The tumblings of Webtogs

@webtogs-blog-blog

45 posts

Lighten the Load - Backpacking Kit Ideas

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/06/26/lighten-the-load-backpacking-kit-ideas/

Lighten the Load - Backpacking Kit Ideas

Even though it's forecast to rain this weekend (right on cue for Glastonbury & Wimbledon), we've enjoyed some stunningly good weather so far this summer, and it's set to return next week. Besides its obvious benefits; barbecues, being able to wear a T-shirt all the time etc., fine summer weather presents lovers of the great outdoors with the perfect conditions for lightweight backpacking! Travelling light on foot is an unbeatable way to soak up beautiful landscapes as you move through them at your own pace, unburdened by weighty seasonal gear and the pressures of 'everyday' life. To fully achieve this Zen-like state of lightweight backpacking bliss, however, you need the right kit. As well as keeping your pack weight down, the best lightweight outdoor clothing and equipment should provide you with a base-level of personal comfort and safety, night and day. Here's a bit of lightweight kit inspiration from Webtogs, based around the requirements lightweight backpacking with one companion:

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#backpacking #lightweight #lightweight gear #Tutorials

Brasher and Berghaus to "Tie the Knot" under Berghaus Name

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/05/28/brasher-and-berghaus-to-tie-the-knot-under-berghaus-name/

Brasher and Berghaus to "Tie the Knot" under Berghaus Name

Some surprising news reached us last week; Brasher, one of Britain's most loved footwear brands, is to 'join together' with fellow UK Brand, Berghaus. The result of this will be that the Brasher brand will effectively cease to exist, and selected Brasher boots will be sold under the Berghaus name from Spring/Summer 2015 onwards. Brasher boots will be sold under the Berghaus name from Spring/Summer 2015

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

#Berghaus #boots #Brands #Brasher #Hiking #Walking #The Outdoor Archive #Webtogs First Looks

Zamberlan Norwegian Welted Boots

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/05/22/zamberlan-norwegian-welted-boots/

Zamberlan Norwegian Welted Boots

The Zamberlan Norwegian Welted footwear collection is a high-end line that demonstrates the immense skill and expertise that has been passed down through the generations of master bootmakers at Zamberlan, Italy. One of the oldest and most proven methods of boot construction, Norwegian Welting is coupled with advanced modern outsole technology, resulting in end products that embody the Zamberlan artisan tradition of exquisitely made, reliable and comfortable walking boots.

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

#webtogs #The Outdoor Archive

Rab Launch New Backpack Range

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/05/20/rab-launch-new-backpack-range/

Rab Launch New Backpack Range

For some time now Equip outdoor group, custodians of the hugely successful Rab brand, have refrained from taking Rab into the backpack market; seemingly due to their ownership of the primarily pack-making brands Lowe Alpine and Podsacs. Their sale of Podsacs in 2013 however, confirmed that there were changes afoot to Equip's 'divide and rule' approach to outdoor kit... Utilising the world-beating Equip combination of in-house design experience and renowned Rab build-quality, a brand new pack range bearing the Rab name has been released for the Summer Season of 2014. Spanning a 70-litre expedition backpack, 35 to 55-litre Alpine packs, and a range of fast and light 'Dynamo' styles, the new Rab pack range can't compete with the sheer depth of styles that Lowe Alpine offers - but more than makes up for that in quality and user-appeal. In their respective size and activity brackets, every new Rab pack is an absolute knockout. And don't just take our word for it - the team at Trail Magazine describe Rab's first foray into backpack manufacture as "accomplished from the off". They praised the Rab Alpine Backpack range even more highly, awarding it their coveted 5 Star verdict.

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

#Reviews #The Outdoor Archive

After The Black Death

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/05/18/after-the-black-death/

After The Black Death

A week has now passed since Webtogs team members Mike and Myself (Phil) took on The Black Death Run, a 10 mile cross-country run at Combe Sydenham, West Somerset (see my previous post for details). After a busy week of adding new Summer Rab products to Webtogs, I've finally got time for a quick write-up. Of course, if you're more interested in the new Rab stuff, I don't blame you one bit - http://www.webtogs.co.uk/rab. But more on that next week. Thankfully Mike, Myself, my girlfriend Eilis, and friend Yuno all completed the run... sort of. I say sort of because about 3/4 of the entire field managed to get lost, the result being that the 'finishers' ended up running anything between 6 and 14 miles on various loops through the forest. The cause it seems, was a rather amusing one, though not particularly funny on the day... What a rag-tag group. From left to right: Yuno, Phil, Eilis, Mike. The first 2 miles of uphill would rapidly wipe those smiles off our faces.

