Gear Review after finishing the Snowdonia Way

This year (2017) has been a relatively quiet one so far. I have only done two long walks, the North Downs Way and the Snowdonia Way. I haven't bought any new equipment this year, so pretty much everything falls into the "Tried and tested" category, or in some cases even the "Time to look for a new one" category.

I have listed all my gear at the end of this post, below. How did it perform?

Did anything break? Yes, one of my Komperdell carbon walking poles broke - the end fell off while walking along level ground. This is the second time that has happened to me, so I do not recommend Komperdell poles! I will stick with the Fizan aluminium poles instead. They are lighter than the Komperdell carbon poles anyway! And a third of the price.

Anything else? Yes, my beautiful new Samsung Galaxy S8+ phone fell out of a pocket of my rucksack half way up Snowdon. It damaged the screen and effectively stopped it from working. It is currently in for repair and it will be expensive. In some ways I like this phone - the display is truly magnificent. But the phone is easy to drop and it is definitely fragile. My previous phone, a Samsung S5, is still fine despite having been dropped a dozen times or more. If you get and S8 or S8+, I recommend you take out insurance for it, and buy a protective case too.

Anything more? No, everything else held together well. I was especially pleased with my new Berghaus Supalite boots, similar to the older Brasher ones, but with Vibram soles which are a definite improvement. Harder wearing and better grip. My Zpacks ArcBlast rucksack and Hexamid Duo tent performed flawlessly. They are absolutely the very best. My Rohan clothing was also excellent, especially the Ultra Silver base layers and the Escaper trousers.

After finishing the HRP I sent the ArcBlast back to Zpacks for refurbishment and repair. They did this free of charge - they are an excellent company - but it was still an expensive exercise, partly because of the postage, partly the exchange rate, and partly because I bought some other stuff from them at the same time. In particular, a Zero backpack, not suitable for long treks but ideal for a weekend away or up to a week or so perhaps, it is a weight thing really, it is best with no more than 5-6Kg rather than the 8-10Kg or even more that the ArcBlast can handle.

So nothing to replace, then? Hmm, well, my Berghaus Paclite waterproofs have done very well over almost ten years - four trips to the Pyrenees, two Pennine Ways etc etc... but I think they are nearing the end of their life now. Even reproofed they are no longer totally waterproof (too many barbed wire, or bramble, incidents!) and they are not as breathable as I would like. I suspect that it might be possible to find something which is both lighter and more breathable.. I will look around for something, anyway. Also my Suunto Core watch is now unreliable, its altimeter says silly things. I will try sending it back to Suunto, but it might need replacement.

My Paramo cap is the first piece of proper walking gear I ever bought, and it has had a good innings but is faded and worn. I would replace it - I went to the Paramo shop in Wadhurst to do that very thing - but Paramo don't make caps like it any more, and I didn't like what they sell instead nearly as much. So I shall stick with it for now.

Frankly I think that is pretty good going - only the Komperdell poles have turned out to be a bad buy. If you have any queries on any piece of kit, some of the other posts here may say more about it, or feel free to ask me..

Most of the above kit on display, on Crib Goch

		Snowdonia Gear List July 2017
					g	oz
									Bits & Bobs
Basics		Rucksack [Zpacks Arcsoft]			591	20.8			spare CR2032 battery
		Rucksack Belt Purse			28	1.0			head torch
		Sleeping bag [Zpacks]			788	27.8			spare bootlaces
		Sleeping mat [neoair]			274	9.7			spare matches
		Cuben liner sack			65	2.3			sewing kit
		Cuben small sack			27	1.0			earplugs
		Tent [Zpacks Hexamid]			663	23.4			spare rubber bands
									duct tape
				Basics:	2,436	85.9			aspirin
									ballpoint pen
Cooking		Pot cosy			25	0.9			antacid tablets
		Caldera cone			35	1.2			phone earpiece
		Meths fuel			210	7.4			cod liver oil pills
		Titanium mug			58	2.0			rucksack elastic cord
		Spork			10	0.4
		silverpoint lighter			65	2.3
		Pot, stove, matches, fuel measure			189	6.7
				Cooking:	592	20.9			Toiletries Bags
Toiletries		Toiletries bag (inner)			133	4.7			Inner
& Sundries		Toiletries bag (outer)			68	2.4			Mirror/brush
		Lightload towel			16	0.6			toothpaste
		Suntan lotion			64	2.3			tepe brushes
		Foot cream			43	1.5			razor + 1 blades
									toothbrush
				Toiletries & Sundries:	324	11.4			soap bar
Equipment		Bits & bobs bag			165	5.8			Outer
& Documents		Sunglasses (inc. hanky)			77	2.7			comb
		Suunto Core			63	2.2			waterless soap
		Credit cards			23	0.8			tissues
		Samsung S8+ phone			174	6.1			plasters, dressing
		25.6 Ah charger + lead + stuff sack			511	18.0			Eurax
		Samsung S5 phone (spare!)			155	5.5
		Steripen Freedom			93	3.3			Food
			Equipment:		1,261	44.5
									roasted almonds
Fleece		Campagnolo light fleece (red)			273	9.6			dry roast peanuts
Trousers		Rohan Escapers			294	10.4			instant coffee
Waterproofs		Berghaus Paclite jacket/trousers			599	21.1			bars & biscuits
Base layers		Rohan ultra silver knicks			43	1.5			miso & mushroom soup
		Rohan Ultra Silver T (royal blue s/s)			76	2.7			bananas
		Rohan liner socks			26	0.9			rice
				Clothing:	1,311	46.2
				Base weight:	4,347	153.3
Food & Drink		500ml water bottle		x2	50	1.8
		750ml water bottle			30	1.1
		1750ml water			1,750	61.7
		food total:			1,500	52.9
				Food:	3,330	117.5
				Carry Total:	7,677	270.8
To Wear		Rohan socks			38	1.3
		Rohan liner socks			26	0.9
		Paramo hat			64	2.3
		Bam knicks			120	4.2
		Rohan Ultra Silver T (black l/s)			113	4.0
		Rohan Escapers			294	10.4
		French belt (brown)			29	1.0
		Rohan microgrid fleece			370	13.1
		Step counter			37	1.3
		Suunto Core			63	2.2
		Penknife			102	3.6
		Berghaus Supalite boots (new inc shockstoppers)			1,383	48.8
		Komperdell walking poles (pair)			350	12.3
				To Wear:	2,989	105.4