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Editor in Chief Daemon Sands daemonsands@littlegatepublishing.com Sales Director Alex Smith alexsmith@littlegatepublishing.com Corporate Director Anthony Letchumaman anthonyl@littlegatepublishing.com Senior Writer Emma Hilling emmahilling@littlegatepublishing.com Lead Designer Alina Sandu studio@littlegatepublishing.com Publisher Stephen Warman stevewarman@littlegatepublishing.com
Contents ● Outwell Bamboo Dinner Set 4 Person ● Besiter - Eclipse Power Bank 7500mAh ● Hilti GX 90-WF Fastening Tool for Wood Framing Applications ● Teufelberger TreeMOTION Harness ● SureFlap Sealed Pet Feeder ● Coleman - Bungee Sling Chair ● Rockfish Two Tone Zipper Wellington Boots ● Hilti PR 300-HV2S Dual Grade Rotating Laser
Page 20 ● Coleman - DuraRest Double High Airbed ● Cloud Nine Waving Wand ● Belly Bandit Bamboo Belly Shield ● HiTec Neo Waterproof Wellington Boots ● Cloud Nine: The Original Iron
Page 30 ● Outwell - Collaps Kettle 2.5LT ● Campingaz - Party Grill 600 and 400 ● Löffler Windstopper Superlite Cycling Jersey ● Coleman - FastPitch Air Valdes 4 Person Tent ● Hi-Tec V-Lite Altitude Pro Lite RGS Waterproof Hiking Boot
Page 40 ● Kelly Kettle Large Base Camp 1.6LT (Stainless Steel) ● Hilti SF 8M-A22 Cordless drill driver
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Outwell Bamboo Dinner Set 4 Person This four-person dinner set consists of 4 x 250ml mugs, 4 x 26cm dinner plates and 4 x 13cm deep bowls. They are available in either green, blue or off-white; we tested the off-white option. There is a clue in the name as to what the dinner set is made from - 100% bamboo, an eco-friendly material due to its incredibly fast growth rate and zero pesticide requirements. Bamboo is also biodegradable, meaning the dinner set will decompose when it is no longer in use. However, just because it can decompose, this doesn’t mean these dinner pieces are flimsy. Every item felt as solid as plastic if not more so, the texture a strange combination of plastic and paper which was actually really tactile. All the pieces together are light and packed away easily alongside my camping stove, and I wasn’t worried about them getting broken like I would with a real porcelain set.
We used all the items time and time again over the five days we were away. I was pleased to see that even with black coffees, chocolate puddings and tomato based curries, the set washed up perfectly every time. It was also pleasant to eat off of, unlike an old plastic dinner set we had; the cups kept the drinks warm whilst the handles stayed cool enough to hold, and with warm food on them, the plates and bowls were comfortable on our laps. I was really impressed with the dinner set; the only change that would make it perfect would be if cutlery made from the same material was included in the price. People should be encouraged to be more earth-friendly where they can be, but I think £40.99 (that’s £3.41 per item) may scare some people off. All in all, the Bamboo Dinner Set is a hardy collection of cups, plates and bowls that will bring a bit of class, as well as a feel-good factor, to the campsite.
www.outwell.com
Pros • Strong • Lightweight • Made from eco-friendly, biodegradable bamboo • Tactile • Dishwasher safe • 3 colours available
Cons • High price tag • No cutlery included
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Besiter - Eclipse Power Bank 7500mAh The Eclipse is a rechargeable Li-ion battery power bank that’s available in 500mAh, 5000mAh, 7500mAh and 10000mAh. We reviewed the 7500mAh. My first impression was that it looked and felt like a high quality product, with two thirds made from a tactile matt rubber and one third a high gloss. It has a nice weight to it and a clean polished finish. With two USB outputs you can also charge two devices at the same time (although only one micro USB cable is included). It is also extremely easy to use, and with a maximum 2.1A output it can charge devices quickly, for a portable charger. However, the Eclipse itself takes a long time to charge up to full capacity – 0-100% took 3hours 14mins. The charger will let you know exactly how much power it has left with a clear digital display that is activated by a little shake, or will stay displayed constantly whilst the charger is plugged into a device or mains. It also has a powerful LED torch that flips open, which is always helpful
when rummaging around your tent at night or even angling it to work as a reading light. The Eclipse is able to through-charge, meaning you can plug it into your mains and charge both the Eclipse and a device at the same time. I tested the Eclipse out with a Samsung S6; it charged the phone surprisingly fast, taking only 1hr 40 secs from 0%. This did, however, use 55% of the Eclipse’s power, meaning I couldn’t get more than one full charge from it. We had similar results when testing it with an iPhone 6+. I wasn’t impressed with the quality of the included cable, as a couple of times it stopped charging and took a little wiggle to get it going again, but it worked perfectly well with my usual charging cable. Overall, the Eclipse does have a few faults, but for its reasonable price tag it is still pretty good value for money, and I think I will be investing in the 10000mAh for my next camping adventure. RRP £10.99
www.kavson.co.uk
Pros • • • • •
Quality design Digital battery life display Charges devices quickly Duel charging Charge both eclipse and device at the same time • LED torch
Cons • Low quality cable • 7500mAh only provides enough power for one full charge • Takes a long time to charge fully
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Hilti GX 90-WF Fastening Tool for Wood Framing Applications Nailed-on to be one of the safest gas-actuated nail guns I have used, may I introduce you to the Hilti GX 90-WF fastening tool for wood framing applications. The GX 90-WF has been fitted with a jagged tool nose with a safety sleeve that significantly reduces the risk of free flying fasteners and a visit to A&E. The GX 90-WF offers a nail roughly every three seconds which isn’t as quick as other nail guns I have reviewed but each gas canister can deliver over 1000 fixings with each magazine holding up to 75 nails. With its high magazine loading capacity and equally high performance Li-ion battery
www.hilti.co.uk/r62428
it gives great productivity and can drive nails between 50 and 90 mm in length. What I love about Hilti is how they make everything so simple and natural to use like the depth adjustment dial, this could be delivered to your door and you would be up the ladder applying the roof battens in minutes. The GX 90-WF is compatible with standard commercial market nails and gas. The Li-ion battery can be fully charged in around 45 minutes and there is a battery charge LED to let you know when it next needs an injection of juice. RRP ÂŁ459+VAT
LIGHTWEIGHT TOOLS THAT PACK A PUNCH. Our new 12V range are the smallest, lightest cordless tools we’ve ever made, but still deliver impressive performance and reach! Whether you are an avid DIY fan or a discerning construction professional - the new Hilti 12V cordless range offers new levels of accessibility and productivity in light-duty drilling and fastening applications. Follow us on
Scan this code for more info:
hilti.co.uk/12v
Hilti. Outperform. Outlast.
