Reviews – Mountainfeet

Osprey Packs Talon 33 rucsac review

I’ve had an early version of this very popular pack for well over ten years now and it’s my go to rucsac for mountain walking days in all seasons bar full winter. The thing most immediately noticeable is its light weight of just over a kilo – remarkable given the array of features it sports.

The Talon 33 is a traditionally designed pack in that it top loads – most other sizes in the Talon series utilise zips for access. For me, a zip is potentially just another thing to fail – a strapped top lid is foolproof and durable. Many modern technical packs these days don’t feature traditional side pockets to keep them compact in shape and the Talon 33 reflects that but has a large stretch stash pocket on the front of the pack and smaller mesh ones on each side. The first is great for stuffing a shed clothing layer into for easy access when you cool off and I’ve used the side ones for my Kahtoola Microspikes and to keep poles in place although they will need covers on the spikes.

I generally use a hydration system – choice for the last ten years has been Source’s excellent 2 litre Widepac unit although Osprey themselves offer their own brand items. Storage in the rucsac for such systems is unique in that they reside essentially outside of the main body of the pack and access to clean and fill is easier than any other rucsac I’ve ever used.

The harness is micro adustable for every back size although you do need to initially pick from either a Small/Medium or Large/Extra Large. Fine tuning after that is achieved with a very clever floating shoulder system which velcros into the position of your choice and then stays silent and immovable. There’s just one compartment in the main body of the pack – I use an Exped pack liner to guarantee that my contents are kept waterproof. However, on the lid, there are two zipped pockets – one on top and one hidden underneath. These are superb for essentials such as snack bars, a head torch, midge repellent, first aid kit, hat and gloves etc – ie, the things you might need to get at quickly. Once again, I use a smaller Exped liner to protect the the top lid pocket. You can buy ‘waterproof’ rucsac covers but I’m not a huge fan as rain can still find its way in around the area next to your back and they can flap badly in the wind.

The pack now comes with a clever walking pole carrying system to allow you to deploy them without stopping to remove the pack – my version is older so came without this. Even so, carrying poles conventionally and an ice axe if required is catered for with twin loops at the bottom of the pack and shockcord securing devices at the top. In reality, I use the side compression straps and one of the stretch side pockets to secure a pair of poles – cover the sharp tips of the poles with a small sleeve of inner tube rubber and that’s a great carrying system.

The comfort level of the pack is very high with anatomically excellent shoulder straps and hip belt – weight is distributed well between them. However, being so lightweight and devoid of a frame it’s very dependent on you packing well as any lumps in contact with your back will be felt – particularly if you don’t have the buffer of a hydration pack. When sized properly and packed sensibly, I can honestly say that I’ve never had a more comfortable pack and have carried it for long distances with fairly heavy loads on occasion. Perspiration where contact is made with the back of the pack is handled decently by a breathable foam without the need for an air gap type frame.

The trade off for the pack’s light weight is that the outer material isn’t quite as durable as those rucsacs of twenty to thirty years ago that some folk will still be using. If you treat your pack super hard then a heavier, more basic model might suit you better. But I’ve walked, run and climbed with mine and despite looking a bit scruffy now, it’s coped very well.

There are many other clever features to the pack – I’ve included a link to Osprey’s website so you can check them out in more detail. The capacity works well for long days on the mountain when extra safety kit and clothing might be carried – I often pack a 30 metre thin rope and 2 man survival shelter for more technical terrain and the pack swallows them with ease along with the usual mix of hiking kit. Some might think the price is high for a day pack – I personally think that for the technicality and function offered it’s very reasonable and treated fairly should last many years.
I own a couple of other Osprey packs which are specific models for ski touring and multiday back packing. The quality is second to none and provided you can navigate the fairly complex array of different models and sizing advice on their website, you should find a fit that’s secure, comfortable and distributes load effectively.

