Review: Rab Stretch Neo Jacket

- Product provided by outdoorkit.co.uk for the purpose of review -

Review time! Today's review is all about the Rab Stretch Neo Jacket, a jacket which is at home in the mountains and uses the "holy grail" of fabrics. A claim I can't wait to test!

The basics!

• RRP - £250
• Weight - 506g (large)
• HH - 10,000 

Rab's description - "The Stretch Neo Jacket is a waterproof and highly breathable jacket designed for mountain use."

Initial thoughts

My first thought on pulling this jacket out of the bag was the feel of the fabric - somewhere between softshell and hardshell, it feels very soft but on the inside you get the familiar feel of a waterproof hard shell which is a positive. This is the first NeoShell jacket I've used so it's a fabric I'm unfamiliar with compared to Gore-tex and eVent, I'm interested to test how breathable this jacket is, I tend to be a sweaty mess when walking so I'll see how it copes! 

A big aspect of this jacket's design is the decision to only have the 2 crossover chest pockets (Napoleon pockets). After walking around town in this jacket I keep going to put my hands in non-existent pockets, not a negative per se but certainly something I'll have to get used to. Chest pockets are much more harness and climbing friendly as reaching across you body doesn't change your centre of gravity so much and they're above your harness so you can still get in them. What Rab have done with the crossover pockets is good though - where some jackets would have a mesh backing to the pocket, Rab have used the NeoShell on the inside too! This makes a nice close-to-waterproof pocket.

- one of the Rab "Napoleon" crossover chest pockets, note the use of NeoShell on the inside -

The fit of this jacket is lovely, Rab went for the regular fit and it works perfectly. I've been trying to get the jacket to ride up but it just sticks where it should and you get plenty of flexible arm movement - great for climbing! 

Field Testing

We've had some crazy weather hit Devon and the South West over the past few weeks, this has provided some great testing conditions for the Stretch Neo. Water beads brilliantly on the surface and falls away easily with little soaking into the fabric, after 20 minutes in sustained heavy rain the jacket turned a shade or two darker in some "heavy flow" areas (hood, chest and outer arms) but maintained the barrier and no one water got through. When the jacket is fully done up with the hood tightened it feels like a very safe space with little rain working its way in, it has a great hood that fits well around my face but can also house a helmet when needed.

They've gone for the widely used YKK AquaGuard zip on this jacket which has been known to fail with heavy rain - to back up the zip they've put in a rear storm flap and "rain drain" to make sure that water doesn't get in through the front door. No water beat the zip on my outings but this is something which shows up after some time and can bring down the longevity of the jacket. I've never had a problem with YKK but some people have suggested for such a technical jacket Rab would've been better off with WaterTight zips - never had a problem with either brand so I don't mind the YKK zip on this jacket.

Breathability with this jacket is superb, it stays dry on the inside and it doesn't feel like a sauna between the jacket and midlayer. I haven't had the chance to really push the breathability due to the cold weather, I'll let you know how it handles the summer rains when they come! If you're going to use this jacket in the cold then, from what I've experienced, you'll be fine. As with all waterproofs it has a cotton label or two inside which can suck up the moisture - not a huge complaint, but find a new material! There are no pit zips on this jacket which could cause some moisture build up when you really push hard, perhaps Rab wanted to save weight and see what this fabric could do?

Highly windproof jacket, I've worn it a few times with just strong winds and it does well, it feels like a solid barrier between me and the gusts. What I often find with waterproof fabrics is the focus on just that, waterproofness (new word?) without as much consideration for the windchill, I'm glad the material has an equal focus on both of these factors as one can easily undermine the other.

In general use the jacket has far exceeded expectation, it always sits well and maintains contact with the next layer down - this keeps the warmth in and the cold out! The great cut helps with climbing as I don't find myself having to constantly pull down the jacket. Big cuffs allow for any size of glove to be worn with this jacket, unfortunately the velcro pulls are a little thin and would be difficult to handle with a cold, gloved hand. I'll include a photo so you can see for yourself. Another tiny problem is a small bump in the jacket when it's fully done up - I find it rubbing against my nose and causing a small amount of irritation - not a huge pain but something that shouldn't be there in the first place. In the initial thoughts section I commented on just having the Napoleon pockets, after some use and getting to grips with them I've decided they were the perfect choice for a jacket like this - big and almost waterproof, plus they're the perfect size for a map. By losing the other 2 pockets they've saved weight and it's one less orifice for water to get in to.

