppers, a BlueSign Authorized PFC-free Gore-Tex lining, an EVA midsole, a Vibram XS Trek rubber outsole, and a climbing shoe-like all the way down to the toes lacing system. John discovered the final a significant component – it “means you’re in a position to obtain a exact, supportive match down just about the whole size of the boot”.

On check the boots had simply the correct quantity of flex to help every step with out tiring the ft, the Vibram outsole gave nice grip and enabled a pure strolling motion, and water merely ran off the suede higher, even when crossing flooded floor. To cite John Manning once more: “a cracking mountain climbing boot”.

Learn John’s full overview of the Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX.

www.scarpa.co.uk

Extremely Counseled: Salewa Alp Coach Mid GTX

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Lara Dunn, who gave the Alp Coach Mid GTX Ladies’s Finest in Check in a three-season boot overview, says these boots “sit on the level on the mountain climbing boot continuum the place they provide good efficiency for day walks with a lightweight pack, by way of to being completely able to dealing with a for much longer trek with a heavy load”. The mid-height boots are created from suede with a protecting rubber edging and have a Gore-Tex Prolonged Consolation internal.

They function climbing-shoe model lacing proper to the toes for a extra exact match, a sturdy Vibram Hike Strategy sole, and a customisable Multi-Match Footbed with detachable layers. Lara Dunn says the final is a “bonus when it comes to match … you’ll be able to nice tune through the use of completely different layer mixtures to make the amount of the boots spot on in your wants”.

Learn Lara’s full overview of the Salewa Alp Coach GTX.

www.salewa.com

Mountaineering sneakers

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Eager NXIS EVO

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Tester Lara Dunn says “the Eager NXIS EVO are so snug straight from the field and provides such an agile and bouncy path expertise that they’ve shortly grow to be my go-to mountain climbing shoe”. The light-weight sneakers, which Eager says have a operating shoe really feel, function a mesh higher with overlays for sturdiness, a Eager.Dry waterproof/breathable membrane, compression-moulded foam midsole, and a Eager.All-Terrain outsole which Lara Dunn discovered provides “good traction on quite a lot of surfaces and situations. I’ve been having no points within the peanut butter-like mud and gravel of the Malverns”.

Environmental credentials are good because the sneakers have a PFAS-free DWR therapy and pure, pesticide-free odour management therapy. Lara Dunn says “the PFC-free therapy of the mesh cloth uppers and the waterproof membrane, these reliably maintain ft as dry as sneakers can, however with out overheating. I wouldn’t hesitate to make use of all of them 12 months spherical”.

Learn Lara’s full overview of the Eager NXIS EVO.

www.keenfootwear.co.uk

Extremely Counseled: La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX

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La Sportiva says “this leather-based boot is devoted to hikers searching for a technical product for strategy routes, mountain climbing and through ferrata”. On testing the TX5 Low GTX Alex Roddie agreed, writing “I discovered this shoe nice for all kinds of mountain purposes – with a slight bias in direction of steep and rocky stuff”. With nubuck leather-based uppers protected by a rubber rand and toecap the sneakers are designed to deal with rocky terrain. Different options are a Gore-Tex Prolonged Consolation membrane, EVA midsole, and Vibram Megagrip sole.

Alex Roddie says they’re burly and comparatively stiff as mountain climbing sneakers go and supply “boot-like stability in a shoe.” He “discovered them significantly good for scrambling due to a constructive edge (and the stiffness additionally helps them to carry out on small holds)”.

Learn Alex’s full overview of the La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX.

www.lasportiva.com

Waterproof jackets

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Rab Namche

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The Namche is among the first jackets to make use of the brand new fluorocarbon-free ePe membrane and has a recycled polyester outer with a PFC-free DWR therapy so its environmental credentials are wonderful. Tester Chris Townsend mentioned of the brand new membrane “breathability is way the identical…I most likely wouldn’t know the membrane was completely different if I hadn’t been advised”.

