Wednesday, May 27, 2015

Lattitude Global Volunteering - Abbey Paterson Returns From Fiji

Back in 2013 we sponsored Abbey Paterson on her trip to Fiji with Lattitude Global Volunteering​.

After sending her on her way with an Osprey​ Rucksack, first aid kit and mosquito repellent she's now back in the UK, having done some fantastic work volunteering at a school on the Island of Ovalau.




Here's a bit about her trip on her own words...

"I arrived in January 2014, Osprey back pack filled to the brim and ready to start 7 months volunteering at a school on an outer island in Fiji. What an adventure it was! With no running water we had our baths in the crystal clear river near my home, which was a hut made from bamboo and dried leaves woven together (very cool and breezy).

I lived in a village at the centre of a volcanic crater, surrounded by mountains covered in jungle (not sand and sea as the word Fiji often brings to the imagination). I had such a great time teaching children in the week and exploring the jungle on the weekends that I extended my stay from 7 months to 11, returning in December 2014. My mosquito repellent came in very handy! It is a must have for Fiji. My first aid kit was also fab, any child with a cut? I’m there with my kit! My quick dry towel is in my airing cupboard at home now, it lasted the whole 11 months and I brought it back with me as I loved it so much!

6 months on I am back in the swing of life here, but me and my Osprey backpack have plans! I will be off travelling early next year….

Sorry that I have taken such a long time to get back to you guys with photos as I promised! But attached is a photo of me at the top of Koro Levu, the mountain behind my village of Lovoni. From this point you can see down to my village, and around the whole island of Ovalau. After I took the photo I tied the t-shirt to a tree, so OutdoorKit's name would be up there forever."


 Well done again Abbey! Wishing you and your Osprey Pack a safe journey, wherever you jet off to next year! :-)

Thursday, January 15, 2015

SS15 Sneak Preview #1: Rab Men's Flashpoint Jacket

Crikey, where's the time gone? It's been yonks since our last post, and yonks and yonks since our last Sneak Preview! So, with Christmas out of the way, New Years done and dusted, it's time to sink our teeth into some new exciting gear. 'New' and 'exciting' being the operative words for this new jacket we're about to check out...

Brand spanking new for Spring/Summer 2015, we have the Rab Men's Flashpoint Jacket. A splendidly super-light-weight shell jacket, the Flashpoint utilizes a unique and exclusive technology, 'Flashpoint'. It could quite possibly be the lightest 3 layer fabric on the market and enables the ultimate balance of performance, weight and protection. We can't wait to try it!

http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=19837&category_id=333

The jacket itself has minimal seams and micro seam tape, cutting down on weight and any possible abrasion or chafing points. It comes with a helmet compatible hood with a lightweight flexible peak for extra protection against the elements. Like the majority of jackets these days, the Flashpoint features a YKK vislon aquaguard front zip, along with a YKK water resistant zipped napoleon chest pocket, always a handy feature for stuffing away maps and other documents.

http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=19837&category_id=333http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/product.php?product_id=19837&category_id=333

Adjustment wise the Flashpoint features micro velcro cuffs and a half hem drawcord. You also get a lightweight stuff sack in the deal too. Like a lot of Rab's gear, the fit is slightly slimmer, harking towards a more active user, so I may be having to run off the remainder of those mince pies if I fancy purchasing one myself.

The Rab Men's Flashpoint Jacket RRP's at £200 and will be coming in two colours; 'Zinc' and a brighter 'Kol' as shown in the photo's.

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Christmas Gift Ideas for the Outdoor Enthusiast!

I know, I know, it's not even mid November yet but Christmas is starting to filter through into our membranes. For most it's the appearance of the 'Holidays Are Coming' Coca Cola truck advert that announces when we're allowed to start getting excited about the festivities or perhaps an episode of Jamie Oliver's Christmas recipes on Food Network.

For us outdoor retailers, Christmas is being planned and prepared seasons in advance, which also means putting together our 'Christmas Gift' section! We have gifts to suit all budgets and for all types of outdoor enthusiast; from bikers & runners to mountaineers & climbers, we've got that special gift covered! So we thought we'd give a little glimpse into each section to help you get the right stocking filler for your loved ones...

Gift's for the Walker 

Bridgedale MerinoFusion Trekker Socks. Designed for all day protection in mind, these socks come with superior next to skin comfort. Made with a fusion of Merino and Coolmax, these Trekker socks offer great warmth for those nippy winter days as well as clever wicking performance.


Gift's for the Fashion Lover

When it comes to picking the top item for this particular section, there's only ever really going to be one contender. The North Face Women's Arctic Parka. A best seller all year round, never mind in just the winter, this uber toasty and stylish Parka ticks all the boxes.


