Expert Product Reviews
Scarpa Rush Trk LT GORE-TEX® Boot In-Depth ReviewGear Expert Stuart Hedley shares his thoughts on the Scarpa Rush Trk LT Boots after an 8-hour hike in Scotland.3 min read- OEX Vertex Lite Roof Tent In-Depth ReviewOEX has recently launched the Vertex Lite. The two-person fold-out roof tent offers an affordable entry to the growing trend of rooftop camping and is compatible with almost any vehicle. We took a closer look at one of this summer’s most exciting releases and answered all your burning questions.3 min read
- Gear Review - 15 of The Best Walking BootsIn relentless drizzle, a team of shop staff from Blacks Ambleside visited Tilberthwaite in the Lake District to test and review 15 pairs of the best walking and hiking boots on some of the UK's most challenging terrain. The test included boots from Scarpa, OEX, Merrell, Meindl, Berghaus, North...16 min read
- OEX Tirran Waterproof Jacket In-Depth ReviewThe OEX Tirran is hailed as a high-end mountain waterproof at a mid-range price. But is the acclaim for OEX’s latest jacket justified? Adventurer, climber and outdoor photographer Mark Pickersgill went to find out for himself by testing it on a rainy hike up the Old Man of Coniston. Here’s the...3 min read
- Lowe Alpine AirZone Active 22L In-Depth ReviewFormer professional rugby player and full-time adventurer Chris Knight puts the Lowe Alpine AirZone Active 22L Daypack to the test in the Brecon Beacons.3 min read
- OEX Crusade Boots In-Depth ReviewRead our detailed review of the new OEX Crusade walking boots, designed for year-round walking and hiking.4 min read
- Speed Hiking: Olympian walker shares tips to pick up your paceTwo-time Olympian, world record holder, and arguably Britain’s most decorated fast walker, Tom Bosworth knows more than most when it comes to speed. Here, Tom offers five useful tips for hikers who want to pick up the pace.3 min read
- A World Champion Fast Walker’s expert review of the Merrell MQM 3 GTXBritish Olympic race-walker and world record holder, Tom Bosworth, has put Merrell’s MQM 3 GTX through its paces on a fast-paced hike.3 min read
- Christmas Gift Guide Navigating the shops for the best outdoor gifts at Christmas can feel like you’ve got a mountain to climb. We’ve pulled together our top selects for outdoor adventure gifts from our premium outdoor brands.12 min read
- Exploring Rab’s Limited Edition Microlight Alpine JacketSix exclusive colourways of Rab’s most iconic down jacket – explore the limited edition collection at Blacks.2 min read
An Outdoor Icon: A History of the Rab Microlight JacketThe Microlight Jacket has been conquering summits for over a decade. We explore the history the iconic jacket and delve deep into its technical features.3 min read- An Expert Review of the Merrell MQM3 GTX ShoeUK adventurer Ben Wright gives an honest review of his experience wearing the Merrell MQM 3 GORE-TEX® hiking shoe out on the hill.3 min read
