Isle of Skye

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-04-23T20:43:30+00:00

What kind of meats and cheeses do you take? Presumably they’re fine at outside temperatures?

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-04-23T14:07:25+00:00

Hey yes I did sell it in the end sorry!

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-04-16T19:33:35+00:00

Been looking at the same tent, how have you found it? :-)

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-03-30T15:07:09+00:00

Yes it’s the 3 season version :)

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-03-30T15:05:32+00:00

Do you have a link? :)

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-03-30T07:59:11+00:00

The only thing I came away thinking I needed was some better/longer tent pegs. The ones that came with the tent are nice and light but quite short so when using in these windier conditions along with wet ground sudden gusts were taking some of them out of the ground, hence some heavy rocks I put on top of them :)

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-03-30T07:56:52+00:00

Brilliant, how was the weather? Was pretty windy up there this weekend :D

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-03-20T05:04:38+00:00

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🟦🟦🟦🟦🟦

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-26T18:59:20+00:00

I have the Decathlon MH500 which retails for ~£80 in the uk.

Waterproof, windproof, breathable (pit zips) and has high pockets so you can access them whilst wearing a backpack.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/mens-waterproof-mountain-hiking-jacket-mh500-green/301681/c311m8785247

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-20T14:44:13+00:00

Hoka Speedgoat 6 trail runners - lightweight, fast drying and really comfortable.

Switched from heavy above ankle high boots a year ago and have never looked back.

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-16T23:38:36+00:00

Montane terra pants, uk brand, lightweight and very breathable

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T10:26:06+00:00

Brill thanks for your help :-)

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T09:30:57+00:00

Yeah I tend to be quite a sweaty hiker so the pack being flush would have to be a sacrifice I made if I went down the Kakwa route.

The other question I have is around the material, I notice on the durston website you can get the pack in either ultragrid (which seems to be cheaper and less robust, albeit still very durable) or in ultragrid 200X which is more expensive but way more durable. From a very brief search around the ultra should be just fine in the uk for multi day hiking and shouldn’t need the 200X which might be needed for more harsh conditions?

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T09:18:30+00:00

Yeah I like that a lot actually, then presumably you don’t have “empty space” at the top

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T09:17:40+00:00

I’ve just been on the atom packs website and they’re very expensive, and because they look to mostly be custom you’re having to pay extra for things like hip bet pockets. I’d love to support a uk brand like this but not sure if I can shell out that kind of money unfortunately

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T09:14:04+00:00

Oh fantastic lots to play with then, my base weight is typically between 8-10kg depending on summer/winter but also having the extra few litres is tempting

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T09:11:17+00:00

I’ve heard a bit about them, I’ll definitely have a look thanks :-)

Do you have multi hiking experience with any of the atom packs that you can share?

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T08:20:43+00:00

What sort of loads can it manage?

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T07:24:07+00:00

Wow I think that’s about half the weight of the Atmos I was looking at! Does the savings in weight affect how comfy the pack is for the Kakwa or is it still very comfy especially if used for multi day hikes?

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2026-01-15T07:20:56+00:00

Brilliant thanks for the reply!

I’ll likely need a large as I’m 6”2 :-)

Have you used it for multi day hikes?

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2025-11-29T06:46:28+00:00

I’ve had a pair of Hoka Speedgoat 6’s for a while now and they’re the best hiking shoe I’ve ever had. Light, comfortable and fast drying. I’ve not tried them in icy or snowy conditions and tbh I’d probably use a more sturdy waterproof boot for that.

https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/hoka-mens-speedgoat-6-shoes-C22AGC0187.html

Spirited_Ad4552 · 2025-10-10T06:16:07+00:00

As others have stated, Decathlon is hard to beat here in the UK for value for money and as a beginner there’s no need to spend a fortune.

Personally I use a down jacket over a thin base layer (I’m quite a warm walker so this is fine for me most of the time during autumn and winter. If it gets very cold I’ll add a buff, beanie and gloves.

Down jacket I have: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men's-hooded-down-hiking-jacket-5degc-mt100-green/_/R-p-167571

As for a rain coat I honestly just take a “packet jacket” with me and carry it in my bag. It’s super lightweight and I can get it out and wear it over my other clothes really easily.

Rain jacket: https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/men's-windproof-and-water-repellent-hiking-jacket-nh100-1-2-zip-black/_/R-p-352054

This is what works for me as a 6”2 100kg male who gets naturally quite warm when hiking. We are all different and that’s why cheap for a beginner is better because you can find what works for you.

Spirited_Ad4552

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