The Great Outdoors Gear of the Year Awards 2024 are here, a selection of 30 superb products in 16 categories. These awards recognise the best outdoor equipment available, all thoroughly tested by our team of experienced expert gear testers in the hills and wild places from the Scottish Highlands to Dartmoor.
Each year, our team does hundreds of hours of field testing in all weathers and seasons, across Britain and further afield. From this, we draw up a shortlist, which leads to more discussion and deliberation. Trust is key to the entire process: we only award in categories where we identify a clear candidate, and all our tests are conducted 100% independently. We’ve also awarded brands pushing innovation and sustainability, brands that are driving forward the outdoor industry to better and more environmentally friendly products. So, without further ado, we present our pick of the crop for 2024; The Great Outdoors Gear of the Year Awards 2024.
The Great Outdoors Gear of the Year Awards jury: Lara Dunn, David Lintern, Peter Macfarlane, John Manning, Kirsty Pallas, Alex Roddie, James Roddie, Fiona Russell, and Chris Townsend.
Our gear reviews are renown for their rigour, trustworthiness and independence. With over 200 years’ experience between them, the team includes mountain leaders and instructors, wildlife rangers and wildlife photographers, scramblers, hikers, bikers, boaters and runners.
Main image: Deep in the Fisherfield | Credit: David Lintern
Winter adventuring with the Petzel Irvis underfoot. Credit: David Lintern
The Great Outdoors Gear of the Year Awards 2025: the categories
- Hiking boots
- Hiking shoes
- Waterproof Jackets
- Insulated Jackets
- Mid-layers
- Hiking packs
- Sleeping bags
- Tents
- Safety equipment
- Stoves
- Navigation
- Outdoor Tech
- Hillwalking Accessories
- Backpacking Meals
- Product Sustainability Award
- Brand Sustainability Award
- Product Innovation Award
- Brand Innovation Award
- PLUS: Chris Townsend’s ‘Ones to Watch’ for 2025
Hiking boots
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX
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“The Mojito Hike GTX is an extremely comfortable, supportive walking boot of the kind that you soon forget you’re wearing”, says tester John Manning, who wore them on this year’s TGO Challenge, and gave them Men’s Best in Test in a three-season boot review. The boots have water-resistant suede uppers, a BlueSign Approved PFC-free Gore-Tex lining, an EVA midsole, a Vibram XS Trek rubber outsole, and a climbing shoe-like down to the toes lacing system. John found the last a major factor – it “means you’re able to achieve a precise, supportive fit down virtually the entire length of the boot”.
On test the boots had just the right amount of flex to aid each step without tiring the feet, the Vibram outsole gave great grip and enabled a natural walking action, and water simply ran off the suede upper, even when crossing flooded ground. To quote John Manning again: “a cracking hiking boot”.
Read John’s full review of the Scarpa Mojito Hike GTX.
Highly Commended: Salewa Alp Trainer Mid GTX
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Lara Dunn, who gave the Alp Trainer Mid GTX Women’s Best in Test in a three-season boot review, says these boots “sit at the point on the hiking boot continuum where they offer good performance for day walks with a light pack, through to being perfectly capable of handling a much longer trek with a heavy load”. The mid-height boots are made from suede with a protective rubber edging and have a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort inner.
They feature climbing-shoe style lacing right to the toes for a more precise fit, a durable Vibram Hike Approach sole, and a customisable Multi-Fit Footbed with removable layers. Lara Dunn says the last is a “bonus in terms of fit … you can fine tune by using different layer combinations to make the volume of the boots spot on for your needs”.
Read Lara’s full review of the Salewa Alp Trainer GTX.
Hiking shoes
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Keen NXIS EVO
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Tester Lara Dunn says “the Keen NXIS EVO are so comfortable straight from the box and give such an agile and bouncy trail experience that they have quickly become my go-to hiking shoe”. The lightweight shoes, which Keen says have a running shoe feel, feature a mesh upper with overlays for durability, a Keen.Dry waterproof/breathable membrane, compression-moulded foam midsole, and a Keen.All-Terrain outsole which Lara Dunn found gives “good traction on a variety of surfaces and conditions. I’ve been having no issues in the peanut butter-like mud and gravel of the Malverns”.
