Jon Gupta tries out a minimalist backpack ideally suited to climbing, scrambling and mountaineering… After seven years I finally hung up my old pack for retirement and felt a huge sense of gratitude and an empty feeling in my stomach – nothing could ever replace it. Until the Crux AK37 turned up, that is. Tough, rugged and well made, this sac looked simply bombproof. The little brother to the AK57 and AK70 family of Crux sacs, it had a lot to prove out in the hills. The fabric is an incredibly tough blend of Kevlar and Cordura, making this ideal for … Read more »

Need a boot for year-round use? We test out eight of the best models vying for your money… It’s not possible to have one boot that’s perfect for every occasion, but a 3-4 season boot is probably as close you can get. Offering as much support and protection as you’ll ever need, they will even take you onto snow at a push, with a sole stiff enough to take C1 crampons, yet still be flexible enough to remain comfortable after hours of walking or trekking. Within this category there are also several distinct types of boot e.g. do you want a … Read more »

The Alps provides the perfect testing ground for Scarpa’s latest hi-tech mountaineering boots Getting a pair of mountaineering boots is a big investment so you need to make sure you get a pair that offer both comfort and performance. Featuring a bunch of innovations, including Scarpa’s ErgoFit technology, the Jorasses Pro GTX is one of the boots vying for your money.  They certainly look the part straight from the box, and putting them on for the first time they feel both super comfortable and super supportive. I took them on a recent trip to the Alps, but in the weeks leading … Read more »