The jacket has a hood with wired stiffened peak, two mid pockets, and underarm zips. “Minimalist and useful”, mentioned Chris Townsend. After testing it in heavy rain, blizzards and ferocious winds on day walks and multi-day journeys within the Cairngorms he mentioned it’s “the perfect waterproof jacket I examined for year-round use because it’s substantial sufficient for extreme winter climate however not too heavy or cumbersome for summer time”. The Namche is designed for hillwalking somewhat than mountaineering and Chris appreciated the truth that it doesn’t have a helmet-compatible hood.

Learn Chris’ full overview of the Rab Namche.

www.rab.gear

Extremely Counseled: Sprayway Torridon

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The Torridon is an replace of Sprayway’s flagship Gore-Tex winter jacket from the Nineties. Tester Fiona Russell appreciated the longer size, the double stormguard over the entrance zip and the three-colour panelling, which come from that period, and mentioned “the considerably retro model additionally brings a unusually comforting sense of nostalgia”. The Torridon is created from PFCEC-free 3-layer polyester cloth with a PFC-free DWR and Sprayway is a member of the Truthful Put on Basis – “does effectively on eco and moral requirements”, says Fiona.

The jacket has massive pockets by which “you’ll be able to stow numerous gadgets, together with an OS map”, a superb hood with “good quantity, straightforward adjustment and a extremely good peak”, and “straightforward to make use of” underarm zips. After testing the Torridon on a spread of hill and mountain hikes, principally within the Scottish Highlands, in climate starting from chilly and windy to very moist Fiona mentioned the Torridon “provides a totally sturdy outer shell that could be very waterproof and windproof with good breathability”.

Learn Fiona’s full overview of the Sprayway Torridon.

www.sprayway.com

Insulated jackets

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Rab Mythic Extremely down jacket

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“Excellent for multi-day backpacking within the coldest Scottish winter situations…that is the jacket to purchase if you need the warmest insulation for the least weight. It looks like carrying a luxuriously gentle sleeping bag”. To say tester Alex Roddie was impressed with the Mythic Extremely is an understatement. The jacket that earns this reward is stuffed with 900 fill energy RDS-certified goose down with a Nikwax PFC-free hydrophobic therapy and has a PFC-free recycled Pertex Quantum 10D shell with a PFC-free DWR, though Alex does say this skinny cloth must be handled with care.

In use Alex examined the Mythic Extremely “throughout a really chilly journey within the Southern Cairngorms and was toasty heat always the place carrying it”. The Mythic Extremely has a hood with a stiffened peak, three pockets, elasticated cuffs, and an adjustable hem.

Learn Alex’s full overview of the Rab Mythic.

www.rab.gear

Extremely Counseled: PHD Okay-Sequence Yukon down jacket

The Okay-Sequence Yukon is one other fantastically heat down jacket. Tester Lucy Wallace describes it as “the warmest for its weight I’ve ever examined”. Stuffed with 1000 fill energy goose down the Yukon has a 40gsm Ultrashell nylon outer with a water-repellent coating, a detachable hood, 4 pockets, stretch cuffs and an adjustable hem. The match might be customised.

Lucy says “the general feel and appear of it’s old-school high quality, with operate taking priority over vogue”. Though she had a number of niggles over the sizing for ladies after being glad of it on a number of chilly in a single day camps above 600 metres Lucy says “I can’t reward it sufficient for total efficiency”. Her conclusion is that the Okay-Sequence Yukon is “splendid for treks at altitude, multi-day mountaineering in cool situations, and different chilly undertakings the place weight is essential”.

Learn Lucy’s overview of the PHD Okay-Sequence Yukon.

www.phdesigns.co.uk

Midlayers

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Rab Xenair Mild

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Rab says the Xenair Mild is “lively insulation you’ll be able to placed on and depart on, conserving you snug by way of fluctuating temperatures and peaks and troughs of exercise”. Tester David Lintern agrees, describing it as “my excellent lively insulation layer…a goldilocks, no nonsense midlayer I can depart on all day within the cooler months”. Stuffed with 40gsm PrimaLoft Gold Energetic insulation and with a 20D Pertex Quantum Air shell with PFC-free DWR this light-weight jacket has a easy design with three pockets, single pull hem adjuster, and cuffs with thumb-loops – “all of the options I would like and not one of the fuss”, says David.