Environmental credentials are good as the shoes have a PFAS-free DWR treatment and natural, pesticide-free odour control treatment. Lara Dunn says “the PFC-free treatment of the mesh fabric uppers and the waterproof membrane, these reliably keep feet as dry as shoes can, but without overheating. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them all year round”.
Read Lara’s full review of the Keen NXIS EVO.
Highly Commended: La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX
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La Sportiva says “this leather boot is dedicated to hikers looking for a technical product for approach routes, hiking and via ferrata”. On testing the TX5 Low GTX Alex Roddie agreed, writing “I found this shoe great for a wide variety of mountain applications – with a slight bias towards steep and rocky stuff”. With nubuck leather uppers protected by a rubber rand and toecap the shoes are designed to handle rocky terrain. Other features are a Gore-Tex Extended Comfort membrane, EVA midsole, and Vibram Megagrip sole.
Alex Roddie says they are burly and relatively stiff as hiking shoes go and provide “boot-like stability in a shoe.” He “found them particularly good for scrambling thanks to a positive edge (and the stiffness also helps them to perform on small holds)”.
Read Alex’s full review of the La Sportiva TX5 Low GTX.
Waterproof jackets
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Rab Namche
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The Namche is one of the first jackets to use the new fluorocarbon-free ePe membrane and has a recycled polyester outer with a PFC-free DWR treatment so its environmental credentials are excellent. Tester Chris Townsend said of the new membrane “breathability is much the same…I probably wouldn’t know the membrane was different if I hadn’t been told”.
The jacket has a hood with wired stiffened peak, two mid pockets, and underarm zips. “Minimalist and functional”, said Chris Townsend. After testing it in heavy rain, blizzards and ferocious winds on day walks and multi-day trips in the Cairngorms he said it’s “the best waterproof jacket I tested for year-round use as it’s substantial enough for severe winter weather but not too heavy or bulky for summer”. The Namche is designed for hillwalking rather than mountaineering and Chris liked the fact that it doesn’t have a helmet-compatible hood.
Read Chris’ full review of the Rab Namche.
Highly Commended: Sprayway Torridon
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The Torridon is an update of Sprayway’s flagship Gore-Tex winter jacket from the 1990s. Tester Fiona Russell liked the longer length, the double stormguard over the front zip and the three-colour panelling, which come from that era, and said “the somewhat retro style also brings a strangely comforting sense of nostalgia”. The Torridon is made from PFCEC-free 3-layer polyester fabric with a PFC-free DWR and Sprayway is a member of the Fair Wear Foundation – “does well on eco and ethical standards”, says Fiona.
The jacket has big pockets in which “you can stow lots of items, including an OS map”, an excellent hood with “good volume, easy adjustment and a really good peak”, and “easy to use” underarm zips. After testing the Torridon on a range of hill and mountain hikes, mostly in the Scottish Highlands, in weather ranging from cold and windy to very wet Fiona said the Torridon “offers a thoroughly robust outer shell that is very waterproof and windproof with good breathability”.
Read Fiona’s full review of the Sprayway Torridon.
Insulated jackets
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Rab Mythic Ultra down jacket
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“Perfect for multi-day backpacking in the coldest Scottish winter conditions…this is the jacket to buy if you want the warmest insulation for the least weight. It feels like wearing a luxuriously soft sleeping bag”. To say tester Alex Roddie was impressed with the Mythic Ultra is an understatement. The jacket that earns this praise is filled with 900 fill power RDS-certified goose down with a Nikwax PFC-free hydrophobic treatment and has a PFC-free recycled Pertex Quantum 10D shell with a PFC-free DWR, although Alex does say this thin fabric should be treated with care.