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#webtogs #Adventure Stories

Trail Running Kit Picks - Lowe Alpine, Smartwool & X Socks

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/05/02/trail-running-kit-picks-lowe-alpine-smartwool-x-socks/

Trail Running Kit Picks - Lowe Alpine, Smartwool & X Socks

Having started running regularly in preparation for the upcoming Black Death Run, I've bought a few essential clothing items from Webtogs to equip me for the trails. Luckily I've had lots of chances to test them out over the past few weeks thanks to the recent (sadly now ended) sunny spell. So, ...

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Mike and Phil from Webtogs to take on The Black Death

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/04/25/mike-and-phil-from-webtogs-to-take-on-the-black-death/

Mike and Phil from Webtogs to take on The Black Death

One of the appealing-looking 'mud-chutes' on the route A couple of weeks ago, perhaps foolishly, I decided to enter the aptly named Black Death Run: a 10-mile trail run at Combe Sydenham, West Somerset, with over 2800 ft of ascent. Foolish, because I've never actually participated in an organised running event before, let alone an off-road one with such intimidating vertical proportions. And foolish because as I write, it's only just over two weeks away. Should be a challenge!

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

#Adventure Stories

Marmot NanoPro: Hyper-Breathable Waterproofing For the Masses

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/04/15/marmot-nanopro-hyper-breathable-waterproofing-for-the-masses/

Marmot NanoPro: Hyper-Breathable Waterproofing For the Masses

This week at Webtogs, we've taken delivery of the latest new waterproofs from Marmot, featuring their new family of waterproof technologies - NanoPro. Within the NanoPro family there are two main technologies: NanoPro itself, an entry-level coated technology; and NanoPro MemBrain, a 2.5-layer ...

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#The Outdoor Archive #Tutorials #Webtogs First Looks

Escaping the Crowds in the Western Brecon Beacons

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/03/19/escaping-the-crowds-in-the-western-brecon-beacons/

Escaping the Crowds in the Western Brecon Beacons

I was lucky enough to get up to the the Brecon Beacons this weekend, where I spent Friday night through to Sunday afternoon on a backpacking trip backpacking with a good Welsh friend of mine, Mr Dan Bryan. Two others were due to join us, but sadly had to pull out; something which they'll no doubt be gutted about when they see the photos... View from near Llanddeusant, looking up at the Carmarthenshire Fans Dan, being a local lad, picked out a route for us which roughly followed a stretch of the Beacons Way, a 152km national walking route, generally completed over 8 days. It starts near Abergavenny in the East, and ends at the village of Bethlehem in the far West of the National Park (que 'hilarious' geographically-themed jokes). Our chosen segment, which neither of us had explored so far, went from the Storey Arms Outdoor Education Centre to the village of Llanddeusant, and it proved to be the most scenic, varied and all-round enjoyable walk I've done in years (arguably ever, though I need to give that more thought)! It's certainly one I'd recommend to anyone with a love of fine views, varied terrain, and importantly; piece and quiet. We must have passed about 10 people on the trail over the entire weekend, 80% of them on the Sunday afternoon when walking down towards civilization. On the same weekend in the Pen y Fan massif, we would have had hundreds for company. To find out more about the Beacons Way, head to the Brecon Beacons Park Society website for a description of the route, maps of each leg, and highlights along the way. As I've said, the bits we did are days 5 & 6, from the Storey Arms to LLanddeusant: www.breconbeaconsparksociety.org/national-park/the-beacons-way/the-route-2

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

#Adventure Stories

Montane Fireball - Product(s) of the Week

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/02/28/montane-fireball-products-of-the-week/

Montane Fireball - Product(s) of the Week

Just a quick post about a product I really like, having had the pleasure of owning it for some time now. It's called the Montane Fireball Smock, and it is essentially a no-thrills zip-neck pull-on, constructed from Pertex Quantum, and filled with 40g Primaloft Eco insulation throughout. When I say no-frills, I mean that it's just about as minimalist and pared back as outdoor outerwear gets, with no hand pockets, 1/2 length zip simple elasticated hems and cuffs: and yet I have found myself wearing it for almost every significant excursion I've make out of the house this winter! This is quite simply because it works.

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Rab Down Sleeping Bags Deal: 40% and up to £228 off RRP

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/02/14/rab-down-sleeping-bags-deal-40-and-up-to-228-off-rrp/

Rab Down Sleeping Bags Deal: 40% and up to £228 off RRP

I can announce that the MD, Kieth, has used all his years of experience in the outdoor industry and hard-won contacts at Rab, to wrangle an exclusive deal on a selection of Rab's finest down sleeping bags, exclusively for Webtogs! Rab have announced that they are re-testing the down in their ...