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Teufelberger TreeMOTION Harness Since the release of the TreeMOTION Harness in 2007, it has gained the reputation as one of the most comfortable, versatile harnesses in the market. As the name suggests, this is a harness specifically designed for tree climbing and aims to make the experience as comfortable as possible, with improved distribution of loads, a large range of motion, individual gear loops and fantastic work positioning convenience. This is also the only Harness we have tested that fulfils three (EN, ANSI and Australian) Standards and we understand they are working on being awarded Japanese and Canadian standards as well. The TreeMOTION has been tested on loads up to 120kg, allowing climbers to safely carry heavier gear up into the trees. The PPE-approved rear tie-in attachment option (Standard only), according to EN 358, can be used as a retaining feature for working bent over forward. Safety is first and foremost when it comes to the TreeMOTION Harness, the stitched seam at both ends of the rope bridge ensures the rope ends are long enough beyond the knot, the DMM Axis Swivel S on the rope bridge instead of the ring was also tested. It is a hardy harness with new UVresistant seams designed to with stand even the scoring Australian sunshine. The high strength textile/plastic
mixture material and wide flexible grooved padding offers a surprisingly breathable surface so you don’t end up soaked through in sweat at the end of the day. The central part of the padding is ergonomically designed and provides additional adjustable lumbar support. The product is fully adjustable with quick release buckles at waist and leg loops and uses a colour coded reference system to differentiate PPE attachment points, whilst featuring accessory brackets on both sides to allow the storage of a chainsaw. The TreeMOTION will provide you with long lasting safety and comfort with exchangeable wearing components, that means the back padding, rope Bridge, left and right leg loops and hip-leg connection can all be replaced with the exact compatible element.
TreeMOTION Standard RRP €350 TreeMOTION s.Light RRP €290
www.teufelberger.com Providing excellence in comfort and features, the TreeMOTION really is a product to harness.
Pros • Comfortable • Quick-release buckles at waist and leg loops • Exchangeable wearable components • Ergonomic back padding with adjustable lumbar support • Adjustable gear loops • Colour coded PPE attachment points and gear loops • Accessory brackets on both sides • Improved load distribution
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SureFlap Sealed Pet Feeder Cats are notoriously greedy and one of mine has some ninja quality skills when it comes to stealing his brother’s food. Most of the time it isn’t too much of an issue, however there have been occasions where one of them has had medication in his food and I have had to sit and monitor their feeding. The SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder is an ingenious little gadget that uses the cats microchip to identify who’s who, access to the food is synonymous with the cat assigned. If your cats aren’t microchipped (although we recommend all pets should be chipped) you can use the SureFlap RFID collar tag that comes
with the feeder and simply attach to the collar. The SureFlap was really easy to program and it doesn’t have to be one cat one bowl, the feeder will store up to 32 different identities even when the batteries (6months battery life, 4 x C cell batteries are not included) have been removed; making it a pretty versatile piece of kit. As the food is covered when your pet isn’t feeding it will remain fresher for longer as well as keeping flies, pests, neighbours cats and even toddlers away. The 400ml dishes are large enough to accommodate an entire day’s food, it comes with a standard bowl, split bowl and foot mat that can all be removed for cleaning.
