backpacking

Gear talk: Microspikes

Only a few years ago, there was little in the way of choice if you were looking to purchase a pair of microspikes. Today there is an almost bewildering choice. Some are good, some not so good. You makes your choice and whatever you buy will probably last you many years.

Gear

Gear talk: a minimal USB-A diffused lantern

This cheap little USB light can be plugged directly into a powerbank and may be all that is required for night time lighting of a shelter when backpacking. They don't come much lighter than this!

Gear

Gear talk: Sealskinz waterproof socks

Three Points of the Compass uses a pair of camp socks instead of camp shoes while backpacking. Having recently splashed out on a third pair, it is time to take a look at the technology and practicality of Sealskinz waterproof socks.

Gear

Gear talk: stuff I don’t use any more- Skinners sock-shoes

A few years back, on the search for lightweight camp-shoes to use while backpacking, Three Points of the Compass came across the European made Skinners. These are stretchy, breathable 'sock-shoes', with a waterproof polymer bonded to the bottom and sides. They looked promising.

Gear

Gear talk: stuff I don’t use any more- camp shoes

Feet need a rest at the end of the day. Relief from walking, relief from being stood on, relief from the confines of footwear, relieved of sweat and grime. If backpacking, there is a decision to be made, whether to carry camp shoes. Following decades of including them, Three Points of the Compass now excludes camp shoes from any gear list.

Cooking

Gear talk: stuff I don’t use any more- fold flat tableware

Three Points of the Compass takes a glance inside the gear locker at some items of kit that don't see much use today, if at all. Orikaso was a range of fold flat tableware from a company that had vision but ultimately failed.

Gear

Gear talk: the Montbell crushable lantern shade

If a little lantern is wanted for night-time use in the tent on lightweight backpacking excursions, there isn't much smaller or lighter than this minimal offering from Montbell. It provides the means to convert the beam from a headlamp, into a gentle 360° spread of light

Gear

Gear talk: five favourite pieces of gear in 2022

As 2022 draws to an end, Three Points of the Compass takes a glance at a handful of items of gear that were especially appreciated on trail this year. Ranging from the cheap and cheerful, to expensive and essential, each of the five were frequent companions on backpacking trips.

Gear

Gear talk: UCO Original candle lantern accessories

The UCO Candle Lantern has been around for decades. It may be thought a little surprising that UCO have not produced more accessories in the past forty years. But what can you add to a candle lantern? Three Points of the Compass has a glance at what there is.

Electronics

Gear talk: Olight Obulb

The Olight Obulb is a small rechargeable LED globe lantern that provides 360° of soft light. It has a wide range of possible applications. The light weight and size, weather proofness, warm low light and runtime also makes it suitable for some backpacking and camping application.

Gear

Gear talk: the BRS-55 gas powered ‘Dream Candle’ lantern

Three Points of the Compass has previously looked at a couple of small and light lanterns for use in camp or home. One was candle-powered, the other was gas-powered. As an alternative- the little BRS-55 is a gas-powered 'candle' lantern.

knife

Knife chat: Victorinox’s Flagship Store in London

On their 125th anniversary, Victorinox opened a new Flagship Store in the UK. Three Points of the Compass ventured into London to see what was on offer.

Trail talk

Trail talk: choosing a loupe

The study of many aspects of natural history, both indoors and in the field, can often be aided by the use of a magnifying lens, also called a hand lens, or loupe. There are cheap loupes and there are expensive loupes. There are really poor loupes and there are excellent loupes. What there isn't, is a really good cheap loupe. But it is possible to buy one that isn't too scarily expensive.

Gear

Gear talk: the Primus Micron gas lantern, with steel globe

Winter is around the corner. Three Points of the Compass went rummaging through the gear locker to see what there was for lighting the long dark nights. An old favourite was found. Time to put it back into service.

Knife chat

Knife chat: 84mm Victorinox Recruit and derivatives- the Tinker Small, Tourist and Sportsman

The 84mm Victorinox Recruit, Tinker Small, Tourist and Sportsman are pretty similar to each other. They share a majority of their tools. However, there is the opportunity to choose a particular combination of functions that may be 'just right' for you. Not only that, but they are all well-priced, well-made and well-regarded products from a famed Swiss knife-maker.

Gear

Gear talk: repairing holes in tent mesh

Backpacking the Pembrokeshire Coast Path this year, I camped at a farm site one night. While I was away from the tent, the farm cat decided to rip holes in the mesh side of my tent. I took time out this week for repairs.

Electronics

Gear talk: Nitecore NB10000 Gen2 powerbank

The NB10000 Gen 2 Quick-Charge USB-A/USB-C 10000mAh Powerbank was released by Nitecore in summer 2022 as a generational improvement of the original NB10000 that astonished the lightweight backing community in 2009. Nitecore have now released a second generation of the NB10000 with just a handful of welcome upgrades, while continuing to ignore a few other areas that could do with improvement.

Gear

Gear talk: the Leica 8×20 Monovid- probably the best quality small monocular ever made

Carrying a small optic can add a great deal of enjoyment to many a hike. However, the weight and size of binoculars can be an issue for many. If you can accept the limitations, a monocular may suit. The Leica 8x20 Monovid is probably the best quality small monocular ever made.

Electronics

Gear talk: Pad-Pal, the world’s lightest electric sleeping pad inflator

A pair of lungs is lighter than the little inflator looked at here, but the Pad-Pal is, by far, the lightest electric sleeping pad inflator in the world. It is doubtful that anything lighter could be made.

Planning

Trail talk: the Pembrokeshire Coast Path: a backpacking itinerary

There are many ways to tackle the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. Section-hike, thru-hike, bed & breakfast or backpacking. If camping, which to choose- campsites or wildcamping? What follows is simply how Three Points of the Compass tackled it in September 2022.

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