ALPKIT
Find inspiration for your next adventure in our Mountain Journals
where adventure takes you
ISSUE
Life isn’t a film or a well crafted social post, it’s a journey and a story in the making. So aim for a start and end point to your trip, but remember everything in-between is simply a discussion with nature.
WE're aLl born outd0or eNthusiasts
We evolved over millennia to live outdoors. Our brains and bodies are hard-wired to be outdoors, shaped under open skies, not artificial light. But we've normalised a world that disconnects us from the wild—and then we wonder why we’re tired, anxious and maybe a bit lost.
Dr. William Bird MBE puts it bluntly: “The natural environment is the great outpatient department where we can go for healing.”
But how can we heal in a world that doesn't value time outdoors? Here’s a truth that should make us uncomfortable: The biggest predictor of a love of the outdoors in adulthood isn’t genetics, it’s access. Specifically, being introduced to the outdoors as a child.
If you never had the chance to play in the woods, swim in a lake or camp under the stars, you’re far less likely to find the outdoors later in life. And once that connection is lost—it’s hard to get back. But ask people about a favourite place, and most recall a time spent outside. Not a postcode. Not a shopping centre. A tree they climbed. A mountain they swore was Everest. A lake they swam. A shared experience. Because nature isn’t just scenery. It’s memory. Emotion. Belonging.
It’s a relationship—one that starts with the simple joy of being outside. It’s the stillness of a frozen morning. The shock of a cold stream. The silence you find above the treeline.
As Rachel Carson says "those that contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts."
That’s what we’re here for.
At Alpkit, we build responsibly made technical gear that helps you go outside—but more than that, we break down barriers. Through the Alpkit Foundation, you fund grassroots direct action projects that get more people outdoors. Through the Alpkit School of Adventure, we run courses and events for you to try something new, build skills and grow in confidence on how to navigate both the hills and life.
Because the outdoors isn’t a luxury. It’s mountains and rivers that make us feel small and wild again. It’s where we started. It’s where we come alive. And it’s where we belong.
Where adventure takes you should be back to who you were, before the world told you to stay inside.
Climb trees. Chase bugs. Swim in rivers. Scramble up rocks. Stare at clouds. This is how it starts. Every one of us. Born curious, muddy, and boundless. Then it gets beaten out of us. Not all at once. Bit by bit. Stay indoors. Don’t get dirty. Safety first. Homework. Deadlines. Scroll more. Work more. Shop more. Stay connected, but only online. Until one day you realise: you haven’t felt grass under your feet in weeks.
Scan for layering tips for all adventures
Designed for British weather
used around the world
1. Fortitude Hillwalking waterproof with longer cut and regular fit for layering £199.99
2. Talini Super lofty PrimaLoft® synthetic down insulation £99.99 • 3. Kelpie Reycled micro-fleece layering top for trails, travel and sundown warmth £49.99 • 4. Aztec long sleeve Ultra-lightweight, corespun merino long sleeve base layer for high intensity performance £52.99 • 5. Parallax Lightweight waterproof trousers with a breathable 2.5 layer fabric and comfort that's made for movement £119.99
6. Chilkoot Lightweight softshell trousers for hillwalking and scrambling £79.99
7. Teleki Zip Exceptionally light and fast-drying zip-off walking trousers for summer hillwalking and alpine hiking £54.99 • 8. Wind River Hybrid swim-hike shorts. Lightweight, quick-drying, made for movement and comfort in and out of the water £49.99
Source to Sea
First things first - what was the motivation for a two week self supported voyage down the Thames?
It’s always been an idea in my head to follow rivers. It’s got quite a nice built in story because you’ve got this top, middle, and end section, and everything changes as you go down.
I liked the idea of the locks and the crescendo of going through London. I thought it was something I’d enjoy doing and people would enjoy watching. As there are so many eyes on river health and sewage at the moment I also saw it as a great opportunity to fundraise for the River Trust and do some testing for them along the way. I was testing for nitrate phosphates and initially I thought I’d do this every day but it wasn’t really possible. People were really keen for this though, they kept asking for more results!
One thing that’s really evident in your Youtube videos is how curious people are about what you’re doing and where you’re going. Was this something you anticipated?
