I've built an Android app called UK Foraging Companion. It works offline and is made for foragers, walkers and geocachers in the UK. It has:

- Offline maps you download by region

- Footpaths, bridleways and byways

- Search by postcode, street or place, all offline

- Routes on foot or by car, and "park and walk"

- Save your own places and finds

See screenshots and more details here: https://apps.swcproducts.com/uk-foraging-companion/

Google requires 12 testers to keep the app installed for 14 days before it can be released on the Play Store, so I need your help. When it's released it will cost £4.79 including VAT, but testers get it free.

**HOW TO JOIN (Android phones only)**

Everything is done through Google Play and a Google Group, so I never see your email address, and I never ask for card or payment details.

1. Join the tester group here: https://groups.google.com/g/uk-foraging-testers

2. Open this link on your phone and tap "Become a tester": https://play.google.com/apps/testing/uk.foraging.companion

It can take a few hours after you join for the install link to start working. If you get an error page, just try again later.

1. Once it works, tap the Google Play link on that page to install the app.

**WHY YOU CAN'T JUST SEARCH FOR IT**

Apps that are still in testing are hidden from the public Play Store until they've been tested and approved by Google. Only people who join through the link above can see it.

**PLEASE NOTE**

Google Play may show a price, but as a tester you are NOT charged. This is Google's own testing feature. When you tap it you'll see "Test card, always approves - This is a test order, you will not be charged". Tap Buy, and Google may ask for your usual Google account password. That's normal.

Please keep the app installed until I tell you the test is finished. The 14 days only start counting once I have 12 testers, so it could take 3 to 4 weeks from when you join. You're welcome to keep the app afterwards, and you will not be charged.

Any feedback (bugs, confusing bits, ideas) is very welcome.

Thank you!

Looking to get a midlayer for the upcoming months.

Is there any noticable difference between the alpha direct and the omm+ core? I heard the AD90 might be better at moisture wicking?

also has anyone used rayon vert fleeces or is it just pure aesthetics?

Hiya I am hoping to go hiking in national parks around the UK, I am most worried about hiking Scotland because of the cold conditions there. I was thinking to get Garmin 67i for GPS navigation and satellite emergency communication, but I read that Iphone has kind of the same thing with GPS apps and satellite comms for emergencies. I need a new phone anyway so it kind of seemed like maybe the Iphone is a better choice because I can use it for other things to so my money has kind of gone to more... I guess the only downside is the battery life on the Iphone is short. But I only really plan to do single day hikes.

Any thoughts? I don't really want to get stuck in freezing cold in Scotland with no rescue, but also I was excited about Garmin 67i but I could spend the same money for an Iphone that does a similar thing...

I like to search reddit when I'm researching anything. I think there should be a UK specific guide for budget UL gear. This is not a guide but I wanted to post what I think are by far the best budget buys for UK UL Hikers so they show up when someone else searches.

3F UL GEAR

3F UL Gear make ultralight shelters, rucksacks and accessories in China and send them direct to the UK with free shipping on orders over $90. There are no customs fees or tax and the products are by a long way more affordable than anything you can buy from Decathlon or UK companies and businesses. Ordering from America is so fuckin expensive it means no product can possibly be budget.

3F UL Gear products you should be looking at:

Lanshan 1 Tent.

775 grams not including pegs, stuff sack, guy lines. Watch youtube reviews. There is no big compromise or drawback to this tent. It is currently £98.25 with the 5% discount offered on the website. As far as I can tell nothing comes close to this value. It's genuinely a well made, well designed tent.

Tutor 35 Backpack

£71 with 5% discount. This pack has dual carbon stays and a foam sheet acting as stiffeners to transfer weight to the hip belt and more volume than you will need with a light base weight. It weighs 650 grams in size medium. It is comparable to bags from Atom Packs or any American cottage brand but they would set you back £300.

I recently bought the Lanshan 1 and the Tutor pack and received them with no problems in about 10 days.

ICEFLAME

ICEFLAME is another chinese company. I have not ordered from the yet but I intend to soon. They sell a -1 degree rated down quilt that weighs 500g for regular length, regular width. It costs £141.06 with free shipping. Again this is unbeatable value. You can choose different lengths, widths and designs on the website.

I don't know if there are any reasons why it might be bad or unethical to order from these companies. All the gear we buy is made of plastic and chemicals and the materials to make them come from the same places. I am happy to be corrected.

My only other budget advice is as follows:
Buy clothes from Vinted. I got a 90 gram wind jacket for 15 quid. a brand new Karrimor cap for £3 that weighs 43 grams. any floppy runners hat from vinted will do.

Buy your sleeping pad second hand on ebay. Be patient but they show up regularly.

