Gear Reviews

Lightweight Hardshell - group test

Bruce Goodland and Kate Scott's comprehensive review of lightweight hardshell for Alpine and Scottish winter climbing.

 

Force Ten Alpine 25 rucksack

Keith Sharples reviews the Force Ten Alpine 25 rucksack. This 25L climbing pack is one of three in the range, the other two being 35L and 45L versions.

 

The North Face men’s Victory Hooded Jacket 

Keith Sharples checks out this mid-weight synthetic jacket designed for cool to cold conditions from The North Face.

 

Kouba Top & Vector nut protection

Kouba are a new brand to the UK market and Stewart Moody reviews two sets of their offset climbing nut protection that will appeal to climbers on a tight budget.

 

Edelrid Boa rope

A rope well suited for sport climbing and redpoint projects, Gus Hudgins puts a 70m 9.8mm Edelrid Boa rope through its paces and is pleased with the results.

 

Black Diamond Vapor Helmet 

Need a new helmet? Richard Wheeldon reviews Black Diamond's super lightweight (weighing in at just 186g for a small/medium and 199g for a medium/large.) top of the range helmet.

 

Edelrid Nineteen G quickdraws

Billed by Edelrid as ‘little wonders’ and ‘the lightest karabiner set on the market’, the Nineteen G quickdraw set is indeed lightweight weighing in at an incredible total of 45g for the 10cm set and just 47g for the longer 18cm set. But how do they handle?

 

Black Diamond Stance Belay Parka

On single-pitch ice routes or massive alpine objectives, the Black Diamond Stance Belay Parka keeps you toasty whilst your partner battles away. It is filled with two layers of lightweight but compressible PrimaLoft Silver Hi-Loft insulation that provide sleeping-bag level warmth, even when wet.  David Simmonite tests it out.

 

Grivel Marmolada 28 Rucksack

Mark Reeves puts this light-weight climbing pack, well fitted and perfectly sized for long days out in the mountains, through its paces.

 

Wild Country Pro Guide Lite 

Tried & Tested: Stephen Coughlan looks at Wild Country's latest version of a belay device that builds upon the success of a previous device but in a more ergonomic, sleeker and lighter package.

 

La Sportiva Explorer Approach Shoe

David Simmonite reviews the Xplorer approach shoe from La Sportiva

 

AustriAlpin ovaLock 

Most of us have experienced poor karabiner alignment whilst using a belay device and the possibility of cross loading in the event of a fall. Stewart Moody tests the ovaLock designed to remove such risks with innovative safety features.

 

Rab Xenon X Hoodie

Ben Bransby takes the Rab Xenon X Hoodie for a trip to the Alps in this Tried & Tested review.

 

Scarpa Zen Pro Approach Shoes

From our Tried & Tested reviews in Climber magazine Stewart Moody takes these robust approach shoes for a spin or two.

 

The North Face Havoc Mid GTX XCR  

Ian Smith looks at a pair of mid approach shoes in a Tried & Tested review.

 

Tifosi Tyrant Mountain Sunglasses

Another from our regular magazine Tried & Tested reviews: Bruce Goodlad tries out a pair of Tifosi sunglasses and sees whether polarised lenses can cut it on big alpine days out.

 

Cams

Iain Whitehouse looks at the different features of the latest cams for rock climbers and reviews the best models out on the market.

 

Mountain Meals

Need to move fast and light but still eat like a champion? Jamie Maddison tests out lightweight freeze-dried food technology - with a difference, in the first ever mountain meals 'Come Dine with Me' style dinner party!