Yes people were definitely interested in what I was doing. I was a bit nervous initially about how people would react to me. If you see someone dressed in a black wetsuit wading through your back garden, you can understand why they might not be OK with it. But I was blown away by the reception I had. I don’t know why that was. I’m keen to do another river in the UK to see if that reception was unique to the Thames.
Another key part to any trip is the kit - with your trip being both a river wade and kayak, how did you go about sorting and carrying it?
My trip (and kit) was really split into two parts - the wade to Cricklade and the kayak after Cricklade. I bivvied for the wade section, something I’d never done before. It was fun to be so lightweight and still comfortable, though I was lucky the weather stayed dry!
The thing I took from the trip was how lovely the British public were. I didn’t realise how much that would make the trip. It felt like everyone was getting together to help me succeed on this journey. It was in total 18 nights away, which I intended to camp all of and I only ended up camping 7 nights because people kept giving me places to stay.
To save weight I cold soaked my dinners in a jar for that part. I just needed everything to pack down and fit in my waterproof backpack. From Cricklade I had the soloist tent - I really enjoyed that tent. I feel like kit-wise I was pretty prepared.
I had the element two piece wet suit to wear and the split toe booties worked really well for keeping my feet warm, until I lost one when I capsized. At the time I just felt grateful that was all I’d lost!
It’s always hard to summarise a long trip but if you had to pick a best and worst day what would they be?
My absolute favourite day was when I went through Ashton Keynes. It was probably only a mile through, but it took me over an hour because people kept stopping me to speak. In terms of excitement though, it would have to be going through London. I had just been so unprepared, for all of it really.
My least favourite part of the trip was the second to last day. I was out past London, heading towards Gravesend. I was heading under the Queen Elizabeth bridge, and there were all these eddies and they tipped me right in. I was lucky the currents pushed me over to the bank and I could collect myself. I was conscious of the tides and that if I faffed around too much they’d turn against me. Eventually I got to Gravesend and the next morning I knew I needed to be in the water and paddling by 8am, again for the tide. I just didn’t want to get back in. I felt very safe on dry land and I kept thinking back to the moment I capsized and I thought that could have been so much worse. But I also knew I had to do it, or I wouldn’t have been happy with myself. The deeper you get into these trips, the more committed you get. And luckily it did all work out!
‘Element’ at alpkit.com
More thrill. less chill.
New Straven and Tarka natural rubber wetsuits. Rediscover the freedom that first drew you to the water.
For inspiration, tips and advice for your next swim adventure.
Super natural performance
Yulex is a plantbased alternative to traditional neoprene for swimmers who refuse to compromise between comfort, performance and the planet.
When the sun starts warming the air but the lakes are still freezing, swimmers and paddlers find ourselves in a weird middle ground. Swimsuit’s not quite enough. Full length wetsuit feels like overkill. That’s why we developed our new Yulex natural rubber shorty wetsuits for wild swimming warmth and unrestricted movement in and out of the water. Easy to pack in your bag and quick to dry.
Open up longer swims and enjoy cool water dips all year round.
Straven
Women’s insulated shorty swimsuit with full length sleeves for wild swimming freedom with added core warmth that lets you stay in the water longer and enjoy cold water dips all year round. Sizes 6–20. £99.99
Tarka
Active shorty wetsuit for open water swimmers, swim-runners and paddleboarders who want unrestricted movement without feeling the chill. Available in Men’s and Women’s S–XL. £119.99
Loki
Award winning snap neck pullover fleece for instant warmth on chilly crag days, post swim or days out in the hills. Made with 100% recycled fabric. £49.99
Fantom
The quintessential chunky baffle down jacket. Full of 650 FP down for cold weather conquests no matter the season. £229.99
Definition
Impenetrable storm protection, whatever the mountains throw at you: a waterproof mountaineering jacket for the harshest of conditions. £299.99
Orion
At home on remote crags: a 45-litre mountaineering pack that's lightweight and carries heavy racks with ease on multi-day Alpine routes. £99.99
I gunned it to the summit, launching to chase clouds up the valley. I managed a few laps back and forth, feeling wild up there above an inversion, seeing my paraglider silhouette below!
