Products: Reviews Rab Alpine 400
They say: “The Alpine 400 has a Comfort limit of -6 degrees C and an Extreme limit of -23 degrees C, making it perfect for lightweight mountaineering or camping in damp conditions.”
LFTO.com says: “The Rab Alpine 400 uses the trapezoidal construction method, where each baffle is shaped like a box with sides that taper together a little towards the top. This reduces cold spots without adding too much weight. Also the foot is angled so the toes don’t squash the down in this area. There is an anti-snag webbing tape down the full-length zip. A shoulder baffle completes a great design. The Rab Alpine 400 packs down to a reasonable size and weight for backpacking, but it is not the smallest or lightest here. The zip baffle is wider than some other bags, which adds weight and cost, but reduces cold spots.” Verdict: “If you can
tolerate the weight, then this is ideal for backpacking in a wide variety of British or Alpine conditions.”
LFTO.com rating: 5/5
Price paid: £260
www.rab.uk.com
Macpac Microlight
They say: “Meeting the strict criteria of the lightweight backpacker isn't easy. The Microlight achieves it without compromising performance. A stand-out attraction is the Multi-pitch, which extends options beyond the already impressive 1.7kg.”
LFTO.com says: “This two-person backpacking tent is very light at just over 2kg and very easy to pitch as it has only one pole. It pitches outer- first, which is ideal in wet weather, and there is ladder lock adjustment for easy tensioning of the tent. There is one entrance and one porch, which extends down one side of the tent. You can open up virtually the whole side of the tent with the doors opening to the sides to expose the spacious porch that is ideal for two rucksacks. The inner doors have a zip-out panel as well as a midge net so you get reasonable control over ventilation. Inside the inner two campers can sit up at a squeeze. There’s also space for two to lie down, if you are not too big and don’t mind being very close. This is really a one-person tent that can be used for two smaller people and the width is a clear indication of this, being some 30cm narrower than most tents in this class. The outer doors also only get one zip pull, so you cannot vent the doors from the top when cooking in the porch. The pegs are quite sore on the hands too.” Verdict: “Buy it if you want a small tent with one reasonably large porch for overnight use rather than multi-day use.”
LFTO.com rating: 2/5 The North Face Spectrum 23
They say: “Being able to travel far and fast doesn't mean you have to sleep on the cold, damp earth. Weighing just over four pounds, the Spectrum 23's lightweight design allows outdoor enthusiasts to remain unencumbered by bulky equipment but retain the comfort of protection against harsh elements. Withstanding winds of 130.2 mph, you'll be blown away by how resilient this two-person tent just is.”
LFTO.com says: “The Spectrum is a two-person sub-2kg tent that saves weight by ditching the inner and relying on its design to keep out the condensation and rain. There’s loads of ventilation in the roof and at each end to allow airflow and hopefully minimise condensation. This shelter can also withstand 130mph winds, which the manufacturer claims is far in excess of other lightweights. The colour-coded poles clip to the outside of the flysheet for a rapid pitch. The outer door is at one end and has a double zip so you can vent the top. Inside you get a porch for a couple of rucksacks. There is a mesh door to the inner and then you enter a very large living space with plenty of room for two to sit up. It is a single-skin tent, so condensation may still be a problem in cooler conditions no matter how much venting there is.” Verdict: “Buy it if you want a spacious, stable design for single nights in warm weather rather than multiple nights in varied weather.”
LFTO.com rating: 3/5 Price paid: £225
www.thenorthface.com 22
Price paid: £200
www.macpac.co.nz
Snugpak Sleeper Extreme
They say: “Robust sleeping bags, an ideal introduction to Snugpak’s performance range. Provides plenty of warmth in a realistic pack size. Highly siliconised synthetic fibres give a soft touch and prolonged lifespan compared to traditional hollowfibre filled products.”
LFTO.com says: “This three-season synthetic sleeping bag has a low price; -7 degrees C Comfort limit; exceptionally free-running zip that is very hard to snag; excellent water resistance; compression stuffsack; is wider and more spacious than most bags in price range; and has a reasonable hood and drawcords. It is heavy at 2,100g, has a large packed size and the zip and shoulder baffles are not as substantial as higher priced bags.” Verdict: “Buy it if you want a more spacious bag, and a low price and low weight are not your priority.”
LFTO.com rating: 3/5
Price paid: £40
www.snugpak.com
Reviews courtesy of Trail magazine and
LFTO.com www.sgboutdoor.co.uk
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