Salomon Quest 4D GTX

 Provenance: Bought at Go Outdoors Penrith
Review: Long Term Testing*

* I've said long term - but boots get a hard life with me - so these boots lasted 4 months - but they did:
1200 km of distance, 81,000m of ascent, 5 countries - all on rocky mountainous paths.

So as ever with a footwear review I'm going to start by stating the obvious - the best boot for you is the one that fits the shape of your foot best - its well worth spending some time with a specialist boot fitter!

That said - if you're here then chances are you're interested in this boot - I'll assume you've tried a pair on & are just looking for a bit more information!

So I've been wearing Salomon's for years - but as they've chased down lighter & lighter designs I've become less impressed with the boots abilities to deal with mountain terrain - or at least the sort of places I like to go - I wouldn't use them for full on scrambling - but I do like to get into the rocky stuff every so often - and certainly my Cosmic's weren't tough enough. So this year I reverted to a pair of Quests in the hope that the suede upper would last a bit better.

The first thing I notice with all Salomon boots is just how comfy they are - these are from box to trail boots - no breaking in should be required - and they're not something you feel a pressing need to take off at the end of the day either, I was happy from my first to last kilometre in these - if I ever found myself needing an emergency replacement boot - this is what I'd go for - confident it would work right away. I think in part this is due to a relatively wide toe box whilst keeping (probably from their running heritage) a narrow heel - this coupled with Salomon's superb Ortholite insoles and a (new to this model) slightly raised heel position means that your foot feels secure - but never gripped.

Salomon's contragrip sole is one of the best non vibram products I've used - on wet ground it felt remarkably secure - and the design allows for a lot of traction on moving scree. Obviously for a boot this comfy there's no real climbing performance - it has no edging ability - but neither should you expect that - but if you need to stick your feet down and slide on the scree - this is a good boot to be in.

However - there's always a but... much as the boot comes with the industry standard Goretex Comfort layer - these were amongst the least waterproof boots I've ever worn - If I'd not been out on the trail I'd seriously have considered taking them back - they leaked from about day 20 onwards. Not really a problem for the time I spend in the Alps - the odd wet day can be managed - but if you're spending time in wetter climates then you'd be advised to reproof them often. I had a lot of time in refuges to consider this - and I think the toebox design is just too busy - there's too much stitching creating a weak area - definitely an area Salomon can improve.

Overall the boot has felt & behaved like a much more solid boot than it actually is - I for one wouldn't want to go any lighter (I've tried) and expect any performance - whilst the Quest has matched much heavier boots that I've tried. One reason for this is the large & impressive toe rand - I'd have liked to see this extend perhaps another 50mm round the sides, but it certainly offered plenty of protection.

After a full summer season in the Alps mine finally died - but I think they did well.

Pro's - can be got for a good price, so so so comfy, surprisingly durable
cons -  not very waterproof

Leki Micro Sticks

Provenance: purchased from Web
Review: Long Term Testing

There's nothing like knee surgery to make you re-evaluate the basics! After having most of my right knee reconstructed in 2013 I spent 6 months learning to walk again and to adapt to a new, correct, gait & posture. During this process I finally admitted to myself what many many seasoned walkers have known for a long time - walking with two poles is highly beneficial.

Like many before me I started with a couple of cheap varieties - they either collapsed on me when it mattered or jammed up if I tried to use then - quickly I discovered that in the world of poles cheapest most definitely is not best.

& then I found the Leki Micro Sticks - mine are the aluminium variety - they now do an even lighter carbon variety - I found in practical
terms I couldn't feel the difference in the poles - but I could in my wallet - the advent of the carbon option means that you can now find the originals for sale (£rrp 120) for under £60 from several retailers.

So how have they been?
The Micro Sticks aren't like many other poles on the market - they come in three fixed sizes (110, 120, 130cm) but make up for that by having a 150mm extended grip section underneath the main handle - I've found this superb to use in practice as it means no faffing about changing the length - I just move my hand if I'm on a steep incline and want my uphill pole to effectively be shorter - the (red in the picture above) grip lock doubles as a second hand stop.



The poles lock together much like an avalanche probe or a tent pole - they're the fasted to put together poles I've encountered, and they're very easy to use in big gloves (compared to the Black Diamond poles with the little spring knob). Once together they feel very sturdy & well made - yet still only weigh 510g for the pair.

This simple design gives the poles the feature which I initially found most attractive and which has gone on to prove most useful - they fold up really small! So if you're trekking in to a climb - or in a group of clients and need your hands free - or just trying to pack them into your luggage - these are great - they pack back into the little tough bag they came with and at only 40cm long you can store them inside your sack - or even (if the airline allows) in your hand luggage.

Being made by Leki you get superb build quality:

• The strap adjustment is fantastically simple - use the strap as a lever to lift the mechanism, set to length & and then lock in place - super secure. After a long day in typical Lake District weather I particularly appreciate the soft strap lining - no chaffing or sore hands.
• The butt joints on the pole are tapered - this means that with a bit of practice you can just shake the poles into place and the tapering acts as a guide - my poles are usually out of my bag and set in under ten seconds.
• Leki's innovative camera monopod adapter can be fitted - a quick tripod for the special wildlife shot.
• Mine came with small light weight walking bales & snow bales - these simply screw on & off & replacements are cheap should you lose one.

Pro's - Price, build quality, so easy to use

Cons -  Genuinely not found any yet - I've bought my partner a pair & we've both bought second pairs to leave in France - I'm never in the hills without them!