To reinforce breathability there’s no insulation underneath the arms. General consolation and breathability are wonderful, David saying “by itself over a baselayer in cool, calm climate, it does an awesome job of sustaining a fair core temperature. Sandwiched between a hardshell and a fleece in full on winter situations, this Jacket does equally effectively and permits water vapour to flee the layering system”.

Learn David’s overview of the Rab Xenair Mild.

www.rab.gear

Extremely Counseled: Patagonia Nano Air Mild Vest

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The light-weight breathable Nano Air Mild Vest is designed to be worn on a regular basis, whether or not you might be stationary or transferring quick. Tester Chris Townsend discovered it really works effectively like this, saying “worn over a base layer and a wool shirt and underneath a water-proof jacket it’s stayed dry and saved me heat on cool, windy days, together with when strolling uphill with a giant pack” and discovering it very breathable and really snug.

The light-weight low bulk vest has good environmental credentials with 93% recycled insulation inside – Patagonia’s personal Full Vary polyester – and a 100% recycled PFC-free polyester shell. The design is useful. Options are a excessive collar and three pockets. The material is gentle, and Chris discovered it felt nice in opposition to the pores and skin. The fill is hydrophobic and he additionally discovered it stays heat and dries quick when moist.

Learn Chris’ overview of the Patagonia Nano Air Mild.

www.eu.patagonia.com

Mountaineering packs

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Osprey Stratos 26

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Tester James Roddie described the adjustable ventilated again system of this daypack as “exceptionally snug and breathable”. In addition to having a mesh again band held away from the again by a curved wire body the pack has ventilated foam on the shoulder straps and hipbelt. James says this “Airspeed suspension system helps to maintain your again cool in hotter situations and reduces perspiration”. The ladder system of again adjustment is simple to make use of and means the harness will match completely different again lengths.

The pack has facet mesh pockets, a zipped entrance pocket, zipped inner and exterior lid pockets, zipped hipbelt pockets and a zipped base pocket that holds a removable rain cowl. James authorized of the ‘Stow-On-The-Go’ attachments for strolling poles. The pack is created from 210D bluesign-approved nylon. James says the supplies are powerful and that is “clearly a sturdy product” that can final.

Learn Chris’ overview of the Osprey Stratos 26.

www.osprey.com

Extremely Counseled: Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60

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The light-weight Flex Capacitor has been a favorite of tester Chris Townsend for a few years. He feels the most recent model is the perfect but because it provides massive stretch mesh facet pockets, which he actually missed on the unique mannequin, and entrance straps lengthy sufficient connect a foam pad. The again system stays the identical with a inflexible curved Y-shaped body that’s longitudinally stiff however which twists backward and forward so the pack can transfer with you and thick mesh-covered foam pads that maintain the body and the contents away out of your again.

The Flex Capacitor in motion within the Fisherfield. Credit score: David Lintern

There’s an air hole throughout the decrease again the place the body curves for air flow. The hipbelt is vast and well-padded. Chris discovered the again system snug with 20kg hundreds. The pack additionally has an expandable entrance gusset, decrease stretch mesh water bottle holders, zipped hipbelt pockets, and stretch mesh shoulder strap pockets. It’s created from 420D nylon. Chris says the Flex Capacitor is “light-weight, snug, and hard”.

Learn Chris’s full overview of the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor.

www.sierradesigns.com

Sleeping baggage

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Mountain Gear Helium 600

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Mountain Gear says its Helium sleeping baggage are “effectively sized, supremely snug and low in weight, every Helium bag provides excellent all-round efficiency for backpackers.” After testing the Helium 600 Fiona Russell says “it’s uncommon that I agree with a model’s superlatives, however on this case, I principally do”. The Helium 600 is stuffed with 700 fill energy Down Codex-approved duck down and has a 100% recycled 20D nylon shell.

