Tuesday 23 August 2011

Competition Winners

Sorry it has taken so long to get around to posting the winners of the Bear Gryll's Book.

I have had a major family crisis over the last week or so and haven't had time to sort out the winners.

Anyways I'm back on online for a bit so here are the winners

PhilW
Tom Hart

If the winners can send their address to londonbackpackr(AT)gmail(DOT)com I will get the books sent out as soon as possible.




Saturday 13 August 2011

Review: North Face Resolve Jacket

This review item has been supplied by Go Outdoors.

Whether you are out on the hills or walking about a city, one essential piece of equipment during the Great British Summer is a waterproof jacket.

The North Face Resolve is a typical lightweight Summer waterproof, breathable and seem-sealed jacket.

It is made from The North Face's own ripstop nylon HyVent, which according to the swing tag is highly waterproof, has exceptional breathability, and exceptional durability.

The inner of the jacket has a mesh lining throughout the body; and nylon lining in the arms.

It has is a roll-away type hood and a fleece lined inner collar.

There are also two large hip pockets but no map pocket.

A double storm flap over the full length zip. 

The Jacket weighs just under 500g for a XL.

Very small toggle on hood cinch cord

I haven't have a great chance to wear this as typically since receiving it, the weather hasn't been to bad here in London.

With what little rain I have used the jacket in, it has coped pretty well with and kept me dry.

Some small niggles I do have was it are that the hood is quite large and even cinching it in, the wind can get into and cause it to bellow up.

The cinch toggles on the hood are very small and difficult to find and grip to pull in, especailly when you compare it to the hem draw toggle.

 Hem Draw Toggle

The two hip pocket are more than large enough to easily carry things like mobile phone and a snack bar and still have room for your hands to fit in.

The lack of a map pocket doesn't bother me as I never use them, I prefer to carry my map in hand or in my backpack.

I will continue to test the jacket over the coming months and report back.

Go Outdoors have a full range of Waterproofs from the budget end right through to high end products like Paramo.



Friday 5 August 2011

Competition Time (Take Two)

You may remember I did a review of Bear Grylls Autobiography Mud, Sweat and Tears back in June.

My final paragraph was nothing to do with the book but the fact that I never received a second copy for a competition.  Well Transworld Publishers have been back in touch and sent me two copies of the book.

But these two are different, as they both have a signed bookplate by the man himself.




So if you want the chance to win a signed copy of Bear's Autobiography; leave a (reasonable) comment below to be entered into the competition.

Competition will runs until 14th August 2011