Montane Terra XT Salopettes

Provenance: Bought on special offer
Review: Long Term Testing

Sadly the Terra XT Salopettes have now been discontinued by Montane. So why review them? - well there's still a lot of stock out there in retailers and suddenly they can be had for a very reasonable price.

I've had mine for two winter seasons now - they've been across Crib Gogh a few times (pictured) and they've spent a lot of time making the most of two fantastic winters in the Lakes.

My first impression when the Terra XT’s arrived was of a well-made sturdy looking pair of salopettes – then I put them on. I’m 5’9” and a 30-32 inch waist – medium in nearly every (non American) brand. The Terra XT’s fit me perfectly on leg length, waist measurement, the bib came to where I’d like – but who on earth did they measure the braces for? Whilst they’re adjustable the default fully done up setting finished 4inches above my shoulders. If you don’t want a large flappy bit of strap getting in the way, or folding uncomfortably across you then you’re left with the choice of cutting off part of your new kit or (as I did) adding on some self sticking Velcro to keep it in place. This is a minor niggle – but it is an odd design.

So braces aside – how have they been?

Well the initial impression of well made has held up. The construction is quite technical and the end user gets the benefit. The front of the Terra XT’s is lined with a very fine micro fleece and the rear is mesh. The seat, knees & insteps are made of fully waterproof Cordura. There's an internal snow gaiter – but I never seem to get on with those – too much faffing to do.

Those of you who’ve read my reviews will know that I run hot – so I’ve never worn thermals underneath them – but the slim design is roomy enough that you could. For those of you like me the full length zips with stud fasteners mean that a lot of venting can take place. I also especially like the different zip lengths which give you a pocket (this is in addition to the two pockets on the bib). As I said they’re quite a slim fit – not sure how you’d get on with them if you’ve got a rugby player type build.

The knees are articulated & I’ve not experienced any restrictions on my movement –high leg raises on Winter grade III’s were fine & my bizarre attempt at the splits on Pinnacle Ridge didn’t do me any harm. An example of how tough they are; after a day on the hills I came home & walked straight into the steel beams the builder had left in our yard. After some swearing I carried on sorting my kit & finally went inside. Only when I got in the shower did I see the blood all down my leg from the gash on my knee – upon inspection there wasn’t a mark on the Terra XT’s.

Probably my favourite feature though is the waterproof seat & knees- whether it’s just sitting down for a drink stop on Striding Edge or kneeling down to take a bearing off the Glyders you get the benefit of both waterproof’s and the breathability of softshell. The trousers will wet out (& feel quite heavy when they do) – but are very shower resistant – it’s not often I’ve felt the need to put the overtousers on when wearing my Terra XT’s.

Pro’s – waterproof seat & knees. Very well made. Lots of special offer pricing.

Con’s – Daft length of shoulder straps – it's scissor time or add some more Velcro.

Montane Extreme Smock

Montane Extreme Smock

Provenance: Bought full Price

Review: Long Term Testing

These seem to have been around forever  and there are several manufacturers making things that look similar. So why write a review? Well put simply I adore this jacket - & yet I don’t seem to see many of them out on the hill – and the ones I do are usually on other instructors.

I guess one of the reasons for this is that the jacket seems counter intuitive to what the magazines and gear manufacturers tell us – instead of the usual mantra of layers layers layers – the extreme is one big heavy unit that does it all. The jacket has a system of zips that are the method of regulating temperatures. There’s a fairly deep neck / chest zip, two big side zips that can leave the jacket open to your arm pits (a nice touch is the two way side zips mean that even when only partly open you can still snug up the waist band of your rucksack) and the front hand warmer pocket can also be opened to aid ventilation. However despite being a fan of layers for a lot of the year, in damp British winter conditions it’s become the jacket I reach for again and again. I only ever wear the jacket with a base-layer underneath – though I did meet one hardy soul on Helvellyn last winter who wore it on its own! The pile inner is very warm & seems to dry really fast, the pertex outer is wind & shower proof & again dry’s very quickly. Sure on some big walk ins I've been known to take it off – but I run very warm – it’s not unusual to find me in a base layer & body warmer (sorry I just can’t say gillet, grrr) in winter. I find whether I'm setting out across Striding Edge, kitting up on Scafell Pike or sat on a cold belay on Ben Nevis I simply arrive, do up the zips and I'm ready to go – usually whilst my clients, partner or mates are still wrestling with their rucksack.

So how’s it been in use?

Well my current jacket is now two and a half years old and still going strong – it’s been up Pinnacle Ridge numerous times and the reinforced patches on the arms have done their job and kept it in good order. It’s done swift water rescue work at PyB and come out relatively clean (more than could be said for its owner). It goes on most of my cold days and it does the job. It’s never going to be the smartest looking bit of kit on the hills – but the simple design works – & I'm never the person shivering when we stop for lunch on a winter round of the Snowdon Horseshoe. There’s a large chest pocket which fits a map or gloves & a hat – it has a useful attachment point - I use this for my compass lanyard – not sure I’d want sharp keys rubbing against one layer of pertex. The ‘con’ I hear most often is the weight – however its not that heavy (1025g szM ) – and certainly that compares to a couple of layers (example weighed – Patagonia guide hoody & capiline3 base layer - 845g).

Oh – one last thing to mention – the hood. If you’re thinking of getting an Extreme – make sure you get the hood. It’s just awesome – I carry it as my emergency hat for a lot of the year- it has a great bendy peak – does up right round your face & neck and just attaches with Velcro & is very very warm 

Pro’s - Quick simple system, Relatively Cheap (+/- £100) very hardy. THE HOOD!!

Cons – Weight?

Verdict – Probably my most ignored recommendation!