Mountain Gear provides it a Good Evening’s Sleep Temperature score of -8°C. It has slanted box-wall building and a full-length zip. The ladies’s model has a better down density within the footbox than the boys’s and a stretch zoned system to attract the bag around the physique. Fiona discovered the bag “very snug and heat” and appreciated the selection of two lengths and the ‘girls’s Alpine match’, a reduce suited to the feminine physique with narrower shoulders.

Learn Fiona’s full overview of the Mountain Gear Helium 600.

www.mountain-equipment.co.uk

Extremely Counseled: Therm-A-Relaxation Hyperion 32F/0C

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The Hyperion is a sleeping bag with simply 30% of the insulation within the base, which tester John Manning says is a smart weight-saving, as that space’s insulation’s effectivity is often diminished by being crushed when you sleep”. To maintain the hotter a part of the bag on prime there are a pair of ribbons that loop spherical your sleeping mat. John mentioned of those “I like them, simply”.

The fill is 900 fp Accountable Down Customary-certified Nikwax Hydrophobic Down in a box-wall building. The shell is a DWR handled 10D nylon ripstop, which John describes as having a gentle silky really feel. It has a consolation score of 5°C and a consolation restrict score of O°C. John says “as a heat sleeper, that’s enough for me exterior winter” and concludes “the Hyperion’s an opulent, actually lightweight (at simply 528g) three-season bag”.

Learn John’s full overview of the Therm-a-rest Hyperion.

www.thermarest.com

Tents

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Trekkertent Saor DCF

The Saor DCF is a freestanding light-weight two-pole dome tent, handmade by Trekkertent in Scotland. Dyneema Composite Material (DCF) could be very gentle and powerful and absorbs virtually no water. The 2024 model examined by David Lintern is less complicated to pitch than the earlier one because it has brief pole sleeves and clips somewhat than steady sleeves. The Saor has a stable internal and an enormous vestibule operating alongside the entire of 1 facet.

David says “the dome construction means excessive partitions so it’s straightforward to arrange a range safely. A big beak and a 2-way, climate resistant zip conspire to supply plentiful air flow even within the moist. The door might be opened absolutely or midway, or zipped within the different course altogether to create a ‘window’ “. He concludes “it’s a easy and really efficient design that’s gentle, sturdy and packs down small but gives actual consolation at camp …. a four-season shelter and really climate worthy”.

Learn David’s full overview of the Trekkertent Soar.

www.trekkertent.com

Extremely Counseled: Vango F10 Xenon UL2 Plus

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The F10 Xenon UL2 Plus is a three-pole tunnel tent with an enormous prolonged porch. It’s very light-weight for the dimensions as 2.11kg attributable to using light-weight supplies and poles. Alec Roddie didn’t discover any issues with this in his testing, which included “a number of nights of winter situations on summit camps within the Cairngorms”. He says the Gothic arch structure, which provides further energy, and the various adjustable pegging factors and guylines assist to counteract the light-weight versatile poles – “and make it among the finest tents examined for pitching on snow”.

Pitched tail to wind it supplied superb resistance to excessive winds and Alex discovered the inside dwelling house extraordinarily beneficiant with ample room for 2. He says that though “designed for four-season use, at a low weight it’s a beautiful alternative 12 months spherical. And the value of £410 makes it much more engaging”.

Learn Alex’s full overview of the Vango F10 Xenon UL2 Plus.

www.vango.co.uk

Security gear

Gear of the Yr Award Winner:  Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter

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The Emergency Storm Shelter is a light-weight waterproof bothy bag for 2-3 individuals. It has vents, home windows, reflective patches, and a drawcord hem. The material is brilliant orange, which makes it very seen. Tester Pete Macfarlane says it’s “a superb instance of emergency gear that you would be able to additionally use often” and, because it’s gentle and packs away effectively, he’s “joyful to hold it as on wet hill days it’s been a temper saver to climb into for lunch”.

He says the shelter might be shortly faraway from its stuffsack and you’ll be out of the snow and rain in seconds. The hem has drawcords with two adjusters at reverse sides to cinch it in, so the shelter kinds a protecting bubble form. Pete discovered it warms up shortly when you’re inside and says it’s easy and useful.

