It’s time to view the future of Mountain Equipment in the crystal ball. In amongst all the mist and haze we can distinctly make out a big improvement to the summer alpine range, not to mention a fair few hooded soft shells. Won’t the editor

Looking for insulation that keeps you warmer but weighs less is a bit like eating chocolate cake and then jumping on the scales hoping to find you’ve shed a few pounds. But it’s also the equation that outdoor gear manufacturers have to crack.The most recent solution comes from H...

and feature denser fabrics and triple-stitched seams. If this is your bag, the Rugged Mountain Pant could be one to look out for, although there are updates to the lighter end of the range too if you don’t fancy pushing the boat out too far.Soft shell

- rather than the numerous vents and gaps - that did the most to keep us cool. We couldn't complain about the breathability, which was very good. We also liked the generally soft, rustle-free feel, which is quite different from most shell jackets out there

. Polartec Wind Pro is wind-resistant (clue's in the name), so it acts as a soft shell, but with added insulating properties. That's because the long fluffy fleecey fibres are positioned on the inside, next to the skin, rather than on the outside

...It's time for some summer alpine action with Mountain Equipment or, if that's not your thing, prepare for an invasion of hooded soft shells. Find out more ...Two layer eVent and down mitts are what it's all about in the world of Rab this summer

'd expect from a fully-specced Rab shell jacket - wired hood, map pocket, storm flap, and so on.The men's Pinnacle jacket comes in five colours - lemongrass, black, burnt orange, graphite and stratos, although we can only visualise the black version with any

tastes were catered for. And just to put the icing on the cake - or the Nikwax on the leather - someone even managed to book the sun for the day - even in Snowdonia:-) Alas, this meant we weren't able to test out the latest soft shells or waterproof

thread inside your gear loop to remind you that a replacement should be on the cards when it starts to show.Add eleven layers of lamination and a breathable soft shell liner into the mix and hey presto...We tried one on briefly in Friedrichshafen

Here at OUTDOORSmagic we indulge in an editorial rant every so often – why do so few soft shells have hoods, for example? Why is so much men’s gear cut for pie-eaters? And why does women’s gear have to be baby blue?Yes, we really have ranted about