The SureFeed has a training mode to gradually introduce your cat to the movement of the flap, both my boys adapted to the bowls really quickly (the look on my timid boys face when the lid first moved was priceless) and it really made us realise just how much more one of our cats was eating than the other, no sunrises as to why he is a little over weight. After a couple of weeks, they both settled into a routine and our fat Furry even managed to shed a little weight now he is eating only his food. We have only tested the feeder out with cats but it could work with small dogs too. All in all, we found the SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder a really useful tool, keeping food fresher for longer and ensuring you have complete control over what your pet is eating… at least in your house. RRP £99.99
www.sureflap.com/surefeed
Pros • Stores up to 32 different identifications • Keeps food sealed and fresher for longer • Stops pest, children and other pets eating the food • Ideal for specialist diets, medications and greedy furry friends • Light indicates when the batteries are running low • Training program • Bowls and foot mat removable and different colours are available separately
Cons • Not suitable for medium and large dogs
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Coleman - Bungee Sling Chair The majority of my camping holiday will always be spent sitting in a camping chair; whether it be on the beach or by the campfire, it will be one of the most used pieces of camping equipment for the duration of the holiday. The Bungee Sling Chair is made from a strong steel frame (ours was an attractive blue colour) and a polyester and nylon mesh. The interlocking bungee sling loops attach along both sides of the back support, giving it a springy suspension. The arms have detachable cushioned fabric sleeves that attach with Velcro, providing a comfortable arm rest that can be removed and hand washed if necessary. The steel poles running through the arm rests means that they actually provide proper support, unlike cheaper chairs that only have fabric
strips to rest on. At first I was disappointed that there didn’t seem to be a cup holder where would I put my over-priced artisan beer? I was wrong; the cup holder was tucked away under the seat and simply swivelled out when needed, which in my case was all the time. Due to the Bungee’s solid construction it can accommodate a weight up to 136kg. The downside of this is that the chair is pretty heavy 5kg to be exact. It isn’t very compact when it is packed away either, and it took up quite a bit of space in the car. However, it does come with its own carry case plus shoulder strap, which helped when I was carrying it over the dunes at the beach. I found that the Bungee Sling Chair provided a good amount of back support whilst sitting for long periods
of time. The mesh is breathable, so there are no sweaty back issues, and the lower section is made from a softer polyester that is comfortable on the backs of your bare legs. The only issue I had with the Bungee Sling was that the slight incline of the seat kept my knees lifted higher than my hips, which made me knees stiffen up after sitting still for a while. This is an issue I often have with camping chairs, but at least there was enough depth on the seat that I was able to hitch my feet up or even sit cross legged. All in all, I found the Bungee Sling chair supportive, very sturdy and built to last - a good accessory for any campfire. RRP £59.99
www.gooutdoors. co.uk/coleman-bungeechair-p371788
Pros • • • • • •
Sturdy Stow away cup holder Solid steel frame Removable arm rests Springy back support Carry case
Cons • Heavy • Bulk
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Rockfish Two Tone Zipper Wellington Boots Our British summer time is anything but predictable, pesky summer showers can halt BBQs as guests grab what they can and retreat for indoor shelter. As for festivals (Glastonbury I’m looking at you) you are more likely to get a mud bath than a tan, making wellington boots are an absolute must for any summer adventure. Rockfish are the brain child of Jules Aldred, founded in 2008 her footwear was designed to with stand the rigors of equestrian life. Due to their stylish designs, bold colour choices and a reputation as durable boots, they have crossed over from the stable yard to the high street making them a firm favourite with festival goers. I was lucky enough to test out the
Two Tone Zipper Wellington Boot in black and plum, I liked the two tone effect; a classic matt finish on the bottom and a high gloss on the top really makes the colour pop. The YKK gun metal zipper runs the full length of the calf and has an inner fluted waterproof sleeve on the inside so that water can’t seep in through the zip. They are made from 100% natural rubber that has been vulcanised to provide durability & strength (horse urine resistant, hopefully not necessary for a camping weekend but it’s always good to know). When putting them on I had to wiggle my foot a little as my heel was catching on the bottom of the zip, but once on they were really comfortable as they are ergonomically
www.rockfishwellies.com
designed to hug the contours of your calf, ankle and instep. They feature a shock absorbing foam insole & foot bed but I didn’t find that this made too much of a difference when comparing it to a normal wellington, in fact the insole actually kept displacing when I removed my foot from the boot. To summarise, the Two Tone Zipper Wellingtons are really comfortable to wear, they don’t get crazy hot or rub and are durable even when sitting or on long walks. Furthermore, I would recommend to anyone to choose Rockfish when entering the market for wellington boots. £99.99
Pros • • • • • • • •
100% water proof Bold stylish design Contoured fit Soft Lining doesn’t cause feet to sweat Full length zip makes getting in and out easier Durable (12month guarantee) Abrasion resistant rubber compound to the heel & sole Suitable for everything equestrian
Cons • Heel catches on the bottom of the zip when putting them on • Insole slips out when you take them off
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DriveStation™ Quad Direct Attached Storage USB 3.0
HD-QHU3/R5
Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage Huge Capacity Direct Attached Storage
Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay Direct Attached Storage device perfect for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 comes fully populated with high-reliability Buffalo Technology’s DriveStation™ WD Red™ drives in total capacities of up to 24TB.
