Saving this to watch with interest later since Newcastle is my adopted home and Northumberland my stomping ground.

Another reminder that seatpacks are nothing new!

Also bought a set of both types yesterday. I've been running a rear Comet-copy since the last time they had them (~a year) and pretty happy with it. Have never had problems in rain - it's used on my commute so has definitely got wet but I can't remember using it for a prolonged period in the wet. At...

Wait, he wants people to pay him to tell them what bikepacking gear to buy and how to use it?

I have no experience of either, but from what I've read, most likely they will be significantly better quality. Hopefully someone give you a more definitive answer.

Aplkit have updated their quilt design for the latest batch: https://www.alpkit.com/products/cloud-cover It's now got ethical, hydrophobic down, possibly with a higher fill power (can't remember the original specs), but is now £99. I nearly bought one of the older ones but got a sale down bag for a ...

PM sent

The second best magazine in the world. Great writing and photography, printed so nicely you want to eat it. This issue has an article about the Yukon Arctic Ultra, amongst others. Pretty much as new, very minor marks on cover. £10 posted. In Newcastle if you want to collect for less. https://dl.drop...

That sounds like it could work for me. Out of interest, what seat pack do you have? I use the Alpkit (can you see a theme here? Trying not to be a fanboy but as cheapskate with expensive taste I've ended up with a lot of their stuff :-) ) tapered drybag - could probably fit the bivvy bag in the poin...

I assumed it would probably fit into my stem cell XL, though whether I'd want to use that easily accessible space for something I'd probably only need when I get where I'm going is debatable.

What's the general impression of the Alpkit Brukit? I've never owned an integrated stove/cooking pot thing like this, and to be honest I'm not sure I need one, but it's been reduced to £29 and I'm tempted.

Viewranger only has it's Buddy Beacon thing. Others may have something similar to what I suggested, I just haven't got round to looking yet!

With regards to following a route using a phone with GPS and a navigation app, Viewranger can be set to follow a GPX route which gives you an audible alert when you go more than a specified distance off course. I tend not to use this, but I know people who find it very useful. It also has a feature ...

Another smartphone GPS user here. Old smartphone as dedicated GPS unit. In a cheap roll-top clear case (touch screen still works fine through it). Battery is replaceable so I have a spare. Wifi to sync maps, routes, and tracks, airplane mode in use (GPS still works as it's passive - it only receives...

I'm 27 so haven't got anything as old as most of the above. I've got one of those cheap flatbed gas stoves that I "borrowed" off my mum (she was a traditional upholsterer and used it to melt animal glue for restoring antique furniture - absolutely stank!) to take to Leeds festival about 10...

Northwind, I didnt get an email re the thermarest chair - could you send again? Thanks Have sent it again but not sure why it didn't go the first time (in my sent items with the right address). Trying the same thing and expecting different results being the definition of insanity, I'll PM as well =...

Email sent re. Thermarest chair

I used to struggle with this myself. I'd either fear the worst and get into a winter bag with all my clothes on in summer and wake up in a pool of my own sweat, or try and play it cool (pun intended) and wake up freezing. I'd oscillate between the two. I've managed to mainly damp my oscillations now...

Another thing: I think that's got more to do with the change in temperature. You're bedroom is (presumably) a pretty constant temperature; maybe cools a couple of degrees overnight, which you need to sleep comfortably anyway. Outside it might be 15 degrees (Centigrade, sorry) when you go to bed and...

I can afford to have silly cars that do less than 20mpg, but it actually costs me less to run over time than next door neighbours boring new euro ecobox that sucks the life and soul out of you :grin: coz I can mend it / maintain it easily and just add fuel - but it also puts a smile on my face, and...

*goes looking for second hand packrafts* :grin: They're few and far between. I've got an eBay search alert set up and haven't seen one on there for months. You'd think it'd be the kind of thing people would buy, realise they've only used it once and then sell off, but I guess they're expensive enou...

An interesting thread, and something I've thought about a great deal over the last few years (though I can't put my finger on exactly when it became a concern of mine; it seems I've always thought about it). Compared to a lot of people my age (I'm 27) I seem to have quite a lot of stuff. I put this ...

Fourth line of the spec:

Network Support GSM 900/1800MHz

That's Europe/Asia and S. America I think, N. America is 850 I think. If anyone is more authoritative on this, feel free to correct me!

Looks useful.

It's worth pointing out that it's only dual band so don't go buying one to take on the Tour Divide.

Trying to work out a compact/light/easy to carry, walking around, casual shoe to take in luggage tho. I have a pair of (the men's version of) these: http://www.hi-tec.co.uk/women/footwear/casual-shoes/zuuk-womens-lightweight-shoe-O002518.html?dwvar_O002518_size=4%20UK&dwvar_O002518_color=051 On...

Almost entirely flats. Have dabbled with SPDs recently. On road I think it makes bugger all difference so have gone back to flats because less faff. Off road, there are bigger gains, particularly on technical climbs, but bigger potential pitfalls (falling sideways into a pit, for example). I've used...