Category Archives: Gear

Long term review of the Hi-Tec Trek Plus

Posted on December 10, 2016 by markswalkingblog

It’s a year since I was contacted by Hi-Tec to review their activity tracker or fitness band as they are often called. I must admit to be guilty of not writing this one up with the excuse that work & … Continue reading →

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Review of 2016 ZPacks Duplex Tent

Posted on June 12, 2016 by markswalkingblog

Made of Cuben fibre and weighing just under 700g (1.5lbs), excluding pegs for a true two person shelter, the Duplex has to been one of the lightest if not the lightest on the market.  Whilst not cheap, if you value quality … Continue reading →

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Extending the season for Treking sandals

Posted on December 13, 2015 by markswalkingblog

My introduction to the use of Treking sandals for backpacking and walking in the mountains was after  watching Chris Townsend use them ploughing through the mud and bogs of the Central fells when I accompanied him and Terry Abraham on … Continue reading →

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Custom gear comparison table

Posted on October 18, 2015 by markswalkingblog

I got a DM on my Twitter account  today from a fellow backpacker and wild camper asking if I had carried out a comparison of WM Summerlite, and the Panyam 600 and Teneqa 700 sleeping bags  from Cumulus.I hadn’t got … Continue reading →

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Gear Comparison Tables

Posted on October 5, 2015 by markswalkingblog

Back in 2011, I started to put together a few  gear comparison tables  in a systematic way to help me select the right gear to lighten my base weight.  Work and at the time my wife’s illness meant that for … Continue reading →

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Review of Exped Hyperlite sleeping mat

Posted on September 27, 2015 by markswalkingblog

Video review of this year’s new mat from Exped.

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Gear Roundup – recent Lake District trip

Posted on September 21, 2015 by markswalkingblog

Notable gear on my recent Lakes trip. Tarptent Stratospire 1 I  purchased the Stratospire just over a year now and have slept in it around 14 nights so I have reasonably good knowledge of it capabilities and as with all … Continue reading →

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MYO Ultralightweight tripod

Posted on February 1, 2015 by markswalkingblog

I couldn’t find a tripod weighing less than 500g so I decided to make my own. 32 cm selfie stick, 3 pieces of Dyneema and 3 Ti pegs. Total weight 220g and is ideal for my new GoPro Hero 4 … Continue reading →

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Two month review of Ecco Ulterra mids

Posted on December 14, 2014 by markswalkingblog

I was approached by a company working for the Danish shoe manufacturer Ecco. They asked me to try out a pair of their new Ulterras and review them. I was very interested after reading some good reviews from a number of … Continue reading →

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Overview of Sawyer mini filter

Posted on July 7, 2014 by markswalkingblog

A new water filter system which compares very favorably to other such systems in terms of cost, ease of use and weight. Filter weighs only 53g. Cleaning plunger 30g. Straw 3g. 0.5 litre pouch 23g. Total weight of system 109g … Continue reading →

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