Learn Peter’s full overview of the Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter.

www.lomo.co.uk

Extremely Counseled: Petzl Irvis crampons

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Irvis crampons are light-weight and have 10 factors. They’re created from metal for sturdiness. They’re accessible with two completely different binding programs, with or with out toe and heel welts, to adapt to several types of footwear. Tester Kirsty Pallas appreciated this modular system saying she switched the configuration “relying on whether or not I used to be strolling or mountain climbing that day”. She says “the step-in entrance bail is gentle plastic, which moulds effectively to most boots and doesn’t depart gaps” and “the buckle (on the strap) is easy with gloves, and releases effectively, as does the heel lever”.

Mountain chief Kirsty examined the crampons on each private mountaineering days and as she delivered winter expertise programs throughout Scotland. She gave the Irvis Finest in Check in a overview of crampons for its gentle weight, affordability and modular design, saying “these crampons pack up the smallest and are the lightest within the check”.

Learn Kirsty’s full overview of the Petzl Irvis.

www.petzl.com

Stoves

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Soto Windmaster 4Flex

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Tester Chris Townsend says the light-weight Windmaster 4Flex is a “near excellent backpacking range appropriate for year-round use” that “boils water very quick, simmers effectively, and has higher wind resistance than comparable canister prime fashions”. The Windmaster 4Flex has 4 somewhat than three pot helps and these are vast and powerful sufficient to help massive pots.

The range has a regulated burner and Chris discovered “there’s little drop off in efficiency with a lower than half full canister even on a frosty morning”. Wind resistance comes from a raised rim around the burner and the closeness of the pot to the flame. Chris discovered this works fairly effectively. In a check of stoves the Windmaster had the quickest boil time. Chris says “if you need a quick brew this range can present it. On the similar time flame management is great and meals might be simmered with out burning”.

Learn Chris’ full overview of the Soto Windmaster 4Flex.

www.sotooutdoors.com

Extremely Counseled: Primus PrimeTech Range Set 1.3L

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The PrimeTech Range Set comes with burner, 2 1.3 litre pots, lockable pot grip, windscreen/pot help, piezo igniter, and insulated storage bag. It’s a distant canister range and the burner is built-in into the windscreen which provides it a low profile and makes it very secure. A preheat tube subsequent to the burner head means the canister might be inverted for higher efficiency in freezing situations.

It’s designed to be used by 1-3 individuals and tester Chris Townsend says it’s “a superb alternative for group cooking”. He appreciated the quietness of the burner in contrast with the roar of most canister stoves. One of many pots has a warmth exchanger on the bottom which reduces boil time and is extra gas environment friendly than the opposite pot, although boil time continues to be quick with this. Chris says “the PrimeTech is simple to assemble and environment friendly in use”.

Learn Chris’ full overview of the Primus PrimeTech Range Set 1.3L.

www.primusequipment.co.uk

Navigation

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: COROS Vertix 2S GPS Journey Watch

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The Vertix 2S is a GPS with a formidable battery life. Tester Kirsty Pallas says that is the standout function, “with a single cost simply lasting a full week of day by day recording full hill days and utilizing it to navigate”. She additionally discovered that “the mapping that comes with the COROS software program is great high quality, exhibiting contour options just like OS maps, and extra paths than on OS maps as there’s common updates.

The Coros within the wild. Credit score: Kirsty Pallas

It’s simple to obtain your route onto the watch, and you’ll comply with that for the day, with stats of the place you might be, and reminders should you go off route.” In addition to the mapping and site options the Vertix 2S has a coronary heart monitor, storm alert, altitude mode and far more. Kirsty additionally says “the buttons and dial are straightforward to make use of with gloves on, and regardless of having fairly small wrists, I didn’t discover it too cumbersome”.

Learn Kirsty’s full overview of the Coros Vertix 2S.

www.coros.com

Tech

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Flextail Zero Pump

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The Zero Pump is a tiny and ultralight system for inflating air mattresses and comes with nozzles to suit completely different mattress valves. Flextail says it’s the world’s smallest pump for sleeping pads. It runs off a chargeable, detachable, and replaceable battery. Tester David Lintern, who admits to leaning in direction of scepticism the place outside devices are involved, says “the Flextail Zero Pump has me second guessing my Luddism”.