Gift's for the Snowsport Fanatic

A 'huntsman' style hat that's great for the half pipe, in the country and town alike? Yup, it's The North Face Men's Hoser Hat. An insulated hat with cosy soft faux fur earflaps makes for an excellent headwarmer this winter!


Gift's for the Climber 

Our best selling climbing shoe, from starting out, to long routes, all day wear, to performance training and bouldering, say hello to the Boreal Joker Rock Shoes. Made from premium quality split leather and featuring a concealed EVA pad in the heel, the Joker ensures you'll be laughing as you scale those walls.

Gift's for the Biker 

With the evenings becoming darker, safety on the road is of the utmost essence to cyclists out there. That's where the Nite Ize Helmet Marker Plus can help. Bright light LED illumination and a flexible lightweight design ensures you'll be seen on the road.

Gift's for the Traveler 

Very much with travel in mind, why not have a gander at the Osprey Ozone 36 Travel Bag. One of the lightest and most durable travel bags around, the Ozone has ergonomic designed grip and  lightweight construction with strategic reinforcements at key wear point to make sure your contents arrive with you safe and sound.


Gift's for the Runner

The Ronhill Trackster Origin running pants feature durable and hard-wearing fabric that is designed to protect without weighing you down while out and about. There's also reflectivity, calf stirrups and a back zip security pocket to keep your essentials safe.

Gift's for the Camper

Eating with your fingers can be quite rustic on occasion, but sometimes nothing less than cutlery will do while out in the field, so let the Lifeventure Folding Cutlery Set do the work for you and safe yourself the trouble of burning your hands when trying to eat soup...


Gift's for the Gadget Lover

It's fantastic to get away from the hubbub of urban life, but sometimes you just can't bare to be without your beloved gadgets. So when your out and about, miles from the furthest power socket, the Brunton Pulse 1500 Portable Charger is there to be your friend. With standard & micro USB connection it will charge your electronics to keep you running.

Gift's for the Festival Goer 

Unless your highly lucky (or go to the wrong festival) it's highly unlikely you'll go through the weekend without encountering either mud or rain. Stop yourself from getting soggy with the Target Dry Mac in a Sac Poncho. Waterproof, breathable, with an adjustable hood, reflective piping and the ability to turn it into an emergency pillow, this is the king of Poncho's.



Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Technical and Affordable Waterproofs - The Marmot PreCip Jacket

With Hurricane Gonzalo sweeping over the British Isles today (although just as I've typed this the sun has come out) we thought we'd take a look at one impressive jacket in particular.

The Men's & Women's Marmot PreCip Jacket. On the outside it looks like just a regular run of the mill waterproof jacket, but on closer inspection, there's a lot more going on than first meets the eye. The PreCip series uses Marmot's 'NanoPro' technology. The NanoPro microporous coating utilizes a new pore structure that is 30% smaller than it's previous generations. These smaller pores allow for enhanced breathability (43% more breathable compared to the previous technology) whilst still maintaining it's excellent waterproofness, bringing a new level of performance without having to break the bank. In fact the PreCip jacket RRP's at only £85 and cost's £76.49 once you've got our 10% off!

Getting down to the nitty gritty of the jackets specifications, it's been made with a 100% nylon ripstop fabric and has been 100% seam taped, offering plenty of durability and protection. The PreCip comes with a attached adjustable hood that can be easily folded away and rolled into the collar. It also features a 'DriClime' lined chin guard for extra comfort & wicking so there's non of that annoying chafe when the zip has been done all the way up.


The jacket also comes with Pit zips for extra breathability when needed and 'Angel-wing' movement stops the hem from riding up. You won't be needing an additional stuff sack with the PreCip either as it handily packs away into it's own pocket, allowing you to shove it away into your pack when not in use. For a comfortable, personalised fit the jacket also features velcro adjustable cuffs and an elasticated drawcord hem. This all weighs in at a mere 311g!

We've currently got the PreCip available in an array of eclectic colours, including the Sierra Blue and Team Red colourways as shown above. Essentially, if it's a lightweight, high performing waterproof at an affordable price you're looking for, then the Marmot PreCip Jacket is definitely one to try!

Don't forget to keep up to date with all things OutdoorKit and Outdoors related with us on Facebook and Twitter, don't be a stranger :-)

Monday, October 13, 2014

Healthy Back Bag - The Healthiest Bags in Town

New arrivals, oh how we love new arrivals! One particular new arrival (how many times can we say 'new arrival' in the opening paragraph?) dropped in with us at the back end of last week and it goes by the name of Healthy Back Bag!

