CheapTents.com Outdoor Gear Blog

I like Nikwax.  I really do.  I think it is really good value stuff, especially when you consider the value of the outdoor clothing and equipment it protects.

Every so often we like to do a little write-up about the manufacturers of outdoor equipment, simply to show you why we choose to sell the one’s that we do.  And this time, lucky Nikwax has hit the limelight.

Nikwax for Protecting your Gear and Outdoor Clothing

Nikwax helps ensure that your clothing continues to do what it was supposed to well after you bought it. Over time, and wear and tear,

Nikwax Direct

The item I like the most from the range of Nikwax Gear Care products is the Nikwax TX Direct Spray or Nikwax Wash-in.  There are a load of other gear care produts in the shape of wax, sprays, lofters, proofers, etc, etc, but these are the most used by me.

Like most, I’m a big fan of breathable waterproof jackets - got a couple for different outdoor sports - mountain biking, running and general/other use. I think this works best, but I have to say, it’s my mountain bike jacket that get’s put through the worst of it.  The biggest test is the abrasion from the dirt that sprays-up I find…this kind of abrasion can do some serious damage and reduces the water repellancy of my jacket.

How Nikwax Works

OK, the techy geeks are going to love this, hold on to your hats!  Here’s a bit of blurb on how Nikwax was developed and why it works:

Many years ago, Nick Brown the inventor of Nikwax, developed and patented the Nikwax TX.10i water-repellent elastomer. The TX.10i elastomer was based on EVA, the same material found in the flexible soles of footwear. The patent also involved altering the molecular structure of mineral wax which is typically brittle. This strengthens the molecule making it very elastic and resilient. This TX.10i polymer was the primary active ingredient in all Nikwax footwear and fabric treatments.

Nikwax treatments coat fabric and leather fibres with a network of elastic TX.10i water-repellent molecules. They bond to anything that is not water-repellent, but leave the spaces between fibres open and breathable. Nikwax treatments can flex and move with the fabric and leather fibres. That is why Nikwax treatments can withstand several washings and remain whereas the competitors must be re-applied after each wash.

The TX.10i elastomer adds tear strength to fabrics as well. Enhanced tear resistance is achieved through lubrication of the fabric which allows the fibres to slide easily over one another. the treatments also coat the fibres with the elastic polymer that is resilient and allows the fibres to flex a limited amount and return to their original position. This reduces the stress at the intersection of the fibres adding tear strength to the fabric.In 2004-5, Nikwax introduced a new and improved active elastomer. The culmination of several years research, these new class of formulations bring better value for money due to increased number of doses from one bottle and an even more durable finish. Unlike fluorocarbon products, you do not need to heat garments to activate the waterproofing treatment. This new class of formulations is being carried across the range so watch out for even greater performance from Nikwax in the future.

Now, I’m not a Scientist, but that makes Nikwax one tough cookie.

More reasons to love Nikwax

• As proofers go they are amongst the best in their field
• Safer to the environment so ticks lots of eco-boxes too
• Easy to use, just a few instructions - even I can follow them!

Nikwax’s environmental stance:

If Nikwax were manufacturing petroleum-based or aerosol products, there would be an additional 500 tons of organic solvents and propellant gases evaporated into the atmosphere. Nikwax’s commitment to WaterBased emulsions does a lot to reduce global warming and ozone depletion. The so-called ozone friendly solvents and propellants used in aerosols are very powerful greenhouse gases. Weight for weight, petroleum solvents contribute far more to global warming than carbon dioxide.

In addition, Nikwax improves the performance and extends the life of outdoor clothing, footwear and equipment, thereby reducing the consumption of materials and energy that would be needed to replace these items. Fewer things in land-fills too!

Nikwax also doesn’t use fluorocarbons either, and as some research has suggested that they are persistent chemicals (i.e. they do not break-down in the foodchain), then we think that this is a good thing.

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Last Christmas we started running Christmas special offers as an advent calendar, where each day a new special offer was put on the CheapTents.com homepage, and then added to a list of discounted outdoor gear here.  It was a massive success, so this year we are doing it all over again!

CheapTents.com | Happy Christmas - Special Offers! CLICK HERE!

Outdoor Gear Christmas Presents Sale!