In use Alex tested the Mythic Ultra “during a very cold journey in the Southern Cairngorms and was toasty warm at all times where wearing it”. The Mythic Ultra has a hood with a stiffened peak, three pockets, elasticated cuffs, and an adjustable hem.
Read Alex’s full review of the Rab Mythic.
Highly Commended: PHD K-Series Yukon down jacket
The K-Series Yukon is another superbly warm down jacket. Tester Lucy Wallace describes it as “the warmest for its weight I’ve ever tested”. Filled with 1000 fill power goose down the Yukon has a 40gsm Ultrashell nylon outer with a water-repellent coating, a removable hood, four pockets, stretch cuffs and an adjustable hem. The fit can be customised.
Lucy says “the overall look and feel of it is old-school quality, with function taking precedence over fashion”. Although she had a few niggles over the sizing for women after being glad of it on several chilly overnight camps above 600 metres Lucy says “I can’t praise it enough for overall performance”. Her conclusion is that the K-Series Yukon is “ideal for treks at altitude, multi-day mountaineering in cool conditions, and other cold undertakings where weight is critical”.
Read Lucy’s review of the PHD K-Series Yukon.
Midlayers
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Rab Xenair Light
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Rab says the Xenair Light is “active insulation you can put on and leave on, keeping you comfortable through fluctuating temperatures and peaks and troughs of activity”. Tester David Lintern agrees, describing it as “my perfect active insulation layer…a goldilocks, no nonsense midlayer I can leave on all day in the cooler months”. Filled with 40gsm PrimaLoft Gold Active insulation and with a 20D Pertex Quantum Air shell with PFC-free DWR this lightweight jacket has a simple design with three pockets, single pull hem adjuster, and cuffs with thumb-loops – “all the features I need and none of the fuss”, says David.
To enhance breathability there’s no insulation under the arms. Overall comfort and breathability are excellent, David saying “on its own over a baselayer in cool, calm weather, it does a great job of maintaining an even core temperature. Sandwiched between a hardshell and a fleece in full on winter conditions, this Jacket does equally well and allows water vapour to escape the layering system”.
Read David’s review of the Rab Xenair Light.
Highly Commended: Patagonia Nano Air Light Vest
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The lightweight breathable Nano Air Light Vest is designed to be worn all the time, whether you are stationary or moving fast. Tester Chris Townsend found it works well like this, saying “worn over a base layer and a wool shirt and under a waterproof jacket it’s stayed dry and kept me warm on cool, windy days, including when walking uphill with a big pack” and finding it very breathable and very comfortable.
The lightweight low bulk vest has good environmental credentials with 93% recycled insulation inside – Patagonia’s own Full Range polyester – and a 100% recycled PFC-free polyester shell. The design is functional. Features are a high collar and three pockets. The fabric is soft, and Chris found it felt pleasant against the skin. The fill is hydrophobic and he also found it stays warm and dries fast when wet.
Read Chris’ review of the Patagonia Nano Air Light.
Hiking packs
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Osprey Stratos 26
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Tester James Roddie described the adjustable ventilated back system of this daypack as “exceptionally comfortable and breathable”. As well as having a mesh back band held away from the back by a curved wire frame the pack has ventilated foam on the shoulder straps and hipbelt. James says this “Airspeed suspension system helps to keep your back cool in warmer conditions and reduces perspiration”. The ladder system of back adjustment is easy to use and means the harness will fit different back lengths.
The pack has side mesh pockets, a zipped front pocket, zipped internal and external lid pockets, zipped hipbelt pockets and a zipped base pocket that holds a detachable rain cover. James approved of the ‘Stow-On-The-Go’ attachments for walking poles. The pack is made from 210D bluesign-approved nylon. James says the materials are tough and this is “clearly a durable product” that will last.
Read Chris’ review of the Osprey Stratos 26.
Highly Commended: Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor 40-60
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The lightweight Flex Capacitor has been a favourite of tester Chris Townsend for many years. He feels the latest version is the best yet as it adds big stretch mesh side pockets, which he really missed on the original model, and front straps long enough attach a foam pad. The back system stays the same with a rigid curved Y-shaped frame that’s longitudinally stiff but which twists from side to side so the pack can move with you and thick mesh-covered foam pads that hold the frame and the contents away from your back.