He discovered it straightforward to connect and fast to inflate, even with thicker winter mats and has but to exhaust the battery even on a number of camps utilizing it throughout quite a lot of mats. It additionally deflated mats effectively. David concludes it “saves a great deal of effort, particularly with greater quantity mats”.

Learn David’s full overview of the Flextail Zero Pump.

www.flextail.com

Extremely Counseled: Samsung Galaxy XCover7

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The XCover7 is water, mud and drop resistant, which makes it splendid for the hills. This can be a cellphone that doesn’t want a case or particular care. Tester Chris Townsend says “I’ve used it in rain and carried it and not using a case in a jacket pocket the place it has been bumped and scraped and it’s been nice”. The cellphone additionally has a detachable battery, described by Chris as a spotlight.

He says “swapping batteries solely takes a couple of minutes and you’ve got a usable cellphone right away somewhat than having to connect it to a battery pack after which wait whereas it expenses”. He discovered that “one cost simply lasts me for a day of checking my place from time to time and taking images” and concludes that “it’s an awesome alternative for the hills”.

Learn Chris’ full overview of the Samsung Galaxy XCover7.

www.samsung.com

Equipment

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Midge Specs

A midge web with in-built glasses so you’ll be able to see by way of it clearly sounds an awesome thought and tester David Lintern discovered that it truly is. The glasses are prime quality polycarbonate work security glasses and are available two sizes – giant ones for carrying over prescription or solar glasses and a extra compact pair to be used on their very own. Each include arms that alter for each angle and size to suit completely different head sizes and shapes.

Midge Specs had been designed by photographer and climber Tim Parkin who was fed up with not having the ability to see correctly underneath normal midge nets. He makes the Midge Specs within the Highlands. The glasses have an anti-fog therapy and David has had zero points with steaming up. He’s additionally discovered that the glasses assist maintain the mesh away out of your face, decreasing the clammy feeling with different nets. He says “total, Midge specs are excellent for bettering imaginative and prescient whereas stationary and working ropes, cameras or different outside instruments in the summertime”.

Learn David’s full overview of the Midge Specs.

www.midgespecs.web

Extremely Counseled: Sigg Thermo Flask Gemstone IBT

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The Gemstone IBT is a stainless-steel vacuum flask with a pouring stopper and an insulated cup. It’s light-weight and compact – 30% lighter than normal bottles in response to Sigg. Tester Pete Macfarlane says “it matches simply into my smaller rucksacks”. The flask has deeply embossed channels down the physique which Peter discovered meant “it’s straightforward to grip with naked palms, gloves and when it’s moist”. He examined how lengthy contents took to chill down at residence and located the efficiency wonderful.

In real-life hill use, he says “I wanted to let the contents cool earlier than sipping at my first cease, and I nonetheless had a scorching drink on the finish of the day”. Dropping it onto rocks led to a number of deep dents on the bottom rim however these didn’t have an effect on efficiency in any respect.

Learn Peter’s full overview of the Sigg Thermo Flask Gemstone IBT.

www.sigg.com

Backpacking meals

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Radix Diet Basil Pesto

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Radix is a model centered on dietary high quality. The Basil Pesto meal has an extended listing of substances together with “additional virgin olive oil, pumpkin seeds, millet, buckwheat, cherries, kale, baobab fruit and far more” however as tester Alex Roddie factors out they’re all pure and “fortunately this leads to a splendidly various meal with scrumptious, complicated flavours and textures… I significantly appreciated the numerous greens and crunchy seeds within the combine. The basil pesto got here by way of, however was not overpowering, permitting lots of the pure flavours to shine.”

He additionally says, “I used to be impressed by the dietary data, which included exhaustive particulars of the nutritional vitamins and minerals included within the meal. This isn’t one thing I’ve seen from another model”. The dried meal rehydrates in its sachet and so is simple to arrange. For Alex, it’s close to excellent.

