Reviews
Gear we’ve used and abused.
Hoka Challenger Mid GTX
Charles Werb explains why he is a convert to the Hoka Challenger Mid GTX in his review. His summary in two words: light & comfortable.
Osprey Exos 58
Can Osprey’s ultralight Exos 58 pack compensate for the excessive camera gear Wild Editor James McCormack takes into the bush? Read on to find out.
Marmot Tungsten 2P tent
The Marmot Tungsten two-person is affordable with plenty of room.
Hoka Sky Kaha
Known best for their running shoes, Hoka One One launches a range of boots. Dan Slater tests the Hoka Sky Kaha.
What’s Old is New
Few materials used in outdoors gear production have proved as enduring as Fjällräven’s proprietary G-1000 fabric. But the fabric, which has now been used by the company for 51 years, almost never made it off the cutting room floor. Fjällräven founder Åke Nordin had previously considered using the cotton-polyester blend fabric for a tent but Read More
The Sky is the Limit
Since the brand’s inception almost a decade ago, Hoka One One has become almost synonymous with innovation.
Therm-A-Rest NeoAir All Season SV
What’s in a name? With this mat, quite a lot.
MSR Windburner Duo
I was plonked down on a little patch of grass, my back resting comfortably on an old log. The Windburner Duo was set up next to me with its accompanying 1.8 litre pot full of water and a packet of pasta. My role was to boil water for dinner while my friend Marleen filled up bottles from the creek.
Exped Synmat UL M
The first thing I noticed about the Exped Synmat was its appearance: bright orange and tiny.
Nemo Tensor Ultralight Insulated Regular Mummy Sleeping Pad
Wow! Try to say the name of this sleeping pad ten times, in the cold, out bush somewhere, while trying to fall asleep. I dare you!
Fjällräven: Abisko Trousers & Keb Shorts
For some fortuitous outdoor brands—through a combination of innovative product design, good marketing, and other ‘mysterious’ forces (which sometimes includes just good’ ol luck)—a particular product transforms from being a product designed for the outdoors to being a genuine mainstream fashion accessory. When I was a kid it was Oakley Frogskins. If you didn’t own a pair, you just weren’t cool.
Opsrey Katari 1.5 – with 1.5 Litre Hydraulics LT Reservoir
When Osprey says, “For fast rides that require only the water on your back, the Katari 1.5 lets you carry the bare minimum,” they aren’t kidding.
Patagonia Launches Recycled Nylon Range
For more than twenty years, Patagonia have been leading the way in the outdoor industry in ensuring its gear incorporated recycled products as part of their manufacturing process. In 1993, Patagonia were the first outdoor clothing company to use recycled plastics from soft drink bottles (PET) into the manufacture of their fleece products. Unfortunately, not all plastics are the same.
2019 Asolo A-Fast Hiking shoes
Australian retailers have received the 2019-season of Asolo A-Fast hiking shoes.
Marmot Eco Featherless Insulation
For years the gold standard in apparel and gear insulation has been the down of ducks and geese. As far as the lightness, warmth and compression offered by down, for many years there has simply been no alternative. Back in 2014, global manufacturing brand, 3M announced the launch of its Thinsulate Featherless Insulation. A leader Read More
Wild Beauty: Capturing every facet of Australia’s natural charm
This recently released photographic field guide provides shots of jaw-dropping vistas, geographical curiosities and Australian flora in all its unique glory.
South Pacific Pinnacle: The Exploration of Balls Pyramid
Following on from Dick Smith’s recent account on the same subject, a new book by Jim Smith and Keith Bell has been released to provide an alternative perspective.
Where Are Our Boys? History told through maps
A select archive of Newsmaps’ content provides insight into how people followed the progress of WWI.
Virgin On Insanity: Cracking read with insight into alpinism
The autobiography of British mountaineer Steve Bell is an entertaining, and occasionally racy, read that allows the reader to experience the life of an alpinist without ever leaving home.
Summit of Her Ambition: Marie Byles’ biography reviewed
Anne McLeod’s recently released biography of renowned conservationist and bushwalker, Marie Byles, as reviewed by another renowned conservationist and bushwalker, Geoff Mosley.
TV presenter and photographer launches ‘The Philosophy of Travel’
TV host and photographer Carlisle Rogers discusses his recently released book ‘The Philosophy of Travel’ to celebrate Australia’s outback and the spirit of adventure.
The Light and Fast Organisation: Patrick Hollingworth updates an old paradigm
Mountaineer, TEDx speaker and business consultant Patrick Hollingworth has developed a theory for how organisations can apply contemporary alpinist techniques to improve their business. The result is his new book, The Light and Fast Organisation.
StarGazer 2 tried and tested: Australia’s answer to the ultralight hiking tent
Produced in Fawkner, Melbourne, Terra Rosa Gear’s StarGazer 2 tent brings the competition to the international ultralight hiking field, according to Dan Slater.