My faithful Talon 33 is looking a bit second hand these days after many years of abuse. But if I do replace it, it’s likely to be with another one – a testament to a cleverly designed and well built piece of kit…

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Scott Supertrac 3 trail shoe review

I bought my first set of Scott trail shoes over seven years ago and right from the off they felt better than anything I’d run in before. Because of injuries resulting in damaged ligaments and shortened muscle/tendon groups I can no longer get on with minimally cushioned, low drop running footwear such as the Inov8 shoes I’ve used in previous years. In fact, they’ve considerably worsened the problems I have although on people with a different physiology they can be superb.

That original set of Kinabalu Supertracs are still going, albeit looking a bit bald on the tread! They’ve since been superseded by an extensive family of Supertrac shoes – I’ve already had a couple of pairs of Supertrac 2’s and am now on the version 3 model.

Shoe reviews can never be totally objective since what fits and suits one person may not work for another. The first thing I found with the Supertrac series is that the lasting (foot shape) is reasonably universal so will fit quite a variety of foot types if the lacing is adjusted correctly. There’s more volume (width) than previously used moorland fell shoes such as Salomon’s Speedcross and a more boxy (roomier) toebox. Size seems to run true – some manufacturers footwear needs an adjustment up or down but not Scott’s.

I’ve bought two pairs half a size apart – one for winter use with waterproof and insulated socks and the smaller pair for summer. The heel fit is secure despite this extra volume and there’s enough malleability in the heel counters and ankle trim to mold well around differently shaped rear foot areas.

The Supertrac’s have a very constructed feel to them – similar to a conventionally cushioned and structured road shoe, so feel very stable. For a highly mobile or weak foot type (either genetically or through injury), this provides a very reassuring level of support and impact absorption and for me is essential these days.

I’d often looked at Hoka’s trail shoe offerings and now have a pair of Speedgoats which have their much publicised mid rockered sole unit. The Scott Supertrac 3 doesn’t feel dissimilar to be honest, you experience that rolling/propelling effect which is slightly alien to start with but quickly becomes unnoticeable and indeed advantageous. Those folk with pain or fusion problems affecting their big toe (hallux limitus etc.) will appreciate the stiffer midsole which demands less flexion from the offending toe joint.

The main difference between the two shoes is the level of grip – the Supertrac’s outsole is more aggressive and works really well in Pennine mud. The Hoka is better on harder pack trails – I tend to use it as a lightweight summer walking shoe rather than for running.

The Pennine terrain I live in is harsh for any footwear and the only criticism I can level at the Supertrac 3 is the lack of reinforcement around the big and little toe joints (1st and 5th MTPJ) which have resulted in the first signs of wear presenting in these areas and eventually in holes appearing. Once there’s a hole, it’s not the end of the shoe but I’d say they’d have a longer lifespan in less demanding environments to those of the Peak District.

However, advice from Scott is to try the more expensive but tougher Supertrac Ultra RC which is a shoe I’ll be trialling in a month or two. Fit, support and outsole remain the same but it’s a slightly heavier, more robustly engineered model with exactly the kind of reinforcing rand I’m looking for. A bit of extra weight in my opinion isn’t an issue although I appreciate some will be chasing top results and times in events where excess grams can count.

So to sum up, for those requiring support, stability and good grip for serious mountain running terrain couple with some cushioning and heel lift to alleviate Achilles tendon stresses, these could well be the shoes for you with maybe the harder wearing option of the Ultra RC version as first choice for high abrasion areas.

POSTSCRIPT: After now running several hundred miles in the Ultra RC version of the Supertrac, I can vouch for their durability. I was a finisher in both the Montane Winter Spine Sprint and Challenger South races and used the Ultra RC in both of them. They coped really well with the difficult conditions encountered on the Pennine Way in January. The link below is for this more durable model which in my opinion is the one UK winter trail runners should go for over the Supertrac 3.

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Scarpa Mescalito approach shoe review

I’m a big fan of approach type footwear and tend to wear this type of shoe both on and off the hill. Prior to discovering the Scarpa Mescalito a few years ago, I’d been mainly wearing Haglof’s excellent Vertigo – they were tough and being Goretex lined, very weatherproof. But they were never super comfortable due to the stiff sole unit and thick, fairly inflexible leather upper. Like a heavy leather boot, they needed wearing a lot before they softened and moulded to the individual foot – even if carefully fitted.