Quad (HD-QHU3 series) is a 4-bay
™ The DriveStation Quad is RAID-enabled customised Direct Attached Storage deviceforperfect redundancy and capacity depending on your specific needs for demanding SMB. The HD-QHU3 and also comes with 10 licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP comes Essentials fully populated Business software. with high-
reliability WD Red™ drives in total
The DriveStation™ Quad features the capacity, redundancy, capacities of required up to 24TB. and performance for any demanding user – the perfect solution for backing up large servers, multimedia files, or databases. The HD-QHU3 series is sold fully populated with WD Red drives and total capacities of 8, 12, 16, or 24TB. HD-QHU3/R5
Features and Benefits • 4 bay Direct Attached Storage fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives - Available with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities
• RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD
• Perfect for Server, PC, and/or Database Backup
Features and Benefits
- Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBackup Business Essentials
• Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer
4-bay Direct Attached Storage •• SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0
fully populated with WD Red™ hard drives with 8, 12, 16, or 24TB capacities • RAID-enabled for performance and reliability - Supports RAID 0/1/5/10/Spanning/JBOD • Perfect for ™Server, PC, and/or Database Backup - Also includes 10 free licenses of NovaStor NovaBACKUP® Business Essentials • Power Saving – Auto Power feature turns on and off automatically with your computer ched Storage • SuperSpeed connectivity with USB 3.0 • 3 year warranty - Available • 3 year warranty
tation Quad
Hilti PR 300-HV2S Dual Grade Rotating Laser I will kick this review off by saying that this is the most quality built rotating laser I have ever reviewed. Considering how delicate the components are inside, Hilti have protected this unit to the best of their ability. The drop-resistant housing of the Hilti PR 300-HV2S Dual Grade rotating laser has four shock absorbing handles allowing it to survive drops from up to 1.5 metres, which after much deliberating, I did test and glad to say the device is still in one piece. For this review I used it with the Hilti PRA 90 Tripod which worked hand-in-hand with the device offering a stable platform and reliable height transfers. The PR 300-HV2S Dual Grade rotating laser comes with an auto-alignment feature allowing the laser to align with the receiver and instantaneously display the slope results on the screen. You can use the laser for levelling (transferring heights,
pouring concrete, excavation), grading (foundations, ramps, trenching), aligning (transferring building lines, aligning columns) and squaring. The accuracy is phenomenal with Âą0.5 mm at 10 m with a rotation speed of 600 RPM and with an operating distance of 600 m diameter. The interface is simple to use and after familiarising yourself with the manual you will be a master in no time. Impressive still is that with the remote and receiver being integrated into one device it can be operated by one person. After a full charge you can get just over 24 hours use with Li-ion battery and as standard with Hilti, the laser is covered by the Hilti Lifetime Service offering no repair costs whatsoever for up to 2 years from date of purchase. With the durability, strength and accuracy of the device all protected by the Hilti Lifetime Service, this is a sound investment. RRP ÂŁ1,999 + VAT
www.hilti.co.uk/pr300-hv2s
HD-QHU3/R5
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Coleman DuraRest Double High Airbed When it comes to airbeds, mine seem to get bigger and more luxurious every year; I used to sleep on a thin foam ground mat with no trouble, but as time has gone by, getting comfortable has become more difficult and waking up has transformed into a symphony of moans and groans as I try to clamber out of the tent (I can only assume that the ground is getting lumpier these days). The DuraRest is a double-high airbed, at 198 x 137 x 47cm. The height from the ground makes getting in and out much easier, and raised us up from the teenage-style mess that covered the floor of our tent. The DuraRest is designed to be more durable but lighter than existing PVC beds; it has been proved to be 47% more puncture resistant and 25% stronger than standard beds, but up to 42% lighter. We inflated it with one of Coleman’s rechargeable air pumps and it went up quickly and easily, with the end result of a firm, stable mattress. It lays flat with a slight lip around the edge, which I liked as it made me feel more secure and less like I was going
to roll off into the piles of clothes and crisp packets below. My partner goes to bed earlier than me most nights and I was able to scramble onto the mattress (and over the top of him) without waking him - this was due to how firm the DuraRest is. The DuraRest saw us through four nights of good quality sleep, all off of one pump and two little top ups. It packs down into a compact size with a wrap-around cloth that creates a protective bag with a handy strap for carrying. All things considered, a very good product. RRP £99.99
www.gooutdoors.co.uk/ coleman-durarest-raised-doubleairbed-p321881
Pros • • • •
Lightweight Durable Flat sleeping surface Attached ‘Wrap and Roll’ carry bag • Stays inflated for lengths of time • Comfortable
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Cloud Nine Waving Wand We had big expectations for the Waving Wand after the fantastic results we achieved with Cloud Nine’s straightener, the Original Iron. Like the Original, you get a few added extras when you buy the Wand: a heatprotective glove to keep your spare hand safe from burns whilst you wrap your hair around the wand, 50ml of Magic Potion (see The Original review for details), and not forgetting that complimentary beach bag. There are three different temperature settings to choose from, allowing you to select the ideal temperature for your hair type. The temperate is can be raised or reduced through these settings by holding the power button. It is easiest to hold the wand in you non-dominant hand, put the heatprotective glove on your dominant hand and wrap small sections of your hair around the Wand, leaving it for a few seconds and then gently pulling the Wand away to reveal large, loose curls, which should be even-shaped
thanks to the even thickness along the Wand’s length. I have naturally fine, straight hair and curls often drop out really fast, so I was interested to see how long they would last this time. The Wand heats up quickly, and the first thing I noticed was that there is no protective cap on the end (I noticed this whilst I was burning the top of my ear). Now, this is obviously a hot piece of equipment and needs to be used with extreme care, but a little heat-proof cap on the end would be helpful for clumsy people like me. I curled my hair all over but the curls seemed to drop out almost instantly, and the more I tried to recurl them the worse it got and the more frustrated I grew, so I turned to the Cloud Nine website for some tips. They suggested pinning each curl in place to let them cool down, as this action would set the curl; this simple technique made a big difference and left my hair in very loose floaty curls.