- Thin velcro wrist tab - 

- Almighty nose rubber. Not a major complaint but I've found it niggling me a few times - 

Positive points

• Super fabric, deserves the title of holy grail!
• Great cut
• Excellent workmanship - top build quality from Rab
• Chest pockets are big and lined with NeoShell
• Really breathable 

Not-so-positive points

• Small bump when jacket is fully done up which can rub my nose
• Thin velco tabs on the wrists

Summary

A fantastic jacket from Rab with plenty of thought put into it regarding placement of pockets and the cut of the jacket. I immediately had a huge amount of confidence in the jacket straight from the word go, the brand Rab has earned that after years of putting out top products. Everything (bar the little things) about this jacket work well and with each other, great fabric partnered with great design and build quality. I'm really impressed with what Rab have produced here and I look forward to the ongoing testing of this jacket (further gear revelations are posted on my twitter, link at the bottom!)

I'd definitely and wholeheartedly recommend this jacket to anyone heading off to mountains or rainy places.

Many thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed the review! 

~ thanks again to OutdoorKit.co.uk for providing this jacket, please check out their Facebook, Twitter and Rab brand page ~

Want to talk about equipment and argue over GoreTex, eVent and NeoShell? Like my Facebook and follow me on Twitter.

Review: Vango Mirage 200 Tent, Part 2

- Product provided by www.outdoorkit.co.uk for the purpose of review -

Review time! This review is of the Vango Mirage 200 tent, this midweight tent is designed for 2 people with kit.

RRP - £150

Weight - 2.9kg

HH - 5000

Packed size - 47 x 15cm

Length - 225cm

Width - 120cm 

Vango description - "This semi geodesic tent completes the backpacking range with a free standing option. This is needed for camping on terrain where you are not guaranteed to be able to peg out your tent. With the multi-function fly sheet door the Mirage will deal with harsh weather and then open up into a comfortable porch for fine conditions."

- This is Part 2, please read Part 1 first! -

After using this tent for a couple of months, I now feel ready to offer a proper opinion on it... Bit more wordy this time as the camera wasn't playing along! 

Thoughts

This is a great tent as long as you remember it's entry level. It's very close to 3kg which you really feel after some time on the trail. In terms of its size when packed it's very good for the weight, it feels quite small so works well in a pack rather than strapped on the outside which is what I have to do with other 2/3 person tents. 

Putting it up is simple even in windy conditions due to how it goes up. By keeping it altogether it allows for the fastest pitch time and keeps the inner dry - saying that, the inner is very simple to place if you do it separately. I love the free standing aspect of the tent, I haven't found tents in the same price range with the same sturdiness - handles high winds very well (tested on the Cornish coast!). Me and my sister both made the same mistake when first pitching the tent, we both put the pole into the wrong hole then attempted to push, resulting in bent poles. We both did this so it's something to remember if you go on to buy this tent. 

Inside the tent can be a bit cramped with kit and people. It's a mummy tent (big one end, small the other) so it feels up quick. The best method I came up with was making the most of the porch area and piling kit high. It's a bit of a faff in the morning if you're desperate for the toilet but it keeps stuff dry and out the way. It's a backpacking tent and as other equipment gets smaller and smaller then tents like this will become the perfect size - unfortunately when not all your kit is technical it takes up that bit more room. 

On the times when I've camped in this tent there hasn't been much rain so I can't comment on how waterproof the seams and outer are. I can comment on the quoted waterproof level though, 5000mm is enough to put up with some strong rain - I'd like to see where the water goes in a heavy downpour though, in Part 1 I mentioned the porch area extending past the outer - in heavy rain this could cause quite a problem. If someone with this tent has used it in heavy rain I'd love to know how it dealt with it. 

Putting the tent away is a little tricky. The porch pole features a bent section which doesn't really fit with the rest of the poles, it's not a major flaw but it means it's extended beyond the rest of the poles and could be susceptible to damage. As with all other Vango tents I've experienced, the bag seems just that bit too small. If there was a way of having a bigger bag that you could then make smaller it'd be much quicker to get away (similar to some Vaude bags, with the roll down and clip method). 

Positive points!

• Small packed size
• Reasonable weight
• Really sturdy in high winds
• Freestanding
• Looks good! (gotta consider looks sometimes! ;))

Not-so-positive points! 