When production of the Vertigo ended, I looked around for something suitable for similar every day use. Mountainfeet already sold the Mescalito and feedback had been very positive. I was initially hesitant about trusting a non-membrane shoe to keep the puddles at bay – what swayed me to try them was the supreme comfort of the fit. The upper is a thermo-embossed and malleable suede which hugs the foot without ‘bagging’ (stretching) and has lacing right down to the toe for precision fitting like a climbing boot. You can wear them slack around town or work but really crank the fit up for technical trail walking or scrambling.

The Vibram Dynamis sole unit is flexible longitudinally for both comfort and placement against rock, yet torsionally supportive to aid foot stability. Grip is good on the majority of paths although not aggressive enough for really muddy conditions – at this point you’d likely be in a pair of walking boots anyway though…

The Vibram Megagrip outsole is made from a high performance yet durable rubber compound and works really well on rocky surfaces. The term ‘approach shoe’ was coined years ago to denote a shoe you’d walk to the base of a climb in before changing to more technical footwear. I’ve been confident enough with this shoe to scramble up to grade 3 and even do an easy impromptu solo climb or two with when walking by our local crag with Gyp the dog.

Durability is good for such a light and comfortable shoe. Repeated dog walking in peaty conditions saw my first pairs outsole part company with the midsole in a couple of places after a year but that was soon remedied with some ‘Shoe Goo’ and my two latest pairs haven’t had the same issue.

The Mescalito has a light but very tough polyurethane rand protecting the upper from scuffs and scrapes – this also seems to give the shoe great protection from water ingress when walking though shallow streams and puddles.

Despite this model not having a ‘waterproof’ membrane, Scarpa now produce a Goretex lined version for those that are going to be serial puddle paddlers! For me, the additional ventilation and breathability that comes with a non-membrane upper is worth the small risk of water ingress and I just make sure my foot placement in wetter weather is a bit more careful than usual. To be honest, during the many hundreds of miles I’ve walked in these shoes, I haven’t had wet feet – if conditions are boggy then it’s generally time for heavier duty footwear or maybe waterproof socks…

These are my go to shoe for virtually anything that doesn’t require a full on boot and I wear them casually too – last night’s party at a neighbour’s house being the latest example!

Fitwise, they are fairly versatile – this is partly due to the relaxed nature of the suede upper and the fact you can customise the tension of the laces to suit different foot shapes. They’re still unlikely to be the best option for a very high volume (wide) foot but I think Scarpa’s choice of last for this shoe is a clever compromise between technical precision and a reasonably universal fit.

There’s one last reason why I love this shoe and it’s pure vanity! It’s a great looking piece of footwear and works as well in the pub as it does on the hill. Not the cheapest product out there admittedly, but in my view well worth the outlay for such a versatile and technically capable bit of kit…

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Fenix HM65R-DT head torch review

Anyone who’s followed the Mountainfeet Facebook page for enough years will probably have picked up on my brand loyalty to Petzl – particularly where it concerns their head torch product. But along has come a manufacturer to severely test that allegiance, if not break it. That said, my inventory of Petzl head torches are dear to me and will still be getting plenty of usage when applicable and also carried as light weight spares…

Having been training more and more at night, I’ve been finding that my current Petzl torch, the Swift RL, has suffered with shortish battery life. This is particularly noticeable during the colder months of the year when the battery pack is exposed to low temperatures. On a recent round of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, I replaced the battery three times in under eight hours, despite using the torch on only its middle power setting.

A bunch of outdoor colleagues have sworn by the Welsh manufacturer Fenix UK, so I contacted their marketing officer Jamie Bowen who was incredibly helpful and advised that the latest version of their trail running specific head torch, the HM65R-DT would be my best bet. Several friends active in the mountaineering world have the tried and tested HM65R model which differs slightly and has a full ‘around and over the head’ strap system unlike the headband only DT version. It’s worth pointing out that now (as of December 2024), there’s a new version of the torch called the HM65R-T v2 which is pictured and looks slightly different to the one reviewed here.

