Kit Reviews

Snugpak Microfibre Towel

Having used microfibre for car detailing (wash and polish to you and me!) I should really have already known that these are a fantastic material for water absorbency and softness.   Somehow though I struggled to make the mental leap between drying off paintwork to drying off skin.  I’ve used a microfibre towel whilst out fishing too, in order to clean the stench of bait off my hands but this is scarcely a decent test as a bit of old cloth would work just as well for that.

Out in the woods or on camp I usually use the Sage Deoderant Wipes as an alternative to those flimsy deo-wipes you see in the chemists or supermarkets and they do an admirable job of keeping me fresh enough for polite company.  At the Bushcraft Show this year though it was so hot and sticky on the Friday I knew that more drastic measures were going to be needed if I were to avoid repelling customers!   As we were pitched near the shower block I liberated a block of Bug Geroff soap  from the stall and snuck off with a Snugpak Microfibre Travel Towel to wash down.

Now I will admit I was sceptical, this towel (I had the large version 80cm x 124cm) was a whole lot smaller than the bath sheet back home and there’s a lot of me to dry!  So having soaped down with the lovely smelling Bug Geroff soap and rinsed off I made a start with the travel towel.  What a relavation!  Not only was the absorbency fantastic but it was a very soft feel to the towel and if it gets saturated then a simple wring out leaves you good to go.  In short order I was dried off and ready to go.  Once done you can put the towel back in the bag as it has a mesh back to avoid getting skanky but if you string it out in the breeze you’ll be surprised just how quickly they dry out.

 


Down or synthetic sleeping bag? Both!

16 August 2011

Ah the age old sleeping bag argument – down versus synthetic! We all know the pros and cons I guess, but if not here is quick reminder: Down Pros: Lightweight Low pack size Weight Comfort Cons: Price Loses loft (warmth effectively) when wet, then takes an age to dry Synthetic Pros: Price Retains loft when [...]

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Zippo Hand Warmer

20 October 2010
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Lurch gets hits paws around the Zippo Hand Warmer to assess whether it’s better than the charcoal sticks of old.

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Get iKnotted

29 September 2010
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App review of Winkpass Creation’s Knot guide for iPhone. “…an encyclopaedia in your pocket.”

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Spyderco Bug

21 September 2010
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What does a Spyderco Bug really feel like to own? And, being so small, are they actually useful?

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There’s an App for that

16 August 2010
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Smart phones have come of age with a plethora of apps for outdoorsy types.

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LuxuryLite Ultralite Sleeping Cot

13 August 2010
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“Sleep like you’re at home” with the ultra lightweight, easily packable camp bed from LuxuryLite.

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Exped Downmat 7 Tested by John Fenna

13 August 2010
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John Fenna reviews the Exped Downmat 7 and finds it “made the hammock more comfortable than ever!”

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Wilma’s Traditional Fire Lighting Kit

6 May 2010
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Getting back to basics, wildelycreative tests out the Wilma’s Traditional Fire Lighting Kit.

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Crusader Cooking System

20 April 2010
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John Fenna reviews the Crusader Cooking System, an ideal system for lightweight camp cooking or as a brew kit.

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Leatherman Juice CS4 vs Victorinox Huntsman

30 March 2010
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Pablo from Woodlife lends his inimitable style in a Head to Head between a Leatherman Juice CS4 and Victorinox Huntsman. Who’s the daddy?

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