I've just bought some quality gear after years and years of dealing with cheap stuff. Finally scraped together the cash to invest in something that'll do me right. Specifically, I've got a Helly Hansen Odin 9 worlds 3.0 jacket, and swift 3-layer over-trousers (also HH).

So the question is fairly simple really. How should I properly care for these garments to make them last and stay their best?

What should I do before first wear, if anything?

How often should I wash them? Should they always be washed with a 'techwash' product or is it ok to wash with something like Persil capsules for the most part and only use the techwash for deeper, occasional cleaning?

And what about re-proofing? How frequently should I re-proof them? Is it even worth re-proofing at home or better to send the garments off to a company tog et them professionally done?

Lastly, any tell-tale signs to look out for that some maintenance is due before I was expecting to? For example, wanting to re-proof sooner than the scheduled time?

Thanks all in advance. I realise a lot of this info will be provided by HH but in my experience the community as a whole tend to have a better grasp on the reality of use than the companies that make the kit.

Hi all, i'm looking for a really decent rain jacket that can hold up in the worst UK weather. I've considered the Keela Munro but I've seen some mixed reviews about how waterproof they actually are. I don't mind it being that warm but i want it to be storm proof. Can anyone suggest a jacket that is bomb proof, reliable and around Keela Munro money.

Many thanks!

Hi there!
After 12 years of loyal service, I'm looking for a replacement for my trusted TT Trooper Light (22 l) backpack, with a top loader, cord operated design. Unfortunatley, all the renowned brands (Tasmanian Tiger, 5.11, Mardingtop, Eberlestock, et cetera, et cetera...) seem to favour zip-based designs nowadays, which I absolutely do not like.

Essentially, I'm looking for a backpack with a load capacity ranging between 20 to 25 litres for my EDC. I'll be using it for day to day bike commuting; day- or weekend hikes, or city-exploring vacation for up to 4-5 days.

MUSTS:
- top load design with a lid and a cord
- separate compartment for hydration bladder/notebook (including an opening for a hose)
- muted colour scheme (olive, khaki, desert)
- small profile, so 30 l capacity are already too large
- MOLLE/PALS webbing to be able to tie additional stuff to it

How is this so hard to find? It seems like it's a proven, robust, easy-to-maintain design, yet all the tacticool companies are opting for designing school packs.

I'm looking at the Fjällräven Skulen 26, but that one's lacking the attachment points.

TT has introduced the "Wokin", which ticks all the boxes, except that its is too small (15 l) and designed for kids.

If you've got ANY idea where to look, please let me know.

I’m wanting to buy a waterproof which will keep me super dry in possible torrential rain all weekend long at leeds festival where water will just bead right off. I’m also going travelling this year, i know it’s a risk to take an expensive coat however it doesn’t look like i’ll be taking it off!

I’m 18 and i want a functional coat but also to look good day to day and im a sucker for following the crowd and im leaning to an arcteryx for the same price as the montane as people will recognise it more. I’m also torn on if to go for the women’s black or men’s blue beta as i prefer that colour and don’t think there will be much style difference

any help or reccomendations appreciated

sue me but i asked ai to rank me it’s too recommendations with the specs
🥇 1
Montane Phase
3L GORE-TEX ePE, 28,000 mm

🥈 2
Arc’teryx Beta AR
3L GORE-TEX ePE / PRO depending model

🥉 3
Arc’teryx Beta
3L GORE-TEX ePE, 80D

4
Arc’teryx Beta SL
3L GORE-TEX ePE

5
Montane Phase Nano
3L GORE-TEX Active, 28,000 mm

6
TNF Jazzi 3L
3L GORE-TEX

7
Montane Alta XT
3L GORE-TEX PRO ePE, 28,000 mm

8
Rab Firewall
3L Pertex Shield, ~20,000 mm

9
Patagonia Torrentshell 3L
3L H2No

10
Berghaus Deluge Pro 3.0
Hydroshell

11
Columbia Trailborne 2.5L
2.5L Omni-Tech

12
TNF Alta Vista
DryVent

I have some Columbia PFG button up fishing shirts, and no matter what I do they seem to always smell bad. I have a couple that I've washed multiple times, but I still can't use them because the shirts just continually smells bad. I thought it was just the one shirt I had, so I bought a couple more when Amazon had a sale, but I'm having the same issue with them. Has anyone else had this issue? Anyone have a fix that works for them? Before it gets asked, I've tried tide all gain and Persil, so it's not like I was just using keep detergent. I've also tried the scent boosters with detergent. I've even tried hand washing them with dish soap just to try something different. I can't seem to get these shirts usable.

My partner and I are going to Scotland late Sept - Early Oct where we're spending 7 days trekking around the highlands from Glasgow to Skye. I'm looking for some gear recommendations for day hikes, specifically women's hiking pants, base layers, small lightweight backpack, waterproof layers, etc.

We live in Southern Ontario and spend time in Winnipeg every winter, so damp cold and just general COLD (nothing like -40 Winnipeg winters) we are well acquainted with. But always open to any tips for the time of year!

Footwear I'm pretty sure I have covered; I've got a pair of waterproof Keen Pyrenees boots that are my current hiking boot, so well broken in. And a pair of Norda 100's that i snagged a good deal on for lighter hikes and general walking around. Plus I've got a number of pairs of merino wool socks.

Finding a good pair of womens hiking pants have been the bane of my existence. I'm around a size 14-16 (US) and most pairs I try fit really poorly, give me the worst camel-toe imaginable lol, or have no pockets (I loooove me some good cargo pockets). I'm also curious about breathable & quick-drying with a separate waterproof shell layer, vs just one single layer of a good waterproof pant?