Key to my needs is the HM65R-DT’s battery which is removable and rechargeable both in and out of the torch provided you buy the additional smart charger. It’s a 3400 mAh lithium-ion button top battery that looks like a huge AA type and apart from being over 1000 mAh higher in capacity than the Swift battery, it’s cheap to replace or buy more spares. There are also two 3500 mAh versions available, one of which can be connected directly to a regular phone charger or power pack. Fenix claim a 12 hour life for the torch while running at a constant 400 lumens and this seems to be backed up by various unrelated reviewers. Given that 400 lumens is more than adequate for most running and hiking needs, I’m expecting to get a full winter’s night’s activity completed on about one and a half batteries with ease. To be honest, I’ve used it on the moors quite happily set to just 130 lumens with the odd burst of 400 and 1300 lumens to spot distant features, so I can easily imagine a full night with no need for a battery change.

This brings me on to the head torch itself. First impressions are of its almost industrial build quality – it’s highly unlikely that you’ll break this beastie in a hurry! Slight downside to this durability is the unit’s weight compared to the smaller and lighter Swift but it’s something you seem to get used to quite quickly. The body is built from magnesium alloy and the whole torch is IP68 dust and waterproof rated – a very reassuring quality for UK use, as is its two metre drop resistance. The Petzl Swift RL is IPX4 – a lower rating that doesn’t cover total immersion from say, being dropped in a stream.

Looking to the front of the Fenix unit, you’ll see two distinct and separate lamps. This is where it takes a little time to get your head around what’s what, but bear with me…

Fenix don’t go in for adaptive or reactive lighting such as features on several Petzl models and to be honest, this is no great loss in my humble opinion. The main purpose behind such technology is to save battery life by attempting to never oversupply more brightness than is needed. In reality, I still find myself fiddling around with the Swift’s various settings to get an optimum beam, so it hasn’t done away with the human button input entirely. This brings me back to the Fenix which provides two very unique light beam patterns and strengths from the different sized LED’s to fine tune the torch for all situations and terrains.

What you get in the HM65R-DT are separate spotlight and semi spotlight beams. I find Fenix’s description of the two beams a bit confusing but don’t worry, it doesn’t detract from the function of the torch in the slightest. But to me, a spotlight would be a narrow, focused beam and a semi spotlight more of a flood light with a wider angle. If you read Fenix’s website blurb, they describe it as the other way around – at least to my mind. So, there’s a fairly narrow angle, quite orangey coloured light running in three increments of 5, 130 and 400 lumens. You might ask what use to man or beast is five lumens but in this mode, it’ll last you till your hair turns grey or to get you home and is also good for more covert work in the absence of any red LED’s.

The idea of tinting this LED a warm, slightly orange colour, (what they call warm white) is to allow the light to penetrate rain, snow, mist and fog better without bouncing back. In practice, when bounce back or cold breath flare becomes an issue, I usually just hand hold the torch at waist level – a handy tip if you didn’t already know it! But another spin off benefit is that you always know which of the two LED’s is lit – just from the colour. Paradoxically though, it is possible to combine beams – supposedly for the best of both although in practice I don’t really see the advantage.

The other lamp (bright white) runs from 130 through 400 to a rabbit roasting 1300 lumens. This would be what I would consider more of a flood beam as it has a wide peripheral reach. I suspect Fenix call it a spotlight because it has a very defined edge. On their previous but still available trail running model, the HM65R-T, this beam is even wider angled. Fenix have reduced it on the HM65R-DT and I think it’s bang on for open moorland and enclosed lanes alike. The 1300 lumens setting should probably be looked on as an occasional use only asset – partly because of the inevitable drop in battery life and also because even the best quality high lumen LED’s generate a lot of heat. Consequently, the best torches (this one included) have circuitry built in to drop the power down after a period of time to prevent overheating occurring. However, this is a brilliant (pardon the pun!) weapon to have should you be searching for a navigational feature or stile on the far side of a field. Whilst talking technically, this head torch utilises circuitry that runs every brightness mode bar the lowest at its full power until the battery dies. This is far better than cheaper torches that just fade gradually as the battery weakens – the only downside is you need to monitor the battery situation to avoid being left high and dry! That said, the likelihood is that even after there’s no juice to fuel the 130 lumens and above beams, you’ll probably still get a few hours at the emergency five lumen level – will report back soon on that…

