LONG-TERM TESTS

Used & abused

TRAIL'S GEAR TESTED FOR YOU

The search is over

 

I’ve written before about my hunt for the perfect lightweight soft shell – the kind of jacket that’s light enough to be tucked into a pack unnoticed, but protective enough to keep out the wind and a bit of weather. A few have come close to being perfect, but I think I’ve found the one that is. The Alpine Start Hoody weighs just over 200g and packs down into its own pocket. It has an adjustable hood and sleeves which have enough stretch in the cuff to be pulled up for venting.

The Schoeller stretch-woven fabric is super breathable and accommodating but keeps the breeze out effectively and shrugs off a bit of drizzle and even some snow! Its cut feels athletic but is roomy enough for effective layering – adding a fleece or insulated layer underneath makes it cold-weather ready. It’s wonderfully adaptable, and one of my new favourite pieces of outdoor kit.

Verdict

A year-round shell that’s perfect for iffy summer days and milder winter conditions – we’re going to be great friends.

USED BY Ben Weeks,Trail gear editor

USED FOR 6 months

Rugged purifier

Before starting this review, it’s worth clarifying one thing (and not just the water): the difference between a filter and a purifier. A filter removes waterborne protozoa and bacteria, but not viruses, while a purifier knocks out all three. This has historically been tough, because viruses are so small they simply slide through the net but now, with very spenny technology, it is possible. The places where this is most important are those with high footfall where there’s a greater likelihood of water being contaminated by bad toilet practices from other people. Popular lakes for example, or rivers. We took this on an expedition down the River Dart where, because we were travelling by canoe, packsize wasn’t an issue. It is quite large, even when packed down, but very lightweight and reassuringly tough. It looked intimidating at first but is actually remarkably simple to use, with the flush and dispense pipes each being locked by a simple clip mechanism. Release the clip, release the water. The main issue we found was the hang height, which is 6ft at least to be optimal (the tubes are very long). That’s fine in the woods but can be harder to set up in the hills where high hang points can be sparse.

Verdict

Tough and reliable. Probably too much for most but very useful for group travel in popular spots or overseas.

USED BY Sarah Ryan, Trail contributor

USED FOR One trip

No-frills waterproof pack

First question: what do you want a waterproof pack for? If the answer is to drag through jungle rivers, then by all means go for something pricey at the top end of that scale. But if the reality is to ensure yo