• Can't sit up straight
• Bag feels a tad small
• 1 small pole extends beyond the rest

Summary

Great little tent, a really comfortable 1 man or a cosy 2. In the mountains and higher areas around Britain I think this tent would be great - sharing body heat always helps when the temperature drops and freestanding means not every peg has to be in. If you've been using tents for a number of years then I don't think the packing away issues would be a problem but if you're new to backpacking/camping then it'll be a bit tricky. For the price I think it's great - I've met plenty of people who've paid more for a worse tent. 

More information on this tent -

Vango Brand Page

Vango Mirage 200 Tent - Outdoorkit

- Thanks again to outdoorkit for providing this tent. Please check out their Twitter and Facebook -

Review: Vango Mirage 200 Tent, Part 1

- Product provided by www.outdoorkit.co.uk for the purpose of review -

Review time! This review is of the Vango Mirage 200 tent, this midweight tent is designed for 2 people with kit.

RRP - £150

Weight - 2.9kg

HH - 5000

Packed size - 47 x 15cm

Length - 225cm

Width - 120cm 

Vango description - "This semi geodesic tent completes the backpacking range with a free standing option. This is needed for camping on terrain where you are not guaranteed to be able to peg out your tent. With the multi-function fly sheet door the Mirage will deal with harsh weather and then open up into a comfortable porch for fine conditions."

                                                                                                                       

Information provided with tent

Initial thoughts/opening

Very compact package when first opened - Vango haven't just stuffed everything into the bag, it's neatly put in, with everything in its own packaging. Good use of 2.9kg for the size! 

When I first rolled out the tent it was in two separate bits (inner and outer) although the product is advertised as an all-in-one pitch this must be once you've put the thing together - good to remember this if you're buying the tent last minute before going on a journey, in windy conditions I find the 2 part set up much more of a "faff" 

Apart from this, all seems standard. This tent uses a three pole system which allows it to stand without pegs - handy feature for the price!

Compact on arrival!

3 poles, inner and outer - ready to pitch!

First pitching

Simple pitching method - polls through sleeves then clipped to eyelets and hoisted as one, at this point I bent one of the polls slightly by applying a lot of force to it, I don't recommend first pitches when you've just got back from a holiday!

The advertised pitching time for this tent is 12 minutes - I put it up in around 25, this included attaching the inner for the first time and reading instructions. After the initial fiddly bits, I think a pitching time of 12 minutes would be easily attainable. 

~ Additional thought ~ 

this tent could easily be used, in warmer weather, as a tarp set up with no inner, something to try in the summer months! 

The tent once pegged and guylined seems really stable, my vigorous testing was shaking it with my brother inside - he felt confident in the tent with it holding well and the inner and outer staying well apart from each other.

Gap between inner and outer - good half foot in places!

After following the detailed instructions (photo below) I was ready to attach the inner which uses a simple ringlet system, this allows for a fast attachment to the outer. The outer and inner can then be kept together for faster pitching times. 

Instructions on inside of tent bag

~ Additional thought ~ 

If 2 or more people are using this tent then each carrying a separate part (poles, inner, outer) can help lessen the load - the quick method of attaching the inner helps this technique.

First pitch - outer, pegged out just before attaching inner. 

First pitch - fully pitched, solid and sturdy! 

Fully pitched findings

- Just about big enough for 2 people + kit.

- Front door isn't very tight so water wouldn't run off straight away and could work its way through.

- Simple set up but strong 

- Fabric seems well sewn, couldn't find any faults along seems or around the tent.

With front porch groundsheet 

 In places the outer doesn't go over the porch groundsheet which could cause water to run into this part of the tent. I'll test this in part 2 of the review.

Other bits

- Lots of vents to allow air to circulate around the tent

- Well designed for trekking with space saving shape (similar to mummy sleeping bag, bigger at the front)

- Thin inner sheet - if the vents don't close efficiently then cold air could get in quite easily. (tested in part 2)

Field testing and Part 2 

My plan for this tent is to do some testing in my garden using a hose and also take it for some camping up on Dartmoor.

I'll continue to test the tent over the next 6 months and updates will be posted on Twitter and Facebook (links at the bottom and top)

Positive points!

- Good first pitching time

- Simple instructions so anyone could get this tent up

- Quick inner to outer attachment

- Efficient use of space (bigger to smaller)

- Good pegs, light but strong - pet peeve is easily bent pegs!

Not-so-positive points!

- Entrance outer doesn't quite cover the porch groundsheet.

