The Expedition Journals

Every great adventurer needs a great knife. Not a 'knife-shaped-object' like the ones you can pick up in supermarkets; but a precision handmade tool that will last for many years of expeditions in challenging environments. Leatherman make great knives and great multi-tools, by hand in their Portland (Oregon) factory. I have owned several over my years, and they have all been invaluable aids on bikepacking, sailing, kayaking, hiking, and camping adventures. The new Leatherman FREE K2 Multipurpose Knife is the latest release from the Leatherman brand, and could be the perfect lightweight knife for outdoor expeditions. The FREE K2 features a 3.3-inch high-carbon stainless steel blade, as well as seven other tools; including a pry tool, package opener, awl, bottle opener, Phillips screwdriver, medium flat-blade screwdriver, and a small grub screw screwdriver. Leatherman's unique magnetic opening and closing system securely and safely locks each blade and tool in place ...

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....

Head to Asia in the monsoon season and you will find seas of scooter riders sporting waterproof ponchos to shield them from the torrential downpours. VOITED have taken the humble waterproof poncho design and brought it up to date with modern waterproof fabrics and features; making this a simple but versatile rain cape that will keep you and your gear protected on outdoor adventures. A poncho bridges the gap between a rain jacket and a rucksack cover—serving the purpose of both, in one packable design. The Voited Rain Poncho is a complete rain cover designed especially for everyday city commuting and outdoor activities such as camping, cycling, trekking, fishing and festivals. Made using 50D 100% recycled REPREVE® polyester fibres, the fabric used in the poncho is 18K waterproof rated to keep you dry no matter how hard the rainfall. Fully taped seams and a waterproof hood and pocket zippers prevent water ingress through these areas too. The poncho packs up small, within its own wais...

The Voited Picnic and Beach Blanket is a new release from the brand; designed to be a lightweight, packable and super durable blanket for summer adventures. Constructed from a quick drying and highly absorbent micro-fleece top, then an abrasion and waterproof Oxford Taslan fabric bottom; the blanket offers the best of both worlds – with comfort and practical protection against spills, stains and sand. Super packable, the Picnic and Beach Blanket packs into itself, with a neat carry handle loop on the resulting bag. It is ideal for trudging down to the beach, or keeping in the car for impromptu picnics. As with other Voited blankets , the Voited Picnic Beach Blanket is a versatile multi-purpose product; snapping together to make an easy changing robe for extra privacy on the beach. It could also double up as an insulating layer for cold weather adventures. Other neat features include webbing straps on the corners for easy drying or securing the blanket down in a breeze. There ...

ENO (Eagles Nest Outfitters) were the creators of the parachute hammock, and have a wide range of hammocks for the outdoor adventurer. The ENO Sub6 is the lightest hammock in their range; aimed at the minimalist ultralight explorer. The Sub6 is made from lightweight 30D ripstop nylon and super strong Dyneema line with aluminium toggles. It weighs in at just 165 grams, and packs down to a sack not much bigger than your fist (4" x 4"). Despite its ultra-lean weight, the ENO Sub6 is impressively durable and strong; rated to a holding capacity of 136 kilograms. You need to integrate it with the ENO Helios Suspension System, which of course does add a little more weight (another 160 grams), but provides a super strong connection with your chosen trees or lashing pillars. Whether trekking into the depths of the jungle or just heading down to the beach to chill out after a summer adventure; the ENO Sub6 and Helios Suspension System is a quick and easy hammock set-up, that...

My Helinox Chair Zero folding chair comes with me on all kinds of adventures; from hiking to kayaking, sailing, and beach trips. At the start of 2020, I made a pledge to myself to share more of my adventures with others, and that means doubling up on kit; with Helinox releasing a new Chair One in collaboration with Finisterre—one of my favourite casual clothing brands—it seemed like a great opportunity to invest in another super comfortable and super portable chair. The Helinox x Finisterre Chair One is the first Helinox Chair to feature a 100 percent recycled fabric seat. Sourced by Finisterre and tested by Helinox, this 200 denier recycled nylon yarn is both lightweight, strong and water repellent. The Helinox x Finisterre Chair One uses the same superb quality DAC aluminium poles as the other chairs within the Helinox range, but this model uses a unique green anodisation technique developed by DAC that is an environmentally friendly way to anodise the aluminium poles...

Enamel mugs are cute and cool, but they are not the most practical coffee cup—they are a bit bulky and rather poor at insulating your beverage. The new X-Mug and X-Tumbler from Sea to Summit are a more modern and functional drinking cup—a better hands-on solution. The X-Tumbler (360ml) and X-Mug (480ml) use heat resistant, BPA-free food-grade silicone in a concertina construction with a rigid rim; to create an easy to drink from mug that folds down to just 15mm thick. The unique Cool Grip technology on the X-Mug and X-Tumbler helps to insulate your beverage (hot or cold) while keeping your fingers from burning or freezing at the same time. Compact, convenient, and unbreakable. The X-Mug and X-Tumbler from Sea to Summit are a more space-efficient and modern alternative to the classic enamel coffee cup. >> Available from Seatosummit.co.uk

Adventures that feature a warm cup of coffee are the best. Whether it is sat on a beach as the sun rises on the horizon, cutting through the waves as you sail out into the deep blue ocean, or peering out from your tent at a mountain-top camp; a cup of tea or coffee is a treat, a comfort, and a kick-starter to make any adventure moment. The 16 oz Tumbler and 12 oz Coffee Mug from Hydro Flask have become my go-to choices for holding my morning brew; these sustainable insulated capsules are made from durable pro-grade stainless steel, and are durable enough for even the toughest outdoor adventures. Both the Tumbler and Coffee Mug use Hydro Flask's TempShield™ double-walled vacuum insulation technology—to keep your coffee hot for up to six hours. Both have a fantastic feel in your hand, and both come with insulated press-in lids. Whether you want to slow down and take in the view, or get going and take your drink with you on the move; this cup and tumbler will keep your favourite h...

