Review of various bits of kit

Having bought a couple of bits in pre-Christmas sales, had a couple of items for Christmas and another couple bought in post-Christmas sales, I had a fair few things to try out. Today was the first opportunity, so I headed out with the wife for a steady 6 or so mile wonder out on the moors overlooking Bradford and Halifax. Temperature was about 4c, with a fairly strong wind, especially over the more exposed areas that we crossed, so it was a good day to be trailing colder weather stuff.

•  Smartwool Microweight Crew. I stuck this on under my TNF Cipher Soft Shell, with a lightweight fleece as back up in case I was cold. I wasn't, the baselayer being just about warm enough when teamed up with the Windstopper outerlayer. Comfortable to wear, no issues with itching or sweat either and most importantly for what I was looking for, no smell when I got back home. Now 6 miles may not sound much of a test to overwhelm a baselayer, however with my Paramo Cambia I can be getting smelly by the time I've walked to the local from my house, and that is about 400m away!
• Haglofs Fanatic Beanie. Being someone who runs really warm, whilst having very little hair means that headwear is an issue for me all year round, either for warmth or sun protection. In summer, I tend to use a high UV protection Buff, and had been using a Lowe Alpine made Polartec Thermal Pro beanie in winter. The Polartec can get a bit sweaty at times however, so I thought the lighter Power Stretch may be better. It was nice and light to wear, and wicked well, however I was a little disappointed with the wind resistance of it, as I ended up using my soft shell hood over it. On days with a less biting wind however I suspect it will be just the job.
• Haglofs Barrier Hood. Once we'd got ourselves up to about the highest point of the walk with views over the Worth Valley, we ducked out of the wind behind a stone shelter and parked ourselves for about 20 minutes to have a brew and a sandwich. At this point I pulled out the Barrier Hood and stuck it on over the soft shell I had on. It did take a couple of minutes to notice that it was stopping me feeling cold, although after that I did feel rather more toasty. Might have had a better effect however if I hadn't started to feel my legs get cold! Note to self, wear a baselayer on legs next time I go out in similar weather!
• Duetar Future Pro 38. Now obviously for a hike of this length, this pack was somewhat overkill, but to try it out I chucked a few extra bits and bobs in to fill it up a bit. First thoughts are that it seems pretty comfortable to wear and easy to adjust, which are probably the key things, so hopefully it will do what I need of it when I actually do need to use it!

jura superstition

fabulous, peaty, smoky, a proper island scotch, lives up to expectations.

will take it for a walk when i've properly become acclimatised to it.

I got gear tokens rather than gear and haven't spent them yet.

re: Smartwool merino tops - I've discovered that the Icebreaker tops are slightly longer in the torso in women's cut, so my most recent merino purchases have been the latter. Otherwise, not much difference in comfort and quality in my experiences so far.

I had a bottle of this for Christmas too Weevil.

I'm a Laphroig man by habbit but this is a nice tipple.

I got given some Caol Isla

Peat is good in whisky, not on clothes.

I also recently bought a Rab Meco top for my winter commute, as I was getting tired of the stench of synthetic baselayers, and hoped it would dry fairly quickly.

It's good and long in the back, doesn't smell too bad, and does seem to dry quickly.

A bit pricy, but I'll be getting a lot of use from it.

lost jeff wrote (see)

After weeks of dithering bought a rab stretch neoshell today from up and under in cardiff

Had a quick look around Tiso in town to see if their sale had any goodies.  On the whole it didn't, but an exception were ME Randonee mitts a tenner off (now at £45).  I've been most impressed with the glove version so sprang the readies for the mitts which are slightly longer and should be a bit warmer though with obviously less dexterity.  Weather turned utterly bogging cycling home and my hands were the warmest bit of me so looks like they work...

Santa brought me a wool Walz cycling cap with ear flaps.  Have to be ordered from the US but a very nice bit of kit if you don't subscribe to the point of view of helmets being an obvious headwear choice.

Pete.

I was pleased to open a Primus Eta Packlite for Xmas - really happy to get one as it's fast and nicely built. As always, Primus have done an ecellent job! I was a bit worried at first, as  it didn't seem to be heating the water at all, but a full cartridge of gas soon did the trick!

A Deuter Futura rucksack was a good find in Cotswolds as well. 

Zuma wrote (see)

And also, not really gear until it gets transfered in my sigg bottle, A Balvenie Double Wood

Me too.......woo-hoo!! 

Spooky?........must be the spirits.

Got some Penderyn Madeira cask and my boss got me some miniatures of cooking whiskies, always handy to have one in the bag for a night out...

I'll have the rest of my Bowmore 17 later...quite a nectar!

Ooooh. Malt.

For a taste of salt and seaweed, try Old Pulteney.

I recevied a bottle of Doublewood from my daughter. It must have been on special offer.