Learn Alex’s full overview of the Radix Basil Pesto.

www.radixnutrition.co.uk

Extremely Counseled: LYO Expedition Vegan Nettle Curry

Alex Roddie says “LYO Expedition make a few of the most fascinating and unique recipes within the realms of dehydrated outside meals – and the LYO Expedition vegan nettle curry has lengthy been a favorite of mine”. He says “it has quite a lot of greens – together with, sure, scrumptious nettle leaves. The result’s tasty and with wonderful texture. The rice is ideal too”.

The meal is available in a pack to which scorching water simply wants including then leaving for 9 minutes for the curry to rehydrate. Alex says the pack was straightforward to open and “this one scores extremely for ease of preparation, with two opening factors (you’ll be able to open it up like a bowl after hydrating) and each a fill line and a quoted fill quantity in millilitres”.

www.lyofood.com

The Award for Sustainability (Product)

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Montane Answer waterproof jacket

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Montane says: “We challenged ourselves to create a water-proof jacket the place each improvement determination was made to cut back its influence”. The result’s the Answer jacket created from 93% recycled materials and elements. The outer is Pertex Protect Revolve which has been resolution dyed to avoid wasting 50% water throughout manufacture and which has a PFC-free DWR. Pertex Protect Revolve can also be recyclable.

David testing out the Montane Answer Jacket. Credit score: David Lintern

The jacket has a hood with a stiffened peak, which tester David Lintern says “gives loads of depth and safety”, and “cavernous” pockets that “stay accessible above a hip belt…all zips are effectively guarded from the weather with sturdy storm flaps”. David discovered the jacket “felt protecting and sturdy throughout some foul winter climate over the check interval” and says “it is a nice, common goal three-season hillwalking jacket with wonderful environmental credentials”.

Learn David’s full overview of the Montane Answer.

www.montane.com

Extremely Counseled: Paramo Velez Journey Mild Smock

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The Velez Journey Mild Smock is created from Nikwax Analogy cloth with a PFC-free water repellent end and is absolutely recyclable by way of Paramo. One other sustainability plus level is that it may be reproofed often. “It may very simply final a long time” says tester Lara Dunn, and “flies the flag for real sustainability”. Paramo additionally makes use of assured Truthful Commerce manufacture in Colombia.

The jacket has lengthy facet zips that are nice for air flow, two massive kangaroo pockets, and a wired hood. Lara says “on lengthy, persistently soggy hikes that is the jacket I need to be carrying due to the good breathability and lively moisture transport of the material. It retains the wearer genuinely dry, with no concern of sweat build-up… completely appropriate for year-round use”. She additionally likes “the consolation supplied by the gentle, silky (non-crinkly) cloth”.

Learn Lara’s full overview of the Paramo Velez Journey Mild Smock.

www.paramo-clothing.com

The Award for Sustainability (Model)

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Paramo for 360 Circularity

Paramo has been selling sustainability because it was based and its merchandise have been recyclable for a few years. Now the corporate is now altering from mechanical recycling, the usual technique, which produces decrease high quality supplies every time to chemical recycling which maintains the standard of virgin supplies. Initially Paramo is utilizing chemically recycled yarns in two clothes, the Halkon 360 and the Aspira 360.

Paramo says “these merchandise exhibit the feasibility of a closed-loop provide chain and the potential for industry-wide adoption…to speed up sustainable practices, industry-wide collaboration is important. Growing demand for chemically recycled supplies will cut back prices and enhance recycling infrastructure…the outside {industry}’s superior use of artificial fibres positions it uniquely to guide the transition to a round financial system, considerably decreasing the ecological footprint and preserving assets for future generations”. In time Paramo will use these chemically recycled supplies throughout the product vary in order that virgin supplies are now not wanted.

www.paramo-clothing.com

Extremely Counseled: Gore-Tex for ePE

Because it was invented in 1976 the Gore-Tex membrane has been created from ePTFE – expanded polytetrafluorethylene. Now, that’s altering as a result of ePTFE incorporates PFCs (perfluoro chemical compounds) that don’t break down simply (therefore the title ‘ceaselessly chemical compounds’), and construct up within the surroundings, wildlife, and other people with probably poisonous results. Concern over PFCs has been main firms to seek for options and Gore has developed a brand new PFC-free membrane known as ePE – expanded polyethylene – with a PFC-free DWR.