The Flex Capacitor in action in the Fisherfield. Credit: David Lintern
There’s an air gap across the lower back where the frame curves for ventilation. The hipbelt is wide and well-padded. Chris found the back system comfortable with 20kg loads. The pack also has an expandable front gusset, lower stretch mesh water bottle holders, zipped hipbelt pockets, and stretch mesh shoulder strap pockets. It’s made from 420D nylon. Chris says the Flex Capacitor is “lightweight, comfortable, and tough”.
Read Chris’s full review of the Sierra Designs Flex Capacitor.
Sleeping bags
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Mountain Equipment Helium 600
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Mountain Equipment says its Helium sleeping bags are “efficiently sized, supremely comfortable and low in weight, each Helium bag offers outstanding all-round performance for backpackers.” After testing the Helium 600 Fiona Russell says “it’s rare that I agree with a brand’s superlatives, but in this case, I mostly do”. The Helium 600 is filled with 700 fill power Down Codex-approved duck down and has a 100% recycled 20D nylon shell.
Mountain Equipment gives it a Good Night’s Sleep Temperature rating of -8°C. It has slanted box-wall construction and a full-length zip. The women’s version has a higher down density in the footbox than the men’s and a stretch zoned system to draw the bag round the body. Fiona found the bag “very comfortable and warm” and liked the choice of two lengths and the ‘women’s Alpine fit’, a cut suited to the female physique with narrower shoulders.
Read Fiona’s full review of the Mountain Equipment Helium 600.
Highly Commended: Therm-A-Rest Hyperion 32F/0C
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The Hyperion is a sleeping bag with just 30% of the insulation in the base, which tester John Manning says is a sensible weight-saving, as that area’s insulation’s efficiency is usually diminished by being crushed while you sleep”. To keep the warmer part of the bag on top there are a pair of ribbons that loop round your sleeping mat. John said of these “I like them, just”.
The fill is 900 fp Responsible Down Standard-certified Nikwax Hydrophobic Down in a box-wall construction. The shell is a DWR treated 10D nylon ripstop, which John describes as having a soft silky feel. It has a comfort rating of 5°C and a comfort limit rating of O°C. John says “as a warm sleeper, that’s sufficient for me outside winter” and concludes “the Hyperion’s a luxurious, truly light-weight (at just 528g) three-season bag”.
Read John’s full review of the Therm-a-rest Hyperion.
Tents
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Trekkertent Saor DCF
The Saor DCF is a freestanding lightweight two-pole dome tent, handmade by Trekkertent in Scotland. Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF) is very light and strong and absorbs almost no water. The 2024 version tested by David Lintern is easier to pitch than the previous one as it has short pole sleeves and clips rather than continuous sleeves. The Saor has a solid inner and a huge vestibule running along the whole of one side.
Trekkertent Saor in the Fisherfield. Credit: David Lintern
David says “the dome structure means high walls so it’s easy to set up a stove safely. A large beak and a 2-way, weather resistant zip conspire to provide plentiful ventilation even in the wet. The door can be opened fully or halfway, or zipped in the other direction altogether to create a ‘window’ “. He concludes “it’s a simple and very effective design that is light, strong and packs down small yet provides real comfort at camp …. a four-season shelter and very weather worthy”.
Read David’s full review of the Trekkertent Soar.
Highly Commended: Vango F10 Xenon UL2 Plus
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The F10 Xenon UL2 Plus is a three-pole tunnel tent with a huge extended porch. It’s very lightweight for the size as 2.11kg due to the use of lightweight materials and poles. Alec Roddie didn’t find any problems with this in his testing, which included “multiple nights of winter conditions on summit camps in the Cairngorms”. He says the Gothic arch architecture, which adds additional strength, and the many adjustable pegging points and guylines help to counteract the lightweight flexible poles – “and make it one of the best tents tested for pitching on snow”.
