Gear

A collection of 24 posts

Extreme Sports

Downhill Mountain Biking in 2026: World Cup Line Choice, Suspension Setup, and Why the Best Riders Brake Less Than You Think

Elite downhill racers walk a track for hours before riding it once, and the fastest among them brake far less than you'd expect. Here's how World Cup-level line choice, suspension setup, and braking technique actually work, plus what it costs to start properly in the UK.

Gear

Gear Maintenance: Keeping Technical Equipment Trail-Ready

Gear only works if you maintain it. Here's the specific protocol for mountain gear that actually lasts.

Running

Winter Running: Traction, Layering, and Safety

Summer runners who dress warm and shuffle along in January quickly discover winter changes everything.

trail running

Trail Running Shoes for Ultras: Salomon, Hoka, La Sportiva

Three brands dominate ultra running shoes, each with different strengths. Here's how to pick between them.

MTB

Tire Pressure for MTB: Tubeless vs Insert vs Inner Tube

Tire pressure is more complicated than the sidewall number. Here's how to actually tune it for your bike and trail.

MTB

Downhill MTB Protection Gear: Neck Brace, Pads, Full Face Helmet

DH protection doesn't prevent falls. It changes the consequences. Here's what's actually worth buying.

bikepacking

Bikepacking Bag Setup: Frame, Seat, Handlebar for Different Trips

Bikepacking bag setup is a Tetris problem. Here's what goes where for different trip lengths.

MTB

MTB Wheel Sizes 29 vs Mullet vs 27.5

The 29 vs 27.5 vs mullet debate has a real answer if you stop listening to marketing.

MTB

Mountain Bike Suspension Setup for Real Trails

The shop's default setup is almost always wrong. Here's the real process for tuning suspension.

navigation

GPS Navigation in the Backcountry: Garmin vs Apple vs Phone

GPS in the backcountry is a solved problem, but most people carry the wrong device. Here's the real current state.

Climbing

Crampon Types Explained: Strap-On, Semi-Step, Fully Automatic

Crampons have three fastening systems. Match the crampon to your boot and your climbing.

Climbing

Ice Axe Selection: Technical vs Mountaineering vs Glacier

The ice axe market is confused until you understand the three categories. Here's how to match tool to route.

Alpinism

Bivy Kit for Ultralight Alpine: Ultralight vs Survival

The 900g bivy is amazing until weather turns. Here's how to decide between ultralight and storm options.

Climbing

Best Climbing Harnesses for Alpine, Sport, and Big Wall

A harness has to fit your body. Here's what to pick for each climbing discipline and why.

Climbing

Rope Management for Single and Double Rope Systems

The difference between managing single and double ropes is subtle but consequential. Here's what actually matters.

Alpinism

Multi-Day Alpine Climbing: Food, Fuel, and Weight Strategy

Alpine food planning is more technical than the climbing. Here's how to pack lean without bonking at altitude.

Skiing

Ski Mountaineering Boots Compared: Scarpa, Dynafit, Atomic

The Scarpa, Dynafit, and Atomic boots each optimize differently. Here's how to choose.

Climbing

Trad Climbing Gear Rack: What to Buy First and What Can Wait

A full trad rack costs $2,500 but you don't need it all in year one. Here's the real progression.

Climbing

How to Choose Climbing Shoes for Different Rock Types

Granite, limestone, and sandstone each demand a different shoe. Here's how to match the rubber to the rock.

kitesurfing

Kitesurfing Progression: From First Lessons to Riding Waves

Kitesurfing seduces men with its hero highlights. The reality is a multi-year progression where most dropouts quit in month three. Here's how to not be one of them.

Bouldering

Best Crash Pads, Helmets, and Protection Gear for Bouldering in 2026

Most bouldering accidents involve the spotter, the pad placement, or the wrong pad for the problem. Here's what actually keeps you healthy across a decade of bouldering.

Backpacking

The Essential Ultralight Backpacking Kit for a 5-Day Wilderness Trip

There are thousands of ultralight lists online. Most were written by somebody who took two short trips in fair weather. Here's a kit built on real 5-day trips in bad weather.

Ski Touring

Ski Touring for Beginners: What to Learn Before You Leave the Piste

Ski touring looks simple until you realise a 30-degree slope is exactly the angle at which avalanches love to kill. Here's what to learn before you skin your first real line.

Alpinism

How to Climb Your First Mountain: A Complete Beginner's Roadmap

Most first-timers skip the unglamorous work — aerobic base, weighted hiking, navigation — and pay for it above 3,000 metres. Here's the plan I wish I'd had.