The primary ePE clothes appeared in Autumn 2022 and Gore’s intention is for all its merchandise to be PFC-free by the tip of 2025. Which means ePTFE membranes will disappear. Gore says that ePE has been “rigorously examined for an extended product life” and is “durably waterproof, reliably breathable and completely windproof”.

www.gore-tex.com

The Award for Innovation (Product)

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Black Diamond Strategy Down Hoody

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The Strategy Down Hoody is a heat light-weight down jacket with a PFC-free hydrophobic end. The latter is the innovation that makes it stand out. Black Diamond says that the Inexperienced Theme Worldwide (GTT) Breathable Water Safety Know-how is “an environmentally pleasant, PFC-free DWR that’s superior in efficiency and considerably extra sturdy than different DWR options”. That is mentioned to completely fuse the water resistant end on to the fibres.

While he can’t but communicate for the long-term sturdiness tester Alex Roddie is impressed saying, “I’ve used the jacket loads over the previous couple of months and have seen zero deterioration within the DWR”. He additionally says he’s discovered the Strategy Down Hoody “an unusually rain-resistant down jacket”. A PFC-free DWR that’s efficient and lasts is a breakthrough innovation.

Learn Alex’s full overview of the Black Diamond Strategy Down Hoody.

www.blackdiamondequipment.com

Extremely Counseled: Constructed to Ship X Sequence Packs

Constructed To Ship packs are constructed for final energy and stripped-down simplicity. Eschewing the sophisticated again programs and a number of options of most fashionable packs Constructed To Ship packs have minimalist designs. The primary vary is the X-Sequence with 4 sizes in both black or white. Constructed To Ship says these are the best engineered and strongest packs on planet earth. The packs are hand-built within the UK.

Chris Townsend has extensively examined the biggest pack, the X3, and after utilizing it on a two-week backpacking journey in Knoydart mentioned it was a revelation. He discovered the design simply as snug with a 15kg load as far more complicated packs. Impressed with the toughness he additionally says “you might by no means want to purchase one other pack”.

Learn Chris’ full first have a look at the Constructed to Ship X3.

www.builttosend.com

The Award for Innovation (Model)

Gear of the Yr Award Winner: Gore-Tex for ePe

Altering the fabric that led to the muse of the corporate over forty years in the past and that has shaped the guts of each waterproof and windproof merchandise ever made underneath the Gore-Tex title is a daring transfer. By changing the ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluorethylene) membrane with a brand new ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane for sound environmental causes Gore-Tex has taken this step, after enterprise the analysis wanted to make sure the brand new membrane performs in addition to the previous. While the completed merchandise will look the identical that is the most important change in waterproof/breathable materials for the reason that unique Gore-Tex was launched and a serious innovation.

www.gore-tex.com

Chris Townsend’s Ones to Look ahead to 2025

There’s a wealth of recent merchandise within the pipeline for 2025 and our crew of substances testers shall be attempting them out over the approaching months.

Amongst those who look fascinating, past the winners of our Gear of the Yr Award winners, are:

A solo warmth exchanger range from MSR known as the Change
Revolutionary packs from Rab (the Veil XP) and Berghaus (the Distant Hike)
Three promising new air mattresses: the Therm-a-Relaxation NeoLoft; Rab Hypersphere Extremely 7.5; and Sea to Summit Ether Mild XR Professional
The Altra Lone Peak 9 – the primary Lone Peak shoe with a Vibram sole
An amazingly environmentally pleasant Terra Nova Photo voltaic Occasion 2 tent created from a brand new cloth that mixes recycled, resolution dyed, and PFC-free fibres
A robust and progressive Ledlenser HF8R Core headlamp
The sustainable Paramo Aspira 360 Smock

Watch this house for our gear exams in 2025.