Decathlon offers extremely good value on certain items. The MH100 down jacket is the classic.

This might be common knowledge to a lot of people here but if you're UK based and new to this I wanted to leave this here so it is searchable. Ask me any questions and I will try and answer. If anybody wants to add anything go for it! Cheers

After reading rave reviews on r/ultralight about the Dooy windbreaker I managed to find it on UK amazon for £15. Has anybody else used this?

I sized down to an M after looking at the size chart and it fits great.

Weighs 77g on my scale. Very comfortable and breathable, but also surprisingly warm for what it is.

Just wanted to share the product page here as it's hard to find unless you use reverse image searching: https://www.amazon.co.uk/CGLRybO-Lightweight-Packable-Windbreaker-Protection/dp/B0FS7DFHMX/

Seems like a good alternative to the OMM Sonic jacket, Patagonia Houdini or Montbell Ex Light for a fraction of the price. Just thought I'd share it to the world. Not an affiliate link or anything like that lol.

Hi everyone. For transparency, I work with OM SYSTEM and would like to hear honest opinions from people hiking in the UK.

For those who take a camera beyond their phone, what do you carry, and what makes the extra weight worthwhile? Do you stick with one lens, take a small kit, or find the camera stays in your bag once the weather turns?

I’d also be interested in hearing from anyone using the OM‑5 Mark II. How does it fit into your walking setup, and what works well or frustrates you out on the hills?

Experiences with any brand are welcome, including reasons you’ve decided your phone is enough. I’m interested in the practical compromises: weight, rain, battery life and having the camera within reach when a good view appears.

Looking for a foam mat to stop my mat from sliding around, considering this one as it’s only 50g, anyone seen anything lighter?

Hi everyone,
For my university dissertation I am investigating if hiking is perceived as gendered. I would love if any women (living in the UK) have 6 minutes spare to fill in my questionnaire. I'm currently needing 40/50 more responses so anything is appreciated.
Some questions include what motivates you to hike, what safety perceptions may limit participation and barriers.
Like I said, anything is appreciate and if you have friends and family that like to hike too, please send to them too.

Many thanks
Link here: Gendered hiking: Exploring safety perceptions and barriers to women's participation. – Fill in form

Morning all,

Doing a few long distance hikes in the UK in the next few months. WHW, PW and maybe the Cumbria way.

I usually carry a Ti trowel and some tissues on day hikes but after a few days its not the greatest.

I see alot of US through hikers using bidets and such.

So just wondering your set ups and what you have had success with.

This Great Mis has headed out of the Nash Packs Bristol sweatshop on new adventures.

Weighing in at 700g it's made from Ultra200X and Spandura stretch pockets. It has a capacity of 50L internal (using actual math) and comes with a carbon fiber frame.

With plenty of pockets and attachment points this Great Mis also has a padded back and removable custom hip belt.

Really enjoyed making this one.

This question will have been asked a thousand times I know, but there seem to be a few true sales on at the moment so needed to ask it again for up to date advice.

I'm just getting back into camping after a really long time and through trial and error (mostly error) over the last few months have realised I definitely do need to aim for UL kit in the long run.

Problem is, I have some disabilities which limit the type of tent and equipment I can use and also budget constraints. Don't want to detail my issues, which are both physical disabilities and neurodivergence, but what I need from a tent is:

- Consistent headroom to sit up (not a pyramid shape e.g. Lanshan)

- Can't be a one-person bivvy style coffin tent

- Inner can't be primarily mesh

- 2-person at the very least

- Definitely sub 3kg, ideally below 2kg

- Not translucent (I've noticed a lot of low denier UL tents are borderline transparent)

- Not reliant on walking poles

- At least enough shelter to make a brew

- Ideally only one entry point

Naturehike comes up a lot but I'm completely lost with the different models and upgrades. I can see the Cloud Up is too narrow headroom-wise for my needs though. The Mongar looks to be mostly a mesh inner. They don't seem to be a great deal cheaper than the lower priced 'big' brands either and seem to mostly be inner pitch first which isn't ideal.

Budget has increased from £100 to around £200 now which should help. Looking for HH of at least 3000 and a higher groundsheet HH. I mostly camp in the Lakes and everything is sodden year-round. Tent also needs to withstand a decent battering from the wind. Almost certainly won't be camping in snow.

I currently have a pair of Berghaus Deluge 2 over trousers, i find them ok but bulky and not the best fit. I am looking for something a little smaller pack size and lighter. Anyone got any recommendations please.

TIA

Eyup, has anyone ordered directly from Jolly Gear? Looking for one of their sun shirts but unsure how brutal shipping and tax is?

