Skip to content

 

Gear Reviews

Find parts & gear

 

You have no recent searches

You looked for...

and found 865 items

Hide Categories

Matches found in Gear Reviews

Results 1 - 25 of 865

Gear image

Rab Vapour Rise (2012)

£90.00

The Pertex Equilibrium fabric used in this jacket doesn’t have that stretchy, almost wetsuit-like feel of some soft shells. Instead it uses a looser weave of material. This means the fabric is a little less windproof than some, but a lot more breathable. When walking hard uphill, the fabric is a dream. The inner fleecy layer helps to trap heat ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

GoLite Borrego (2012)

£155.00

A heavyweight feel to this jacket gives it good credentials when the weather’s a bit colder. Heavier fabric is coupled with a soft-to-the-skin fleece lining that helps to draw out moisture as well as trapping heat. A drawcord hem and Velcro tabs on the cuffs help make it snug too. The Windstopper membrane means it can get a bit warm ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Outdoor Research Mithril (2012)

£165.00

This is a very technical-looking jacket with exposed, taped seams on the outside to boost water repellence. It does feel more like an outer shell than some tested, at it is made from a thicker material with a warm, fleecy layer on the inside that also helps wick away moisture. It might struggle to find its place in a layering ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Jack Wolfskin Supersonic XT (2012)

£155.00

One of the heaviest, thickest soft shell jacket out there and the best-suited to bad weather. The face fabric has a good deal of water repellency, but it’s inside where the Supersonic excels. The fleece lining is almost like microfleece, not too dense but incredibly warm. This really does boost its insulation level and makes this one of the warmest ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Helly Hansen Verglas Hybrid (2012)

£200.00

This is a bulkier affair than many of the soft shells out there, and feels well-suited to colder days thanks to its chunky, insulating material and a fleecy lining to trap heat. The extra-long collar is designed to fit over the face when it’s really cold, with vent holes cut into it too. In an effort to maintain water repellence, ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Regatta Gravitator (2012)

£65.00

One of the lightest tops out there and good for warmer conditions, with thin fabric and great stretch. A lack of membrane technology, coupled with the relatively open fabric weave, creates great levels of breathability, although at the expense of some windproofing. If the weather turns very cold or windy, you may need to slip a shell over the top. ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Kathmandu Monrovia (2012)

£85.00

Put on a Kathmandu jacket and people may assume you’ve just come back from New Zealand, because down under everyone’s wearing this popular Kiwi/Aussie brand. Well, it’s now in the UK! The Monrovia is designed to be lightweight and easy to pack when walking or travelling. The jacket is made from a 2.5-layer fabric with a print on the inside, ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Osprey Aura 50 (2012)

£120.00

At first glance the Osprey Aura 50 appears to be crammed with clips, straps and attachment loops – and it is! There is an impressive six external pockets and Osprey’s patented Stow on the Go trekking pole attachment system, which allows you to keep your poles slotted to your left side for easy access. This is useful in theory when ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Mammut Hera Element 40+ (2012)

£125.00

The Mammut Hera Element 40+ (as you might imagine) boasts a capacity of 40+ litres, but accommodates a generous amount of kit with room to spare, so it’s good for trips of several days. The rucksack has two compartments, one of which can be zipped away to create a single space, and large tags on the lower zips are perfect ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Kathmandu Voltai (2012)

£100.00

As the lightest and cheapest of the rucksacks in our test, compromises have had to be made. In the case of the Kathmandu Voltai it’s that there’s only one back length available and it isn’t adjustable – so it will either fit you or it won’t! Also there is only one main compartment, rather than two found on others, and ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

The North Face Venture (2012)

£110.00

To increase its green credentials, the main fabric in the The North Face Venture uses 50 per cent castor oil rather than 100 per cent petroleum in its membrane, thus reducing its environmental impact. The fabric does not control condensation quite as well as higher-priced jackets, though. The jacket weighs little and packs down into one of its pockets. The ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Keen Siskiyou Mid WP (2012)

£85.00

Here’s another in the breed of lightweight, flexible mid-height boots that have more in common with multi-activity shoes than traditional stiff and heavy walking boots. As a result, they’re at their best when used in a range of low-level terrain, without too many challenging features to get in the way. Grip levels are good for drier conditions and some mud, ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Columbia Talus Ridge Mid (2012)

£130.00

These feel more like a high-ankled running shoe than a walking boot. They are incredibly light, with great cushioning underfoot, but they lack much protection in and around the upper section. For a walker, the design makes them a great option for warmer days on easier ground – the lack of solid toe protection in particular can be a bit ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Hi-Tec V-Lite Buxton Mid WP (2012)