In just a couple of weeks we will be counting down to the festive season with Christmas specials offers for outdoor sports gear everyday!  So make sure you bookmark us: type ‘Ctrl‘ and ‘D or click on the button to add it to your social bookmarking site:

By now you probably aware that we continually reduce almost all of our outdoor equipment and clothing throughout the year but nothing beats an extra special sale for Christmas!  So keep your eyes peeled…

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Last week, a new Head was appointed to take charge of Scotland’s National Outdoor Training Centre in the Cairngorms.  Bob Kinnaird, who has been chief executive of CairnGorm Mountain Ltd for the last eight years, will take up his new role at Glenmore Lodge in December.  Bob will be taking over from Tim Walker, who has held the post for over 31 years.

Bob Kinnaird

Mr Kinnaird has spent a lifetime working in, or around, mountains, previously being responsible as the chief outdoro instructor for British Mountaineering Training Centre in Norway and chief exectutive of the British Association of Snowsports Instructors.

In repsponse to the appontemnt, Bob Kinnaird stated:

I am delighted to be joining the sportscotland team, particularly at this time when there is an increasing recognition of the importance of outdoor sports in both education and more generally in society.

Glenmore Lodge has a long and distinguished history as a centre of excellence and I look forward to taking on the challenge of ensuring this continues in the future.

Glenmore Lodge has an international reputation as a leader in the field of outdoor leadership training and assessment, so this appointment is big news to the outdoor industry.  Especially as some of the UK’s most experienced and highly-qualified people provide coaching and receive coaching via this centre in rock and ice climbing, mountaineering, river kayaking, sea and surf, open canoeing, mountain biking, orienteering and ski-ing.

We wish Bob Kinnaird all the best for his new post and to Tim Walker thank you’s on behalf of quite a number of outdoor people I expect!

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The iRoc Race is a new race set-up by inov8, a UK company specialising in trail running shoes for UK running conditions.

The iRoc race is an adventure race relying on competitors to run, mountain bike and find their own way around a course.  We think this is great news considering how it will put a prominent race towards the end of what is known as the trail running season.

More about the race from iRoc and inov-8:

Uniquely each of the races will have a mass start and will pass back through the event village at least once before finishing. This will ensure that iROC offers the best adventure race spectating ever seen in the UK.

Each race will be between one and four hours long. They will be as hard as you make them… intense, or just challenging experiences that will contrast hugely with the relaxed, chilled-out atmosphere of the event village.

iroc-race.com

iRoc Race Dates and Times:

The very first iROC race will take place on the 18th & 19th of April 2009.

Running, mountain biking and navigation is a great way of testing your skills in some of the most beautiful UK countryside there is.  There will be 5 quite different and exciting races, of which will test you as an all rounder as much as they will test you during each race…most competitors will be taking part in all 5 races, but only the best all rounder will win.

iRoc Race Entry Prices

Prices depend on whether you are entering as an individual or a team of three, but bear in mind there will be an early bird discount for all entries received before the 31st December 2008.

The entry fees, as quoted above, will also include:

• Cash prizes for the winners and runners up!
• Organised, high quality adventure racing including your choice of 2 mountain bike races, 1 trail race and 2 orienteering races of which will test your endurance and wide variety of  outdoor skills.
• An amazing goody bag… actually a special edition inov-8 rucksack that’s never been seen in the shops before, and stuffed full of freebies from the race sponsors.
• Five Friends & Family race passes for those who want to do a little more than just spectate.
• Free weekend camping to include Friday and Saturday night.
• Free car parking over the weekend.
• Friday and Saturday (latenight!) bar, along with entertainment on Saturday.
• Accurate, pre-marked and waterproof maps for orienteering around the course.
• SportIdent electronic timing.
• On site catering for the duration of the weekend to help keep your energy levels up!
• Online results and reporting at the iroc-race.com website.
• Online purchase of action pictures at the iroc-race.com website.

iRoc Race Scoring

Everyone who completes an iRoc race will score points. The points that will be awarded are based on the number of competitors.  So if there are 500 starters competing in the race, the winner will score 500 points, second place 499 points, third place 498 point all the way to 1 point for the last finisher. After all five of the iRoc races, the person / team with the highest number of points will win. Rather than using cumulative time to determine the winner, this scoring system is designed so the overall winner will need to score highly in every races rather than just dominating one or two races.

iRoc Race Prizes

There will be CASH prizes for the winners and runners of the mens and womens races, as well as exclusive inov-8 rucksacks full of goodies from the sponsors too.