Pitched tail to wind it offered very good resistance to high winds and Alex found the interior living space extremely generous with ample room for two. He says that although “designed for four-season use, at a low weight it’s an attractive choice year round. And the price of £410 makes it even more attractive”.
Read Alex’s full review of the Vango F10 Xenon UL2 Plus.
Safety equipment
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter
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The Emergency Storm Shelter is a lightweight waterproof bothy bag for 2-3 people. It has vents, windows, reflective patches, and a drawcord hem. The fabric is bright orange, which makes it very visible. Tester Pete Macfarlane says it’s “an excellent example of emergency equipment that you can also use regularly” and, as it’s light and packs away well, he’s “happy to carry it as on rainy hill days it’s been a mood saver to climb into for lunch”.
He says the shelter can be quickly removed from its stuffsack and you can be out of the snow and rain in seconds. The hem has drawcords with two adjusters at opposite sides to cinch it in, so the shelter forms a protective bubble shape. Pete found it warms up quickly once you’re inside and says it’s simple and functional.
Read Peter’s full review of the Lomo Emergency Storm Shelter.
Highly Commended: Petzl Irvis crampons
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Irvis crampons are lightweight and have 10 points. They’re made from steel for durability. They are available with two different binding systems, with or without toe and heel welts, to adapt to different types of footwear. Tester Kirsty Pallas liked this modular system saying she switched the configuration “depending on whether I was walking or ice climbing that day”. She says “the step-in front bail is soft plastic, which moulds well to most boots and doesn’t leave gaps” and “the buckle (on the strap) is straightforward with gloves, and releases well, as does the heel lever”.
Mountain leader Kirsty tested the crampons on both personal mountaineering days and as she delivered winter skills courses across Scotland. She gave the Irvis Best in Test in a review of crampons for its light weight, affordability and modular design, saying “these crampons pack up the smallest and are the lightest in the test”.
Read Kirsty’s full review of the Petzl Irvis.
Stoves
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Soto Windmaster 4Flex
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Tester Chris Townsend says the lightweight Windmaster 4Flex is a “close to perfect backpacking stove suitable for year-round use” that “boils water very fast, simmers well, and has better wind resistance than similar canister top models”. The Windmaster 4Flex has four rather than three pot supports and these are wide and strong enough to support big pots.
The stove has a regulated burner and Chris found “there’s little drop off in performance with a less than half full canister even on a frosty morning”. Wind resistance comes from a raised rim round the burner and the closeness of the pot to the flame. Chris found this works quite well. In a test of stoves the Windmaster had the fastest boil time. Chris says “if you want a fast brew this stove can provide it. At the same time flame control is excellent and food can be simmered without burning”.
Read Chris’ full review of the Soto Windmaster 4Flex.
Highly Commended: Primus PrimeTech Stove Set 1.3L
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The PrimeTech Stove Set comes with burner, 2 1.3 litre pots, lockable pot grip, windscreen/pot support, piezo igniter, and insulated storage bag. It’s a remote canister stove and the burner is integrated into the windscreen which gives it a low profile and makes it very stable. A preheat tube next to the burner head means the canister can be inverted for better performance in freezing conditions.
It’s designed for use by 1-3 people and tester Chris Townsend says it’s “an excellent choice for group cooking”. He liked the quietness of the burner compared with the roar of most canister stoves. One of the pots has a heat exchanger on the base which reduces boil time and is more fuel efficient than the other pot, though boil time is still fast with this. Chris says “the PrimeTech is easy to assemble and efficient in use”.
Read Chris’ full review of the Primus PrimeTech Stove Set 1.3L.
Navigation
Gear of the Year Award Winner: COROS Vertix 2S GPS Adventure Watch
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The Vertix 2S is a GPS with an impressive battery life. Tester Kirsty Pallas says this is the standout feature, “with a single charge easily lasting a full week of daily recording full hill days and using it to navigate”. She also found that “the mapping that comes with the COROS software is excellent quality, showing contour features similar to OS maps, and more paths than on OS maps as there’s regular updates.
