Surf in Iceland: Cold, bold and beautiful!

Mark Pawlak    surfingholidays     Iceland, Surf in Iceland, Surfing, surfing holidays, trekking gear, walking gear, Zalando

Two tectonic plates meet slap bang in the middle of Iceland. Little surprise then that this island’s been a hotbed of volcanic activity for years. Perhaps more surprising is that there’s surf in Iceland. And it’s good.

Surf in Iceland - It

Forget sunset-stained images of California with old-school dudes in beach shorts hanging ten – think huge volcanic backdrops, black beaches and blacked out neoprene surfers.

And it’s beautiful! Just make sure you come prepared for the temperatures, which could freeze the doors off a fridge…

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Berghaus Bioflex 45 Reviewed by Explorer Mikael Strandberg

Mark Pawlak    ash     Berghaus, Berghaus Bioflex, daysack, Mikael Strandberg, Rucksack, travel gear, trekking gear

Choosing a rucksack is not as easy as you’d think. With the help of international explorer Mikael Strandberg we reviewed the Berghaus Bioflex 45 and found that it’s a specialist sack, but not for everyone.

Winter testing by Mikael Strandberg

Fantastically light and featuring an intriguing support system, we took an immediate liking to this rucksack.

But how would it fare once put to the test, and is it the right sack for your back?

On an expedition a 45-litre rucksack is one you take with you to use as a daysack – there’s simply not enough room for enough gear to last longer.

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Exped pack liner or bin bags: Packing myths busted

Mark Pawlak    Trekking Gear, trekkingholidays     Bin Bags, Exped pack liner, trekking, trekking gear, trekking holidays, Waterproof gear

Keeping gear dry is never easy. Water has an uncanny ability to get everywhere and so to prevent this trekkers often use an exped pack liner, or similar, to protect their vitals.

All rucksacks waterproofed? Don't think so. Image: Flickr/ iShot71

But why bother when you can achieve the same with a bin bag or refuse sack? You’ve hundreds of them lying around the house, they cost nothing and will keep your gear dry for free.

Let’s look at what’s available on the market and weigh up whether it’s really worth the extra coin.

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Review of Fuizion Freeze dried food

Luke    ash     Freeze Dried Food, Fuizion, Fuizion Food, Fuizion Freeze Dried Food, Gourmet Freeze Dried Meals, review, trekking, trekking gear, trekking holidays

With the exception of pot noodles (during my student days) it has been around 25 years since I last tried freeze dried food….

Try freeze dried food in your next adventure. Image: Flickr/ jetalone

It was on a rainy scout trip in the New Forest, we had walked for miles and were camping in the middle of nowhere. I was very hungry yet did not eat what Arkela had ‘cooked’ as it was a powdery flavourless mush. Only the sweets and chocolate hidden in my sleeping bag got me through the trip.

I recently came across Fuizion Freeze Dried Food and was impressed with their claim to provide gourmet freeze dried meals.

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Mount Everest Gear: Packing for Base Camp Trekking

Tamsin    trekkingholidays     Base Camp, Everest Base Camp, explore, Mount Everest Gear, Mt. Everest, The Himalayas, Trek, Trek Mount Everest, trekking gear, trekking holidays

So, you’ve booked the plane tickets, planned your approach to Mount Everest and put in the days of training required. What will undoubtedly be the trip of a lifetime will soon be underway, all that’s left for you to do is gear up and pack. And this is a task that should definitely not be underestimated.

Gear up for the trip of a lifetime. Image: Flickr/ Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It. World Tour

There is a very fine line between being prepared and over-packing, and when you’re at 5000 feet every superfluous item will feel like a 15lb dumb bell in you back pack.

When packing for an Everest base camp trek, you will need everything you carry to be as useful as a Swiss army knife (and actually that’s not a bad piece of kit to bring too). But probably your most important purchase is the backpack itself. A badly fitting or poorly made pack will weigh you down and make every step a trial.

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Berghaus Women’s Exterra Trek Boots Reviewed

Lucy Grewcock    Trekking Gear, trekkingholidays     Berghaus, Berghaus Women’s Exterra Trek Boots, Europe, Exterra Trek Boots, Exterra Treks, OPTI STUD, Trek boots, trekking, trekking gear, trekking holidays, Walking Holidays, Walking Holidays Europe

In the past six weeks, the new Berghaus women’s Exterra Trek boots have carried me just about everywhere! Rather than do an out-of-the box review, I’ve put them on, laced them up and reviewed them in real life, and through the actual challenges your new boots will have to survive.

OPTI STUD® and Alpha Compound keep your feet planted firmly on the ground.

Up challenging inclines in the Brecon Beacons and down chalky faces in the South Downs, they’ve stomped along muddy tracks in the Forest of Dean, trekked along hard-packed coastal cliffs on the Isle of Wight and scrambled over pebble beaches in East Sussex; they saw May’s 28 degree heat wave and the wettest June on record.

So how did they fare?
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Best Trekking Backpacks: Choosing the pack for your back

Stuart Blackadder    Trekking Gear, trekkingholidays     Backpacks, Best Trekking Backpacks, trekking, Trekking Backpacks, trekking gear, Trekking Holiday, trekking holidays, Walking Holidays, Walking Holidays Europe

Backpacks are the top of the list when it comes to preparing for a big trek. Designers are continuously working with state of the art materials and ergonomics to ensure the best trekking backpacks make it to your back.

The importance of choosing the right backpack for your trek. Image: Flickr/ udeyismail

Remember, you should make every effort to be as comfortable as possible for the modern day trekker to make the most of his or her trip.

With a number of factors to consider- weight, size, comfort- all governed by the all important price tag, choosing a backpack can be daunting.

This guide aims to provide you with a small selection of the best packs for your walking holiday in Europe, or beyond.

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