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Kit Focus – 361° Yushan 3 Trail Running Shoes

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The new Yushan 3 shoes from 361° take an already brilliant trail running shoe (I ran my first off-road marathon in the original Yushan), and have developed them through better breathability and protection. These are fast and comfortable trail running shoes for all your off-road running pursuits. The updated Yushan 3 design uses an engineered mesh fabric on the upper, create from one-piece of fabric; to ensure maximum comfort and breathability even in summer running conditions. An anatomically designed Pressure Free Tongue contours over the top of the foot for a more customised fit; removing pressure and stress during dorsiflexion. The heel cup is then well padded and locks the heel securely and comfortably inside the shoe. A full length QU!KFOAM insole utilises an EVA rubber blend for extra durability and comfort; while a QU!KSPRING+ midsole technology gives impressive cushioning and protection from rough trail surfaces. On the tread front, the H.A.R.T. (High Abrasion Rubber T
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Kit Focus – Voited CloudTouch & Fleece Blanket Review

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The Voited CloudTouch and Fleece blanket are the ultimate camp blankets—if I had one as a Scout, I would have been the envy of the entire troop. Insulating, water and stain resistant, packable, and machine washable; they are the most versatile and comfortable camp kit I have used in a long time. The Voited CloudTouch 4-in-1 PillowBlanket is a luxurious outdoor blanket that is built to last. It uses recycled 50D Ripstop REPREVE® fabric on one side, and luxurious CloudTouch™on the other. CloudTouch™ is a 100 percent recycled high-loft insulation fabric that is soft and fluffy, with the feel of real wool; yet it is eco-friendly (made from recycled plastic bottles), lighter, lower bulk and faster drying than traditional sheep's wool.  The Voited Fleece PillowBlanket™is another innovative 4-in-1 product: acting as a blanket, pillow, sleeping bag or poncho. It uses the same 100% Recycled 50D Ripstop on one side, then a soft and moisture wicking Polar Fleece fabric on the other. Both of t
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Kit Focus – SOAR Winter Running Apparel

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There is some kit that blows the nearest competition out of the water — that works better, feels better and allows you to perform better than anything you have used before. For winter trail running, the selection of kit from SOAR Running does exactly that. For the last few weeks, I have been testing the SOAR Running WoolTech Winter Running Tights, the SOAR Nano Rain Jacket and the SOAR Long Sleeve Merino/Silk Base Layer. They have all proven themselves to be exceptional apparel, worth featuring here on The Expedition Journals. Review – SOAR WoolTech Running Tights A pair of winter running tights is more than just two tubes of stretch material – done right, they can keep you warm, supported, and keep blood flowing to your muscles and feet to help you go that further distance. The SOAR WoolTech tights mix naturally thermo-regulating merino against the skin with a weather-resistant exterior to deliver a winter staple that insulates, breathes and protects in cold running conditions. With a
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Kit Focus – 361° Spire 5 Endurance Running Shoes

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The new Spire 5 from 361 degrees pushes the boundaries of comfort and performance for endurance running shoes. I have become a complete convert to the 361 brand: for trail running ( Review – Yushan 2 Trail Shoes ) and for everyday road running ( Review – Strata 5 Road Shoes ). The new 361° Spire 5 is a marathon worthy road shoe that excels in delivering the perfect blend of comfort, rebound and durability. Superior cushioning is the primary focus of the Spire 5—with the aim of producing a shoe that will let you run for miles and miles, without complaint. The new cushioning technology comes in the form of QU!KFLAME. The upper layer of the shoe platform is the proven 361° QUICKSPRING+ foam, but then the Spire 5 benefits from the introduction of a newly developed PEBA nylon elastomer — QU!KFLAME offers superior cushioning and performance: it is extremely springy and 45% lighter than traditional EVA foam, yet it is durable enough to maintain responsiveness. The result is excellent flexibil
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Kit Focus – Rab Expedition 50L Kit Bag

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Rab Equipment is one of my favourite outdoor brands on the market – they produce the legendary Microlight down jacket (see my recent review of the Rab Infinity Microlight Down Jacket ), as well as sleeping bags that I have used on some of my longest expeditions.  A new piece of Rab Equipment that has landed in my kit store though, is the Rab Expedition 50 Kit Bag – a rugged and hardwearing 50 litre duffel bag that is superbly made and ready for any adventure. The Rab Kitbag 50 is made using a tough and durable 600D fabric and is coated with a TPU water-resistant film. Triple-stitched seams and a double thickness base add further to the ruggedness of the kit bag.  The contents of the duffel bag are easily accessible through a large, double zippered (lockable) main opening. On the underside of the lid there are two internal zippered mesh pockets, as well as two pockets at either end of the bag's internal main compartment. For transporting the Rab Expedition Kit Bag, there are two det
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