AN THER WAY
hike and fly
A packable wing and a ridgeline runway. Read the winds, take a breath, and step into the open skies. From Torriden to Harris, with a helmet, harness (and sometimes skis!) in tow, be inspired by Anna's Hike n' Fly epics. Move between mountain peaks or skip the backtrack descent and take the breeze less travelled by. Might need a few lessons first!
Words & pictures by Alpkiteer Anna Wells
Scott Webster
Every rain cloud has an Alpkit lining
Our family of technical waterproofs are tested to the limits to makes sure you aren’t.
Built to last, they’ll have your back (and front... and head) for years to come. We design our Womens and Mens jackets independently from the ground up and work with the best mills in the world to develop waterproof membranes that are not just comparable with the best but are the best for the jackets intended purpose. We are redefining innovation around performance, social justice and environmental responsibility. We were one of the first brands in the world to develop highly breathable, durable waterproof fabrics that are free from PFCs. It might be June but don’t leave the tent/hut/bunk or house without one.
So when summer days are wet. At least the rain is warmer.
Argonaut Affordable, serious and cut for men. £119.99
Atalanta Hardworking waterproof designed for women. £119.99
Sigma Versatile recycled 3 layer, multi activity, packable. £169.99
Lightweight, ultra performance, high activity. £199.99
Gravitas
Surviving Fellsman
Words & pictures by Stu Taylor
The Fellsman is a high level race from Ingleton to Threshfield covering more than 60 miles and 11,000 feet of the Yorkshire Dales over very hard off-path rugged moorland.
Race week, only seven days to go and I was nursing a sprained left ankle after rolling it on a recce run the week prior, which had led to shin splints in my right leg due to overcompensating for my ankle injury. Not the best state to be in for what was going to be my most challenging run to date!
Registration was the day before, and after 5 days of rest, I decided that was it. I was doing it; the race was on my doorstep, and in the worst case, it was easy to get picked up if my injuries flared up too badly. I am beginning to wonder, are runners ever totally niggle free?
Kit checks complete and passed, got my tally. This is the iconic disc you wear around your neck that gets clicked at every checkpoint, also timing chip and number collected; ready to run tomorrow.
With the weather gods playing ball, it looked like the Fellsman 24 was going to be a mainly dry event. Lining up at the start in Ingleton, nearly 500 entrants were ready to start their adventure race. Some planned on being a lot faster than others, and there were talks of making the pub well before last orders.
GO! And just like that we were off, runners scattering like ants in all directions towards our first climb of the day; Ingleborough.
What also makes this event so unique is that you can create your own route. Other than a couple of sections, your aim is to get to the checkpoints the quickest way you can. There may be a shorter
option, but it is not always the easiest and you need to decide which one to choose. Up and over Ingleborough and up Whernside, we were running on the pretty standard paths until the drop-off at the back of Whernside. This was the first taste of off-piste running, over peat hags with no well-trodden path to follow; this was a good test for my shin and ankle early on, which, if the pain didn’t get any worse, would be manageable.
The pace was quick to start but soon slowed on the super steep climb up Gragareth. Boggy, lumpy, and energy sapping - or had that been my starting pace? At the summit was a checkpoint; my tally was clicked and over to the next hilltop, Great Coum. This section is what the Fellsman is all about and why it has a reputation for being so tough. The ground was boggy, baggy and slow. Constantly changing my running line made any running pace difficult work.
The descent into Dent was techy, very rocky in places, boggy in others and just horrible to try and run on; with line options all over the hillside. Runners were each taking different ones, and it made you doubt whether your own choice was right, all part of the fun.
After around 3 ½ hours of running, my injuries were still niggling but added to them cramp reared its ugly face, which was unusual. I don’t usually suffer from cramps. Was it the uneven ground surface not allowing you to run freely, the pace or the injuries and running differently?
Reaching Dent, this was the first real feed station and a chance to refuel and get some salts on board. At this point I was having doubts about whether to go on. Being so close to home, it would be easy to get a lift.
With a week to race day, I faced a sprained ankle and shin splints but registered for the Fellsman 24. Nearly 500 runners set off from Ingleton for the gruelling 100km race through Yorkshire Dales’ rugged terrain. Despite pain and cramps, I pushed on, tackling bogs, climbs, and descents, finishing in 18 hours.