The Coros in the wild. Credit: Kirsty Pallas
It’s straightforward to download your route onto the watch, and you can follow that for the day, with stats of where you are, and reminders if you go off route.” As well as the mapping and location features the Vertix 2S has a heart monitor, storm alert, altitude mode and much more. Kirsty also says “the buttons and dial are easy to use with gloves on, and despite having quite small wrists, I didn’t find it too bulky”.
Read Kirsty’s full review of the Coros Vertix 2S.
Tech
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Flextail Zero Pump
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The Zero Pump is a tiny and ultralight device for inflating air mattresses and comes with nozzles to fit different mattress valves. Flextail says it is the world’s smallest pump for sleeping pads. It runs off a rechargeable, removable, and replaceable battery. Tester David Lintern, who admits to leaning towards scepticism where outdoor gadgets are concerned, says “the Flextail Zero Pump has me second guessing my Luddism”.
He found it easy to attach and quick to inflate, even with thicker winter mats and has yet to exhaust the battery even on multiple camps using it across a variety of mats. It also deflated mats well. David concludes it “saves a good deal of effort, especially with higher volume mats”.
Read David’s full review of the Flextail Zero Pump.
Highly Commended: Samsung Galaxy XCover7
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The XCover7 is water, dust and drop resistant, which makes it ideal for the hills. This is a phone that doesn’t need a case or special care. Tester Chris Townsend says “I’ve used it in rain and carried it without a case in a jacket pocket where it has been bumped and scraped and it’s been fine”. The phone also has a removable battery, described by Chris as a highlight.
He says “swapping batteries only takes a few minutes and you have a usable phone straight away rather than having to attach it to a battery pack and then wait while it charges”. He found that “one charge easily lasts me for a day of checking my position every so often and taking photos” and concludes that “it’s a great choice for the hills”.
Read Chris’ full review of the Samsung Galaxy XCover7.
Accessories
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Midge Specs
A midge net with built in glasses so you can see through it clearly sounds a great idea and tester David Lintern found that it really is. The glasses are high quality polycarbonate work safety glasses and come in two sizes – large ones for wearing over prescription or sun glasses and a more compact pair for use on their own. Both come with arms that adjust for both angle and length to fit different head shapes and sizes.
The Morgan-Lintern family model the new Midge Specs. Credit: David Lintern
Midge Specs were designed by photographer and climber Tim Parkin who was fed up with not being able to see properly under standard midge nets. He makes the Midge Specs in the Highlands. The glasses have an anti-fog treatment and David has had zero issues with steaming up. He’s also found that the glasses help keep the mesh away from your face, reducing the clammy feeling with other nets. He says “overall, Midge specs are perfect for improving vision while stationary and operating ropes, cameras or other outdoor tools in the summer”.
Read David’s full review of the Midge Specs.
Highly Commended: Sigg Thermo Flask Gemstone IBT
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The Gemstone IBT is a stainless-steel vacuum flask with a pouring stopper and an insulated cup. It’s lightweight and compact – 30% lighter than standard bottles according to Sigg. Tester Pete Macfarlane says “it fits easily into my smaller rucksacks”. The flask has deeply embossed channels down the body which Peter found meant “it’s easy to grip with bare hands, gloves and when it’s wet”. He tested how long contents took to cool down at home and found the performance excellent.
In real-life hill use, he says “I needed to let the contents cool before sipping at my first stop, and I still had a hot drink at the end of the day”. Dropping it onto rocks led to multiple deep dents on the base rim but these didn’t affect performance at all.
Read Peter’s full review of the Sigg Thermo Flask Gemstone IBT.
Backpacking meals
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Radix Nutrition Basil Pesto
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Radix is a brand focused on nutritional quality. The Basil Pesto meal has a long list of ingredients including “extra virgin olive oil, pumpkin seeds, millet, buckwheat, cherries, kale, baobab fruit and much more” but as tester Alex Roddie points out they’re all natural and “thankfully this results in a wonderfully varied meal with delicious, complex flavours and textures… I particularly liked the varied vegetables and crunchy seeds in the mix. The basil pesto came through, but was not overpowering, allowing many of the natural flavours to shine.”