Switches for the two lamp beams are separate and sit either side of an easy to read battery level indicator. Some have mentioned the buttons being slightly fiddly but I’d rate them as more positive in feel than the Petzl Swift RL and the Petzl Reactik’s I also own. The deal maker for me over the Swift is the button locking feature to make sure they don’t switch on accidentally in your pack. The Swift has a sliding button affair which three times now has unlocked itself with movement in my rucsac, resulting in flat batteries. The Fenix uses an excellent system that involves pressing both buttons together to lock the torch in the off mode. This is a bigger deal than some might think, many years ago, a friend had a non branded LED torch cause a serious fire in his house through coming on in a pack!

Comfort and ease of adjustment is always a big part of what makes a merely good head torch excellent. In this, Fenix have gone ballistic in one sense of the word to provide a wide, comfortable, reflective and breathable headband which has a one handed BOA adjusting gizmo such as is now tried and tested on certain mountaineering boots instead of conventional laces. As fed back to Fenix, I have twin thoughts on this – certainly, for snugging up the headband around your head gear in fine increments it works fantastically. And the adjustment/release wheel is quick and easy to operate with gloves. But I’d have liked to see an option for a simple, slide adjusted headband too – sometimes in my line of work and play I have to repeatedly take off and put back on a head torch. The BOA system relies on a strong twine like cord running over the elastic headband and once in position isn’t noticeable against the head as the main strap cushions it perfectly. But it needs readjusting every time it’s re-donned and that’s a faff when doing it repeatedly. Maybe this is something Fenix could either offer as an option or even enclose with the torch so the buyer could choose?

Battery replacement is a little more fiddly in the field than the Swift but then again, I’m not expecting to be doing it very often! For regular use, the supplied battery will be all most people need for their activities and when back at base, the head torch as a whole can be plugged in to your favourite USB wall charger using the supplied USB C cable. No need to remove the battery at all for most applications. But if like me, you might be needing light for 14 to 15 hours during winter nights, spare batteries such as the original cost only £22 – a far cry from the Petzl Swift’s spare battery RRP of £55 or thereabouts! But a tip from me would be to buy the slightly more powerful (and expensive at £27) Fenix 3500 mAh USB Micro battery which can be charged using your regular phone charger or power pack and then carried as a spare.

To summarise, I’m completely sold on the Fenix HM65R-DT and it’s going to be my go-to head torch now for many activities. Don’t let the ‘trail running’ label on the product prevent you buying it if hiking only is your thing, although you could look at the standard HM65R also. Price is competitive at an RRP of £110.95 for such a high spec product and it’ll likely serve you for many years. There’s also an engraving service for £2.99 so you can have your name and mobile etched on the body in case of losing it.

So, loads of positives to fire you up, and the one minor niggle in my mind is the lack of a simple head band as an option for certain uses.

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Scarpa Spin ST trail shoe review

I’ve worn Scarpa footwear of various types for forty years – my first serious pair of boots were the then brand new, but now legendary, SL’s. Since then I’ve used their classic mountaineering model, the Manta, the lightweight and technical Charmoz, freeride ski boots such as the Typhoon and for mooching around and approach work, their brilliant and comfortable Mescalito shoes (reviewed elsewhere on this page). Scarpa use many different lasts (foot shapes) throughout their footwear range which can often mean that if one doesn’t suit you then another will. For that reason, careful assessment by an experienced boot fitter will help quickly cut through to the appropriate models.

Over the last few years, Scarpa have been gaining a significant toehold (pardon the pun!) in the trail running sector, resulting in the design of a few models that very much suit the UK market and our unique terrain and conditions. Being located at the Northern end of the Peak District, our upland areas of heather, grasses, peat bog and gritstone are a challenge for any footwear and a great place to test new products to the limit.

