We spend a lot of time using and wearing our different bits of outdoor gear, so we get pretty attached to them. We asked some of the Beyond the Edge team to share what their favourite bits of outdoor gear are and why. Perhaps there’s some Christmas gift inspiration in there somewhere?
James: Mountain Equipment Citadel
My Mountain Equipment Citadel, a bomb-proof synthetic belay jacket and Mountain Equipments most heavily insulated.
To me it represents being warm, safe and comfortable, generally when the weather is trying to prevent you being any of those things. Whether on wild Scottish winter days when everything is wet, camping at -45C on frozen Canadian lakes or hunkering down in my van in Wales when the heater’s broken, it really can do it all.
Unfortunately after 7 years of tearing it on rock, burning holes in the sleeves and shoving massive mitted hands into the pockets it’s not really work-smart anymore, being about 50% gorilla tape. Currently prevaricating between a Blue or Orange updated version before the winter season kicks off.
You can learn more about the Mountain Equipment Citadel jacket here. You won’t find a women’s specific Citadel jacket, the fit is fairly unisex with slightly longer sleeves than you’d find on women’s jackets (but try before you buy anyway).
Rachel: Lifestraw Collapsible Bottle
The lifestraw collapsible bottle has accompanied me for many weeks in the mountains. Most recently it was my main water filter in Kyrgyzstan.
A stowable, lightweight yet durable choice for fast filtration on the go. The soft bottle is excellent for collecting shallow water and transferring filtered water between containers. The bottle will roll up in your hand for storage when not in use, perfect for long days in the mountains.
The LifeStraw bottle comes with a backwash syringe. This is for easy cleaning of the straw like filter to maintain a good flow rate. Each filter can last for up to 2000L. An excellent piece of kit if you are in the mountains or hills and need to rehydrate on the go.
You can pick up a Lifestraw bottle here.
Claire: E9 fold over chalk bag
My E9 fold over chalk bag, to me it represents all of the places I’ve climbed and it’s been there for all of the ascents I’m most proud of. I love the design, how it folds over to stop spillage, it’s nice and packable but also big enough to hold a trip’s worth of chalk.
I’ve tried to lose it in many places and it’s always come back to me! It’s been out over night in; the Peak, Magic Wood in Switzerland, Fontainebleau and Joes Valley Utah. Despite having had it for most of my climbing years it’s holding up well and still does the job.
Many people have tried to snaffle it over the years as E9 don’t make this model any more but it’s mine and you can’t have it!
You can find the full range of E9 chalk bags here.
Alex: Blue Ice Moonlight 55L
The piece of outdoor gear I’ve had the longest is my Trangia 27 meths stove. I got it when I was teenager and it still works perfectly well.
My current favourite piece of outdoor gear is my Blue Ice Moonlight 55L pack. It’s pretty much perfect for lugging the loads of kit around that I need while instructing on rock climbing courses in the Peak. Big, tough and burly with large side pockets and smaller pockets and internal gear loops for organisation. It has a good comfy back system so those heavy loads don’t feel so bad.
Learn more about the Blue Ice Moonlight 55L here.
Hati: Patagonia R1 Techface Hoody
Still my favourite! Forever my favourite!
Many jackets, trousers, socks, t-shirts and shoes have been sacrificed to my love of climbing cracks, chimneys and off-widths. As has a lot of my skin. The Patagonia R1 techface, however, just keeps on going (and going and going…)
In a few years of service it has served as outer-armour for all manner of abrasive surfaces. To date it has only the small beginnings of one tiny hole (where I left my phone in the chest pocket whilst squeezing through a space too small for me, so it didn’t really stand a chance). It is the only jacket that I can climb in and work in, as it has managed to stay ‘work smart’ despite all that life has thrown at it.
Despite having a tough outer face, the inner is mega comfy against your skin. Often in the summer I wear my R1 Techface directly over my sports bra to protect arms from abrasion whilst in off-widths. It’s not too sweaty, so whilst it’s not my go-to running jacket it is pretty good for cold-weather running.
Finally the hood is helmet compatible but doesn’t look ridiculous when you don’t have a helmet on – win!
So good Alex bought one as well!
You can read more about how wonderful the Patagonia R1 is here.
Or you can browse them here: Mens / Womens
Happy shopping!
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 climbing, bouldering, walking and hiking in the world.