He also says, “I was impressed by the nutritional information, which included exhaustive details of the vitamins and minerals included in the meal. This isn’t something I’ve seen from any other brand”. The dried meal rehydrates in its sachet and so is easy to prepare. For Alex, it is near perfect.
Read Alex’s full review of the Radix Basil Pesto.
Highly Commended: LYO Expedition Vegan Nettle Curry
Alex Roddie says “LYO Expedition make some of the most interesting and original recipes in the realms of dehydrated outdoor food – and the LYO Expedition vegan nettle curry has long been a favourite of mine”. He says “it has a variety of vegetables – including, yes, delicious nettle leaves. The result is tasty and with excellent texture. The rice is perfect too”.
A bite to eat in the Swiss Alps. Credit: Kuba Golczyk
The meal comes in a pack to which hot water just needs adding then leaving for nine minutes for the curry to rehydrate. Alex says the pack was easy to open and “this one scores highly for ease of preparation, with two opening points (you can open it up like a bowl after hydrating) and both a fill line and a quoted fill amount in millilitres”.
The Award for Sustainability (Product)
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Montane Solution waterproof jacket
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Montane says: “We challenged ourselves to create a waterproof jacket where every development decision was made to reduce its impact”. The result is the Solution jacket made from 93% recycled fabrics and components. The outer is Pertex Shield Revolve which has been solution dyed to save 50% water during manufacture and which has a PFC-free DWR. Pertex Shield Revolve is also recyclable.
David testing out the Montane Solution Jacket. Credit: David Lintern
The jacket has a hood with a stiffened peak, which tester David Lintern says “provides plenty of depth and protection”, and “cavernous” pockets that “remain accessible above a hip belt…all zips are well guarded from the elements with robust storm flaps”. David found the jacket “felt protective and durable during some foul winter weather over the test period” and says “this is a great, general purpose three-season hillwalking jacket with excellent environmental credentials”.
Read David’s full review of the Montane Solution.
Highly Commended: Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock
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The Velez Adventure Light Smock is made from Nikwax Analogy fabric with a PFC-free water repellent finish and is fully recyclable through Paramo. Another sustainability plus point is that it can be reproofed regularly. “It could very easily last decades” says tester Lara Dunn, and “flies the flag for genuine sustainability”. Paramo also uses guaranteed Fair Trade manufacture in Colombia.
The jacket has long side zips which are great for ventilation, two big kangaroo pockets, and a wired hood. Lara says “on long, persistently soggy hikes this is the jacket I want to be wearing thanks to the brilliant breathability and active moisture transport of the fabric. It keeps the wearer genuinely dry, with no fear of sweat build-up… perfectly suitable for year-round use”. She also likes “the comfort offered by the soft, silky (non-crinkly) fabric”.
Read Lara’s full review of the Paramo Velez Adventure Light Smock.
The Award for Sustainability (Brand)
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Paramo for 360 Circularity
Paramo has been promoting sustainability since it was founded and its products have been recyclable for many years. Now the company is now looking at changing from mechanical recycling, the standard method, which produces lower quality materials each time to chemical recycling which maintains the quality of virgin materials. Initially Paramo is using chemically recycled yarns in two garments, the Halkon 360 and the Aspira 360.
Paramo says “these products demonstrate the feasibility of a closed-loop supply chain and the potential for industry-wide adoption…to accelerate sustainable practices, industry-wide collaboration is essential. Increasing demand for chemically recycled materials will reduce costs and improve recycling infrastructure…the outdoor industry’s advanced use of synthetic fibres positions it uniquely to lead the transition to a circular economy, significantly reducing the ecological footprint and preserving resources for future generations”. In time Paramo will use these chemically recycled materials across the product range so that virgin materials are no longer needed.
