The Expedition Journals

I have a bad habit of breaking Thermos flasks… throwing them out of bottle cages; dropping them on slipways; knocking them about in kit bags. The result is that I have wiped-out at least four in the last year of adventuring and expeditions... A thermal insulated mug or flask is a fantastic companion for all kind of cycling, kayaking, sailing, and hiking adventures though; letting you take a comforting hot drink (or ice-cold beverage) with you when you head out into the wilderness. That drink could save you from hypothermia or heat-stroke, if things get really out-of-hand. In the pursuit of an unbreakable thermally insulated mug, I turned to the heritage brand Stanley. Known worldwide for their range of bombproof lunchboxes, mugs, and flasks; Stanley looked to have the answer to my quest… The Stanley Master Unbreakable Trigger-Action Insulated Mug is my new adventure companion. Made from thick food-grade stainless steel—it is rugged and rust-proof, and built to last. Using Stanley...

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...

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...

The Merrell Choprock Sieve shoes are designed for aqua hiking, but I have discovered they are also the perfect footwear choice for sea kayaking and sailing adventures. After a week exploring the South Coast of the UK on various kinds of craft, these outdoor trainers have become my firm favourite footwear choice for paddling and yachting expeditions. Forget sweaty wetsuit boots for kayaking or old-school leather deck shoes for sailing; the Merrell Choprock Sieve shoes allow your feet to breathe, while keeping you firmly planted to the boat's deck or when rock-hopping out of your kayak. The uppers are made from a water-friendly synthetic webbing and mesh, which does not absorb moisture like neoprene or leather. The 'sieve' sandal-like design and Hydramorph™ mid-sole then allow water to escape from the shoe and allow air to ventilate throughout the footbed and uppers to dry your feet within. Your feet are held securely within the Choprock shoes by the webbing strap design and ...

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...