In this post I described how I was taking a whole bunch of lightweight equipment to try out on a 3-day Cairngorms hiking trip. Below I’ve scored everything I actually used out of 10, and briefly explained why it received this score. Please note that I haven’t been paid to use or write about any of this.
Questions? Lemme know below!
Hyke & Byke Quandary -10 Degree C Down Sleeping Bag
Score: 8/10
Price: ยฃ119.97
Good value for such a warm bag at a relatively light weight. There are cheaper bags out there, but none at this weight.
Inov8 Roclite G 286 GTX
Score: 3/10
Price: ยฃ116.88
Not particularly expensive, extremely light boots. But they let water in, and the sole is so thin you can feel every stone.
TBS Army Firesteel & Fire Dragon alcohol fire lighters
Score: 7/10
Price: ยฃ4.95+ยฃ3
Great combination. Firesteel produces lots of sparks when used correctly (!), gel lights immediately and can burn for 10 mins. Not so good in breezy conditions
Luci inflatable solar light
Score: 8/10
Price: ยฃ14
Worked really well in the tent, very easy to use. After charging on overcast day for 8 hours it only produced 45 mins of bright light.
Thermarest Neoair Xlite R
Score: 8/10
Price: ยฃ144
Kept me very warm and comfy, quick to inflate, and packs down very small. Expensive, so I hope it lasts many years!
SwissPiranha BF120 Tent Pegs
Score: 5/10
Price: ยฃ14.99 for 10
Managed to keep the tent pitched during very strong wind. Saves a few grams, but hard to push into ground, and pulls out a lot of mud in teeth.
Fizan Compact Ultralight Trekking Poles
Score: 10/10
Price: ยฃ50.96
Wow, such great value. Incredibly light, yet robust – even held a tarp up during a storm!
EVERNEW Titanium UltraLight Pot 1.3L
Score: 9/10
Price: ยฃ41.67
Really not cheap, but very tough and light, and holds more than enough for feeding 2 people
Salomon XUltra3P GTX
Score: 10/10
Price: ยฃ78
These are so comfortable and light that they’ve become my regular shoes. Despite all that use they don’t look worn and are still waterproof
J-Creater Portable Lightweight Stainless Steel Stove
Score: 7/10
Price: ยฃ44.99
Perhaps a bit flimsy for the price, and a pain to clean, this stove is easy to assemble, and makes great use of lightweight firelighters/wood. Double wall burns most of the smoke too
FORCLAZ 2 Seasons Tarp 900
Score: 7/10
Price: ยฃ49.99
Tough, despite being light – survived being bashed about in a storm. For this price I would expect more hooks/holes for poles/pegs.
TITECOUGO Titanium Spork +Snow Peak Titanium Trek Bowl
Score: 9/10
Price: ยฃ7.99+ยฃ15.99
Spork was comfortable, and a good length for both cooking and eating. Bowl is 20fl oz and so plenty for a decent meal
One of my favourite sites for buying and researching equipment is Ultralight Outdoor Gear. Great selection of products, competitive prices, and very fast delivery. Reminder: I’m not paid to promote anything here!
A Plan To Go 