Our fra compatible
mountain marathon kit
Whether it's your very first Mountain Marathon or you're a well seasoned mountain running champion, one thing's for sure; you're not going anywhere if you don't meet the minimum kit requirements as set by the Fell Runners Association. Don't panic though, we've got everything sorted in a nice neat collection so you don't have to think about it.
Gravitas waterproof jacket
Parallax over-trousers
Koulin trail tights
Koulin trail tee
Laika long sleeved midlayer (not cotton)
Norden beanie
Spectra gloves
Qark head torch
Ultra tent
Fellmaster compass
Williams whistle
Kraku stove & 100g fuel
Firepot food (for 2 days plus emergency rations)
Watch
Waterproof pen/pencil
Plasters and bandage
Artlu pack Ultra 120 insulated sleeping bag
Kapar 2 Survival bag
1. Mountains £24.99 • 2. Swoosh £24.99 • 3. Re-Energise £24.99
4. Picu Tee £34.99 • 5. Go nice places do good things £24.99
6. Swoosh Hoody £59.99 • 7. Picu Long sleeve £39.99
8. Sonder £24.99 • 9. Solved by Walking £24.99
Woodsmoke
The most comfortable shirt you’ve ever owned: a high-wicking, quickdrying, odour resistant, temperatureregulating shirt for an active mountain lifestyle. It never needs ironing so is perfect for a throw on jacket as you run out of the house/hut/tent. Wear it riding, hiking, climbing, working, relaxing (and maxing), you’ll never want to take it off. And with Polygiene® anti-odour technology you won’t need to. Your new favourite do-it-all shirt. Buy well, put less in your wardrobe. £89.99
‘Woodsmoke’ at
backgone in climbing
Alpkit's Dan Dean on climbing with friends, the annual pilgrimage to the magic forest and the joys of laptop down to hammocks up in 18hrs.
Branching off from the wide forest track, we begin to weave our way up the hill through a maze of rounded sandstone boulders. Soon, the peaceful sound of the morning chorus is joined on the breeze by a faint “allez, allez…” from up ahead – we must be getting close. Arriving at a suitable clearing we stop and declare it ‘basecamp’ for the day. Bags off, mats down; those with hammocks make a beeline for the best trees, claiming their spot for some well-earned relaxation time later.
It’s 10am on a Saturday morning and less than 18 hours ago most of us had just closed our laptops after a day in the office. With the vans and cars packed to the gunwales with mats and camping kit we made our way south, driving through the night to arrive at the Grez-sur-Loing campsite in the early hours. Powered by caffeine, croissants and a brief power nap on the ferry; we’ve all come straight to the crag to get stuck in.
It’s a good turnout this year. Having first met through the Uni mountaineering club; we’re now spread out around the UK and beyond. Usually, rallying the troops for a big group trip can be as tough as the climbing but for the annual Easter trip to Fontainebleau it’s a different story.
For me, the joy of ‘Font’ is all about the simple life. Baguettes, boulders and brie. A chance to spend a week or a long weekend outside, where the only decisions to make are what to get from the patisserie in the morning and ‘which crag shall we go to tomorrow?’ round the campfire every evening.
Even choosing the climbs is made easy –with every crag featuring a selection of marked circuits at all levels of difficulty. Originally used as training loops by mountaineers to simulate big Alpine days; painted-on numbers and arrows take you on a tour of the crag complete with floor-is-lava style rock hopping leading you onwards to the next climb.
This is the way to enjoy Fontainebleau. Traversing the forest with a group of friends, taking turns to move mats, offer beta (or heckle), spot landings and share snacks. Days like these are why bouldering is such a growing sport with so many people falling in love with the minimum faff, maximum fun approach to climbing. Forget the grade you usually climb though (or prepare to be humbled!) and enjoy movement on rock in its purest form.
Words & pictures by Alpkit's Daniel Dean
Once we’ve found our feet, circuit-style days soon become punctuated with mini projecting sessions; our interest piqued by a striking, off-circuit boulder problem that will test our limits. With a few extra mats and some group psyche we take turns scoping out the holds, assessing the friction and learning the subtleties of the moves until, one by one, we piece it all together - topping out to a cheer from the assembled crowd. There’s nothing quite like a team send, not least because it usually means it’s about time for a lengthy lunch stop. Back to the hammocks we go!
