backpacking – Three Points of the Compass

first aid

Knife chat: Is this the best, lightest, sharpest, folding knife available? It bloody well might be!

Is the Nitecore NTK05 the best, lightest, sharpest, folding knife available for backpacking- it bloody well might be!

Gear

Knife chat: breaking down the Victorinox Midnite Manager

While theVictorinox Classic is one of the most popular choices […]

Gear

Knife chat: breaking down the Victorinox Classic

The majority of backpackers frequently choose one of the excellent […]

Cooking

Knife chat: Opinel knives

French manufactured Opinel knives have a long history- they celebrated their 130th birthday in 2020. These are ideal lightweight knives for backpacking

Cooking

Gear talk: Kovea Spider

As the temperature creeps down, it is time to use a gas stove admirably suited for winter use- the Kovea Spider

Gear

Knife chat: A ‘best-seller’ from Gerber- the Paraframe Mini

Gerber have released a number of different Paraframe models over […]

Gear

Knife Chat: is this the most practical minimalist knife on trail? The Deejo 15g

Not a lot is required of a knife for 99.9% […]

first aid

Gear talk: First Aid Kit

It is perfectly possible to go on a walk carrying no first aid capability at all. However knowing how to cope with issues and carrying something to deal with blisters, […]

ditty bag

Gear talk: ditty bag contents

It is a number of years since I showed the contents of my hiking ditty bag. That place where I keep this ‘n’ that, bits ‘n’ pieces, spare stuff, repair […]

Cooking

Trail food: Gofio

Visit many restaurants on the Canary Islands and you will find a small dish or bowl of pale finely ground flour in the centre. This is gofio, roasted and milled, […]

Food

Gear talk: carrying a tin opener on trail

While it is doubtful that many backpackers would dream of packing such an item, Three Points of the Compass advocates carrying a tin opener while on trail, especially on a […]

Gear

Knife chat: Victorinox Pocket Pal- is this the best thin 58mm ever?

There is, quite literally, not a lot to this knife. […]

Gear

Knife chat: The Victorinox Executive

Victorinox has offered a huge range of knives and multi-tools over the decades. Traditionally these are roughly classified by their folded length. These are: 58mm, 74mm, 84mm, 91mm, 93mm, 100mm, […]

Gear

Gear talk: Smaller power banks, plugs and leads on trail

Small power banks/chargers Like most hikers, Three Points of the […]

Gear

Knife chat: SwissCards

Victorinox SwissCards The Victorinox SwissCards are lightweight plastic ‘cards’ that contain a small range of tools. These can frequently be all that is required on a hike. Three Points of […]