Gear reviews

Review: Summer hiking T-Shirts

Posted on June 21, 2025 by Helen Webster

Whether you’re bagging Munros, wandering through coastal paths, or simply making the most of a crisp morning in the glens, a good hiking T-shirt is the base layer you’ll rely on. We’ve tested a range of both synthetic and merino-blend tops paying attention to fit, breathability, drying time, durability and value for money. Here’s how they stacked up: Berghaus: 24/7 Crew Tech Tee RRP: £30Fabric: 100% polyester Argentium fabric Made from ultra-lightweight fabric that feels cool against the skin and wicks well. The women’s is a fitted design but retains a good range of movement in the arms as there’s…

Posted in Baselayers, Gear reviews, Magazine

Review: Hiking shorts

Posted on May 9, 2025 by Helen Webster

Summer can be over very quickly in Scotland so it’s good to be prepared with a comfortable pair of hiking shorts. Things to consider when buying include: fit; range of movement including fabric stretch; weight, material type and speed of drying and SPF protection; sustainability, number and size of pockets, type of waistband and fastening, durability and cost. We’ve been testing a range of pairs. Findra: Kilda Trail Shorts RRP: £90Fabric: 88% nylon (38% recycled), 12% spandex These are longer length shorts from women-only Scottish brand Findra. They are designed with comfort in mind and are equally at home on…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers

Review: Lightweight gas stoves

Posted on April 16, 2025 by Helen Webster

When you’re out in the hills with everything you need strapped to your back, every gram counts, and in this review we’ve put a selection of lightweight stoves through their paces to see which ones deserve a place in your pack. We’ve tested them all out in real Scottish conditions, but also done a comparative boil time and simmer control test at home; we looked at efficiency, packability, ease of use, durability and value for money. Weights given include accessories included with each stove including pot support, canister stabiliser, and stuff sacks – not all of which need to be…

Posted in Camping, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear review: the best walking socks

Posted on March 13, 2025 by Helen Webster

The humble sock can make a big difference to the enjoyment of a day out, whether it’s a big hill day, multi-day backpack or gentle dog walk. Here we’ve taken a look at a range of hiking socks, all tested in a range of conditions in the Scottish Highlands. Ideally a sock should provide day-long comfort with good cushioning and support, fitting well to prevent slippage and blisters, keeping the foot warm but not overly sweaty and stinky, it should be durable and easy to care for. In addition there are environmental and ethical considerations in how and where they…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Synthetic insulated jackets

Posted on October 28, 2024 by Helen Webster

Rab Cirrus Flex Hoody RRP: £150Weight: 380g (women’s size 10) There’s a lot to like about the re-designed Cirrus Flex. Lightweight, it offers a good degree of warmth with fairly wide baffles allowing the PrimaLoft Silver RISE insulation to loft well, trapping warm air. Very stretchy fleece panels extend all the way up the sides and on the inner arms and at the ears, reducing bulk and allowing more breathability. If anything, I could have this layer even thinner. I’ve used Rab synthetic and down jackets in the past and the pertex used on this one for the outer layer…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine, Midlayers

Gear review: Trail and walking shoes

Posted on June 28, 2024 by Helen Webster

All these trail shoes have been tested by over the last few months in a range of Scottish locations and conditions. Weight is per pair and for the size tested – note that we tested half in women’s and half in men’s. As usual on Walkhighlands, we don’t sell gear ourselves and so the prices stated are RRP – you will often find them on sale for less. Salewa Mountain Trainer 2 GTX RRP: £200Weight: 938g (Women’s UK 6)Upper: Leather/textile with Gore-Tex membraneSole: Vibram A heavier, stiffer shoe than most on test, these will be suitable for three season use as…

Posted in Features, Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear review: Day packs – 2024

Posted on May 14, 2024 by Helen Webster

With so many packs on the market it can be hard to choose. One of the main differences between them is the back system. Either a suspended system (sometimes called a trampoline system), which is cooler as it holds the pack away from the body but can feel less stable and have less packable space, or a contact back which does what it says on the tin and feels more stable but is sweatier, or some hybrid combination of the two. Design and comfort of shoulder and hip and chest belts as well as back length are important, especially if…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Rucksacks

Gear Review: Windproofs for 2024

Posted on April 12, 2024 by Helen Webster

A lightweight windproof jacket or smock is an incredibly useful addition to your pack. On dry days this will reduce wind chill without the overheating caused by full-on, heavier waterproofs. Sometimes called windshirts or windbreakers, these take almost no space in your pack – usually squashing down extremely small. They are most usually worn by runners, and often mountain bikers, but are actually a great addition to a walkers’ pack too, keeping the wind off whilst you are working hard heading uphill. As usual with Walkhighlands reviews, as we don’t sell gear we give the manufacturer’s recommended retail price –…

Posted in Gear reviews, Jackets, Magazine

Gear Review: 2-3 season walking boots (2024)

Posted on March 24, 2024 by Helen Webster

As usual with our reviews, the prices given here are the manufacturer’s recommended price – Walkhighlands has no affiliation with any retailers and you will usually be able to find most of these discounted for less. All weights given are per pair; the women’s shoes were tested by Helen and the men’s by Paul, so weights are given for the actual pair tested – note the sizes. Hanwag: Blueridge Lady ES RRP: £185Weight: 1.1kg (women’s UK size 6)Upper: Suede and 100% recycled fabric, Hanwag EcoShell waterproof membraneMidsole: PUSole: Hanwag Hike Pro Comfort is first and foremost with this mid height,…

Posted in Footwear, Gear reviews, Magazine

Gear Review: Best winter walking trousers

Posted on February 15, 2024 by Helen Webster

Keela: Scuffer Trousers RRP: £84.95Weight: 440g (Women’s 10S) Just about the stretchiest fabric on test, these trousers have proved to have a high level of wind resistance and good water repellency, whilst not being too hot when working hard. I’ve found them to been fairly quick drying too. The decent sized zipped side vents with mesh are easy to use while wearing. The women’s fit is on the slim side, but these trousers come in 6 sizes and 3 lengths so you should find something that suits. The design is well thought out with good knee shaping and velcro-adjustable ankles…

Posted in Gear reviews, Magazine, Trousers