August 12, 2026
Guides
All guides
Every article we have published, newest first. Each one explains the reasoning behind a recommendation rather than scoring a product, so it stays useful when a model is discontinued.
More guides
July 15, 2026
Keeping a Rain Shell Working
Most jackets that "stopped being breathable" are dirty and have lost their water repellent finish - and both of those are fixable at home.
Gear CareRain Shells
July 1, 2026
Stoves, Fuel and Cooking Systems
The stove is the cheapest part of the system; the fuel, the pot and the wind shelter decide how well it actually works.
Choosing Gear
June 17, 2026
Read the Conditions Before the Product Page
Wetness, wind, temperature, duration and terrain decide what gear is appropriate; brand and price only decide how much you pay for the right answer.
Choosing GearLayering
June 3, 2026
Water Treatment on the Trail
Filters, chemicals and boiling remove different things, so the method has to match the water source and the size of the group.
Choosing Gear
May 27, 2026
Navigation: Offline Maps and Batteries
A phone is an excellent navigation tool until the battery or the screen gives out, so the backup matters as much as the primary.
Choosing Gear
May 13, 2026
Choosing a Tent for the Season You Camp In
A shelter has two jobs - keeping weather out and letting moisture escape - and most tents are bought for the first job while failing at the second.
SheltersChoosing Gear
April 22, 2026
Socks and Blister Prevention
Three things cause blisters, friction, moisture and heat, and the sock is the layer that can change all three.
FootwearLayering
April 8, 2026
Choosing a Backpack by Volume and Load
Capacity tells you very little about whether a pack will carry well; torso length, harness design and how the load sits on your hips decide that.
PacksChoosing Gear
March 31, 2026
Trekking Poles and How to Set Them
Poles move load from the legs into the arms and shoulders, and the length you set them to decides how much they help.
Choosing GearFootwear
March 10, 2026
Layering and Insulation Explained
A layering system is a way of adjusting insulation and wind protection during the day; the individual garments matter less than how they work together.
LayeringInsulation
February 24, 2026
Sleeping Pads: Comfort and Ground Insulation
A pad keeps you warm by trapping air and stopping conduction into the ground, which is a separate job from cushioning.
InsulationShelters
February 11, 2026
Waterproof and Breathable Membranes
A membrane keeps liquid water out and lets some vapour through, but it works within limits - and much of the comfort in a rain shell comes from everything around the membrane.
Rain ShellsChoosing Gear
January 27, 2026
Sleeping Bags and Temperature Ratings
A comfort rating is a laboratory result on a standard mat, not a promise about how warm you will be on a given night.
InsulationShelters
January 14, 2026
Hiking Boots or Trail Shoes: How to Decide
The choice between hiking boots and trail shoes comes down to load, terrain and how wet your feet will get - not to how serious a walker you are.
FootwearChoosing Gear