OVERALL SCORE: 4.5/5

Overview

I bought these boots to replace my old ones that I have had for 9 years. So far, I have been using them mainly on low level park walks, hillier walks with the dog and I have taken them out for a long thrash on occasion. I am limited by the current travel restrictions (Feb-21) so I cannot get to any serious hills, however, I have been using them almost daily for the past few months in various levels of winter weather.

Overall they have performed well against everything I have been able to do with them so far. I found them easy to break in, easier than other leather boots that I have had before and once I had broken them in, they have been comfortable, dry and snug ever since.

I have found one area in which they seem to struggle slightly, and that is when there is snow lying on the ground, the tread seems to quickly fill up with snow and create a flat icy pad on the bottom of the boot. This is not ideal as you can then start sliding around. It is an easy fix however, as you can knock off the snow that has accumulated on the boot. I am not 100% sure why this occurs, but I think it might have something to do with the pattern or the depth of the tread on the sole.

Comfort and Fit

I’ve nothing to complain about here. When I first put the boots on to start wearing them in and around the house to break them in, they felt well cushioned, if a little stiff. After a few days of wearing them in and climbing up and down the stairs the stiffness was gone and the soles had moulded to my feet somewhat. The first meaningful trip outside the coped with well, conditions wise they handled the mud, rain, tarmac and footpath all fine, no issues at all as you would expect from a modern boot.

With regards to the fit, the heel padding inside is pretty comfy and allows for a decent amount of flexibility there. I have quite narrow heels, so the good level of padding helps reduce slipping at the heel. As these are the MID version of these boots, there is also a low and a high version, the collar of the boot sits just above the ankle bone, giving support to the ankle without restricting movement higher up the calf.

In the front end of the boot, the laces come pre-threaded through the four sets of closed eyelets. Personally, I think I would have liked the closed eyelets to stop at three, giving me more open eyelets to play with. As it is there are two open eyelets above the closed ones, totalling six eyelets. I think an even split 3/3 of open and closed eyelets would have been better and helped with keeping the heel secure through better tensioning of the laces across the instep and ankle.

As it is though, the additional padding helps me with that anyway, so its not an issue for me, but it your foot is different, or you prefer a different fit, you may find that the lack of a third open eyelet may cause your heels to slip a little. There are ways to lace your boots to help prevent this too, so don’t worry, these boots will still work for you!

Technical

There are a couple of technical parts to these boots, although they are not the most technologically advanced. The first thing is that the mesh used on the boots is both breathable and waterproof. I like that the material chosen has both of these features, the waterproofing that has been applied has held for me so far, I have not yet had to re-proof them to better their water resistance. I also like the fact that my feet have not got too hot due to this breathability.

Dynagrip is the Karrimor name for the technology that they use their soles to improve grip and shock absorbtion. After a walk of 10 miles I can tell that the shock absorption is good, in so much as I have not had sore knees or lower back from these boots.

I mentioned in the introduction that I had issues with the boots grip in the snow, so I am not completely confident in the design of the DYNAGRIP soles for this purpose, they certainly seem slippier than my old boots were. In the normal conditions that I do the majority of my hill walking in however, the grip and traction offered by the soles is great, including in the wet.

Durability

Having tested these boots in every terrain that I currently have access to, I can say that after 6 weeks of nearly daily use, that I have had no problems with any aspect of the boots durability. Having tested them on tarmac, hills, mud, snow, ice and everything in between, I have covered a range of terrains and given these boots every opportunity to fall apart. They have not done so.

There is a bit of blind spot in this testing, and that is I have not yet taken them on a hike longer than about 10 miles and I haven’t tested them on the harshest terrain like boulder fields or overly rocky ground. The current travel restrictions are hampering my ability to get to the right sort of ground as I cannot travel outside of my council area. An area that does not include any hills of note.

To be honest, I don’t have any concerns that they won’t stand up to this test when it eventually comes, but I did want to say that they have not been tested in the harshest of environments…yet.

Features

The boots feature a padded ankle collar, a feature that I really like. I have had boots in the past that have rubbed or cut into the backs of my calves during a long walk, which is awful. However, these boots do not have this problem due to the padded collar. It is still stiff enough to provide the support needed, but it is comfy enough to reduce the pain of high ankle boots. They have done a good job of treading that line.