Race Competitors

If you are planning on getting involved in the race or supporting as a marshal, please feel free to get in touch and share your excitement!  If you’re taking part to raise funds or awareness to a charitable cause, let us know and we’ll be more than happy to plug your charity on our site!

More details to be announced soon!

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Entries Open for LAMM

Following our recent blog article about the Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon, it is now possible to submit entries for the 2009 event. This can be done using the SPORTident Online Entry System which can be found via the LAMM website.

The LAMM event will be taking place in the Scottish Highlands on 6th/7th June 2009. It is a two-day Mountain Orienteering Competition for pairs with overnight campsite. The location is secret but it is expected to be 3½-4Hrs Drive North of Glasgow/Edinburgh!

The entry Fee is £40 per person. This includes parking for the weekend, camping facilities at the Event Centre and midcamp, payment for use of the land, 2 specially made maps, a meal after the event and fun & games!

Further Details

Full LAMM event details, useful information, finding a partner, booking transport by coach and car sharing can all be found on the LAMM website.

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon is an annual event that has been running since 1994. It is sure to be both fun and challenging!

Shameless Plug…

And don’t forget to visit our outdoor gear shop for any equipment and clothing you need to take with you! Among many things we stock Lowe Alpine rucksacks, beltpacks, waterproofs, baselayers and of course, the ubiquitous Lowe Alpine Mountain Cap.

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High summits ‘could harm brain’

According to an article published on the BBC’s website dated 19/10/08, mountaineers may suffer brain damage. Is this actually any surprise? How many times have you trudged up a mountain in the Lake District, North Wales, Scotland or elsewhere in the pouring rain with zero visibility, your hands and feet are cold, the wind is biting, your legs are aching, despite owning quality waterproofs you are still wet and maybe you’ve got blisters too? And you’re doing this for fun. And you claim that you don’t have brain damage? Come on!

But seriously…
We’re not talking about the little mountains in the UK. According to Dr Mike Grocott of University College London

Most climbers are aware that if you are going over 8,000 metres, there may be a small amount of damage to the brain associated with that

Mountaineers have had MRI scans before and after ascents up some of the world’s tallest mountains and the research has shown that there has been changes in the brain tissue. This has been attributed to the lower amounts of oxygen at higher altitudes. Fortunately the mountaineers did not suffer any significant neuropsychological changes.

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There has been a discussion lately on the outdoorbloggers forum discussing the best tools to use for mapping routes and sharing them online.  Even if you don’t want to use them on a website, they become really helpful for simply planning your route, seeing how far you have walked, run, cycled or traveled, checking the terrain in advance or for checking out the satellite views of the beautiful countryside!

The Best Route Planning Tools

What makes the best route planning tool, is in the eyes of the beholder.  For instance, if you are sent insane by incessant advertising on the web then some of these tools might not ideal for you simply on that criteria alone, but here’s a brief comparison of tools that help you plan your next trip, whether by foot, bike or car…

Google Maps

Google Maps has to be one of my favourite tools for map and amenities integration.  Once you have a Google account, you can take advantage of their masses of data.  So as you can see in the maps image below, you can see that it is perfectly easy to search for an Indian Restaurant nearest to where you are going from Google’s database, as opposed to pre-designated point’s of interest (POI).

Many maps already include POI’s on their maps, but in my opinion is that they can clutter them up.  I have used Google maps plenty of times on my mobile phone to great success too, helping me finding the nearest petrol station in a place I didn’t know too well!

You can also do directions with this tool and the Gooogle API allows you to also build and develop other applications with it’s data if need be too.

Multipmap

Multimap is a bit like Google maps in that it tries to integrate a whole host of information an presenting it as a map. Great for getting directions, looking up amenities, businesses and local weather forecasts in one place.

Ordnance Survey

Nothing beats Ordnance Survey Maps, the real kind anyway, but they also have a free service online too where you can look-up a location of your choice.