www.cloudninehair.com
I would have preferred a more defined result from the Waving Wand like those shown in the instruction video - I liked the effect produced with my hair but it wasn’t something I couldn’t achieve with the straighteners, without the added ear burning. All things considered I probably wouldn’t use this product again. RRP £99
Pros • Heat protective glove • Beach bag, 50ml magic potion include • Heats up quickly
Cons • No protective cap on the end • Produced very loose curls, not defined waves
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Belly Bandit Bamboo Belly Shield The Belly Bandit Bamboo is a stretchy band designed to be wrapped around a woman’s tummy after giving birth in order to both aid and speed up the process of weight loss. Not only is the bamboo material soft against the skin, but of course bamboo itself is a sustainable resource. Designed by women for women, Belly Bandit seeks to rediscover a post pregnancy body as quickly and conveniently as possible. The shield works via Stretch and Compress™ technology, which creates a 360degree compression around the stomach. This action helps support back, stomach and leg muscles as well as the skin, thus helping to reduce the visibility of stretch mark; also offering additional support whilst breast feeding. When you put the Bamboo on it immediately gives you a slimmer silhouette and provides great support whilst standing up, it can even be used by women who have undergone a caesarean section. The problem I
found was when sitting down on the sofa the product would fold over at the top and dig into my ribs. Although Belly Bandit say that you can sleep in the Bamboo (as the more you wear it the quicker it will take effect) we found it too warm and restricting, with a bit of perseverance it probably would be manageable however the initial discomfort was off putting. The biggest issue we found was that the lower part of the Bamboo tended to ride up, women with an hour glass figure (larger hips narrow waist) may find this an issue. Aside from some comfort issues, the Bamboo really did seem to have an impact on helping reduce that postpartum tummy. After 3 weeks you could definitely see a difference, so a little discomfort maybe worth it if you want to see results. £69.95
www.bellybandit.co.uk
Pros • • • •
Instantly look slimmer Helps minimize stretch marks Provides comfort after C-Section Supports back, leg & stomach Muscles • Adds support while breastfeeding • Earth Friendly
Cons • It can become uncomfortable at times especially for hour glass figures
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Hi-Tec Neo Waterproof Wellington Boots Hi-Tec is a deep-rooted sports shoe brand dating all the way back to 1974, when Frank van Wezel (in the wonderfully named village of Shoeburyness) created their first Squash shoe. Now they produce everything from sandals to wellies- a pair of which we tested out over a long weekend. The Neo Waterproof Wellington Boots are a fully waterproof knee high boot; we were testing out the Plum colour but they are also available in Navy. There is no faffing about with these boots, you just simply pull them on and off you go. There is an adjustable buckle on the side that widens the calf from about 14inchs to nearly 18.5inchs. The boots are handmade from a strong vulcanised rubber, they are shaped at the calf and ankle for a better fit
and the EVA foot bed adds underfoot cushioning and is shaped to fit the natural contours of the foot. I did find however that the shaping around the ankle created a vacuum around the foot resulting in the need for a good hard tug to pull them off. The Plum coloured Neo’s are lined with a pink polyester that will help keep your feet warm in cold conditions, but we found on warmer days this feature was uncomfortable; making for sweaty calf’s. The Neo’s seem to be designed for a slightly wider foot, this did make them more bearable when in hot weather; as they accommodated any swelling happily. They have a really deep tread which provides excellent grip on muddy surfaces and water logged grass, the thick rubber makes them a force to
be reckoned with (no worries about accidental damage). I was a little disappointed with the finish of the boots, the split down the outside of the boot looks like the owner has just cut it themselves with a sharp knife, some of the lining along this slit is frayed- there is thread sticking out by the heel and some of the rubber edges could be tidied up. Having said that, aesthetic details aside, these wellingtons faired really well over a weekend with a few heavy showers and a large amount of mud, keeping my feet completely dry and providing a steady footing throughout. For the price I would like to see a cleaner finish but apart from that they are a good hardy boot. RRP £49.99
www.hi-tec.co.uk
Pros • • • • •
Fully waterproof Adjustable calf width Deep tread for steady footing Slightly wider fit Contoured fitting around ankle and calf
Cons • They get hot in warm weather • Tatty finish • Needs a good hard tug to get them off (especially with hot feet)
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Cloud Nine: The Original Iron Cloud Nine is the creation of Robert Powls. Those in the know might recognise this name as the founder of the hugely successful GHD styling product company, founded in 2009. Their philosophy was to create luxury and innovative styling products that are kinder to your hair. We had the pleasure of testing out The Original Iron, one of Cloud Nine’s most popular products and winner of the 2015 and 2016 Hair Award. We were keen to see what all the fuss was about. The Original has seven different heat settings from 100 degrees all the way up to 200, allowing you to pick the best temperature for your hair type. The plates themselves have a mineral coating that adds a lovely healthy and glossy finish to your hair. The floating plates also have a gentle curve to them, and when using them there were zero snags or fly-away hairs getting caught (there is no pain similar to that of accidently catching a loose hair and tearing it out…OUCH).Due to
this ease of use I could curl my hair and add waves without it tangling at all. The standard Original plates are 2.5cm by 9cm, but the product is also available in Wide (4cm by 9cm plates) for the same price. It is also nice and light at only 400g. The Original comes with Cloud Nine’s Magic Potion 50ML (RRP £6.95) - this little bottle provides the ‘magic touch’ by protecting hair from heat damage whilst you are styling. It also claims to reduce your hair’s drying time by half, provide UV protection, nourish your hair with a lightweight leave-in conditioner, tame unmanageable hair, strengthen weakened or damaged hair, provide anti-static and prevent frizz and flyways. I loved this stuff - it made styling a breeze and left my hair feeling soft, static-free and smelling lovely. You also get a protective heat guard, an attractive high-quality carry case and a beach bag (because why the hell not?) My singular gripe with the Original is