The next feature listed is something called the ‘Frame Flex Chassis’. This is the underlying skeleton of the boot and the way it is designed to flex with your foot as you walk. As someone who is not a huge boot buff, or particularly interested in the physics of boot design, all I can say is that it works. In the past with various sets of boots that I have owned, I have had sore and tired feet after a long day wearing my boots. This has not happened with these boots and it is due to the Frame Flex Chassis. My feet are no longer fighting with the sole of the boot all day, but supported in the way that they flex and bend whilst walking.

Value

The manufacturers recommended price for these boots is £69.99. However I have found them here on Amazon for £39.99-£49.99, which is a steal for these boots. Whilst they have their issues, the main one being grip in the snow, the Karrimor Mount Mid are good general use boots that will cope with anything you can throw at them.

By comparison, the other boots that are out there on the market for a similar price are likely to have poor quality, or not be able to cope with the thrashing that the Scottish countryside can dish out on occasion. With the technical aspects of the Frame Flex Chassis, they are probably more comfortable to wear and walk in too.

For under £50, you could do a lot worse than these boots. Its a recommended from me.

Conclusion

Overall, as you will probably have guessed, I would recommend these boots. I think that they way they are built and the levels of comfort I have experienced make them worth every penny of their low price tag. If you are looking for a specialist boot that will do you serious winter trekking or extended periods in the winter, I would look elsewhere.

For those of us who do the majority of their walking in the spring, summer and autumn and want an all-rounder that will cope with the specific challenges in each of these seasons, I don’t think we need to look much further than the Karrimor Mount Mid walking boot.

This page contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. However, I have not been paid to promote any product above any other, so opinions are my own and un-biased.

Overview

OVERALL SCORE 4.1/5

I bought these boots for the first time way back and they were like slippers. I bought them in advance of my attempt at the Coast to Coast walk as the boots I was using at the time were quite heavy. Overall a really solid boot although not completely waterproof due to the mesh upper, but great for a summer or dry spring/autumn day on the hills. They lost marks for the waterproofing as well as a little discomfort that I had when breaking them in and on the long walk around the collar of the boot.

I know that there can be a little bit of snobbery out there in the hillwalking community about boots, but I really believe that there is an important trade off against the price you pay. You will see from many of the products I recommend, that I like a bargain where I can get one and I don’t believe in paying over the odds for something you can get for a better price. You may lose a little quality, but if you are happy that you are not climbing the high alpine peaks and you don’t need to rely on you kit to keep you alive (generally) then choosing a “lesser” brand might actually be the better choice. This is true of the Quechua BOOT NAME.

I love these boots and would recommend to friends and family. Hence why I am recommending them to you.

OVERALL SCORE 4.1/5

Comfort and Fit

Once these boots had been broken in, they became my go to boot for all my hill walks. They were really comfortable. The fit was the size that it said it was, no need to buy a size up or down and as someone with quite a narrow foot, the ability to really synch them together has been great.

The flexible fabric of the tongue and upper really lend themselves to a nice tight fit which helped me avoid blisters on long hot days in the Cumbrian hills. The toes are also wide enough to let you walk properly without feeling like I was too tightly bound. Having a boot strapped to my ankle and heel areas whilst letting my toes move and flex with the terrain is a difficult combination to find in my experience, and these boots performed the feat quite well.

The downside to having my heels and ankles strapped quite so tightly is that in the heat, which is rare in Scotland, there can be a bit of rubbing around the cuff of the boot, which after about 3 days did get a little sore. However if you are planning day trips or overnight walks, then you shouldn’t have any issues.

Technical – 3 tier sole

The sole of this boot is made of three distinct tiers for added comfort and performance. The inner sole, which is removable, is made of EVA (a high density foam) for added compression and comfort, the mid sole, again made of a compressed EVA. This is nice a thick and helps prevent sharp objects from penetrating and being felt by the foot. Lastly, the outsole is a hard wearing rubber (multi-directional traction or MDT rubber) gives advanced grip on all terrains according to the manufacturer.

I felt that this combination offered comfort, protection and grip – which is exactly what the manufacturer says it does. On other boots I have had, some of the soles wore away in places, so I was pleasantly surprised by this sole as it lasted a fair bit longer than other pairs of boots I have had.

Durability

As I said, I bought my original Quechua boots in 2011. I only relegates them to dog walking boots in 2020. 9 years of walks, hikes and general abuse is quite good as far as I am concerned. I would say that I am not out in the hills every week, so it has not been hundreds of hill days, but these boots have done well over 1000 miles and have not caused me any reason to worry about their durability.

Even now, the seams are still solid and the stitching, eyelets and laces are still in good condition, with no obvious wear and tear on them. If you are looking for a good quality boot for a very reasonable price, these boots will last you long enough to get your money’s worth out of them.

