(TL:DR I’m not sponsored, nor am I ever likely to be) A short, slightly ranty, explainer piece, to clear up a misconception, and a couple of snide, trollish* digs. Digs about my status as a punter who’s somehow become a sponsored athlete and influencer. To get that idea in Read more…
One of a short series of pieces, looking at what I carry/use on solo, self-supported jaunts. Though I hope folk find something helpful here, it’s just geekery really. The links are to help you find things you might like; I’d always encourage you to try local independent shops first This is Read more…
One of a short series of pieces, looking at what I carry/use on solo, self-supported jaunts. Though I hope folk find something helpful here, it’s just geekery really. Why carry a first aid kit? Well, habit for one. And more practically if I get injured, I can maybe fix Read more…
FOR AVOIDANCE OF DOUBT: I use a fair bit of Inov-8 kit. It’s simple, it fits, and it works well in the UK hills. I have neither been paid for this review, nor been given the shoes by either Inov-8 or Accelerate. Okay, so what am I reviewing here? The shiny new Inov-8 X-Talon Read more…
Ah, Easter break last weekend; you enjoyed longer days and longer runs. And a realisation about socks. You need some new ones. You’ve time before May Day weekend though; but there are so many socks … So how about trying Injinji toe socks? Odd things. Odd, but comfortable and effective. Read more…
A literal hack this. Modern plastic whistles are great; light, loud and kind to your lips in cold weather. They are however, difficult to keep hold of, and have a bizarrely useless clip on the back. Solution? Chop the clip off, smooth the burr (a flame helps, plastic is difficult Read more…
Trekking poles, we know they can help whether uphill or down. We also know they’re often designed by Captain Complex; heavy, bulky and slow to set, or light and beyond flimsy. All this of course means many of us leave the things in the shop or at home.
These Trail Blaze poles from Mountain King may just change your mind. Super light(115-135g), fixed length(110-130cm), anodised alloy body, tungsten carbide tips, folding to about a quarter their open length(pic 1) and quick to rig they’ve got me using poles again.