The Expedition Journals

Fresh from the mountains of Sri Lanka, this is my review of the versatile and sure-footed Merrell MQM 3 Mid GORE-TEX hiking boots.  Merrell shoes have been a trustworthy walking partner of mine for several years now; with previous models reviewed here on The Expedition Journals including the MQM Flex 2.0 and ChopRock Aqua Shoes . The brand's footwear is comfortable, durable, and provides a reassuring foothold on a multitude of terrains. The Merrell MQM 3 Mid GORE-TEX boots were my choice of hiking shoes for a three week adventure to the island of Sri Lanka. With jungle treks, mountain hikes, and days spent wandering through markets and nature reserves, I wanted a pair of lightweight waterproof hiking boots that would be comfortable and reliable – the MQM 3 Mid boots delivered flawlessly. Waterproof hiking boots are the best option when choosing walking shoes for all conditions, in my opinion. Waterproof boots offer all-weather protection, and although slightly warmer than non...

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 tw...