Clothing
Choosing the right clothing for your outdoor adventures needs some research. There are new designs and materials launched every year, so when you've selected the type of gear you want, here's where you can find some help with a bit more detail. Reviews from Outside staff are based on personal experience, testing in all weathers and for a variety of outdoor activities in the Peak District and beyond.
And if you have any questions you can't find the answer to, you can always chat with us or email us here.
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Outdoor Research Alti Mitts - Review
I have witnessed several cases of frost bite in the Himalaya caused by people not wearing / having adequately warm mitts. At worst it can be life changing. Dressing and protecting frost bitten hands while awaiting helicopter rescue I have also had plenty of opportunity to try out a wide...
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Tilley Hats Review
A long term investment - or Finders, Keepers! Some products in the outdoor industry are more hi-tech than others. The Tilley T3 hat that I stumbled across back in 2005 is one of the more time-honoured designs. I found said Tilley hat, lost by its previous owner, floating gently on...
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Patagonia DAS Light Insulated Hoody - Review
Patagonia have upped their game once more, with the very warm, very light, durable synthetic DAS Light jacket. An outstanding belay jacket for British winters - James is a fan. Find out more on our Patagonia page.
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Rab Zenith Waterproof Jacket Review
Light, thin, packable and reliably waterproof. Rab's Zenith jacket is a superlight Gore-Tex Paclite Plus shell that will keep you dry without weighing you down.
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Rab Kaon Jacket Review
Rab uses a mix of down and synthetic fibres in different areas of the Kaon jacket for intelligent insulation. Keeps you warm and comfortable whether you're summer alpine climbing or walking (or maybe even winter running?) in changeable British weather, and it packs down small enough to be clipped to...
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Rab goes Gore-Tex Review
James tries out three classic Rab waterproof jackets in predictably ideal Peak District weather. The popular and reliable Latok, Muztag, and Ladakh jackets have been redesigned and given the Gore-Tex treatment.
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Montane Prism Jacket Review
Warm, versatile and great value, the Montane Prism insulated jacket is a classic revamped! -
FutureLight: The North Face in Zermatt
In September 2018 Dan, our North Face representative, called to say that he had a great opportunity for my brother and me. He wasn’t wrong! James and I were invited to the launch of an exciting new fabric technology called FutureLight which The North Face had been working on for...
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Arc’teryx Proton FL Hoody Review
I have always been a great fan of ‘proper’ soft shell garments - lightly insulated clothing that is windproof, showerproof (when properly washed!) and highly breathable i.e. without any membranes that always slow down breathability. They first appeared with Patagonia’s Zephyr jacket, one of my best buys 30 years ago, so...
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Arc'teryx Alpha FL Jacket Review
I’ve been using the Arc'teryx Alpha FL Jacket for just under 12 months now. I was looking for a waterproof jacket that would cover a couple of my general activities such as walking, bike packing and running. The Alpha FL immediately ticked all the boxes; one jacket; all activities covered, great.