Features

• Suede and mesh combination
• Dry-Tec Waterproof Membrane (hmmm…)
• 3 tier sole
• Versatile lacing, with both open and closed eyelets

Value

As boots go, these are some of the lowest price boots you will find without compromising on quality. Sure, some of the other big brands may well be some cool feature or something, but you could end up paying three times the price for it. You may also find cheaper boots out there, but you run the risk of getting a poor quality boot for your money.

These boots are the lower end of the middle of the road price-wise and I think over deliver on the quality side of the equation. They are priced up to £60 on Amazon, which I think is good value for money.

Conclusion

Overall, as I said at the beginning, I love these boots. I am having to wear some other boots sometimes now as they are starting to wear out. However they have lasted a long time and clocked up lots of mixed terrain miles. Their durability and value, I think, makes them an exceptional buy and a great addition to your hill walking boot collection.

This page contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. However, I have not been paid to promote any product above any other, so opinions are my own and un-biased.

Overall Score: 4.6/5

Overview

A few weeks ago I wrote a post focussing on packing a rucksack and included a few of the rucksacks that I have and have carried in the hills all across the UK. This rucksack was not included in that post as I was still in the process of deciding which rucksack to buy to replace my older day sack. I’ve had my Berghaus Day Pack for years and it is showing signs of major wear and tear. One of the supports has worn through its fabric housing and sticks out a little way. On its own, not an issue but when carried for hours at a time, it can make you feel a little uneven, not something that you want when planning multi-peak bagging trips that can take hours.

I’m already a little bit in love with the Karrimor Jura 35. Its comfy, roomy and can take a beating on the hills. It pretty much ticks all my boxes. We got ours in the khaki/olive colour scheme, which I quite like too. So, anyway, keep on reading to find out why I decided on the Karrimor Jura 35 and why I think it would be a great rucksack for you if you’re in the market for one.

Comfort and Fit

This bag is a little longer than my previous one and I had concerns prior to purchasing it that it might hang a little lower and get in the way when walking. I’m not a big guy, so these things matter to us shorter folk. However, even when fully loaded, the rucksack sits nice and high on my back, helping me maintain my centre of gravity. Its not so high that I topple forwards, but allows to carry the bulk of the weight on my hips using the waist belt.

The waist belt and straps are made from the same strong material that the manufacturer calls KS p300BRS. I have no idea what that is. But it is strong and flexible enough to be comfortable walking around. The buckles and clips used to adjust the straps are well placed and slide easily, making it super simple to adjust everything for the perfect fit. I really like the way that the chest strap can slide up and down the piping on the shoulder straps so you can adjust the height of the chest strap. I think it’s a very clever way to make things just a little more comfortable.

The back has the WindTunnel and Coolmesh technologies, that keep air circulating between the rucksack and our back, keeping you cool on hose warmer hikes. This is reasonably standard for rucksacks these days, but it’s good to know it’s there to help reduce any hot spots.

WindTunnel & Coolmesh

WindTunnel is Karrimor technology that helps to minimise the contact between the pack and your back, this allows for more air to circulate, helping to keep you cool. This technology is paired with their Coolmesh fabric and together, they do a great job of keeping my back cool.

The design is two vertical padded pieces of the Coolmesh fabric straddling an open space between them for the air to flow through and keep you cool. Its quite a simple system, but works well.

There is one downside to the Coolmesh fabric that I feel I should mention. When you put your pack down when you are taking a break sometimes small pieces of debris can get caught in the mesh. Its just a bit annoying to find that there are bits of dirt/twigs/heather in the mesh when you take the rucksack off at the end of the day.

Durability

The Jura 35 rucksack is as robust as they come. All the stitching, zips, straps and clips seem solid and secure and I can’t see any issues with the fabric or rain cover. Having used the rucksack a few times in different conditions I can say that I have no concerns about the durability of the rucksack or any of its components.

Features

Capacity: 35L
Back System: Windtunnel
Contact mesh: Coolmesh
Access: Zip access to base compartment
Dividers: Zip out compartment divider
Pockets: Fixed side pockets, lid pocket
Hydration system compatible
Fabric: KS p300BRS
Weight: 850g
Raincover: included
H53 x W28 x D14cm (approx)

Value

I picked up this pack for £24.99 from SportsDirect. You can also get it for the same price on Amazon. For under £25, I think this rucksack is great quality, durable and built to last. Other rucksacks in the same price category come with similar features, it doesn’t have any one thing over and above other rucksacks that makes it stand out. The thing I like about it though is that whilst it doesnt have a flashy gizmo or crazy feature, it performs really well at all the important categories and beats many of the competition in this price bracket across the board.