From any of our stores for just £10 a day. Just give us a call to reserve a mat and pick it up on your way the next day.
Chalk Bag £27.99
2. Slugger £24.99
Picu Tee £34.99
4. Mora Hammock £44.99
people helping people
Scan for more information on how to get involved
Our continuum project gets your unwanted kit in to the hands of people that change lives. Here are a few examples of where your gear ends up...
Positive Steps Outdoors > outdoor clothing and packs
Social enterprise in Northern Ireland promoting positive mental and physical wellbeing to take preventative steps through green therapy and spending time outdoors. Continuum kit, including rucksacks, boots and a range of clothing is used to assist their programmes of healthy hikes that include supporting refugees and individuals facing social exclusion.
Sheltersuit UK > sleeping bags
Sheltersuit produce warm and weatherproof protective shelter bags for people sleeping rough across the UK. Manufactured by ex-refugees using waterproof materials discarded by the industry and lined with donated sleeping bags that get passed on through Continuum. It’s not a home, but it represents some independence, and it helps give back some self respect.
Àban > outdoor clothing and packs
Scottish charity and thriving social enterprise, offering positive outdoor adventures for young people and families in the local community in the west of Inverness – between the Caledonian Canal and the Beauly Firth. They are also a DofE Licensed Centre running Scotland's only independent DofE Open Award group.
3 Layer durability
CHAMPION RAINING of the world
When the sky falls in on you, don’t throw the towel in, take a look at our Sigma Jacket. Three layers of toughness give 20K hydrostatic head balanced with a 20K breathability rating - making this the perfect all season, all-rounder. The 100% recycled and recyclable outer features our PFC-free durable water repellent, meaning it doesn’t leave any nasty chemicals in the wild places we love. And because size really does matter the Sigma comes in sizes 6 - 20 for women and XS - XXL for men. Pound for pound, the perfect pouring-it-down protection.
The award winning Sigma £169.99
100% recycled outer shell PFC FRee DWR
Light+ Packable, just in case
‘Sigma’ at alpkit.com
Following Nan
Going Nan style. It’s a slower, deeper form of mountaineering. Following in writer and explorer Nan Sheperd’s footsteps, Hannah brought together a group of women with a mix of abilities for a micro-expedition in the Cairngorms.
It was Wednesday 27th September 2023 and autumn was in full swing in the Scottish Cairngorms with the tail end of Hurricane Lee beginning to pass through. The same day, a group of 9 mixed-ability women were preparing to set off on a micro-expedition into the hills.
In her book, ‘The Living Mountain’, Nan Shepard writes about experiencing the Cairngorms as if it were her playground and sanctuary. She writes of an alternate mountaineering experience, one that greatly differs to current outdoor culture where importance is placed on pushing ourselves to our absolute physical, emotional, and mental limits. With this in mind, we wanted to experiment with Nan’s less intimidating and far more inclusive approach.
By the afternoon on our second day of the 4-day expedition, we were approaching the Wells of Dee on the plateau of Braeriach, a place which Nan talks about with great fondness.
Hurdles quickly arose. Limits were tested, but no woman was broken. At the end of the gruelling day, we nestled in for a fearsome night 1000m up.
Once the morning had thawed out, the team reluctantly emerged from their nylon cocoons. The past 24 hours had been a lot; constant heavy rain, suffocating fog, all topped off with a flurry of snow. That morning however, the heavy cloud around us dissipated and the sun rained down her warming rays. The entirety of the Cairngorms was laid out before us, and our eyes feasted upon the landscape’s slopes and valleys.
We packed away our clothes and wandered back to earth, heading down the sloping soft mountain side with a hop, skip, and the odd bum slide. For our last night, we tucked ourselves away in Rothiemurcus forest and in the morning, for one more challenge, we braved the waters of a nearby loch with squeals and laughter, soothing our aching bodies
Each woman left the Cairngorms exuding confidence along with a new perspective of being with the mountains. In the words of Nicola, “slowing down makes you feel more at home and present in the mountains, whether that’s through noticing the water running down a rock, or down your face.”
[to know the mountains essential nature] is a tale too slow for the impatience of our age.
Now in a minute
Sonder rider Lucy tackles the Traws Eryri, a 200km cycling route that crosses the majestic mountain landscapes of North Wales. Where people and place matter more then pure pace.
