Reviews

how to choose and test waterproof overtrousers for Pennine bogs: fit checks, breathability metrics and brands that survive long wet days

Jun 14, 2026 • by Aurélien Duval

I’ve spent enough damp days on Pennine bogs to know that overtrousers are not a one-size-fits-all purchase. They need to keep driving rain and rising peat water out, while also letting your sweat escape during long slogging sections or steep climbs. In this piece I share how I choose and test...

Which midweight walking boots stop hot spots and blisters on long summer ridge walks: field-tested fitting checklist

May 19, 2026 • by Aurélien Duval

I’ve spent hundreds of ridge kilometres in summer light testing boots, chasing views and, importantly, chasing comfort. Hot spots and blisters can ruin a perfect day on a long exposed ridge, so over time I’ve learned to focus as much on fit and small details as on brand hype. Below I share the...

Mario Bertulli height increasing shoes: 2-4in invisible, Italian-made

May 02, 2026 • by Aurélien Duval

I slipped into my first pair of elevator shoes years ago expecting a novelty; what I found surprised me. If you've ever wondered whether height increasing shoes can be discreet, comfortable and suitable for an active lifestyle, I can share a practical, experience-driven take that goes beyond glossy...

Testing the osprey archeon 35 for mixed photography-and-hiking days: comfort, access and wet-weather notes

Apr 16, 2026 • by Aurélien Duval

I’ve been carrying the Osprey Archeon 35 on mixed photography-and-hiking days for several months now, testing it across coastal clifftops, muddy moorland and the damp, changeable weather the UK throws at you. I was looking for a pack that balanced comfortable load-carrying with quick access to...

Which waterproof sock and boot combo stops blisters on extended UK winter bog stomps

Mar 12, 2026 • by Aurélien Duval

I’ve spent dozens of winter days wading through peat hag, heather and waterlogged tussocks across the UK, and one thing keeps coming back: blisters are the quickest way to ruin a long bog stomp. Over the years I’ve tried almost every sock, liner and boot combination I could get my hands on....

Choosing the right gaiters and socks for Dartmoor winter bogs: field-tested combos that prevent blisters and keep you dry

Feb 10, 2026 • by Aurélien Duval

Winter on Dartmoor teaches you quickly that a wet foot is the enemy of a good day out. After years of slogging through peat hags, heather, and the infamous blanket bogs, I’ve settled on a handful of gaiter-and-sock combinations that reliably keep my feet dry, blister-free and moving. Below I...

testing the Sony a7C II for handheld moorland photography: battery life, autofocus and stabilization notes

Dec 02, 2025 • by Aurélien Duval

I spent several weekends recently walking moorland routes across northern England with the Sony a7C II in my pack, testing it as a handheld camera for landscape and wildlife shots. Moorland photography is a good stress test: wide, often windy vistas, tricky light that moves with cloud and sun, and...

best boots for muddy UK winter trails: testing five waterproofs on Dartmoor bogs

Dec 02, 2025 • by Aurélien Duval

I spent a cold, soggy week on Dartmoor this winter testing five waterproof boots across peat hags, plunging bogs and long, muddy tracks. If you spend much time walking UK winter trails you already know the challenge: deep, suctioning mud, constant drizzle, and the kind of wet that seems to find a...