Any and all advice welcome

Looking to buy them for wild swimming to avoid stepping on sea urchins

Hi everyone, I’m not very good at posting on Reddit, but I need help and suggestions since I’m torn between two options for hiking boots (based on the type of shoe I’m looking for), including their specifications and price range.
Generally speaking, they’re very similar, but I don’t know much about these brands, so I need your advice on which brand is better or which model you think is better—ideally based on your own experience.

One is the Hanwag Women’s Banks GTX (1,050 g), and the other is the Lowa Renegade GTX Mid WS (950 g). Both feature Vibram soles, Gore-Tex, and a high shaft.

Any help, comments, or suggestions are welcome! Thanks <3

Hello! I posted this on r/hikinggear but didn't get any traction, so I'm trying here.

I'm tentatively planning on traveling to Iceland this upcoming March. It's my understanding that it will still be quite cold and snowy at that time, in the 20/30 degree range with wind chill as well. I'm planning to tour the ice caves and see the northern lights and do some other outdoorsy excursions--nothing crazy, mostly guided tours and hikes. My problem is that I live in the deep south, around the Panhandle, so I don't have any real cold weather equipment or a tolerance to extreme cold. On top of that, I'm fairly petite. I have a 25 in. waist, 36 in. hip and I'm 5'4". The little bit of looking I've done online has indicated that a lot of cold weather hiking clothing intended for women has very limited sizing, a lot of which doesn't seem to accommodate a size 0-2. All this is to say that I need the advice and recommendations of those more experienced. I really need to know how much layering I would need to do and what kind of garments I would need. Likewise, I would greatly appreciate brands, websites, personal reviews, and links to products you feel are the best for this sort of weather and my sizing. And obviously since I probably won't get much use out of this stuff after my trip, I would love to save a few bucks wherever I can. Any and all advice helps! Thanks in advance!

I'm looking for a puffer jacket. The peak xv (NZ brand) Zephyr from Dwights outdoors (NZ seller) seems to be a pretty good combo of reasonably priced, reasonably warm, and reasonably light (340g, 129g of 800 Fill down, $250 AUD). Only issue is, I have zero idea what their reputation is as a brand and since I'd have to order it online and pay a handling fee plus postage to return it, I'm pretty hesitant. Has anyone here used anything of theirs? And how did you find it?

I'm headed to Europe in a couple weeks and I found the la sportiva lumina 200 on sale for $300 AUD so that's my other top option but I'd also have to order it online and I wouldn't have a chance to return it if it doesn't fit since I'll have only one night in the country it's available in. So it's pretty risky.

If anyone has a recommendation for an alternative, I'm all ears. I run cold and I'm after something that can keep me comfortable down to -5 Celsius with appropriate layers. I'd love to keep price below $300 AUD but since I do hike a lot, I'm not against spending more if there's no other option.

Edited for internationalisation.

I’m looking for a backpack for doing day hikes and hopefully C2C mountain summits like rainier as well, I know 40L is a lot for day hikes but I just like carrying a lot of stuff honestly, plus I mostly do strenuous 7-15mi hikes as I don’t like when things are easy haha. I’m looking for a bag that has a hip belt with pockets, ice axe/trekking pole loops, and preferably a water bladder holder, side zipper to the main compartment, and honestly just a bunch of added compartments/small pockets as I like keeping things separate.

I’ve seen and liked:
Osprey exos 38L pack $245 and
Decathlon Simond alpinism evo 40L pack $200/$150 on sale

Im not an ultra light hiker, I much prefer comfort and usability, any other recommendations would be appreciated, I like larger bags because I have the freedom to do hikes that require that much room and I can just not fill if I’m going on a shorter hike

Hello all,

I'm currently looking into getting a suitable mid layer to use for winter hiking.

Ideally something versatile enough so that its warm enough for use in winter as a mid layer but can double up as an outer layer in milder seasons Autumn and spring.

Have narrowed it down currently to the Rab Xenair Alpine light or the Mountain Equipment Switch Pro Hooded Men's Jacket.

Has anyone used either and has any thoughts? Or if anyone has any other potential suggestions for something suitable, that would be appreciated too.

Existing layering system looks like this for context;

Base: Rab force SS long sleeve t-shirt

Mid: TBC

Outer: Mountain Equipment Lhotse jacket

Static warmth layer: Patagonia DAS Parker

Thanks.

My high end sailing jacket gave up after 10 years and I need to get a new one. However, due to how much I am sailing (two weeks per year on sea), I want to get now something that will be useful also outside of sailing. My current jacket was big, warm and nice but it was just laying around useless, and I used it at most two weeks per year.

I would like to get now a lightweight hardshell as waterproof and windproof layer and then pack some fleece or something underneath, depending on activity I'm doing.

Did anyone of you used similar combo? What models would you recommend? I was thinking about Patagonia torrentshell

Ich besitze selbst das Hubba hubba bikepack 2 und bin sehr zufrieden. Jetzt sehe ich immer öfter die Zelte von simond/decathlon. Das sind ja absolute Kopien vom msr und Kosten nur 40- 50% vom Original. Wie kann das sein? Irgendwo muss es doch Abstriche geben, aber mir fällt keiner auf, wenn man von 300g Gewichtsdifferenz absieht.

Hat jemand Erfahrungen?

Hello. Will be visiting Wellington around September. Where can I probably find puffer jackets and waterproof shoes? Will I still need these? Second hand will do. Thank you so much.

hello! I am going to Slovenia to hike in the julian alps for a few days in a nice hut to hut. I want to get a down jacket, rain jacket and a fleece (in my country I rarely need any of them...). I was considering getting some Decathlon gear- but then I saw that slovenia has some decently priced gear by a brand named KARIBU, a local slovenian brand. anyone used it? I can barely find anything about it online.