That’s really the reason I chose this rucksack above others out there on the market, is that this is really solid, dependable pack for almost any occasion.

Conclusion

So in conclusion, should you buy this pack? If you are looking for a rucksack that you can rely on throughout the year for day trips into the hills, yes, you should. I cannot see many rucksacks that would compete with the Jura 35 for that price.

Be aware that the mesh might get some dirt in it at some point, but treat this rucksack well and it will look after you for years.

This page contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. However, I have not been paid to promote any product above any other, so opinions are my own and un-biased.

We are in the depths of winter and if you’re like me, you’re constantly pulling on a pair of gloves when you head outside. Whether to climb a hill, de-ice the car or head to the shops, gloves are key part of my winter wardrobe. So, which are the best gloves out there and which do I use?

Best Gloves for Kids

TRESPASS VIZZA II KIDS

We have a set of the Zorro gloves, which has been replaced by the Vizza II Kids. My kids love them, they are warm, keep you dry and are tough enough to take kid size pounding. These are not the top of the line gloves you can get, but they are more than adequate to cope with most of the things a kid will put them through throughout a winter season. My kids have used their set in the wet leaves in the woods in autumn, they have also used them for snowball fights in the garden. The gloves have coped admirably with it all.

The fingers and thumb have a toughened outer on them to cope with scrapes and rough usage, as well as an adjustable wrist strap to help keep them attached to little hands. A elasticated cuff helps keep wrists warm as we well as snow/ice out. The outer shell is water resistant – in fact my kids have never complained of wet of cold hands, but I think in a deluge they might struggle. Inside a fleece lining adds to the comfort as well as adding a layer of warmth to the gloves.

Overall a great, inexpensive option for little ones that will keep them toasty and dry in almost all weathers. You can pick up a pair on Amazon for a reasonable price under £20.

Best Windproof Gloves

HKXY WINDSTOPPER XY

Now, these are maybe not the most expensive glove nor are they the most recognised brand, but I have been using these gloves all autumn and now into the winter for walking the dog and generally out and about. They are great! I used them on a recent trip up Tomtain, where they performed really well too. They come with a zip fastening running up the back of the hand and finish right at the heel of your palm. They come in three sizes, so be sure to select the right one. I have a medium size, which fits me really well. My wife has the small size, which she says are perfect for her.

They also have pads on the index finger and thumb, which allow you to use your phone. Which is really handy and something I didn’t know that I had missed really until I had this option. No more faffing about taking of gloves to answer a call for me! Having a bit of a scout about online, you can actually find these gloves under a few different brand names, so have a look around if you’re thinking of buying a pair.

Quality wise, if have had no issues at all, I’ve been using them almost daily for about 4 months, and they haven’t caused me any problems. Something that I would highly recommend, sometimes, you don’t need a full on winter glove, especially on dry but breezy days. These gloves stop your hands overheating whilst keeping the worst of the wind off.

Here is a link to Amazon, where I got mine, they stock a few different designs and similar gloves, so click the link and be sure to look around for the best ones for you (or buy 2 pairs!).

Best Gloves for the Snow

TREPSPASS GOHAN SKI GLOVES

I am going to focus here on hiking in the snow as that is what most of you will be here for, these gloves will also do the playing the snow with the kids and things too, but you might be able to find a cheaper more effective pair if that is all you need. Overall, these are the gloves I use the most when out in deepest winter. The reason for that is they are versatile and can cope with almost anything (bar a rip in the material).

The fit is good and comfortable, I have seen a few reviews out there stating that the sizing can be a bit off, and best to order the size up from normal. I would agree that the fit is quite snug, but I prefer that if I am trying to do things, I don’t want a load of excess material flapping about. That’s my preference though, so it you are betwixt and between, maybe go for the larger size.

Windproofing is great, no issues there, in snow they are good too as the snow doesn’t seep into the seams. I have had an issue when its really, really wet where my finger tips get a little damp. Nothing major, but its worth noting that if you plan to submerge them, you’ll end up with wet fingers.

I think I would go as far as to say that they are my favourite gloves of all that I have. That will have something to do with the adventures that I have had wearing them, but the overall glove is also excellent. Amazon sell them, head over and pick up a pair, you won’t regret it.