Summary

I'm really looking forward to testing this tent on Dartmoor and I'm confident it'll do well. For an entry level trekking tent it's a bit heavy but if you split the bits up this wouldn't be a problem. For 2 big people it'd be "intimate" but not unrealistic. 

Really impressed with the build quality of this tent - something Vango does very well. If a tent is put together well it's a great confidence booster for how it'll perform when the weather turns.

Further tent information and brand page

www.outdoorkit.co.uk/brand/vango_23.html - Vango brand page

www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=11814 - Vango Mirage 200 product page

More photos

Brother assisting with the review!

On the tent information

Rear vent - Velcro attachment when not in use.

Inside 

I'd like to thank OutdoorKit for the opportunity to do this review, please check out their facebook/twitter below.

OutdoorKit's Facebook 

www.facebook.com/outdoorkit

OutdoorKit's Twitter

twitter.com/outdoorkit

I hope you've enjoyed part 1 - keep an eye out for part 2 by liking/following me on the following pages.

Facebook

www.facebook.com/PaulWRickardOutdoors

Twitter

twitter.com/PaulWRickard

Review: Victorinox Forester Knife

Review time... This week it's a variation of the classic Swiss Army Knife, the Forester edition, made by Victorinox.

RRP - £30.95
Weight - 136g

Victorinox description - "The capable forest worker in pocket format"

Initial thoughts

Really nice balance in the hand with this knife, it sits comfortably in the palm and isn't too heavy. Victorinox more so than most makes has a reputation for hard wearing and tough equipment, this knife feels solid straight away but I'll make sure it gets tested to its full ability. 

Looks mean too! Love the matt black colour of Swiss Army Knives.

Field testing 

I've had this knife for a couple of years now so it's been used in plenty of situations ranging from household bits to cutting up branches by Scottish lakes. The blade stays sharp for a long time so the steel is great quality and it's still very solid without the lock mechanism showing signs of wear - this is due to the uncomplicated mechanism and that's all it needs to be!

The blade is very large, around the 3" mark - sometimes this can draw unwanted attention when working with groups as it can be a bit scary! I think if you know good knife safety and the law regarding pocket knife blades then this isn't an issue - it's only when knives are in the wrong hands they become a weapon. 

When looking for a new knife I sometimes decide on the category and then style, etc.. With this knife I had originally set out for a basic Swiss Army Knife without the locking blade but I had a love at first sight moment! The lock is really handy when working with branches and bigger pieces of wood, takes some of the risk out of it. 

All the tools still feel really nice even after some not-so-careful use by the young people I work with, the knife still feels like new and I can't see it faltering anytime soon! 

Positive points

Durable
Good price
Locking blade
Reliable brand
Blades stays sharp

Not-so-positive points

Length of the blade but that's my own fault for buying such a big knife!

Summary

If you're on the hunt for a new locking blade and don't want to spend loads of money but still want a reliable piece of kit then this is the knife for you! It's super, does exactly what it says on the tin and doesn't show a sign of weakness. 

Couldn't recommend a piece of kit more than this one! Definitely recommend to everyone! Friends and family! 

Paul

Review: Berghaus Mera Peak Jacket

Review time! Today's review is the Mera Peak Jacket made by Berghaus, from what I can gather on their website it is manufactured within the UK.

RRP - £260
Weight - 741g

Berghaus description - "Classic Lightweight 2 Layer GORE-TEX Performance Shell Jacket"

Initial thoughts

Straight out the box there's a really nice feel to this jacket, it feels like a proper hard shell and it's got the recognisable sound of Gore-Tex too! It's a good weight, feels comfortable while wearing it and as with most Berghaus products it's well made. I'm quite a big lad so I went for the xxl and it is big! I could have probably got away with an xl but managed to tighten it in using the various toggles to get a tight fit. Other Berghaus products in this size are a big smaller so I'm wondering why the cut changed so much.

To sum up the initial thoughts, feels like a tough jacket and well made. I remember hoping for it to hammer down with rain when this jacket first arrived!

Field testing

Another piece of kit from the 2012 Scottish trip! Strangely for Scotland it didn't rain until we'd been there for 4 days!

On the 2nd night of the expedition it begun... the famous sound... tap, tap, tap on the tent! At last! The rain was here and it didn't stop! From the 2nd night through to arriving at the minibus on day 3 it poured it down. This jacket was on from first thing in the morning till the minibus and I managed to keep pretty dry!