Legal bit: Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

Ordnance Survey maps are always good for walkers and riders, but you would have to screen capture the image to mark on your route and take much more of a manual route with the map as opposed to it calculating all the bits for you.  Still good though! (Tip: press the pink button on the right to get an ordnance survey map of your choice).

UMapper

UMapper is powered through MSN Virtual Earth (another great application, similar to Google Maps but with 3D applications too).  UMapper though is a great tool for plotting journeys and sharing with friends.  It’s specifically good for round the world travel in my opinion as it’s much more geared up for manipulating world maps, unlike some of the other which are on a more local scale.  Like Google, you can also easily embed the file, which means you can move the map around in the browser…really user friendly too…it’s the kind of thing you can lose a day t oplaying with.

Map My Walk

Map My Walk, and other map applications such as Google, UMapper and Virtual Earth, is that they way you add details to them can make them shareable, but the difference being is that this is shareable with with like-minded outdoor people - folk who like walking, cycling and running.  It’s a chance to share routes where you might go mountain biking, hiking or jogging, or even pinch the odd idea!

One of the best aspects of this tool is the function to mark on way-points on your route, including warm-up spots, rest-stops, amenities and more…take a look…

OpenStreetMap

One of my favourite things about Open Street Map is that it is an open source framework where people contribute to building this resource as an editable map of the world.  The idea is that people use GPS (Global Positioning System) trace data to follow the route of GPS.  There’s a load more to read about in their FAQ’s page, but it’s a fascinating project.

As the project is ongoing, it isn’t quite as comprehensive as it would like to be, but certainly working towards it.  In more built-up areas, the project has clearly captured a lot of detail, which is of course editable to include your own details.

The right’s of this project allow for people to open re-work the data without restrictions that many of the other route planners require.  Create an account and off you go.  Certainly one for the techno-geeks out there…me included!

Mappy

Mappy is clearly laid-out with amenities searchable too.  It does have an ‘aerial’ and ‘city’ view apparently but at the time of testing this failed to work.

MapQuest

MapQuest is a little limited in it’s use in my opinion.  It might be handy for getting a general feel for the terrain and finding a route by road, but wen you go to zoom on a more detailed scale (around half way down the zoom scale [not accurate description of the scale either], when I was looking at Bowness-on-Windemere).

Route Planning By Car

Some of the tool described above can also be used when planning routes

For route planning by car, you might also appreciate the RAC, AA, Greenflag and Map 24 (a great tool that let’s you visualise your route via a ‘route flight’ - certainly worth checking out).  I personally use the AA route planner but that’s more because of habit than anything else.

Please make sure that you check on copyright restrictions if you plan on duplicating them online or elsewhere!

If you have found this resource helpful, why not subscribe to our RSS feed, share us on a social media bookmarking site or please link to us gratuitously? Thanks for the support!

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Lightweight Cooking Accessories

Why bother lugging that heavy knife, fork and spoon or spork up a mountain when you can take chopsticks instead? Manufactured by Terra Nova, these stainless steel chopsticks are the ideal lightweight eating equipment.

You can always find room to fit these in your pack and they’re lighter than a fork and spood set. Ideal for boil in the bag foods and camping favouites like rice, noodles and pasta.

Terra Nova Chopsticks

Plus they have the added advantage that if you are not proficient in using chopsticks, you can amuse your friends by dropping food all over your lap!

If you’re considering taking chopsticks on your next trek or expedition, why not test yourself in our “Are you a lightweight?” quiz?

Lightweight and Lighthearted!

Terra Nova Chopsticks would make a great light hearted yet practical stocking filler or Christmas present!

Terra Nova Spork

What About Sporks?

The Spork, a combination of a fork and spoon, is another fine piece of lightweight eating equipment that should not be over-looked when choosing between eating equipment! Other eating and cooking equipment can be found on our cooking accessories page.

Chopsticks, Spork or Knife, Fork and Spoon?

What would you rather eat with? Let us know, using the “comments” link below!

And just for fun here are some YouTube videos of people playing chopsticks on the piano…

I’m sure that this second clip isn’t actually chopsticks, but the piano is in a field…

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Orienteering in the Scottish Highlands

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon (LAMM) is an annual two day mountain orienteering event for pairs, with overnight camping at a remote location. It is held in the high mountains of Scotland, at a secret location.