that the button is on the inside of the tongs and with my clumsy paws I was worried that I might touch the plates when changing the temperature. Thankfully I haven’t done this (yet), but wouldn’t it be safer to have this on the opposite side to the plates? The entire kit is nicely packaged, making it an ideal gift, and more importantly it works like a dream. I will very quickly lose patience with a set of straightens if the first section I straighten isn’t perfect right away, but this wasn’t an issue with the Original. They are quick to heat up, easy to handle and produce long-lasting natural styles without any visible damage to my hair. Al in all, a very impressive product. RRP
www.cloudninehair.com
Pros • Seven settings, 100 degrees to 200 degrees • Super smooth mineral-treated floating plates • Heat up quickly • Light • Easy to handle • Tangle free • Magic potion, heat guard, carry case and beach bag included
Cons • Temperature buttons on the inside of the tongs
£139
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Outwell - Collaps Kettle 2.5LT The Collaps Kettle by Outwell is a collapsible camping kettle made from a combination of stainless steel and silicone, available in 1.5LT or 2.5LT, and is part of the Outwell Collaps camping kitchen range. We were testing out the 2.5LT in an attractive plum colour. It arrived already in its most compact form, 5.5cm x 19cm. I was a bit concerned that as a large proportion of the product was made from silicone, it might smell strongly of plastic, but happily it did not. The kettle is simple to pop up into full size, though we found it easier to lift and twist the handle to one side than the other; if you tried to lift the handle forward, the spout would get caught under the metal rim and wouldn’t fully pop up. I filled the kettle to the max line and placed it on our camping stove to see how long it would take to fully boil; when sitting outside the tent
waiting for that first cup of coffee in the morning, a minute can seem like an hour, so time was an important factor for us. I was really surprised the Collaps Kettle only took 14 mins 15secs to get up to 100 degrees, whereas my dad’s old camping kettle seemed to take at least half an hour for three cups of tea. At 2.5LT, this kettle produces ten cups of tea or coffee based on the standard 250ml cup size, so within 30 mins I could easily make enough tea, coffee and hot chocolate to coax out all of my hungover and grizzly camp mates (with no nasty plastic-tasting water either!) The silicone-covered handle is really sturdy and stays cool to the touch even when the kettle is full and boiling. The lid is also made from silicone, so it too stays cool enough to remove - you just pinch it in the middle and it gently lifts away so you can check if the water is boiling. Sadly
there is no whistle on this kettle to indicate when the water is boiled, so you will either have to look or pop a temperature probe in through the spout (my technique). The spout itself is designed to produce a steady and slow pour, which was ideal for us as we didn’t have a table, so slow and steady was necessary to save use from scolded hands or knocked over Pot Noodles. All in all, the Collaps Kettle is a great camping kettle, ideal if you are working with limited space. The only changes that would make it perfect would be if it had a whistle spout and if the handle could be removed so it could become even more compact. However, even without these changes, it is still an awesome product that became a firm favourite in our camp. RRP £30
www.outwell.com
Pros • • • • •
Compact Boils quickly at full capacity Strong silicone handle Silicone lid Easy to pop up and collapse down • Makes a lovely cup of tea (no plastic taste)
Cons • No indication that the water has boiled • Handle sticks out still when it is collapsed
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Campingaz - Party Grill 600 and 400 The Party Grill range is a compact, portable camping grill that offers four different modes for your al fresco cooking: stove top, grill, griddle or plancha. All the elements pack away inside the grill, making it easy to transport and store away. Starting with the Party Grill 400, it runs on Campingaz R904, R907 or a standard butane or propane cylinder. The lid is easily removed by undoing three clips around the edge, and there are two handles attached that let it double as a wok (ideal for us Asian food lovers). The next layer is a reversible non-stick griddle, which we used for eggs and bacon in the morning. Underneath that is the grill, perfect for burgers and sausages in the evening, and underneath that is the burner shield that helps to distribute the heat more evenly. Remove that and you will find a frame to support your pots and pans for stove-top cooking. The bottom half of the grill is a water compartment - you fill it with water before you start cooking so that any grease or yuk that drips through can be tipped away at the end of use. This makes it really easy to keep clean; the grill just needs a quick wipe down after you tip the water out and it looks as good as new. One thing I love about the Party Grill is the piezo ignition, which means you don’t need matches or a lighter to get
it started. Every year, no matter how many lighters or matches we take with us, our camping trips always seem to end with all 10-15 of us sharing one lighter - a nightmare! The 600 has all the same features as the 400 (minus the wok lid) but on a much larger scale. The legs are twice the length, which brings the grill to a comfortable standing height. There is also a blue plastic tray that hooks between the legs, making it more sturdy and providing a small table. Both grills have temperature control to give you more flexibility whilst cooking, and they also both come with a handy carrier bag. All the cooking components look and feel like good quality - the only thing that lets the Party Grills down are their plastic ignition cases, which looks and feels cheap, and the casing kept opening up slightly. This was especially true on the 400, and the clips that keep the whole thing together kept coming apart as well. This was a worrying flaw that made me distrust how secure the lid was whilst transporting it. The biggest difference between the two grills is the size and power. The 600 is a lump to carry about, 10.72 kg, but it provides loads of cooking space (52 x 99 cm on the stand) and serious fire power of 4000w. This firepower means less time waiting for the kettle to boil - a 2.5lt full kettle only took eight minutes – but
this increased heat also means you will get less burn time from you fuel sources: 9hrs 30mins on R907 and 6 hrs 15mins on R904, compared to the 400’s 12 hrs and 30 min on R904 and 19 hrs and 30 min on R907. The 400 is much lighter at 4.92 kg, just under half the weight of the 600. The legs will bring the grill to stand at 42cm, which is a comfortable height to work at whilst sat on a camping chair, and the grill is 36cm - not a huge loss of space for cooking. The 600 would be best suited for the back garden, or maybe if we were having a BBQ at the beach, whilst the 400 is much better if you need to carry it about or are camping for long periods of time. Overall, both grills were a pleasure to cook on, fast to heat up and a breeze to clean, bringing serious glamour to our campsite.