Setting off on a gradual climb I had some trouble with being too hot in the jacket so I decided to take the hood down and keep it zipped up, it managed to keep my torso very dry even with the hood down. In hindsight I should have done the pitzips before taking the hood down but I tend to run pretty warm in general so I wasn't too worried about a cold head!

With this level of waterproofing the challenge lies in making it super breathable so the person wearing it doesn't get covered in condensation from their own sweat, I think Berghaus and Gore-Tex did a pretty good job in this aspect, only on the big climbs did I find the jacket locking in a lot of moisture.

Positive points!

Great feel to the jacket
Tough Gore-Tex
Pit Zips
Plenty of pockets

Not-so-positive points!

Big size!
More breathable, a fault of most jackets, still!
Price is a bit high

Summary

A solid, well made jacket that is great for conditions in the UK - I'm not sure how this jacket would fare in more extreme weather. For the price I think you could find something better but if you love Berghaus and are loyal to them then it's a winner.

I'd recommend to a friend but would make sure they look around for a better price than the RRP.

Review: MSR Pocket Rocket Stove

Review time! Time for a quick review of the MSR PocketRocket, I believe this in manufactured within the USA where Cascade Designs are based but it may be produced in Asia. 

RRP - £29.95

Weight - 119g

Boil time - 3.5 minutes (1litre of water)

MSR description - "The PocketRocket backpacking stove provides full cooking function in an incredibly efficient form. Barely noticeable in your pack, it delivers impressively in camp. Precision flame control goes from torch to simmer while our Wind Clip™ wind shield boosts efficiency in breezy conditions. The PocketRocket stove’s diminutive size is also the foundation of a solid emergency kit for home or trail."

Initial thoughts 

This bit of kit is one of the most widely favoured stoves in the world, it is very well known for its compact size, durability and efficient boil time - saying this, I didn't expect the thing to be so small! This is a really compact bit of kit and very lightweight. Perfect for when every gram matters and pack space is limited. For its size it feels really well made and very solid. 

Comes with a handy holder which isn't 100% necessary when out on the hill which allows you to shave 34g off the total weight which some people would love! As a big chap I'm not sure I'd notice losing 34g in the pack but I'd certainly notice if my stove got damaged so I keep it in the holder. Also helps for finding the stove as it's very diddy!

Field testing

This stove was certainly on the Scottish expedition kit list so field testing took place over 3 days in the Scottish Highlands with some other testing taking place on Dartmoor and Snowdonia. 

The quick boil time came in super handy for keeping us warm once we'd stopped walking - keeping warm and hydrated is key out on the hill - the joy of a boiling hot coffee after 12 hours of walking is something euphoric! 

One of the biggest problems with this stove is the fact it sits straight on to a gas canister... not the safest of bases when you've got a litre of boiling water sitting on top! Positioning this stove on flat ground is key, if you can't find flat ground than you're a bit stuffed! This is very similar to the lightweight stoves due to the lightweight aspect of clipping directly on to gas. I wouldn't recommend using this kit with groups or customers because of the safety aspect. I'd go with a Trangia cooking system or one of the MSR Whisperlite which still keeps weight down but allows for a sturdier cooking system which won't tip over.

Gas efficiency could be better - it's easy to crank the stove up for that quick boil time but this can get through gas very quickly. We took 2 medium sized gas canisters for the 3 day trip being on the safe side and nearly finished off 1 of them. I'm sure this is something MSR and other manufacturers are trying to look at as pans become more efficient and the gas we burn becomes more efficient. 

I was impressed with how quick the stove cooled down - not sure if this is something MSR looked in to or just a happy coincidence! Really nice to let the stove cool down while eating and then pack away so no chance of it getting rained on. 

I first noticed how well made this stove was when it first came out of the packaging, I have to say this stove has met my expectations for durability. It's still perfectly solid after some vigorous use in Scotland, Snowdonia and up on Dartmoor, love kit that just keeps on working and it's hard to find these days! 

Positive points

Quick boil time

Very light

Durable

Not-so-positive points

Can get through gas quickly 

Not very sturdy 

Open flame

Summary

Really great piece of kit for personal use and when camping with a few friends. I really like how lightweight and tough this stove is and how well it can put up with being bashed around. Wasn't too happy with how stable the stove is especially with a pan on top but this is what keeps the stove so light. 

I'd definitely recommend this stove to a friend but I wouldn't recommend for group use due to the safety aspect.