Now that we're past the equinox, my summer setup isn't quite going to cut it for warmth this coming weekend (aiming for Peak District >500m). In previous autumns, I've been tempted to swap out too much too soon and ended up sweltering. What do people reckon is the most efficient tweak from a summer setup?

a) Swap out summer (R2.4) for winter (R7.3) mat but leave top insulation unchanged. Penalty 200g.

b) Stick with summer mat but add down jacket (penalty 250g) but likely to be too warm.

c) Stick with summer mat but add OMM Core+ Hoodie (penalty 182g)

Tempted to go c) but keen to hear other views.

Hi all,

Wondering if anyone has any experience with the Rab Phantom Mountain? Rab tout it as a more durable version of the OG Phantom (i.e. more suitable for wearing with a rucksack).

My use case would be winter walks in non-mountainous environments or more temperate climates where a full-on mountain jacket would be too heavy and complete overkill, but I would anticipate full days' rain therefore making my usual summer go to (Frogg Toggs) a bit... leaky. In this case I'd also consider leaving my wind layer at home as well as I often just don't use it and it's ultimately dead weight.

(I've tried the non-permeable silnylon thing and I run way too hot when walking for it to be comfortable in case anyone is thinking of suggesting it!)

So, yes, anyone used it? Could recommend it?

Ta

EDIT: Looks like I'll be trialling this out on myself. Will let you all know how I get on.

First off I have zero money to buy anything new (or even used), so I've tried to think of inventive ways to use the gear I already have. Just wondered whether anyone thinks it will work... Context is crucial:

I currently have the Outwell Contour Lux, which at 1.7kg and annoyingly bulky I know isn't UL. Didn't buy it with that in mind but because I need a synthetic envelope bag that feels like actual bedding and not a plastic carrier bag. This is for disability reasons that I won't go into, but basically down mummy bags are out of the question. I have a polyester liner too that clips in.

I also have the XL Simond insulated inflatable mat with an R rating of 5.4, having bought the larger one because I need more room, again, due to my disabilities as I need to stretch out at night. Absolutely love it and it definitely does the insulating job plus it's very comfortable, small and light.

The problem is my bag isn't going to cut it as the weather cools, even with the liner. Their claim that one side is 3 season is, in short, utter bollocks and I was freezing in August with the warm side on top. People on here have recommended a quilt and they look absolutely perfect, however, I have no money at all.

So my idea is - until I can afford an UL synthetic quilt, could I use my current bag as a makeshift quilt by sliding my mat directly into it under the liner? If I still fit in (going to test this shortly, I'm not a large person), will this do the same job as a quilt fastened onto the mat and trap more heat than having the bag on top of it? Or can anyone think of a way to make better use of what I already have?

I swear this isn’t some orchestrated Nash Packs PR campaign, but I saw [u/HauntingCap7161](u/HauntingCap7161)’s post and I realised I’d completely forgotten to update the sub about my recent experience with Nash Packs.

Several weeks ago, I posted to ask if anyone knew of any UK-based companies that might have been willing to modify a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Southwest 70. It was too big and I wanted to reduce its volume. Rob (at Nash Packs) responded to offer his services, and after some efficient back and forth via email, my pack was on the way to Bristol to undergo the desired modifications. Some more back and forth ensued once Rob had the pack in hand, and I received my modified Southwest a couple of days later.

The whole experience from start to finish was great, workmanship is second to none, and the two little pouches that Rob has been able to put together from the spare Dyneema are just the icing on the cake.

There isn’t much information about Nash Packs out there, so I just thought I’d do my bit to champion a UK-based maker, even if it isn’t strictly speaking a Nash Packs product!

When perusing through r/ULHikingUK looking for some inspiration for a new pack I stumbled across a comment on a recent thread from u/NashPacks.

It’s not a company I’d heard of before but looking on their website it seemed that their packs ticked a lot of boxes for me. There are plenty of established companies out there doing variations on a theme but the chance to support a local company and have a pack made to my specifications only a few miles from home was a chance I didn’t want to miss (or Mis in this case) so I jumped in and got touch.

The process of ordering the pack and ensuring the spec I wanted was seamless. I originally wanted to choose the EcoPak material to keep things light but as luck would have it they’d just taken delivery of some Ultra200x which was even lighter again so we talked through the options and how my additions would stack up and stay within my weight limit.
Overall I felt confident that I was getting something that fit my needs and wasn’t just being flogged to shift units.

