Weekly Newsletter

Remember when headtorches looked and felt a bit like stadium floodlights, the batteries lasted 20 minutes and weighed 20lb - or at least that's how it felt.

Boy have things changed. Would you believe a headtorch that weighs about the same as a single AA battery, has five different beam settings, clips onto flat surfaces and lots more besides? We do because we've tested it.

We've other reviews too, but our man Gear, Richard Gear has been busy talking pants - or rather legwear. From how to repair it, which bibs to choose for mountaineering this winter and why waistlines are being worn high this year.

And last but not least this week, it's the little Snowdonian mountain that gets overlooked because it's a bit shy of 3,000 feet, but packs a scenic punch. This week's route is an ideal alternative for those days when you fancy something a bit different in North Wales.

Something for the weekend eh?

Have a good one.

Jon and the team at OUTDOORSmagic.com
editor@outdoorsmagic.com

Elsewhere On The Site

Salomon XA Pro XCR Tested They're very red and very, very technical, but how do Salomon's top-end shoes fare as all-round trail walking and running footwear?

Weekly Route - Moel Siabod, Snowdonia Don't turn your nose up at Moel Siabod because it falls short of the 3000-foot mark - it's a proper mountain with great views, and ridgey scrambling options.

Kendal Mountain Festival Soon - Highlights! It's almost time for this year's Kendal Mountain Festivals, with films and much more, and tickets are selling fast: Dickinson on Whillans, Bonington, Emmett, Fowler, Benedict Allen and loads more :-)

Latest User Reviews

Mountain Equipment Dreamcatcher 750 'Good design features, like a zip that extends across your feet. The zip doesn't appear to jam no matter which awkward position you pull it from. I'm not happy with the down leakage though.'

ASOLO Titan GTX 'Great if you have a narrow and small foot. Very comfortable to wear in all terrain. The fit, ankle support and general style of the boot is great.'

Berghaus High Trails Jacket 'Incredibly reliable performance with good breathability from the XCR fabric. I've been using this one for about three years, and it's never let me down in bad weather. I find the hood a little small though.'

Latest Forum Threads

To bothy or camp? - Where do you lay your hat?
I love bothies, and will often make a trip out of linking them together within an area. However, if I'm on my own I'll tend to camp nearby. How about you lot? - Ecco Butters and Bimblers Training Thread
The recommendation to avoid insidious damage to one's muscles etc. is to increase training by only 10% per week. That applies even when a conditioned athlete is preparing for a marathon. - JJ Waterproof Material - 1 layer? 3 layer, GTX, eVENT?
I am looking at replacing my shell jacket so can somebody please explain what it means when shell jackets have layers and what the pros and cons of such things are? - Goat

Latest Photos

Competitions

Pyrenees by Greg Kaye 2 enlarge picture	Trout Beck by Neil H enlarge picture	Mosedale Horseshoe by JJ enlarge picture

Win £2000 Of Flights
Bring the Alps or the Rockies to your doorstep with flights of your choice, from cheapflights.co.uk. Win £280 Of Vango Gear
Vango is giving away a TBS Spirit 200 Lite tent and Venom 225 Sleeping Bag to mark its sponsorship of the Original Mountain Marathon. Win Bridgedale Trekker Socks
Post your photos in the gallery and whichever gets the most user ratings bags the socks.

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