Best Running Gloves

EXTREMITIES TOR GORE WINDSTOPPER

I know not all of you will be keen runners, neither am I, but I thought I would include these here. Running requires a different set of equipment to hill walking purely because, in my experience, you tend to get warmer and sweat more the faster you move. That’s one reason that you will find these gloves are much thinner than any of the other gloves I have recommended.

Taking that on board, there are still occasions that require additional levels of warmth, when it is particularly cold or windy where I will put gloves on to make any longer runs a little more comfortable. When looking at a running glove, for me, wind proofing is key. These Extremities Tor Gloves are great for that, the clue is in the name I guess.

I like the chunky wrist strap which is easy to loosen/tighten on the run as well as the easy way my hand slips right into the glove without too much pulling and straining. The additonal material provided for grip on the fingers and palms is useful, but I dont have much use for holding onto things when I am running. I also guess it would be good if you were into cross country and things where you needed to put your hands down to clamber over obstacles and things – not my bag, so dont hold me to that one!

You can pick up a pair here for a reasonable price.

All prices are correct at time of writing.

This page contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. However, I have not been paid to promote any product above any other, so opinions are my own and un-biased.

Overall score 4.7/5

So you’re looking for a mid-layer fleece and have stumbled upon the Karrimor KS-300. Want to know why I think this is the best fleece that I own? Read on and I will explain…

Overview

Low price (if you look around) and high quality, this fleece is a versatile addition to any walkers equipment list. High levels of comfort an durability make it perfect as an outer layer in the drier spring/autumn or mid layer in winter under a waterproof outer layer. I love this fleece and would recommend to anyone looking to add something in this category to their wardrobe. Overall 4.8 out of 5. The slight deduction is for the fact that it doesn’t squash down into a tiny bundle for packing into a rucksack. Recommended purchase here for the best price (at the time of writing).

Comfort and Fit

The fit on my KS300 is perfect. Its snug, warm and great for those autumn/winter days out. The sleeves are just the right length and aren’t tapered too much, so if you do get a bit warm, you can roll the sleeves up. The front pockets are perfectly placed for comfortable use and the drawstring around the bottom hem allows you to pull in the fleece around your body, preserving body heat when its particularly breezy.

The neck panel is also a nice touch as when the fleece is done right up to the top, it’s not itchy or irritating. There is no hood, so it is likely that you will pair this fleece with another jacket of hat on the chilly days outside.

Technical – Heavy Weight Fleece

The material in this fleece comes in at 300g/m2 (hence the name KS300, I guess?) which is perfect for a winter mid layer. I have also worn this fleece as an outer layer on a dry autumn day without any difficulties. However, I would suggest that it is a bit much for those balmy summer days. The only downside is that as the fleece is quite heavy duty, it doesn’t pack to the smallest bundle. If you are looking for something lightweight to pack away at the bottom of the rucksack in case it gets a bit chilly, I think there are better options out there.

Durability

Overall, I have worn this fleece both indoors and outdoors in the warmer months and depths of winter and it has coped with everything that I and 3 kids can throw at it. The material (100% polyester) is strong enough to handle being brushed up against rocks or jumped on by a dog. The stitching seems to be super strong, and all the joints between the material panels have a good solid double stitch to keep everything together.

The zips on the front, front pockets and Napoleon pocket are well attached with metal fastenings and good sized toggles to aid in opening. Overall, I am very impressed with the way that this fleece is put together and the way it has stood up to what I have needed from it.

Features

Full Frontal Zip

Zipped Front pockets

Zipped Napoleon Pocket

Karrimor Branding

Machine Washable

Value

The list price on this fleece at karrimor.com is £39.99. Do I think that’s good value? I think its reasonable. This is a really good all round fleece and if you look at other similar level fleeces out there, £40 is ok. However, if you search around you can bag yourself a bargain. You can pick up this fleece on Amazon for £19.99 + delivery. Do I think that’s good value? – Yes! that is an amazing bit of kit for a very good price. You’d be mad not to at that price.

Conclusion

This is the best fleece that I own. Its comfortable, warm and durable. The pockets are a good size and well placed. For me personally, I prefer to wear it as an outer layer in the autumn and spring time as I have other jackets that I prefer for the winter, but I have tested it under a waterproof outer layer and it works really well. Its probably the most versatile piece of clothing in my hiking wardrobe, and for that reason alone, I think its the best item in there.

All prices are correct at time of writing.

This page contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links, at no additional cost to you. However, I have not been paid to promote any product above any other, so opinions are my own and un-biased.