Products: Reviews Inov-8 Roclite 400 GTX Boots
They say: : “The Roclite 400 GTX is the world’s lightest leather Gore-Tex walking boot. It is a modern interpretation of the walking boot, combining the durability and comfort of Nubuck leather, a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex liner and inov-8’s expertise at reducing weight. The result is a fantastic walking boot that now sets the standard that all other boots are measured by.”
LFTO.com says: “At first sight it is perhaps not obvious what is so special about the inov-8 Roclite 400 GTX. In fact it would not have been long ago that it would have been brushed aside as not being substantial or robust enough for hill walkers. It has a leather upper that is virtually stitch-free, so it should be pretty durable. There is some reinforcement at the toe in terms of internal stiffness as well as an external abrasion-resistant layer. The ankle cuff is lower than some others and more flexible too, which makes this far less restrictive on the foot. You get an off-road-running-style sole with 5mm deep studs that are widely spaced. To give it more shelf appeal and hill credibility the styling is a little more modern than other leather options. They are less supportive than most others, and so your feet and ankles have to work harder. But assuming you don’t mind that, they are great on grassy terrain in particular as the grip from the sole is superb. On rockier ground you can feel pretty much everything you are doing, and not always in a good way. My main issue with these is that the upper tends to soak up water very fast, which makes them slow-drying.” Verdict: “The inov-8 Roclite 400 GTX is incredibly lightweight, has a virtually stitch-free leather upper, there is reasonable stiffness in toe box and features deep and widely spaced outsole lugs. However it has less foot support than other lightweight boots and the upper tends to soak up water and be slow to dry. All in all, perfect for those who consider weight the number one priority, but the drawbacks are less foot support and less durability.”
LFTO.com rating: 4/5
Price paid: £130
www.inov-8.com
Trangia 27-5 UL Stove
They say: “Ultralight aluminium stove with two non-stick one litre saucepans, graded and ungraded, and one non-stick frypan.”
LFTO.com says: “It’s unbelievably simple to set up and use, and it works well in the wind too, thanks to the windbreak that encloses the burner. It’s virtually impossible to knock the pan over if you accidentally kick the Trangia when moving around camp. This set is large enough for two people to share, but there are also versions with a larger pan and with a gas burner instead of a meths one, if you find the 11 minute boil time with meths a little too slow. Simmer control is a little hit or miss as you simply place a cover over the burner. But the Trangia 27-5 UL’s limited flame control is irritating, and compared to some options this is very heavy and bulky due to the large metal housing that acts as a windbreak and pan support.” Verdict: “The Trangia 27-5UL is a classic cooking system that’s ideal for campers who prefer to keep things relatively safe and simple.”
LFTO.com rating: 4/5
Price paid: £65
www.trangia.se
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Trekking Poles They say:“Built with durable lightweight aluminium and featuring both our compactable Z-Pole technology and FlickLock adjustability, the Black Diamond Distance FL defines on-trail versatility. Ideal for everything from backpacking to short day hikes, the Distance FL's 20cm of adjustability let you tweak the length for sidehilling or for use with a tarp shelter.”
LFTO.com says: “These are an extremely compact, lightweight set of poles and great for those who don’t necessarily want to use them all of the time. They fold down to the smallest compressed length of any pole tested, by a long way. But their light weight means they can be hard to place in the correct position, especially in areas with thick undergrowth or when the wind’s up. The FlickLock height adjustment is a nice feature, allowing you to quickly fine-tune pole length on the go. There are no removable baskets, however, which could pose problems in much softer ground.” Verdict: “An excellent travelling option, these have great features making them suitable for a wide range of conditions.”
LFTO.com rating: 4/5
Price paid: £100
www.blackdiamondequipment.com Reviews courtesy of Trail magazine and
LFTO.com www.sgboutdoor.co.uk Black Diamond Distance FL MSR Fast Stash Tent
They say: “With more than ample room for two plus gear, a full-protection, single-wall body with DuraShield coating pitches quickly with the included poles or your trekking poles for added weight savings. Ideal for a range of conditions, the side wings can be pulled in for maximum protection, pulled out for increased air circulation and covered exterior storage, or pulled back completely exposing broad side vents for maximum, flow-through ventilation. A covered entry allows the broad front door to easily be enjoyed by two – even in the rain.”
LFTO.com says: “The Fast Stash is a two-pole tarp, which can either be erected over its own twin DAC poles, or over a pair of walking poles. What makes it different is the built-in walls and a groundsheet. There are subtle and clever differences that put it in the tarp bracket while gaining some of the benefits of a tent. This is achieved by tucking away the walls under the protection of its expansive tarp-like wings. Being out of the direct line of falling and wind-blown rain means the walls can have large mesh panels permitting ventilation. The footprint of the MSR Fast Stash is pretty big, again reflecting its tarp heritage, and so, although it’s a two-person tent, you could easily squeeze in a third body, particularly if you ‘top and tail’. It is totally reliant on being pegged out taut, which with its large wings and panels means it isn’t brilliant in high winds. However if carefully pitched in sheltered locations it delivers excellent three-season performance.” Verdict: “The MSR Fast Stash is an exciting lightweight shelter development that neatly tackles all the typical drawbacks of using a tarp in Britain.”
LFTO.com rating: 5/5
Price paid: £225
www.msrcorp.com
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