Articles

New to skiing and don’t know where to hit the slopes? To help plan your debut ski trip, we’ve compiled our favourite spots to try if you're a beginner.

Our team shares some of their favourite routes and crags that you should seek out in Cymru.

Dave from our warehouse team travelled to Costa Rica on a wildlife-focused backpacking expedition through cloud forests, coastal regions, and remote reserves.

Europe offers some of the most rewarding multi-day hikes in the world, with routes that cross alpine peaks, coastal cliffs, and remote wilderness. From iconic trails like the Tour du Mont Blanc to lesser-known paths through the Balkans, these journeys combine challenge, scenery, and cultural depth in equal measure.

We'll break down some of the best long-distance walks in the UK, with key stats, difficulty, and highlights to help you choose the right one.

Adrian Trendall, author of Skye Munros, gives a first-timer's guide to bagging Munros on the Isle of Skye.

Choosing the right ultra can significantly impact your entire experience. Whether you want mountain views, a first timer friendly route, or a standout bucket list event, the UK has strong options.

A summer of alpine, trad and sport climbing in the Alps as told by Oscar, our product copywriter.

Alex our store manager at Stratford spent 9 days exploring the Peaks of The Balkans Trail.

Andi from our Aviemore store, along with 5 friends and dog Ropi, sets off to explore the Torridon Hills

Over 27km, three friends battled varying conditions amidst breathtaking landscapes and learned to embrace peace on Loch Shiel's majestic waters.

While the Peak District is mostly rounded moorland, plateaus and valleys, there are some exposed ridges, gullies and boulder fields. These are the kind of routes that require a good sense of problem-solving and provide a great sense of achievement once completed.

From the Scottish Highlands to South Wales, the UK has some incredible ridge walking terrain.

Our staff have picked their five best scrambles in the UK. These epic scrambling routes are their personal favourites, each one conquered and loved.

The walks in this list will direct you away from the crowds leaving you to enjoy the scenery and tranquillity of the Lake District.

Early conditions meant Matt from our Aviemore store got his Cairngorm 4000 ski tour in early this year.

Andy from our warehouse team spent a week chasing frozen waterfalls in Italy.

Andy from our warehouse team tackles the classic grade VI, perfect forecasts, and a white-out battle in Scotland.

In this interview we talked to Jesse Dufton about the importance of quality equipment and the ingredients for the perfect climb.

We’ll dive into the lesser-known world of English and Welsh skiing and meet the local pioneers keeping it alive against the odds.

With rising costs and warmer winters, we have compiled a list of snow-sure ski resorts so you can book with confidence.

Autumn brings a quieter kind of hiking—cooler days, fewer crowds, and landscapes shifting into new colours. We asked a few members of our team to share their go-to routes for this time of year.

With routes ranging from easy to difficult, there is something for everyone in this stunning setting. Stepping away from the bustling crowds of London, Alex Serban, manager of our Stratford store, ventures into this enigmatic paradise, setting the stage for an unforgettable and awe-inspiring adventure.

The frozen faces of the UK’s highest peak are a playground for winter climbers, as Mike Pescod reveals.

We have partnered with CampWild to help you get even more out of your wild camping experiences in a responsible way.

Stuck on what to get the outdoor enthusiast in your life? Whether they’re passionate about climbing, hiking, skiing, water sports or all the above, our guide for the ultimate Christmas gifts for outdoor lovers will help you track down something they’ll genuinely appreciate.

Iceland offers a unique blend of volcanic landscapes and world-class ski touring. Angus MacKinnon braves the elements on a journey in search of untouched powder.

Amy Marwick talks to the Swiss skiing maestro about his meteoric rise into the Alpine skiing hall of fame.

Although jumping on a plane is the normal start to most ski trips, there are plenty of ski and snowboard resorts within driving distance from the UK.

In September, Jon Davies, Store Manager, and Jennifer Bayford, a Ski Supervisor, along with her husband James Bayford, a former Ellis Brigham team member, set out to fastpack the Tour du Mont Blanc (TMB).

Some people move countries for work. Others for family. Masa Sakano came to Scotland for the iced gullies and wild, unforgiving ridges of its winter mountains.

Photographer Sam Pratt sat down with us to recount the time he, Jim and Sam spent at some of their favourite Lakes bouldering venues.

Andy from our warehouse team set his sights on climbing in the Khumbu Valley. However, things didn't quite go as planned.

We’ve put together this guide which provides an overview of the main destinations, helping to find the right resort for you.

We've put together a list of our favourite trail running films to keep you inspired for your next run out on the trails.

Eryri (Snowdonia) has breath taking scenery making it an ideal destination for hiking. If you are after an easy walk in Eryri we have selected our top 5.

From first-hand accounts of intrepid expeditions to practical guides full of helpful climbing tips, here are 6 of our favourite climbing books.

Morag shares her journey to scaling high peaks and her passion for making the outdoors accessible to the deaf community.

Here are 8 of our favourite beginner-friendly mountains and peaks to climb in the UK.

A clear guide to ski helmet rules and why wearing one is still the smart choice on every run.

From custom footbeds and heat-moulded liners to shell stretching, grinding and flex work, small changes can make a significant difference to how a boot feels and performs.

We'll break down how it works, where it's used and everything else you need to know about ripstop fabric.