My first experience of a Scarpa trail running shoe has been with the Spin ST, a nice looking model that was new for the 2023 Autumn season and a sibling to three other products in the Spin series of trail running footwear.
Understanding where the Spin ST fits in to this range is important as to whether it’s going to be the shoe for you. The other models are orientated towards the medium to long distance sphere of activity on firmer ground and as such are high on cushioning for repeated impact over a long period of time with squarer toe boxes. The ST is marketed as a more precise fitting, performance-based shoe for shorter distance routes or races involving technical and demanding terrain. Accordingly, the toebox is fairly snug – this isn’t a shoe for a high-volume foot! But what really sets it apart from its relations is the aggressive 7mm deep lugged and sticky outsole – a big hint towards the terrain it works brilliantly on!

I can’t in all honesty say that the Spin is a perfect fit for my widish forefeet – I had to jump up a size from normal just to take the pressure from the big toe joint. But that’s footwear for you – just ‘cos a shoe suits your mate, it doesn’t mean you’ll get on with it! But given I wasn’t going to be in them for hours at a time, I figured I could still give the Spin ST’s a few decent test outings.

My initial thoughts were, “is it reinforced enough for Pennine use?” It’s been designed to be light and that often means durability is sacrificed. But if you look carefully, you’ll see the likely areas of pressure and abrasion are well protected and the mesh upper is a tight weave unlikely to damage easily. That said, there’s plenty of opportunity for the shoe to drain of water after a stream crossing or puddle immersion.

This shoe balances well between enough structure to support the foot and the need for feeling the ground through the sole. As such, it’s quite flexible but without feeling too minimal and the designers haven’t gone overboard with cushioning. Yet there’s still enough to take the sting out of the occasional heavy heel landing and ample torsional and longitudinal firmness for off-piste stability.

For an old boy like me, the need for a shoe to pile downhill fast passed me by many years ago. But everyone will appreciate the awesome traction and grip of this shoe for descending – whether on mud, wet grass, slimy slabs, fresh snow or rock. The compound of the Vibram outsole is stickier than anything I’ve tried previously and as long as you’re not doing big miles on the tarmac to get to the off road stuff, shouldn’t wear too quickly. Our biggest nemesis on the tops around Marsden are the miles of slabs laid on the Pennine Way that when damp can feel like running on ice in most footwear. I’ve used screw in studs on other shoes in the past but the Spin ST’s are surprisingly secure once scrubbed in a bit.

Laces are traditional crossed affairs but the eyelets they run through pull on webbing woven into the upper to snug the shoe up around the mid foot and heel. There’s also a simple but cunning lace lock device that removes the need for tying a bow and a little pocket to stash the lace ends into.

Visually, the shoe looks a little boot like because of the soft Lycra cuff enveloping the lower part of the ankle bones. This provides some welcome protection from knocks and abrasions and will help keep debris out for most although with my stick thin ankles there was a tiny gap. You don’t feel the ankle cuff in any negative way – the shoe still feels super light and nimble.

The heel to forefoot drop is 4mm – just enough to take some stress off the Achilles tendon whilst still feeling in touch with the ground. I think those in the minimal or nil drop camp could still be happy with the reasonably natural sensation that comes through the shoe from the terrain, whilst anyone needing a degree of cushioning is still well catered for. There’s a basic foam insole fitted as standard which I replaced with a pair of Sidas 3Feet Run Protect insole as in all my running shoes.

So, to sum up; if I was twenty years younger and running shortish yet technical mountain and fell routes at speed then these would be a great go to shoe just for their immense grip alone. They hold the foot incredibly well when laced precisely and are light enough for the gram counters to race in at a serious level.

Folk wanting more impact protection on firmer surfaces over longer distances, will find the Spin Ultra and Infinity models well worthy of consideration. They feature much more cushioning and in the case of the Ultra, a 6mm heel to forefoot drop to reduce impact stresses still further.

For those like me who are looking for that elusive mid to long distance winter shoe that can protect, grip, insulate and cushion, then Scarpa’s Ribelle Run Kalibra ST and G models are winning favour in events such as the Winter Spine Series races. I’m currently on crutches after a mishap a couple of weeks ago but once recovered, there’s a shiny new pair of Kalibra ST’s waiting to be given the full Pennine test treatment.

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