RRP £219.99 – Party Grill 600 RRP £109.99 – Party Grill 400
www.gooutdoors.co.uk/ campingaz-party-grill600-p368847 www.gooutdoors.co.uk/ campingaz-party-grill-400stove-p368901
Pros • • • •
Easy to assemble 4 different cooking options Ignition Water compartment makes cleaning easy • Quickly produces an even heat • Lid doubles as a wok (400 only) • Compact
Cons • Heavy (the 600) • Plastic components cheap and flimsy • Clips are fiddly and detach from the grill
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Löffler Windstopper Superlite Cycling Jersey When talking about Löffler it’s important to mention that they are sports brand with a difference. Unlike many of the big sports brands, Löffler do not outsource their production to low-wage countries for bigger profit margins but keep all their production in local Austria- where they also make 70% of all fabrics used in their products at their in-house knitting factory. The Windstopper Superlite Cycling Jersey is made from 87% polyester and 13% elastane, this combination creates an ultralight and stretchy cycling top. My first few moments with the Windstopper was a complete vanity fest, I spent a good five minutes admiring myself from every angle until my partner asked me if I was actually going out or not. The Jersey is performance fit so it sits really snuggly against the body without been too tight. The neckline is a stand up collar, the seams are really
soft and it feels very gentle against the skin. There is also a silicone waistband to stop the jersey riding up during those moments of ferocious pedalling and reflector detailing for a little extra safety. As you would expect with a name like Windstopper the Jersey is pretty weather hardy, suitable for temperatures from 100 to 200. The soft shell 100% protects your skin against wind-chill, keeping the most important part of your body at a steady temperature. The Windstopper Superlite is also water repellent so light rain will simply run off, making it an ideal cycling top for spring through to autumn. Conclusively, I found the product extremely comfortable and easy to wear. It looks after you in bad conditions whilst remaining fairly breathable in the warmer months.
£77.55
www.loeffler.at
Pros • • • • •
Stretchy performance fit Water repellent 100% windproof Very light Zip pocket in the back
Cons • Although its breathable it still gets warm on sunny days
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Coleman - FastPitch Air Valdes 4 Person Tent As my friends and I get older, our annual camping trip has progressed from 2 man tents, ground mats and a tin of beans to a miniature village with all the latest camping gadgets and creature comforts. The Coleman FastPitch Air Valdes 4 Person Tent is just the thing to knock my friends’ pop-up tents out of the park; the Valdes offers idiot-proof erection due to its inflatable pole system, with a high pressure valve for quick inflation and deflation, meaning the tent can easily be put up by one person. It took us (I say us, but my role was mostly supervisor/beer taster) eleven minutes to put up the Valdes, from pulling it out of the bag to having a fully functioning fabric house (pump and manometer included). This is impressive for a tent we have never assembled before. It then took another eight minutes (I did help at this point) to peg down the guy-ropes and put the door together, which was very simple and only involved two elasticated poles. Even in some pretty strong winds, the inflatable poles held up well; there was no buckling, which we were quite surprised about. Due to the thickness of the poles, I believe they actually held up better in bad weather than our old tent. The Valdes is incredibly easy to put
up but that alone isn’t the making of a good tent - it also needs to be comfortable to live in for extended periods of time. My absolute favourite thing about the Valdes is the blackout bedroom; I mean, what a brilliant idea for such a glaringly (literally) obvious issue. The entire bedroom compartment is lined with blackout material that blocks 99% of daylight, meaning you won’t be woken up at 6am semi-blinded by the sun. The blackout material also acts as a form of temperature control, making it up to five degrees cooler in the daytime and one degree warmer at night. There is bags of room in the tent it‘s like living in the TARDIS. The XXL bedroom is bigger than some student accommodation; we didn’t bother with the divider as it was just the two of us, meaning we had room for an extra high double airbed, all of our clothes and nearly enough room left over for a game of twister. Our dining/binge drinking room could house a camping table and chairs with enough room to store all our cooking equipment. The final feature that scored brownie points was the hinged door; I never considered how annoying it was unzipping and clambering over tent doors until I didn’t have to. The Valdes’ door simply pushes open and
swings closed, making it easy to pop in and out to grab belongings without having to display the inside of your tent to your camp mates or fumble with the zips. We found that it kept the tent cleaner and also helped to keep out those pesky bugs that usually dive inside the moment the door is open. As we are much more about comfort these days, we don’t pitch our tent far from our car. That turned out to be lucky, as the Valdes weighs 18.5kg (just over 2.5 stone!) You wouldn’t want to lug this tent all the way from the carpark to your camping pitch, like you need to do at some festivals. However, the weight aside, the Valdes is everything you could want in a tent and then some; roomy, cool temperature, blackout bedrooms and an absolute breeze to put up and take down. It will protect you against harsh weather and be your home from home year after year - hats off to Coleman. RRP £599.99
www.amazon.co.uk/ Coleman-FastPitch-ValdesPerson-Inflatable/dp/ B019X3FPEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=U TF8&qid=1472735247&sr=81&keywords=air+valdes+4
Pros • • • • • • • • • •