I call it ‘fancy packing’ because we stayed in accommodation, but for someone like me who hasn’t done a lot of bike packing, this was a great way to be introduced into the world of multi-day adventures.
As the route was designed with MTB’s in mind, I took my Sonder Evol, loaded up with a few days worth of kit. However, on reflection, a less-burlier MTB like the Broken Road or even a Camino would have been capable for the terrain, and probably better suited for long days in the saddle, but the extra suspension was a blessing when it came to those slightly rougher sections.
We split the trip into 50km sections, which was plenty for our 4-day trip. Some choose 3 days, but why rush when you can soak up the Welsh scenery. My Mum and 2 friends joined me for the trip, and in true bikepacking fashion, we took every opportunity to explore what surrounded the trail, with plenty of swimming, snack spot hunting and memory capturing.
Day one: Began in Machynlleth, where I was slightly concerned that we were not going to go off-road much to begin with, but the further into Snowdonia you get, the more scenic and off-road the trip becomes. We finished day one at the Royal Hotel in Barmouth. They were friendly bunch, and it was a fiver to securely store bikes in a garage space near the hotel.
Day two: We had a lovely warm up along the cycle path before climbing into the hills. You pass through Coed Y Brenin mountain bike trails and it’s a good place to stop for a refreshment. Just when we thought we had nearly finished
day two, our organiser Neil informed us that we had to go around the Llyn Trawwsfyndd reservoir. We thought he was joking, as we were not far from the finish, but it turned out the 10km of rolling bike paths made for a nice finish to the day.
Day three: Make sure to have a big breakfast, as there is a big road climb to begin. However, this was the best day of the trip. You pass through so much varied terrain, via Antur Stiniog Bike Park, before weaving through the undulating fire tracks and dropping down into Betws y Coed, where we were staying for the night. It turned out that this was a popular one for others doing the route and it was great to meet new friends and share our experiences from the route so far.
Day four: The final day, thinking we had all the big hills behind us I sent a message to a friend to let them know. However, I was soon humbled by their short but impactful response of laughter and a “oh no you haven’t”. The day started off fairly easy going, with plenty of beautiful views to keep us distracted and a stop for refreshments at Ogwen Snack bar.
Conwy
Machynlleth
Betws-y-Coed
Following the descent down into the Valley, we reached the coast, where was met by a monster of a climb (the biggest on the route), taking us up and over into Conwy.
It was nice to enjoy the last evening in Conwy. Me and my mum walked 20 minutes for a swim at Morfa Beach, whilst the others enjoyed exploring the quaint town. It’s worth staying one more night to recuperate and celebrate if you can.
Neil kindly caught the bus back to the start to collect the car the next day, which took him about 3-4 hours to get there and a couple of hours to drive back. The train is probably quicker, but the bus takes the more scenic route.
1. Smith Payroll MIPS
bikepacking trip
smoothy to lumpy
For B-roads and bridleways, built for when the tarmac turns into trail. With more than 10,000 Camino owners around the country, it is no surprise it is Cycling Weekly Adventure Gravel Bike of the Year and Overall Bike Of The Year. Builds from £1,199 or £21 /month
bumpy to offgridy
Hardtail mountain bike for long rides, remote places and wilderness bikepacking. Available in lightweight, aeronautical-grade titanium or classic 4130 chromoly steel. Titanium version also available with Pinion gearbox. Builds from £1,399 or £24/month
UK made, world ready.
We've been leading the resurgence in bikepacking since 2004 with technical performance bags that are used around the world from cafe rides to endurance racing. All our bags are designed and developed here in the UK: precision engineered and expertly crafted from exceptional performance fabrics and the highest environmental and social justice standards. With custom designs and short production runs, we got you covered. Scan to see the full range.
A fresh set of meticulously planned gravel loops, starting and finishing from each of our stores; nestled in the heart of the UK’s wild places.
Get the benefit of local knowledge with gravel routes planned by each of our store teams to showcase the best gravel riding in the area. Take in some of their recommended viewpoints, cafes and landmarks on your way and arrive back at the store to a hero’s welcome!
Ready to take on one of the Rounds? Download the GPX file or follow the route on Komoot. Pop into the store for a cuppa after completing the round and receive your exclusive Sonder Gravel Rounds heat patch to display with pride.