£75.00

This is a sub-£100 boot built for paths and trails, and best-suited to lower-level walking away from rocky mountain tops. The medium-soft sole provides reasonable amounts of support and cushioning, giving good padding on harder terrain such as roads and stone paths. The uppers are very soft, making breaking-in easy. Grip-wise, their reasonably wide-spaced lugs give some traction, although they ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Berghaus Explorer Light GTX (2012)

£100.00

This is a great boot for lower-level walking, offering great comfort levels. The sole unit is fairly soft, and so works well on less challenging terrain. The middling levels of ankle support also make for good comfort levels, but it’s not so great on rougher terrain, especially with the softer upper construction. The fit is fairly relaxed and best-suited to ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Merrell Moab Mid Gore-Tex (2012)

£110.00

These are more like a mid-cut version of a multi-activity shoe than a traditional boot. This means they lack the protection and support of a sturdier model. Of course, in return they do offer great comfort levels, with the combination of a soft sole unit and flexible mesh and mixed-material uppers providing great comfort right out of the box. Although ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Marmot Dena Jacket (2012)

£130.00

Not only can you lighten your backpack with the Marmot Dena Jacket (at 325g, size women’s S,  it’s the second lightest jacket in our test) but you can also boost your green credentials as the synthetic insulation is made from 100 per cent recycled fabric. Despite its light weight it does keep you relatively warm, and it can pack down ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Sprayway Zao (2012)

£160.00

Of all the jackets on test, the Sprayway Zao is the only one to have a Gore-Tex outer shell, making it waterproof – rather than simply water-resistant. An insulating jacket suitable for use even in heavy rain or snow will keep you warm, and it means the insulation is well-protected against the wet too. But the problem for walkers is ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

The North Face Super Zephyrus (2012)

£160.00

More of a hybrid than a true insulating number, the The North Face Super Zephyrus falls somewhere between a mid layer and an insulated jacket. It features a combination of Polartec Powerstretch panels and sections of PrimaLoft insulation. Because of this it’s obviously much thinner than the others on test, but then it is meant to sit closer to your ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Marmot Baffin Half-Zip (2012)

£110.00

This is a kind of hybrid style of jacket that offers more warmth than a fleece with a bit of extra waterproofing thrown in. As a pullover style it won’t be to everyone’s taste, and it isn’t the easiest to take off in a hurry. But the thinking is that you shouldn’t need to take it off so often because ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Helly Hansen Cross Insulator (2012)

£120.00

A classic mid-layer insulator jacket, in a bit of a 1970s ski jacket style. The synthetic fill allows it to work even in the wet and it’s not too thick so it fits under a shell easily enough. The relatively short cut of the body also helps with mid-layer performance. When used as a mid-layer, it can be a bit ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Columbia Prarion (2012)

£150.00

Although it uses 700-fill down, the jacket has added insulation in the form of Columbia’s Omni-Heat reflective technology. Silver dots are added to the lining to help bounce radiated heat back inside. In use it does seem to add extra warmth to the top, without making things too stuffy. However, the jacket still remains quite heavy for a down-filled mid-layer ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Craghoppers Risor Half-Zip (2012)

£60.00

A fleece for walkers who don’t want to be seen in a fleece. Has the feel of a comfy pullover, but is still highly practical. The outer fabric feels a bit more like thick wool than fleece, which makes it a little more resilient to abrasion and resists the dreading pilling of the fabric over time. The inner fabric retains ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

Outdoor Research Exit Hoodie (2012)

£90.00

Thick, warm and rugged. A stylish jacket, that really looks more casual than it should. Performance-wise it’s great, offering plenty of warmth with its dual-texture Alpin-wool fabric. The tough wool outer fabric couples with a microfleece lining on the inside to trap warmth next to the skin. The top certainly is warm, although bulky with it. Pound-for-pound this isn’t the ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0
Gear image

The North Face Terra 35 (2011)

£105.00

One of the few packs to use a padded, channelled back system, and it’s one of the best. Although warmer than mesh systems, the channels do help keep the centre of gravity close to the body, making this more stable for those looking to move a bit quicker or even scramble. It also keeps the weight down. There is a ...

  • LFTO.com rating rating is 3
  • Owners' rating rating is 0

Results

of 35

Country Walking magazine

Trail Magazine

Country Walking

Trail

Trail Running magazine

Outdoor Fitness magazine

Trail Running

Outdoor Fitness

 

Now your turn

Upload photos & videos to your own personal gallery

Tell us your story

Get published on LFTO! Upload a story, shout out, video you've found... or surprise us!