In this guide, we’ll explain what to look for when inspecting your climbing hardware, when it might be time to retire a piece of equipment and how to help maximise its lifespan.

In this guide, we’ll explain how long climbing ropes typically last, what signs of wear to look for and how to help prolong the life of your rope.

In this guide, we'll explain what to look for when checking your climbing harness, when it might be time to replace it and how to help maximise its lifespan.

In this guide, we'll explain how long climbing helmets typically last, what signs to look for during inspections and how to prolong the lifespan of your helmet.

Considering taking on your first multi-pitch trad climb? These are the 5 things we recommend getting nailed down first.

To find the best option, we tested four camping coffee methods and rated them for taste, ease of brewing, ease of cleaning, and convenience of carrying.

A simple guide about how UPF-rated gear helps protect your skin during active days outside.

In December, Kerry, our Digital Marketing Manager, and Joe, Assistant Store Manager put the Merrell Agility Peak 6 through its paces and shared their experience.

A practical guide to UV protection and polarised sunglasses for mountain sports.

The La Sportiva Prodigio Pros are built for trail runners chasing their fastest times over any distance, from short efforts to ultra marathons. Charlie from our team recently put them to the test in the 200-mile Wild Horse 200 race across South Wales.

You shouldn't dread putting your climbing shoes on. This guide will break down how you can find the best climbing shoes for you and how they should fit.

If you're unable to visit us in-store or want to check whether your existing boots fit correctly, this simple guide will walk you through what to look for.

So, how long do walking boots last and when should you replace them? We'll break down what to look out for, what factors impact their lifespan and what you can do when they are past their best.

So how do you know when to retire your trusty running shoes? We'll break down what to look out for, what factors impact shoe lifespan, how you can extend their life and what you can do with them when they are past their best.

Introducing next gen GORE-TEX products with ePE membrane

When down feathers get wet, they clump together and lose their insulating power. To solve this, some brands use hydrophobic down. So, what is hydrophobic down – and is it worth choosing for your kit?

A camping classic, we'll break down everything you need to know about campfires. From how to build one, where in the UK they're allowed, and how to safely put one out.

If you've ever struggled to get a good night's sleep in the outdoors, we've got some tips and tricks for you.

Our Covent Garden store manager Alex tested the Mammut Taiss Pro Belay IN jacket during a full week of winter climbing on Ben Nevis in Scotland.

We offer free ski boot fitting appointments at many of our stores. The right-fitting ski boots will keep you skiing longer, safer, and with more control. Three of our ski boot fitters break down what to expect from your ski boot fitting.

Everything you need to know about Mips helmet technology.

A bivvy bag is a protective cover for your sleeping bag. It shields you from the elements while remaining breathable, so your sleeping bag doesn’t get damp. It’s camping in its simplest form, no tent required.

Working out how much money a ski holiday will cost can be a daunting task so we've done some industry research to take the guesswork out of it.

How long do ski boots last? It's one of the most common questions we're asked. Many things affect the lifespan of your ski boots. But there are several ways to help them stand the test of time.

Learn more about the common causes of pain in ski boots and how to resolve it.

Not sure how old your child should be before you take them skiing? All the info and advice you need to decide when it's the right time to get them on

Before you venture outside the resort’s marked runs, a solid understanding of safety, technique, and gear is required.

Learn more about a revolutionary treatment that promises to change how we maintain our skis.

A versatile hiker boot designed to tread lighter. We took the HOKA Anacapa 2 Mid for a hike in the hills to see how its new technology and recycled materials fair in the mud.

We've partnered with Clarkston Snowsports Club to bring you the Mountain Shuttle. The shuttle will take you from XSITE, Braehead to Glencoe or Glenshee.

Mark Watson, our Ski Training Manager explains why a Sidas custom footbed is important and why you should consider them with your next ski boot fit.

We took the shoe out for a spin on the hill to find out whether the Italian innovators have made a holy grail for running on trails.

We put the Soulstride Flow to the test to see how its "pillow-like" cushioning and Continental rubber outsole fair in the real world.

Salomon launched the original Ultra Glide in 2021. Two years on, this deeply cushioned shoe has been given an update to improve its durability and fit. We tested them out on some Peak District trails to see how they perform.

The Arc'teryx Beta LT jacket is a lightweight addition to a walking wardrobe. We gave staff member Charlotte one to try out. Here are her thoughts.

Fastpacking is a relative newcomer to the outdoor scene. Our introduction to fastpacking has everything you need to get started.

We've tested out and reviewed the Scarpa Spin Ultra Trail Running Shoe. An Ultra Running shoe designed for long-distance races and training.

We've asked Matt Brown from our Aviemore shop to test out and share his thoughts on the Rab Veil 6L running vest.

We gave some members of staff the HOKA Mafate Speed 4 trail shoes to test out. Here are their thoughts.

INOV8 have taken on the challenge to revamp their Roclite series. We visited their head office, to talk through the changes.

We have compiled outdoor brands that we stock, which offer repair or recycling programmes to help reduce waste from the outdoor gear industry.

Once you get to the end of your gas canister, you might be wondering what you should do with it. Fortunately, you have a couple of options that are all quick, easy and safe to do.

We think that for every new piece of gear purchased, there should be a convenient way to upcycle or recycle the old, with limited hassle and the lowest possible environmental impact.

We’re working with homeless charities across the UK to recycle your outdoor clothing and gear