So, are you in? Let’s ride!
Try the routes for yourself, scan QR to download gpx files.
Inverness:
Betws-y-Coed: Bristol:
Keswick:
Hathersage: Ilkley:
Ambleside:
Edinburgh: Kingston:
Metrocentre:
The weight is over
The Ultra tent
The Ultra is our new one person ultralight freestanding tent for solo adventures. This is everything we’ve learnt about fast and light over the past 20 years.
Engineered for 3-season camping, this 900g ultralight tiny home won’t slow you down, whether you’re heading out early to catch nature off guard or crunching the miles bikepacking across a continent. We’ve maximised liveable space inside while shedding weight wherever possible, all without compromising strength or performance. Taking only 6 pegs to pitch and utilising ultra strong carbon poles, the Ultra is easy to carry in a pack or on the bike. Use without the flysheet when skies are clear, the Ultra is all about getting closer to nature with minimum impact. Naturally PFC-free, meaning it doesn’t leave any nasty chemicals in the wild places we love.
£299.99
cherry bakewell poffins
Emma Pooley was world champion and Olympic medallist in one of the toughest endurance sports in the world. Through long hours of cycling training she hungered for real, tasty food rather than processed energy bars. So she developed her own recipes for on-the-go nutrition using wholegrain oats and natural ingredients. Here's her oaty take on the Bakewell tart.
120g marzipan
500g natural yogurt
1 tbsp fresh lemon zest
4 tbsp lemon juice
1⁄4 tsp salt
120g ground almonds
175 g fine oatflakes
2 tsp baking powder
4 tbsp flaked almonds Ingredients:
120g cherry jam
1. Preheat oven to 160 °C (320 °F). 2. Chop the marzipan into 12 equal-sized pieces and roll each piece into a ball, flatten slightly. Set aside at room temperature. 3. In a large bowl, mix the yogurt, lemon zest and juice, vanilla sugar, salt, and ground almonds.
4. Stir the oatflakes and baking powder into the yogurt mixture.
5. Divide 3⁄4 of the oat mixture between the muffin forms, then make a small hole in each centre (use the back of a teaspoon).
6. Carefully place a marzipan ball in each of muffins, press down gently. 7. Put a generous teaspoon of jam in each of the centres on top of the marzipan. 8. Cover with the rest of the oat mix; smooth with the back of a spoon. 9. Scatter the flaked almonds on top. 10. Bake 30-35 minutes until firm and the almonds on top are turning golden brown. 11. Wait until cooled to remove from the tray – the poffins will firm up. Method:
Back to basics
Georgie and her family on the thrill of sleeping in the open air and the freedom of a minimalist approach to multi-day trips.
1. Pipedream 400 £274.99
2. Hunka £59.99 • 3. Cloud Base £54.99
4. Drift £13.99 • 5. Elan £99.99
Our first bivvy bag ‘wild camp’ was a not-so-wild camp in the garden. I thought that if the children didn’t enjoy it, or if it suddenly started to rain, we could abort the mission and head back indoors. Of course, there was no need for my caution. The children were thrilled to be sleeping in the open air and I was amazed when they asked to get into their beds! A child wanting to go to bed? As dusk turned to night, we all tucked into our bivvy bags and talked about the stars and the owls that we could hear hooting nearby. It was the most idyllic way to drift off the sleep; there was no rain and no slugs slithering into my mouth (a previous fear). Waking early the next morning, we all agreed that this was definitely an adventure to try again!
For our second bivvy bagging night, we ventured a little further afield to sleep out in the local ‘wild’; a little patch of woodland near our home. We packed lightly, just sleeping and cooking equipment. Hiking out across the fields to reach our chosen spot, we could all feel the thrill of excitement. This felt more adventurous than the garden! It was another wonderful night;
we watched a barn owl swooping low over the surrounding meadow, hunting for voles, and saw a badger shuffling down to the nearby stream.