You may just think "oh it's just another pack brand", but Healthy Back Bag's come with a genuine point of difference and it's all in the name! The majority of shoulder style bags, although stylish, can also be absolutely murder for your back, hanging loose and not actually fitting to your form. That's where Healthy Back Bag's come in. Essentially the more places a pack touches your body, the more comfortable and lighter it will feel. The aforementioned produce bags that mould to the contours of your spine, distributing weight evenly, meaning no pulling, no straining and no aching neck and shoulders after use. As well as being uber healthy, they also construct bags intelligently with clever pockets, inside and out, ensuring your stuff is also neatly organised and easily accessible! Rummaging around your bag or pack and finding everything apart from the actual thing you were looking for is never much fun!

Healthy Back Bags summarize the popularity of they're packs with a three-fold answer...

1) The Healthy Back Bag is unique; in its shape, in its intelligent pocketing, in its extraordinary variety.

2) Their customers are loyal, coming back time after time to add to their HBB collection.

3) Every Healthy Back Bag is amazingly comfortable, combining in equal measure, versatility, practicality and style.

But it's not about words, you can check out the range yourself HERE!

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Autumn Days

It feels a bit more like Autumn should do now doesn't it? There's been a sense of incongruity about the last month or so, talk of heatwaves, 15ÂșC plus during the day, thermostats being left well alone. But breaking into the second week of October, it seems normality has been restored. That brisk chill that greets you in the morning, the 'winter duvet' being pulled from the loft and then that's that all too familiar sound of the central heating clunking into life.

But it's all part of welcoming in the Autumn/Winter. As too is preparing yourself for your outdoor pursuits in these impending conditions. I'm a runner myself and I don't know about everyone else but I find running in the cold (and wet) quite cathartic at times, there's something rather cleansing and free about being soaked to the bone while pounding the pavement and roads. The same goes with running in the cold, wrapping yourself up in a cocoon of hats, gloves and windproof clothing while still having palpable sense of the temperature outside around you. Of course arriving back home to be greeted by a piping hot shower and deserved mug of tea helps you push through it all, making it all completely worth it at the end. Gear wise when it comes to my runs, I'm pretty much Montane through and through, I'd be lost without my Featherlite Smock and Logo Beanie around this time of year!

One thing that has been engrained in my head year after year from my school days is the 'Autumn Days' hymn. Whenever we hit September/October or at the mere mention of Autumn my brain immediately wants to belt the song out. Although it hasn't been until very recently that I've started to question one particular line in the song, which goes back to that incongruity I mentioned above. "Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled, and the silk inside a chestnut shell, jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled, all these things I love so well". Now I don't know about you, but when I think of Autumn, 'jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled', isn't something that jumps out at me at being immediately autumnal, but it fits nicely, so we'll let the lyricists of on that one!

Coming back closer to home, our Autumn/Winter Range is now pretty much fully in stock! Baring a few additions we'll see arrive in the next couple of weeks or so, we're all set for the chill!

http://www.outdoorkit.co.uk/

And if you havn't heard 'Autumn Days', here's the lyrics in full...

Autumn days, when the grass is jewelled
And the silk inside a chestnut shell
Jet planes meeting in the air to be refuelled
All these things I love so well
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

Clouds that look like familiar faces
And a winter’s moon with frosted rings
Smell of bacon as I fasten up my laces
And the song the milkman sings.
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

Whipped-up spray that is rainbow-scattered
And a swallow curving in the sky
Shoes so comfy though they’re worn out and they’re battered
And the taste of apple pie.
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.

Scent of gardens when the rain’s been falling
And a minnow darting down a stream
Picked-up engine that’s been stuttering and stalling
And a win for my home team.
So I mustn’t forget
No, I mustn’t forget
To say a great big thank you
I mustn’t forget.


A rather merry tune if ever there was one! But carefully, Youtube this at your peril, you'll never be able to rid your brain of it!

Friday, October 3, 2014

Bestsellers - September's Top Three

At the start of every month we always have a glance back to see what everyone's been majorly loving and the stats for September are now in!

In at Number 1, we have the Tilley LTM6 Lighterweight Airflo Hat. The LTM6 being at no.1 isn't all that surprising, it may now be Autumn, but it's still been rather mild, so a bit of coverage from the sun has still been needed. Couple that together with the fact the LTM6 is a bloomin' good hat and one of the best around, it well and truly deserves it's perch at number one best seller for the month!

Rolling in at Number 2, is the Lowe Alpine TT Carry On 40. It really did fly off the shelves in September, so much so we've now completely sold out! But never fear, we shall most definitely be ordering more to be in stock soon. If you're going away traveling or just want something that's going to fit on with ease as hand luggage on the majority of airlines, the TT Carry-On is well worth a look!