Review: Osprey Aether 70 Rucksack

Review time! Today's review is the Osprey Aether 70, a pack made by Osprey who are an American company with manufacturer taking place in Vietnam.

RRP - £160
Weight - 2.24kg

Osprey description - "Lightweight and comfortable Aether 70 is a versatile pack with adequate space and organization for weekend or weeklong trips lasting 3 to 7 days"

This pack is also under the backpacking/mountaineering category.

Initial thoughts

Straight away you can see the toughness of the pack, when holding it the fabric feels strong and there is a lot of stitching keeping it all together, as I mentioned in my previous review, I love strong and well made kit and this bag straight away filled me with confidence. In the shop I managed to have it weighted up with a few bits of kit just to get a feel of the pack when loaded and it felt like part of me! The range of sizing options allow for this pack to be fiddled and jiggled till it's just right. This is a very large pack for me as my normal pack is a 52 litre and a bit more streamlined.

Overall the initial impression of the pack is that it's well made, a thought through design and should be able to handle 3 days camping with ease due to its size.

Field testing 

The reason I bought this pack was for a trip to Scotland to supervise a couple of Gold DofE teams in the Cairngorms so some really good testing conditions!

As I said before this pack is big so getting my kit in for a 2 night/3 day expedition was easy - sleeping bag and sleeping mat fit together snugly at the bottom of the pack with clothes/food/stove/gas fitting in comfortably above them - even managed to sneak in a luxury inflatable pillow! This bag has a special hip belt which allows for the pads to be molded to a person, unfortunately the store in which I bought this bag doesn't have the correct machine but even without the custom molding the bag is super comfy on your back, after adjusting the back and getting the Osprey bladder in to the bag I was ready to take on some serious walking!

The first day of walking is always the hardest especially when you're carrying a not-so-technical tent and emergency group kit for a 3 day expedition - this pack really helped me focus on the map work and keeping hydrated due to the comfort and weight distribution. I find some big bags can cause problems in windy conditions due to the added surface area of you as an object but the Osprey has 3 tightening straps which help bring the pack in and bring that surface area down, I found that on some of the more exposed part of the walk the bag would catch the wind a bit but I think it's fair to say you'd expect this from most 70+ litre packs.

Once we arrived at our wild campsite - a beautiful lake located up around 1,000 metres - we got around to setting up the tent, getting the bed ready and sorting some food! This pack has a feature known as J-panel access - basically on the front of the bag there is a zip which allows for access as if the bag were a holdall as opposed to reaching into the unknown and hoping to grab what you're looking for - this feature was really useful as I may have not packed in the most efficient order meaning food was not near the top! I had some worries about the position of the zip, if this was to break then the pack could easily become quite redundant - I think Osprey have thought about this as the zip used is a very tough weather resistant one, so the weight and durability factor was taken into account.

Day two was a very gentle day walking down from 1,000m up to around 700m and following a stunning river towards the next camp which was around 15 miles away by the Corrour bothy. The pack was a tad lighter due to dinner and breakfast being eaten and a little less water in the bladder because of the proximity of the river. Once again the rucksack felt really nice on the shoulders even though they were a little sore - I think the pack caused some of the soreness, maybe due to rubbing but also because my mat had decided to break and cold Scottish ground doesn't do wonders for the back, neck and shoulder area. We continued on to the night 2 camp after seeing both groups and catching up with them. Once again the J-panel access feature was useful and the pack was handling being thrown around the Scottish wilderness quite well, no damage was showing up which I was impressed by as there had been a few overly casual pack throwing incidents.

Day 3 was the final day of walking and what we had been waiting for finally arrived... Scottish rain! We didn't get walking till around 11am as we had to wait for the group to pass through before we continued pass them and out of the mountains through the Charlemagne Gap. Me being the super mountain man I am didn't realise that there's a waterproof liner located somewhere within the pack - luckily I always bag up all my equipment within dry bags so this didn't cause too much of an issue - I would have liked to be made more aware of this sort of feature as it could have cost me a few night's sleep on a longer expedition. After a 12 mile walk in the rain (felt like many more miles!) we got back to the minibus and went off to find a bunkhouse!

A few extra little points which I really like about this bag; there's a small message on the inside about the ethics of the outdoors and reminds people to leave no trace when out camping in wilderness, plenty of straps and cords to get the bag really tight together and bring down the surface area and the guarantee is lifelong for defects and damage - there's something very nice about a company with that much confidence in their own product!

