PHD Launches Online Gear Adviser

There's an interesting new feature on the PH Designs web site in the shape of a new Gear Adviser section where you can select a destination and get instant advice on which cold weather gear from the PHD range might be suitable.


It's a neat idea, particularly if you're a first timer, say, heading off trekking to the Andes and aren't quite sure what level of sleeping bag or down jacket you ought to take. You just select your destination / activity using the interactive map or dropdown menu and the site does the rest bringing up recommendations for down and synthetic jackets, shells, trousers, sleeping bags and vests.

There's also a handy side-panel telling you a little about what conditions to expect at your destination, seasonal variations and some gear notes. The Himalayan trekking section, for example, points out that lower down in the trek, it's likely to be quite warm, so it makes sense to opt for a sleeping bag with a full zip so you can vent when necessary.

An interesting idea. Obviously the recommendations are all from the PHD range, but even if you're considering other brands, it gives you some good general pointers on the sort of conditions you can expect and what sort of temperature ratings your kit needs to match up to.


For a laugh, we chose Everest and were presented with a range of three sleeping bags with minimum temperature ratings from between -45°C and -50°C - yep, PHD really does make three sleeping bags suitable for Everest use...

You can find the Gear Adviser at www.phdesigns.co.uk/gearadviser/