Hati’s Top Five Items of Gear in 2024
Your gear reflects your year right? The main outdoor events of my year occurred within a 6 week period… a big walling trip in Utah was followed (immediately) by the OMM (Original Mountain Marathon) in the Highlands with a sport climbing trip to Kalymnos to recover from the whole affair. A hectic 6 weeks which are reflected in my purchases. Here are my Top Five Items of Gear in 2024…
Blue Ice Moonlight 55L
I’ve wanted one of these since Alex got his a few years back, and a climbing trip in Utah was the perfect excuse to buy a rugged new climbing pack. What I really like about the Blue Ice Moonlight is its full length zip up the back, which in this new version is 2-way to give access to the stuff at the bottom. I’m often mistrusting of long zips on bags, but Alex’s is still going strong after 3 years of abuse.
I use the gear/racking loops at the top for clipping regularly used gear to and the drawstring top closure gives extra capacity which you don’t get in a full zip closure bag. I really love the side pockets and top pocket, which are capacious but not bulky – good for lunch, snacks, water, keys etc. The strap at the top means you can chuck a rope over if required, which you don’t always see in crag bags of this style.
The back system is super comfortable, with padded hip fins that (thus far) have not rubbed even with a really heavy load.
Scarpa Vapour Lace Up
A few years ago something devastating happened… Scarpa stopped making Maestros. It’s a sad day when a company stops making your favourite rock climbing shoe and the only reasonable response is to comb Vinted and Ebay for second hand models in your size because you’re never going to find a shoe that fit quite like that one did…
Then one day as I was loitering in Outside, Mel from the rock room convinced me to try on the Vapour lace ups. Naturally I was hesitant – I’m a Maestro gal – but quite unexpectedly they fit well and I left the shop with a brand new pair of climbing shoes.
The Vapour Lace Ups fill the all-rounder void that Maestros left on my feet. They’re not quite as stiff as the Maestros, but I’ve worn them a lot when bouldering and trad climbing and particularly like them for smearing on gritstone and finger cracks. That said, for sharp Kalymnos limestone or mountain trad something stiffer would probably work better, so I’m still on the lookout for a stiffer shoe (that actually fits my foot) if anyone has any recommendations!
OMM Phantom 25l
Every year at the OMM there is an irresistible shop where repaired and refurbished equipment is resold at a discounted price. This year I went with a purchase in mind: a 25L Phantom running pack.
The OMM is known for challenging weather and terrain so the kit they make really has to take a beating. The Phantom running pack is no exception. Sure it’s lightweight (425g – 625g), but the fabric is waterproof, tough and stretchy enough to absorb a surprising amount of kit. The size and layout of the front pouches and pockets are well thought-out for moving quickly in the mountains on big days out, although for events where you’re moving through the night a nosebag would probably make a good addition. For me 25 litres feels just right for an event like the OMM: I could fit my warmer sleeping bag in but didn’t have loads of excess space that would bounce around as I moved.
The back system can really make or break a bag like this. It takes a bit of experimentation to get the Phantom’s back length set up correctly but once sorted it is pretty comfortable and moves well with you as you run.
Darn Tough socks
I’ve finally transitioned to Darn Tough Socks! Outside’s reduced price Darn Tough Sock bin was too good to resist and the glowing reports from colleagues were too much to ignore. I’ve been wearing the merino liner socks since early October and they are currently fairing much better than any others I’ve worn. Darn Tough also offer a lifetime guarantee on their socks which is particularly reassuring.
Teva Terra Fi Lite
More footwear… Last year I found the limits of my Birkenstocks (there is only so much you can do in floppy cork sandals). So, with an impending trip to the American desert, I invested in a rugged pair of walking sandals.
I’ve always been a little suspicious of ‘walking sandals’, surely they can’t offer enough support for actual walking? I was pleasantly surprised by the Teva Terra Fi – the sole was stiff and grippy enough for scrambling around on sandstone, and the leather straps are super durable. Sure they don’t quite offer the protection of a full shoe, but after a long hot day of climbing they’re just what you need! Teva sandals do tend to need breaking in – mostly around the ankle strap – but the fabric does soften and become comfortable.
Hati
Beyond the Edge Ltd is based in the Peak District, easily reached by train from London and within easy travelling distance from Sheffield, Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and other Northern towns and cities.
We are one of the UKs most experienced providers of climbing, walking, scrambling, mountaineering and navigation training courses.
Most of our courses are run in the Peak District National Park which has some of the finest rock climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