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#Rab #rab down #rab down sleeping bags #rab sleeping bag #rab sleeping bags #sale #sales #webtogs #Webtogs First Looks

Flooding Crisis on the Somerset Levels: How You Can Help

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/02/07/flooding-crisis-on-the-somerset-levels-how-you-can-help/

Flooding Crisis on the Somerset Levels: How You Can Help

As a Somerset business employing staff from across the county, here at Webtogs we're aware of the impact that flooding is having on the daily lives and long-term livelihoods of Somerset residents: none more so than the stricken farmers of the Levels. We're also incredibly thankful to have escaped the worst effects ourselves. We awoke to the news today that floodwater has breached the flood defenses in the stricken village of Moorland, causing already high water levels to rise by a further metre overnight. At the last count 80 homes in the village have had to be evacuated, inundated by water contaminated with the contents of overflowed septic tanks, blocked drains and sewers. The stress of being evicted from their homes after more than a month of enduring uncertainty, isolation and dysfunctional utilities is almost unimaginable.

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#The Outdoor Archive

The North Face Ethical Down Update

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/01/31/the-north-face-ethical-down-update/

The North Face Ethical Down Update

You know the post we put out a week or so ago about sustainable down sourcing by Webtogs' brands? Well I have a very positive update from The North Face regarding the development of their 'Responsible Down Standard' - namely, after two years in development, it is complete! You can read the full ...

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

#down #ethical #ethical down #feather down #goose down #responsible down standard #sustainability #sustainable #The North face #the north face down #the north face down jacket #update #webtogs #eCommerce and Development

First Look: First Look: Montane Axion Neo Alpha Jacket

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/01/28/first-look-first-look-montane-axion-neo-alpha-jacket/

First Look: First Look: Montane Axion Neo Alpha Jacket

Wearing an insulated waterproof jacket for anything more active than sedate walks or cold weather belays used to be the recipe for a hot and uncomfortable sweat-fest. In Autumn 2014 however, there is set to be a new contender on the scene, which promises to make such miseries a thing of the past... Bringing together two hyper-breathable technologies in one garment for the first time; Montane bring us the Axion Neo Alpha Jacket. Warning: today's First Look is a real 'geek out' post. As a self-confessed gear geek, it's also one of my favourite pieces from the entirety of our recent buying trip to Montane, Rab, Mountain Equipment and Marmot!

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First look: Smartwool Cozy Flip Mitt

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/01/24/first-look-smartwool-cozy-flip-mitt/

First look: Smartwool Cozy Flip Mitt

Just a quickie today, because there's not an awful lot to say about the Smartwool Cozy Flip Mitt! What there is to say, is that it's a really cool and cooky accessory (with an awesome name). The Smartwool Cozy Flip is a convertible glove; i.e. fingerless in style, with a flip-down finger cover that turns it into a mitten, which is in itself nothing revolutionary. However, it has been executed with typical Smartwool comfort, in a luxuriously soft, 'cushion' knit, and comes packed with plush detailing such as an engraved metal logo, stylish retro-look button (for pinning back the finger cover), and knit-in touchscreen compatibility on the thumb.

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#Brands #Convertible Mitts #Cozy #gloves #merino wool #mittens #retro #Smartwool #Smartwool Cozy #Smartwool Cozy Flip Mitt #touch-screen gloves #vintage #webtogs #webtogs first look #Webtogs First Looks

Webtogs' Brands Pioneer Ethical Down Sourcing

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/01/23/webtogs-brands-pioneer-ethical-down-sourcing/

Webtogs' Brands Pioneer Ethical Down Sourcing

For those who are rightly concerned over the animal welfare ramifications of buying a down jacket, here's the word from Webtogs on how our brands are adopting a more ethical approach to down.

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First Look: Marmot Urbantech Range

http://tog-blog.co.uk/2014/01/21/first-look-marmot-urbantech-range/

First Look: Marmot Urbantech Range

It's time for the second Webtogs First Look of the season, and it's not a single product but a whole product collection - Marmot Urbantech. As you may have gleaned from the name, the concept behind the Urbantech line is that it brings outdoor tech to users in more urban environs, and in that at least, it's a success. As a range, Marmot Urbantech is not a new phenomenon, but there are a few new additions for winter 2014/15. It'll also be a new addition to the Webtogs product collection should we decide to stock it over future seasons, so it'd be great to get some opinions on what people think of it!

Read the full article at The Tog Blog -->

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