Positive points!

Very well made
Strong fabric
J-Panel Access
Cost
Custom molded hip belt*
Zip Pulls**

*Although I didn't have access to the machine which heats up the heat belt I'm sure this could only be a positive as it brings the pack closer in to your body and allows for a better distribution of weight on your hips.

**Didn't really mention these in the review but each zip has a good sized loop attached which helps when the fingers are a little numb!

Not-so-positive points!

Sore shoulders on day 2 may have been caused by the pack but it's hard to say.

Summary

This is a really well made pack produced by one of my favorite rucksack manufacturers with a lifelong guarantee and a solid build quality. I'm very glad I brought this pack and it's still going strong around 11 months after purchase - as with most products of this quality the real test will be how long it lasts and I'll mention it in the blog if anything goes wrong! Really impressed with how the rucksack performed and I'm going to try and take it on a longer expedition to push the weight distribution and see how much kit it can take! If and when this happens I'll put up another post with any more findings and feelings towards the Aether.

Solid pack and super comfy! I'd definitely recommend purchasing this pack to a friend.

Kit review - Arcteryx Atom LT Jacket

Review time! This week it's the Arcteryx Atom LT Jacket, this is a lightweight insulated jacket manufactured in Canada by Arcteryx.

RRP - £160
Weight - 336g

Arcteryx description - "Insulated, mid-layer jacket with wind and moisture resistant outer face fabric; Ideal as a layering piece for cold weather activities."

Initial thoughts 

This is a seriously light jacket, I was shocked at how light the box was when it arrived and on pulling it out you can see why it's light - it's a very thin jacket compared to some of the down insulated jackets available. I wondered how warm something that light could keep you so braving the weather I chucked the jacket on with only a t-shirt underneath and it definitely kept me warm, the weather was hovering around 2°C with wind chill involved the weather was probably 0°C, as the description said this jacket is designed as a mid-layer so I was waiting for some serious cold weather before I could actually test the jacket! 

As with all Arcteryx products you can immediately tell this is a well made piece of kit, the fit is perfect for walking and climbing, it doesn't ride up and get stuck above trousers so no chilly belly button. The elastic cuffs keep the jacket nice and tight to the wrist so wind can't get up there and also just helps with the general comfyness level. 

Field Testing

As I mentioned before I'd managed to get this jacket out in weather around the 0°C but I was sure this jacket could handle scarier weather than that! 

Luckily a climbing trip was scheduled and with the weather looking cold and dry I grabbed the Atom LT for some serious testing! Up on Dartmoor with the thermometer reading -3°C and with some harsh winds blowing through the Tors this jacket was tested and I may have got a bit chilly! In all fairness I was wearing a t-shirt and baselayer under the jacket with no hard shell so not exactly what this jacket was designed for but I did have higher hopes for it as a stand alone jacket. 

I've been out in this jacket and caught in showers a few times and the rain beads up and falls off very well, some of the heavier showers have caused a bit of dampness but I've still been warm. This is where synthetic insulation jackets are superior to down, the quick dry time and other benefits of synthetic keep you warm through the rains where a down jacket would turn into a soggy pillow. 

I've now owned the Atom LT for around 8 months - it's currently got 1 strip of tape on it over a small tear and a few tufts where the material has taken a hit - It's been a pretty solid jacket, reliable in the cold weather we receive in England, for the price I struggle to think of a similar jacket in terms of the quality of workmanship and fit. The DWR coating is still very good and water continues to bead on the jacket, I'm interested to see how long this lasts and whether the jacket this has some usefulness when water can easily access the insulation. 

Positive points! 

Lightweight jacket
Stuffs down very small
Great fit
Elasticated wrists 
Very well made

Not-so-positive points!

Outer fabric strength

Summary

This is a solid insulated jacket for when the weather is around 0°C anything colder than this and I'd want something a bit more solid. A really well put together jacket, one of the things that upset me was the tear in the fabric - this may have been me going through brambles and branches a bit too aggressively but I can't remember where it took place - I like to be able to rely on equipment and this took some of my confidence in the jacket away. For the weight of the jacket the outer fabric is never going to be bullet proof and as it's designed to be a midlayer I can't really put too much of the blame on the jacket. A really comfy and cosy jacket which fits well and should last a long time.

When it comes down to it this jacket is a beauty and I'd happily recommend it to a friend.