Next year’s LAMM event will be held in the Scottish Highlands on the weekend of 6th/7th June 2009. It will be possible to register for this event in early November, via the LAMM website. Competition for places in the LAMM is keen. The organisers strongly recommend an early entry to avoid disappointment.

Previous Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathons

The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon LAMM has taken place at:

Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon Glenfinnan 2008. Copyright © Felicity Martin www.felicitymartin.co.uk

• Arrochar 1994
• Isle of Mull 1995
• Lochaber 1996
• Isle of Jura 1997
• Ardgour 1998
• Black Mount 1999
• Glen Shiel 2000
• Loch Laggan 2001
• Braes of Balquhidder 2002
• Spittal O’ Glenshee 2003
• Glencarron 2004
• Isle of Mull 2005
• Inchnadamph 2006
• Glen Lochay 2007 and
• Glenfinnan 2008.

These LAMM events have provided unique challenges and unforgettable experiences for participants and organisers alike. Teams run in pairs and carry lightweight camping equipment, outdoor clothing and food to sustain themselves for 36 hours. There are six courses to choose from, ranging from Elite to Novice depending on ability and fitness. The aim is to visit each of the checkpoints on the course and the times for both days are aggregated to find a winner.

LAMM Organiser and Sponsors

The LAMM Event Organiser is Martin Stone and the sponsors are Lowe Alpine, SPORTident and Sidas. Lowe Alpine make outdoor equipment and clothing, e.g. rucksacks, fleeces and waterproofs. SPORTident equipment is used to identify, time and score competitors in many different types of event. Sidas manufacture insoles for everyday footwear as well as specific footbeds for skiing, walking, running, cycling and golf.

Share Your Experience!

Have you entered the LAMM or any other mountain marathon? If you have any stories or advice please share it, click on the “comments” link below!

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Nothing beats a special offer, especially when the special offers are permanent!  but we have come up with an extra way you can save money by writing about the gear that you use…

We’re offering an extra 10% OFF anything in the CheapTents.com outdoor gear shop, on top of current discounts! Simply write an outdoor gear review…

So share your views and get money off Christmas Presents…We already discount almost all of our outdoor clothing and equipment so this is a pretty good special offer for those who like to share their opinions!  It’s pretty good timing too, as if you’re shopping for Christmas presents, then this can help you save a load of money - (disclaimer: we’re not saying you’re a cheapskate!!)

Before you write your Outdoor Gear Review

Please make sure it’s a outdoor gear brand that we sell:

• Tents
• Rucksacks
• Sleeping Bags
• Outdoor Clothes
• Walking Boots
• Climbing Equipment
• Camping Accessories
• Dog Walking Gear

12 Tips for writing Outdoor Gear Reviews

To help you put your thoughts and feedback down on to paper, we have devised a few ideas to help structure your review…

1. Product specification (from manufacturers website)
2. The approximate month and year the product was bought
3. General overview or summary of the product
4. What sort of outdoor person is it designed for?
5. Form - opinions on the styling (if appropriate)
6. Testing - how have you used it so far?
7. Functionality - does it do what it’s supposed to?
8. Best thing about it…
9. If you could change one thing…
10. Would you recommend it?  Why?
11. Overall, how many stars would you give it?
12. Finally, please make the outdoor gear review as constructive as possible (not just: I love it, or, I hate it!)

Credited and Published Author

And of course you will become a published author!  We will credit your writing with your details, so you can build your name to become a super-star outdoor gear tester!  You’re review will be published on the blog homepage and be categorised into the outdoor gear review section to provide advice to others!

Your Discount Coupon

Once you have written the content we will email you a personalised discount coupon for you to use in the CheapTents.com shop.  This discount will then be applied by a member of staff after you have placed the order.

The Special Offer expires Christmas (ish) and terms…

This special offer will expire just after Christmas, but depending on the success of people’s feedback we may well extend it.  Although if you do wish to repeat the offer again and again in the mean time, then by all means you can…

We naturally have the right to change / remove this special offer as and when, but we really hope you enjoy making the most of it!  And the special offer does not include sale items or tents as these are heavily discounted already!  Contact us with any specific queries…

What you need to do next

Either email us using the 12 tips above or write your comments/queries in the box below and we will happily reply…

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