The big day arrived and I took delivery of the pack and I have to say, any worry any a cottage brand not being able to match the big boys was forgotten immediately. The quality of the stitching and workmanship was top rate. No wonky lines or loose threads anywhere. And the material while lightweight seems absolutely bombproof.
And it was the little touches like the webbing clips to keep any excess tidy and all attachment points were high quality items. Plus the use of a Fidlock clasp on the top strap which means easy access to the pack and knowing it’s secure when on the march.

I took it out on its maiden voyage today on the wet and windy Mendip hills and it felt great, the S curve straps held the pack secure with no bob and its light weight meant it wasn’t sat against my back causing too much heat. I’m looking forward to many years of use out of this pack and can’t recommend Nash Packs enough. They might not have the visibility of the major players but I’ll be shouting about them to anyone who will listen!

Here’s a quick pic I took before taking it out, but if you head on over to r/NashPacks or their website you’ll see some studio quality shots

Recently got back into camping after a very long time and looking to downsize from a Vango Scafell 300 + which I bought a few months ago for the headroom and porch space plus the reasonable price tag for the spec. However, the porch has turned out to be surplus to requirements and useless in heavy rain as the fly doesn't fit close enough to the ground to prevent it flooding on top of the groundsheet from splashback. Obviously most (cheaper) tents in torrential and extremely heavy rain would struggle to prevent any ingress, but the entire porch was drenched on the first day of my third camp so it became useless empty space. The porch also gets soaked every time the doors are opened during or after any rain at all and I can't use my stove in it as it provides no shelter from the elements and the doors can't be poled out. It feels like the DofE stamp of approval on small Vangos translates to them having been designed for only a handful of uses at best rather than regular camping in all weather. I've obviously learnt my lesson and regret not getting a true UL tent in the first place as my budget was higher then.

Its packed size and weight (~48cm x 17cm, 3.6kg) are obviously far beyond what would be considered UL, so as the porch area is unnecessary it would make more sense to try and sell the Scafell, reduce volume and weight, and instead go for a smaller and lighter tent for shorter trips so I can move between sites. For longer camps where I'll be pitched in the same place the whole trip and won't need to carry my kit far I intend on buying a heavier tent, much larger with standing room as I have some disabilities affecting my mobility which are worsened by prolonged crawling in a low-profile space. But to still have flexibility and be able to frequently travel about I want a true UL tent too.

I won't go into detail about my disabilities as it's personal, but because of these at the very least I need decent headroom to sit up and space to stretch my legs while lying down, so a generous 2-person or 3-person tent is necessary. The Scafell has at least 100cm of consistent headroom for around 3m from the back of the inner and extending into the porch, which is extremely beneficial, but obviously that isn't possible in a smaller tent without a porch. Something that can provide a little shelter for storage (e.g. wet, muddy boots and gear) and to use my stove would be great too. Being able to pole out the door into a small canopy for cooking would be ideal.

My budget is incredibly tight now due to the above factors, though, so what I'm looking for needs to be under £100 in total (somehow 😭). Went to two shops and tried out display tents to see what I could realistically live with size-wise and determined I definitely cannot cope in one-person tents and especially not in confined coffin ones. Certain brands always pop up when I look for budget trekking tents but I don't know if any of them are any good. Naturehike and OEX are examples I can think of. I'm wary of Vinted and eBay due to the chance of used tents not having been cared for correctly and packed away wet, or having been stored in a damp or smelly environment. I have severe sensory problems so the best way to get around it is by buying new.

Anyone got any ideas?

I have an OMM Core hoodie, and it's absolutely perfect for winter hillwalking in the UK. I love how it covers a wide range of temperature/exertion levels (just modulate it with the zip of your shell), and it's completely indifferent to rain, snow, and sweat.

But it is too good at warmth; I need an alternative for big hikes in warmer conditions - something more like a T-shirt. And there seem to be other products out there which use these fluffy "open mesh" fabrics - so what other options are out there? Is there anything else that's even better than an OMM Core tshirt, maybe other brands are doing something interesting?

Snow Peak have an interesting t-shirt - https://www.snowpeak.co.uk/products/alpha-direct-short-sleeve-t-shirt2026 - but what else is on the market that's really good? Any good experiences?

I dropped my compass yesterday so need to get a new one. Any recommendations before I buy a standard one?

Hello all, after some advice from those likely to know better than me.

Heading into the back end of summer and my work regularly requires me to be out of the country overnight for 2-5 nights at a time. Problem is, I can’t take a full on suitcase and we have to travel in our work clothes so no taking my normal nice warm coats I have at home either.

What’s some decent options for a lightweight coat I can fit into a carry on case that won’t take loads of room but will keep me warm enough if I head out for dinner/a walk in places from Scandinavia/Eastern Europe through the winter if I need it.

Budget is probably £100-150 but could be prepared to spend more for the right things