In response to a recent post where I laid out my (excessive) backpacking kit, a number of people, across various social media platforms, expressed an interest in knowing what I might have inside my wash bag and my first aid kit drybag (both of which were considerably weighty against other items in my arsenal).
I’m grateful for all of the suggestions and tips that people have provided. Now, I’m going to reveal why they weigh so much.
Over on YouTube, I was recently tagged by a couple of other channels (Paul Outdoors and Gillian Smith) in a ‘Five Items’ challenge.
I believe this particular tag-challenge began in the bushcraft/wilderness survival scene. As I don’t frequent that area of the outdoors and I’m not currently a wild camper, I’ve decided to respond with five items that I carry in my backpack on every hike.
Eighteen-months after purchase, I review the OEX Compact 4.0 self-inflating sleeping mat. This post also includes a link to the video I created.
With a view towards walking The Ridgeway in May [yes, I’m actually going to do it, this year], I recently started looking back over the kit I intend to carry with me. Much of which was purchased between 2016 and 2017.
I’d like to share some thoughts on the self-inflating sleeping mat I currently own, before I speculate upon potential weight and space-saving improvements. Continue reading “OEX Compact Self-Inflating Sleeping Mat”
In June last year, I went out to Bristol in search of a new backpack for day-hiking and walked away quite impressed with the Osprey Manta AG 28, which I believe is still stocked exclusively by Cotswold Outdoor in the UK.
Over on Olly Writes last summer, I wrote a fairly preliminary review, while still satisfied. But now, almost eighteen-months later, has my opinion of this backpack changed?
Walks With Olly 