With a few bivvy bagging trips under our belts, we decided to take it to the next level this summer to hike and camp high up in the Austrian mountains. The boys, now 11 and 9, were able to carry much of their own gear which helped on a multi-day trip. By now, we’d upgraded to the hooped Elan bivvy bag so we didn’t need to worry about rain or the storms that were threatening the region. Fortunately, the sunshine held and we spent two blissful days walking in the mountains, spying ibis, chamoix and marmots and enjoying the occasional schnapps and schiwasser in remote mountain huts. For all of us, this was our greatest adventure to date. It was back-to-basics fun; no screens, no work emails, no over-priced tourist activities, just views, mountain air and a good slice of wilderness.
6. Doughnut for size reference only Words & pictures
by Georgie Duckworth
A lightweight tarp is one of the most versatile and handy bits of camping equipment you can own. It’s lighter than a tent, goes up faster when you’re caught in an unexpected downpour and lets you sleep out in the wilderness.
One tarp, many shelters.
TARPOLOGY
just the two of us
Thru-hiking the 1,250 kilometres of the GR-7 from Tarifa to Andorra will test even the best laid plans. Pack light (for the vibes), pack smart (for the inevitable) and stock up in the Pueblos Blancos (for the snacks). So when there’s no room in the Refugio you’ll have everything you need to go again in the morning.
in wolf’s A sheep
clothing
Under every hardshell lies a big ol’ nature loving softee.
Our Alpkit wool baselayers and knitwear are inspired by the climbing heroes of the 1950’s. Natural fibre base and midlayers designed for movement and carefully crafted from the finest grade Merino and lambs wool, nature’s original performance fabric. Naturally pong free qualities and super soft seams make them perfect for multi-day adventures all year round. Nothing quite compares to the inner warmth and comfort you get from Merino, you’ll be ready for anything mother nature throws your way.
Super natural performance.
We use ultrafine 100% natural Merino from non-mulesing farms. You can’t get finer.
Radiant
Unparalleled warmth to weight ratio for the coldest of nights out - just 600g with an R-value of 7.2 thanks to internal radiant heat technology. A super comfortable inflatable sleeping mat with a quiet, 100% recycled outer fabric and an included 20L pump sack. £99.99
Roundhouse 6
The new bigger Roundhouse 6 is a luxurious four-person bell tent, using sustainable, long lasting materials. Highly breathable organic polycotton canvas maintains a comfortable climate of fresh air day and night, staying cool in the heat and warm in the cold. £749.99
Bask
Lean back and enjoy the view. Premium style and superior comfort. Extended back support, a generous seat and sleek wooden armrests. Bask offers snooze-worthy relaxation wherever the adventure takes you. £99.99
GO WITH THE FLOW
Unlock coastal exploration, inland voyages and multi-day riverside camping. High performance drop-stitch inflatables for a stable ride and maximum portability. Tips on planning your stand-up paddle board camping trip
1. Delta
Inflatable stand up paddleboard, designed to perform in the sweet spot for stability, manoeuvrability and speed on rivers, lakes and the sea. Ideal for new and experienced paddlers and comes with everything you need to get out on the water.
£329.99
2. Longshore
Touring stand up paddleboard for confident paddlers wanting longer day trips and multi-day adventures. Designed to cut through the water for maximum straight line speed and paddling efficiency. Comes complete with paddle, pump, leash, carry bag and repair kit.
£374.99
3. Oxbow
2-person inflatable canoe for coastal exploration and multi-day touring on rivers, lakes and canals. Rigid dropstitch technology means much greater speed and stability than traditional inflatable canoes, with all the portability benefits.
£799.99
4. Lookout
A 2-person fold-out style polycotton roof tent that pitches in 3 minutes. Folding design saves on weight and pack size, ideal for small (and large) vehicles with easier installation and storage.
£1,299
5. Nest
2-person 'pop up' style hardshell roof tent that pitches in seconds. Elevate your base camp with unrivalled views, simplified set up, and more space in your car for the rest of your adventure kit.
£2,099
ELEVATE YOUR BASE CAMP
Camping has always been about freedom and connecting with nature. Roof tents add to the flexibility of spontaneous adventure with the added bonus of comfort, protection and a fixed bed for the night.
Falco brings 29er speed, alloy resilience, and sweet spot geometry tuned for natural trails and UK trail centres. Confident, precise, and lively without ever being twitchy.
Spread the cost up to 36 months with V12 finance. Available to purchase with cycle to work scheme.
Ultra-capable 29” hardtail trail bike. Falco SX Eagle £999 Frameset £399
26-28
