The Great Outdoors Spring 2019

First

Look

Soto

Thermostack Cook Set Combo and Windmaster Stove

£120 (£60 each) 308g/67g

sotooutdoors.com

This neat little set of three nesting cups is surprisingly

complex and comes with an instruction manual! It’s

designed for solo use, the cups having capacities of 350ml,

400ml, and 750ml. They’re made from different materials

• stainless steel, titanium, and aluminium. There are two
  plastic lids (the smaller one its the two smaller pots) a
  tiny pot lifter, and a cosy into which the whole set its. The
  750ml and 350ml cups have volume markings and the
  latter has a removable plastic joint that acts as a grip when
  drinking. The complete set is very light at 308 grams.
  There are various options for using the set. The 750ml
  pot is obviously the one for preparing meals. It can be
  placed in the cosy to keep food warm and for holding
  without needing the pot lifter. The two smaller cups form
  an insulated mug when stacked together.
  Using the set on a couple of winter trips I’ve found
  it works well. Care is needed because the cups are tall
  and narrow so easily tipped over. Cooking food in them
  requires constant stirring too, and a very low lame or
  it burns on the bottom. The cosy does keep food hot for
  quite a while and is pleasant to hold. The double-wall mug
  is effective too. The lids need to be rested lightly on the
  cups so they can be quickly removed. I’d rather have metal
  lids and a bit extra weight.
  I generally prefer wider pots for better stability, but I do
  like this little set as it’s so compact and ultralight and the
  heat retention options are really good in cold weather.
  I used the Thermostack Cook Set with the Soto
  Windmaster stove, which I irst tested last summer. I
  have now tried it in winter conditions, and it worked well.
  It is quite wind resistant but in strong winds a separate
  windshield speeds up boiling times and reduces fuel use.
  On a very windy morning the lame never blew out, but
  I’d have waited a long time for water to boil without a
  windshield. This is an excellent stove. Chris Townsend

THE UK’S

MOST

EXPERIENCED

GEAR

TESTING

TEAM

TGO’s gear reviewers

Chris Townsend

Height 5’8” Boot size 9

Clothing size Medium

(with short legs)

Chris Townsend has written 20 books on

the outdoors, including the award-winning

The Backpacker’s Handbook. Among his

walking achievements, he was the irst

person to complete a continuous round

of all the Munros and Tops and the irst to

walk the 1600-mile length of the Canadian

Rockies. Chris has been reviewing gear

for The Great Outdoors since 1991.

Judy Armstrong

Height 5’2” Boot size 3.5/4

Clothing size 12/Women’s medium

Judy Armstrong has been

testing gear for The Great Outdoors

since 2005 but has been hillwalking and

mountaineering for 30

years. Originally from

New Zealand, Judy

lives in the North York

Moors National Park

and also has a base

in the French Alps.

Daniel Neilson

Height 6’0 Shoe size 11

Clothing size Large

Daniel Neilson has been

a writer and editor for 20 years, during

which time he’s trekked in the Andes,

Canada, Georgia and in Europe. A frequent

contributor to The Great Outdoors, as well

as enjoying hillwalking, Daniel is also a

keen trail runner and enjoys adventure

races. He’s particularly fond of Snowdonia,

especially if it involves a wild camp.

Rab

Kinetic Alpine Jacket

£200

Fully waterproof, breathable

and stretchy, the Kinetic Alpine

Jacket is designed to contour

to your body shape. Reinforced

ceramic print overlays in high

wear areas remove the need

for bulky patches, increasing

durability without hindering

stretch. Featuring a helmet-

compatible hood, fully taped

seams, adjustable cuffs and

hem, it is suitable for a variety

of outdoor activities. A small

stuff sack aids easy storage.

The Kinetic Alpine is created

from Rab’s own Prolex fabric,

designed to wick away any

sweat and moisture.

rab.equipment

Ortlieb

Atrack 35

£185

A travel bag with a host of features,

the Atrack (Active Travel

Pack) is waterproof to IP67

standards (1m underwater for

30minutes). The waterproof

zipper, positioned down the

centre of the back, provides a

wide opening for gear access

while the harness stays

mud-free as the pack lies

on its front. The Atrack’s

modular system, with

separate accessories, allows

sport speciic customisation;

accessories for skis, helmets

etc. ix to the front and sides

of the pack. The Atrack is

produced sustainably in

Germany.

ortlieb.com