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...

A few months back I reviewed the fantastic Helinox Chair Zero . The super lightweight camping chair has fast become a vital accessory for all my adventures by land or sea; supplying comfort and relaxation after strenuous challenges. This product is near perfect for its intended use, but I recently discovered two additions that can improve its functionality and comfort even further: the Helinox Vibram Ball Feet—to stop the chair sinking into soft ground; and the Helinox Seat Warmer—for extra comfort in colder temperatures. Vibram® Ball Feet (45 mm) I have been using the Helinox Chair Zero for kayaking and hiking adventures; it is perfect for beach stopovers and resting your legs with a flask of coffee at the top of a big hill. The problem I discovered a few times on such rest stops though, was that I had a bit of a sinking feeling… I am not a heavyweight, but on soft sand and mud there is a tendency for the feet of your Helinox chair to sink into the ground; something that make...

A lot of people ask how I keep things charged on expeditions and multi-day tours. The answer is simple—powerbanks. There are many alternative sources of power; such as dynamo hubs, solar panels, and of course wall sockets; but powerbanks are a reliable and safe way to charge any device. My current personal choice is the Mophie 5000mAh Powerstation Mini Powerbank. The Mophie Powerstation Mini is designed to work seamlessly with your electronic devices. The 5000-mAh battery is a serious power boost—capable of supplying an added 18 hours of use for most smartphones. You can also charge multiple devices at once by plugging one device into the USB-C port and another into the USB-A port; the integrated four-light LED power indicator then displays charging status and the current battery life. The Powerstation mini weighs just 130 grams, and it is super slim and minimalist—you will barely notice it in your pocket or bag. It is also surprisingly inexpensive at just £20-30 retail in many outl...

By their nature, expeditions mean you are on the move — away from home kitchen comforts. Yet, with a bit of preparation it does not mean you need rely on single-use disposable plastics or takeaways. This set of products from Stanley, Camelbak, and Humangear is a set-up I use to ensure I am as self-sufficient and eco-conscious as possible on my daily or lengthy expeditions. Review — Camelbak Hot Cap Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug Not all reusable travel mugs are made equal. The Camelbak Hot Cap Vacuum Insulated Travel Mug is one of the best I have used. The compact design uses Camelbak's patented 360 degree drinking Hot Cap. You unscrew the inner seal on the top, and then you can drink from any side of the mug — ideal for a quick drink mid kayak or trek. The Hot Cap also comes apart for easy cleaning. At 400 ml the Hot Cap Mug is an adequate size for a medium takeaway coffee from most major chains, and it is a good size for making a drink at home that you want to take i...

Executing successful expeditions relies on good quality equipment. The Victorinox Ranger Grip Boatsman is quite probably the only pocket knife / multi-tool that you will ever need; whether exploring the remote wilderness or chasing ocean horizons. I grew up in a family of water-sports enthusiasts, and spent many summers teaching sailing to cadets. One thing that was drummed into me from an early age was the importance of having a good knife with you when you are on the water. A sailing knife is a necessity to handle tasks like seized shackles; but it is also a vital safety aid in the event of you becoming entangled in rigging or ropes — this hold true for both sailing boats or sea kayaks. The benefits of a good pocket knife / tool are also evident for bikepacking, bicycle touring, hiking, and camping. Bike maintenance tasks demand a strong and reliable set of tools, whilst wild camping and cooking necessitate a good blade and accessories like a corkscrew, bottle opener, can opene...

Freeze dried meals should be taken on all back of beyond adventures, even when you plan to stop in local stores to get fresh produce along the route. The range of freeze dried meals from UK brand Expedition Foods has fast become my preferred option for ' Pack Light Ride Fast ' adventures, as well as for back-up meals on long distance tours. On the ' Coasts and Cols ' trip I carried a freeze dried dinner and porridge breakfast from Expedition Foods. These were a godsend when on  Day 5  of the tour I had to camp at the top of the Col de Portet d'Aspet and got caught out by Sunday shop closures in France; the hot dinner and hot breakfast were incredibly reviving. Since that trip I have used meals from the brand on numerous occasions, and have always enjoyed them. My preferred option for meals when touring and on expeditions is to eat local, and buy lightweight dinners such as noodles, pasta, or rice along the route; accompanied by easy protein sources such as tin...

For camping adventures and kayaking expeditions, the Ledlenser ML6 Rechargeable LED Lantern is an invaluable asset; providing an adaptable and powerful light source that is perfect for illuminating your surroundings in the campsite or on the water. The ML6 lantern replaces the CalorGas laterns that were so popular in camping adventures of the past. With eight lighting functions, including a red reading light, it is a versatile way to light up the night. It also has the advantage it can be used as a power bank for recharging other electronics in camp. The lantern can be hung by the rubberised hook, stood on the rubber base, or fixed to a metal surface using the integrated magnets. Once firmly in place, the unit provides anything from 20 lumens to 750 lumens on the range of functions; which include Blink, Boost, Low Power, High Power, Pulse, S.O.S, Strobe and Dimmable light outputs. The LED lantern is water resistant, so it will deal with downpours and wave splashes if you are us...