The Expedition Journals

Last year, I wrote a piece on lifeinthesaddle.cc titled ' The Importance of Comfort (and Tea) '— the post was intended to highlight my ethos of making smart decisions to avoid discomfort—as the saying goes "any fool can be uncomfortable". With my sea kayaking expeditions becoming increasingly adventurous and challenging, I started to consider what I could do to enhance my comfort levels on long-distance paddles. Thinking 'outside the boat', I looked at my stop-over setup, and decided that to rest my back muscles and legs at a mid-paddle stopover, a lightweight camping chair would be a worthwhile investment. The model I set upon was the industry leading Helinox Chair Zero. This is my review... The Helinox Chair Zero is the ultimate lightweight camping chair. Weighing in at just 510 grams, it is a small burden for the amount of comfort that it can deliver; letting you relax, recover, and enjoy your mid-expedition stopovers on kayaking, hiking, and campin...

Running earbuds or headphones are a minefield, in my experience. There are hundreds of thousands of options, and some are triple the price of others. I was sent a pair of Nank Ultra Clip-On Running Earbuds six months ago, and I have been thoroughly testing them to see if this relatively unknown brand can stand up against the big guys. I have long been a fan of open-ear headphones for running and cycling; the design allows you to still hear the ambient sounds around you, and so retain spatial awareness and balance. This clip-on design is the first that I have tested though, so I was eager to see how they compared to the over-the-ear and headband style versions for comfort and security. The Nank Ultra clip-on running earbud has been designed to offer an optimal blend of comfort, durability, and high-quality sound; with a sleek, minimalist design that is both visually appealing and functional. Design and Comfort The earbuds are lightweight at just 5.5 grams each, so they are barely n...

Earlier this year, I travelled to one of my favourite spots – the Dolomites. These Italian mountains are one of the best locations in the world for road cycling, mountain biking, hiking and trail running. I was there for hiking this time, but I saw dozens of super fit individuals training for mountain ultra-marathons, such as the UTMB, and every one of them was using poles. That got me thinking, and researching...  Lightweight carbon fibre poles have been popular with hikers for a decade or more, but it is only in recent years that they have really taken hold in the trail running world. In the mountains, running with poles, particularly uphill, can have several advantages: it can help to increase your speed, decrease the strain on your joints, and help support you on unstable terrain. Are there any disadvantages to running with poles? There is a small weight penalty, and a possible increased trip hazard, but on the whole poles can be a great benefit. The video below shows you...

The trails are drying out and I have been enjoying exploring new routes and hills in the Taroko 4 trail running shoes from 361°. The range of 361° shoes has always fitted me well (run true to size), and they use some of the best quality materials that I have seen in running shoes to date. The result is durable and comfortable running shoes that stand the test of time and miles. The Taroko 4 are designed to be all weather trail running shoes, with exceptional stability and durability. Featuring a breathable recycled mesh upper with a seamless design to reduce chafing, and an ergonomic fit that moulds perfectly to your upper foot; they are comfortable and lightweight for all kinds of trail based adventures. Clever features like a lace pocket on the tongue are great to see. The soles of the Taroko 4 are a rugged rubber outsole that offers impressive grip on a variety of surfaces; while the cushioned midsole with a 9mm heel to toe drop provides support and protection from vibration. Reliab...