Gear Reviews

Unbiased gear reviews from UK outdoor professionals

We have been writing (and shooting video of) outdoor gear reviews for nearly 10 years now. It started off as an act of anger and protest (“this piece of cr*p doesn’t deserve to exist blah blah blah…“), but grew into something we were doing every few months, then every few weeks.

In these pages (and the links above) you will find our gear reviews. We don’t have an agenda (nobody is paying us to write a good review) and we will always choose honesty over ‘brand relationship’ (if you send us something terrible then we will tell the world it’s terrible).

We are lucky enough that we have a large enough audience that brands will send us items to try for free, but our primary concern when writing a review is “is this thing any good?”. If you want to submit an item for review then please get in touch – but be warned that we will be honest about it.

If you want to see us use some of this kit in the real world then you could always come along to one of our outdoor skills courses in North Wales.

olight m2r review uk

Olight M2R Pro Warrior Torch

Olight are starting to really make a name for themselves in the SAR, tactical and outdoor professional world – so when they offered their 2020 M2R Pro rechargeable LED torch for review I was very curious to see how far they had come since we reviewed one of their smaller...

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Swim change robe Lomo

Lomo Zipped Full Sleeve Changing Robe

As far as watersports go, I have only ever been able to say that I am an Open Water Swimmer. However, for the review of the Lomo Changing Robe, I think that is actually spot-on. Swimming is an activity which can, and does, happen in pretty much any body of...

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amy green merino review

Keela Merino Long Sleeve Zip Top

It offers me everything that I want from a Merino base layer, it is warm, comfortable against the skin, easy to care for, will take abuse and is low profile – perfect for layering. The sizing is good with decent length on sleeves and body for the size reviewed (size...

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omnitorch review uk

Polymath Products OmniTorch

These things are small. Each torch unit is a (roughly) 30mm x 30mm cube with a short clip standing proud above the button on one side. The other five sides are the 60 lumen LED (COB, Chip On Board type), a neodymium magnet, hook-fastening fabric, loop-fastening fabric and finally a...

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helikon edc side bag review

Helikon EDC Side Bag

Shoulder bags are often the unloved stepchild of tactical and utilitarian outdoor gear. They have to function well in that narrow range between “just put it in your pocket” and “you’ll need a rucksack”. I do use them, but they have to work hard to earn their place in my...

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leather boot review uk

Boreal Ordesa Boot

The Spanish brand Boreal is one I associate more with climbing footwear than walking boots, but I think that reflects what we see in the UK rather than where their expertise lies. They have been making walking boots with breathable linings since 1984 after all, so they probably know a...

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richard prideaux 2019

TRC Outdoors Cierzo Shirt and Timmy Hat

I suppose the focus of this review should be on the Cierzo windshirt. The supplied review sample was in a brown/dark khaki colour they call ‘Earth-Tone’, and in the standard length. As I am 6’2″ I should have gone for the new, longer option they offer but the regular length...

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waterproof bushcraft smock jacket

Country Innovation Woodlark Waterproof Smock

After reviewing their Raptor waistcoat I was contacted by UK brand Country Innovation to take an early look at their brand new waterproof smock design - the Woodlark. It's listed on the Country Innovation website as being "made from a tough cotton outer fabric, which, when combined with the waterproof/breathable...

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Grayl Ultralight Water Filter

Water filters are becoming increasingly popular in the UK hiking and outdoors market, and what was once seen as a niche item for overseas travel and expeditions are now starting to be habitually carried in the UK by adventurers of all types. The Grayl Ultralight purifier bottle is a bit of a...

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Bestseller

Coastal Foraging

The Coastal Foraging Walk from Original Outdoors is an introduction to edible plants, seaweeds, shellfish and other wild foods on the beaches of North Wales.

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foraging course in wales
Bestseller

Foraging and Wild Food

The Foraging and Wild Foods Course from Original Outdoors is an introduction to edible plants, fungi and other wild foods in the fields and woodlands of North Wales. It is, by far, our most popular course.

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modern bushcraft course
New for 2023

Modern Bushcraft

Bushcraft and Wilderness Skills courses for the modern age. Courses that focus on the equipment, skills and mindset for practising bushcraft in the 21st century.

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Bespoke

Private Training

All of our standard public courses are available to book as private events for individuals or groups. We have availability all year round and can recommend timings and locations to suit your needs.

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