Hinged door Inflatable pole system Quick to put up and take down Can be assembled by one person Blackout bedroom Temperature control Two XXL rooms 4000mm hydrostatic head Fire Retardant Cable openings
Cons • Heavy (18.5kg)
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Hi-Tec V-Lite Altitude Pro Lite RGS Waterproof Hiking Boot The V-Lite Altitude Pro Lite RGS Waterproof Hiking Boot by Hi-Tec is both lightweight and fully waterproof, made from a waterproof suede and mesh upper that keeps the water out whilst the Dri-Tec breathable membrane allows heat to escape. The removable insole adds extra cushioning and the ankle cuff is flexible; giving you ample support without restricting movements. The Vibram outsole provides excellent traction; I felt like my feet were stuck to the ground whilst walking about, they also fared well on slippery surfaces, (I tested them out whilst climbing over some green slimy rocks at the beach). The Vibram RollinGait System aims to get the most out of every step by following the natural roll of the foot; the idea being this could help you walk for longer without muscle fatigue. Now this might not be for everyone but I felt it added a little extra spring to my step, yet for hiking I’m not sure I would have enough energy left
over for a sprint finish because of the soles. For the price I think these are good boots with lots of traction, the waterproofing did well to keep the water out but I found the breathable membrane didn’t do much to stop my feet getting hot and sweaty; albeit tested on a summers day. I personally wear a regular fit shoe but I feel comfortable in a wide shoe too, these boots were just a touch too narrow for me and I can see how this would become a problem over a long hiking trip. Aesthetically, the boots look good, the black on black with a little purple detailing makes them look solid and tough; like they are ready for action (thanks for not making the women’s version pink Hi-Tec). My advice, as with any hiking boot, try before you buy. If they don’t feel too tight they could make an excellent hiking boot, at great value for money. RRP
£99.99
www.hi-tec.co.uk
Pros • • • • • •
Fully waterproof Look great Good value for money Lightweight Good traction Vibram RollinGait System
Cons • Feet got sweaty • A little too narrow for my feet
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Kelly Kettle Large Base Camp 1.6LT (Stainless Steel) Patrick & Seamus Kelly are the 4th generation of Kelly’s to take the helm of the famous Kelly Kettle and camping gear brand. Founded in the west coast of Ireland, the Kelly Kettle was once the secret weapon of the Irish Anglers but has grown in popularity amongst all types of outdoor enthusiasts. The Kelly Kettle provides a completely different way of outdoor cooking, it is so simple and you don’t have to worry about running out of gas or damages. The Kelly Kettle is a durable, eco-friendlier way of cooking (as it only uses carbon neutral materials) and will last forever, unless you accidently run it over with a steam roller or one of your friends decide to pinch it. It comes in two parts, the base- where you light a small fire with whatever you find laying around with the kettle simply sitting on top, then the main kettle- designed like a chimney with a cavity wall where the water goes.
Because the large surface area of the water will come to the boil within a matter of minutes, we made 6 cups of coffee in less than 4mins, I think that’s quicker than my coffee machine at home. You can pick up a cooking set from Kelly Kettle for only £15.50 so you can expand your cooking options with a grill, saucepan and frying pan by simply placing it on top of the fire or on top of the chimney, this way you can boil water and cook at the same time. It is fairly compact at 33cm x 18.5cm and only weighing 2.55 lbs making it a great companion for day trips, survival kits, camping or fishing trips. Due to the design of the base it is really easy to set up a fire, the high sides give it a little protection from the elements whilst providing a sufficient amount of oxygen to reach the fire. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully, one of our camp mates tried to boil the water with the plug in,
not a good idea due to the pressure that builds up and also it is best to place the cups on the ground before pouring the water; as it comes out quickly and takes a bit of practice to master. The handle is a little fiddly as you have to told it at a 90degree angle rather than over the top of the chimney as you will get burnt, it is the only part of the whole product design I thought could be improved upon. Overall, the Kelly Kettle is a supremely efficient way of boiling water and cooking food away from home, after the initial cost of the Kettle (which is extremely good value for money) you can run it for free for a lifetime, a brilliant piece of engineering.
www.kellykettle.com
Pros • • • • •
Extremely fast boil time Compact Great value for money Large capacity Will cook and boil at the same time • Carry bag • Eco-friendly
Cons • The handle can be awkward to use • Takes practice to perfect aim
£55.95 for the Stainless Steel Model or, £49.95 for the Aluminium version.
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Hilti SF 8M-A22 Cordless drill driver The Hilti SF 8M-A22 is the boxing equivalent of Manny Pacquiao; they are both small but pack a hell of a punch. They also don’t need to be plugged into the mains. The Hilti SF 8M-A22 is a Cordless drill driver with an innovative self-tightening metal chuck and comes with 85 Nm of torque, virtually eliminating the risk of drill bits slipping especially in high torque applications. The SF 8M-A22 is ideal for large diameter applications and comes with
www.hilti.co.uk/sf8m
15 torque settings and 4 speeds, allowing you to have complete control of both the speed and intensity of drilling. With the features mentioned above you would be forgiven for forgetting the SF 8M-A22 is cordless being fitted with a 22V / 5.2 Ah Li-ion Battery meaning that it is packed to get the job done.
RRP ÂŁ 480 + VAT for kit with 2x batteries
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