And to round it off, in at number 3 is The North Face Men's Nuptse 2 Vest. Even though we've seen a milder start to Autumn, the Nuptse Vest continues to go strongly, it's had a cracking 50% off, making it a bit of a steal if your still looking for a body warmer to head into the winter with!

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Two Winter Favourites: The North Face McMurdo and Arctic Parka's

We've now reached the heady heights of September, which means it's time to start welcoming in our Autumn and Winter ranges! There's been a bit of an Indian summer with some days being rather more humid than expected. But this morning has seen a chill in the air, that's by no means the time to be despondent, oh no, it's time to embrace all the lovely toasty goodies the Winter season brings!

The Autumn/Winter also means its time to welcome two favourites back into stock. The ever popular North Face McMurdo Parka and the much, much loved The North Face Women's Arctic Parka. Two stalwarts of the Winter range, it's easy to see why.

Robust and waterproof, The North Face Mens McMurdo Parka 2 is a down insulated, full-length hooded jacket for urban exploration. Ample pockets, ipad compatibility and excellent weather protection make it ideal commuter wear. This is a winter-ready parka fit for day or night adventure.


 


Waterproof, breathable and down insulated, The North Face Womens Arctic Parka offers a mix of urban elegance and technical outdoor features. A removable hood with faux fur trim offers flexibility depending on climate. This longer length, flattering coat is at home in the town or on the slopes.



Both jackets come in 6 new colours this season, so there's plenty of choice to be had! You can also check out the rest of The North Face winter range HERE.

You can keep up to date with all things Outdoorkit on Facebook and Twitter!

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

New - SMASHii Anti-Theft 65+15 Rucksack

Brand spanking new into Outdoorkit HQ this Summer, introducing the SMASHii Anti Theft 65+15 Rucksack! It's the ideal travel companion, especially for anyone planning some traveling on a gap year! The Anti Theft 65+15 features SMASHii's Kevlar anti Slash technology, Patented Zip protection system and retractable wire system allowing you to secure your rucksack to your dorm bed or fixed object, safe in the knowledge that your travel documents and personal belongings are safe whilst your out exploring and enjoying yourself!



The adjustable back system ensures you get that perfect customized fit and padded lumbar support and an airflow system gives you comfort all round! Inside the pack has a handy padded laptop sleeve and there's also a waterproof cover, just in case you get caught short while out and about.



The rucksack has a full length opening (anti puncture) zip, allowing you to access all of your gear without having to rummage through everything and adding extra security. On the outside of the pack there's reflective safety piping and screen print, always good when the light levels start to fade. Mesh side pockets also provide handy stash room for things you need to close to hand and side carry handles give an extra option to hold.

On top of all that, you also get a 15 litre daypack! So if you fancy heading out for the day with only a few things packed, you can just on clip it and be on your way!


Wednesday, July 2, 2014

AW14 Sneak Preview #5: Marmot Men's Calen Hoody

Cue trumpet fanfare, it's time for another Sneak Preview! A few weeks back we had a look at what Montane had to offer for Autumn/Winter, today I thought we'd have a little gander at what to expect from Marmot for AW14!

Brand new for us here at Outdoorkit, let's say hello to the Marmot Men's Calen Hoody. It's one from Marmot's insulated range and utilises Primaloft synthetic insulation. PrimaLoft is incredibly soft, lightweight, breathable and comes with excellent water repellency so you remain dry, warm and comfortable even under the most extreme conditions. So it excels in the British climate!


The Calen features a lightweight attached hood giving you extra weather protection and that 'hoodie' aesthetic for casual around town use. It has spaciously sized zippered hand warmer pockets and a zippered chest pocket, so there's plenty of room to store all those essentials in whilst on the move. An interior zip pocket and interior mesh storage pocket provide extra security for more valuable accessories.

The inner of the hoody features a DriClime lined collar, a bi-component denier gradient dimensional knit made of two different denier yarns. Using extremely fine deniers this technology is extremely light with superior wicking performance, keeping you nice and cool when the pace picks up.

Moving down a tad, the hoody's elastic bound cuffs ensure a snuggish fit around your arms to keep the heat in and the cold breeze out. There's also an elastic drawcord hem for an adjustable fit and 'Angel Wing Movement' for all round dexterity throughout the arms.

When it arrives in with us the Calen Hoody will cost around £108 of your finest British pounds and weighs in at about 640g, so pretty lightweight too.

We've got 4 colours due in; Blue Sapphire, Brown Moss, Black and Steel. Keep an eye out for it from September and onwards!