Highly Commended: Gore-Tex for ePE
Since it was invented in 1976 the Gore-Tex membrane has been made from ePTFE – expanded polytetrafluorethylene. Now, that is changing because ePTFE contains PFCs (perfluoro chemicals) that don’t break down easily (hence the name ‘forever chemicals’), and build up in the environment, wildlife, and people with potentially toxic effects. Concern over PFCs has been leading companies to search for alternatives and Gore has developed a new PFC-free membrane called ePE – expanded polyethylene – with a PFC-free DWR.
The first ePE garments appeared in Autumn 2022 and Gore’s aim is for all its products to be PFC-free by the end of 2025. This means that ePTFE membranes will disappear. Gore says that ePE has been “rigorously tested for a long product life” and is “durably waterproof, reliably breathable and totally windproof”.
The Award for Innovation (Product)
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody
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The Approach Down Hoody is a warm lightweight down jacket with a PFC-free hydrophobic finish. The latter is the innovation that makes it stand out. Black Diamond says that the Green Theme International (GTT) Breathable Water Protection Technology is “an environmentally friendly, PFC-free DWR that’s superior in performance and substantially more durable than other DWR solutions”. This is said to permanently fuse the water-resistant finish directly to the fibres.
Whilst he can’t yet speak for the long-term durability tester Alex Roddie is impressed saying, “I’ve used the jacket a lot over the last few months and have seen zero deterioration in the DWR”. He also says he’s found the Approach Down Hoody “an unusually rain-resistant down jacket”. A PFC-free DWR that is effective and lasts is a breakthrough innovation.
Read Alex’s full review of the Black Diamond Approach Down Hoody.
Highly Commended: Built to Send X Series Packs
Built To Send packs are built for ultimate strength and stripped-down simplicity. Eschewing the complicated back systems and multiple features of most modern packs Built To Send packs have minimalist designs. The main range is the X-Series with four sizes in either black or white. Built To Send says these are the finest engineered and strongest packs on planet earth. The packs are hand-built in the UK.
The X1 was built to send in the Cairngorms. Credit: David Lintern
Chris Townsend has extensively tested the largest pack, the X3, and after using it on a two-week backpacking trip in Knoydart said it was a revelation. He found the design just as comfortable with a 15kg load as much more complex packs. Impressed with the toughness he also says “you may never need to buy another pack”.
Read Chris’ full first look at the Built to Send X3.
The Award for Innovation (Brand)
Gear of the Year Award Winner: Gore-Tex for ePe
Changing the material that led to the foundation of the company over forty years ago and that has formed the heart of every waterproof and windproof item ever made under the Gore-Tex name is a bold move. By replacing the ePTFE (expanded polytetrafluorethylene) membrane with a new ePE (expanded polyethylene) membrane for sound environmental reasons Gore-Tex has taken this step, after undertaking the research needed to ensure the new membrane performs as well as the old. Whilst the finished products will look the same this is the biggest change in waterproof/breathable fabrics since the original Gore-Tex was launched and a major innovation.
Chris Townsend’s Ones to Watch for 2025
There is a wealth of new products in the pipeline for 2025 and our team of gear testers will be trying them out over the coming months.
Amongst those that look interesting, beyond the winners of our Gear of the Year Award winners, are:
- A solo heat exchanger stove from MSR called the Switch
- Innovative packs from Rab (the Veil XP) and Berghaus (the Remote Hike)
- Three promising new air mattresses: the Therm-a-Rest NeoLoft; Rab Hypersphere Ultra 7.5; and Sea to Summit Ether Light XR Pro
- The Altra Lone Peak 9 – the first Lone Peak shoe with a Vibram sole
- An amazingly environmentally friendly Terra Nova Solar Event 2 tent made from a new fabric that combines recycled, solution dyed, and PFC-free fibres
- A powerful and innovative Ledlenser HF8R Core headlamp
- The sustainable Paramo Aspira 360 Smock
Watch this space for our gear tests in 2025.
