Kit reviews and more

Our blog is a place to keep up to date on our latest kit reviews, organisational plans and much more! Read on to see what we’ve been up to.

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Kit review: Mountain Equipment Saltoro Jacket

When you are out walking in the seemingly never-endingly rainy UK winter weather and you want to stay dry, the Women’s Saltoro Jacket by Mountain Equipment is lightweight, waterproof, and breathable to keep the rain out in the worst of conditions. It packs down really small to carry in a backpack, fits inside its own hood.

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Kit review: Outdoor Research Aspire Rain Pants

Lightweight waterproof over trousers, made from Gore-Tex Paclite fabric. These feature 3/4 waterproof length zips that can be opened from the top or the bottom. There is an adjustable elastic waistband and a back pocket that you can use as a stuff sack for carrying the trousers in your bag.

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Kit review: Sprayway Era Jacket

Finding a waterproof that will keep you dry for a day in the hills and mountains, but that is also packable and light enough to carry with you can be a challenge. As part of their expansion into size 20 items, Sprayway have a number of jackets available including this GORE-TEX Era jacket.

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Kit review: Osprey Sportlite 25 Extended Fit

This bag has lots of features! There is large back compartment, and then two pockets on the front - the larger of these is perfect for carrying a laptop and notebook, with mesh pockets for the cables and the smaller is great for keys or your wallet or your hat and gloves.

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How to measure your body

Let’s talk measuring! We all know that the plus size kit that exists is available online rather than in shops. So getting familiar with your measurements is important for the best chance of getting clothes that fit.

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Kit review: Fat Lad At The Back Bobby Dazzler cycling jersey

It may be chilly outside, but I'm already planning my cycling adventures for 2024, and that means thinking about the kit I'll need. This is a bright and vibrant short sleeve jersey from Fat Lad At The Back for your warm weather rides (but fear not, long sleeve are also available)!

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Kit review: Acai Thermal Skinny Outdoor Trousers

Finding good walking trousers is tricky, and I'm already a fan of ACAI Outdoorwear trousers - I live in their Aventurite trousers that I've had for years, but in the winter I really struggle with my legs getting cold when I'm on the hills. I've tried wearing thermals underneath but it doesn't really work, so I thought it was time to try Acai's thermal walking trousers

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Kit review: Plus Size Swimsuits

Our friends from Outdoor Swimmer magazine have shared their plus size swimsuit reviews with us - find out which editor Ella loved, and which she was less impressed by

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Kit review: Plus Size Wetsuits

Our friends from Outdoor Swimmer magazine have shared their plus size waterproof reviews with us - read on to see which hit the mark, and which fail to impress.

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Kit review: Outdoor Research SuperStrand LT Insulated Jacket

Really lightweight synthetic insulated jacket from Outdoor Research, available in plus sizes with or without a hood. The super strand insulation is soft and light and fluffy and warm, and the ripstop fabric keeps the wind out and protects against the odd bit of drizzle. It’s got two generous zipped pockets, and it’s really easy to bundle the whole jacket into one of them if you need to stash it in a bag.

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Cotswold Outdoor Q&A

As part of our ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor, we quizzed them with some of our top questions about their aims, the journey they’re on, and some of the challenges they’re facing as a retailer.

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Kit review: Stolen Goat Utah Ibex Bodyline Jersey

The fabric for this Stolen Goat jersey is buttery soft, very stretchy, quick drying and really lightweight, so great for me as I tend to overheat really easily when I’m exercising! There are the usual cycling jersey features - three pockets at the back, full length zip, soft elastic cuffs.

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Kit review: Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II Trousers

The plus size community are desperate for walking trousers. Walking trousers that fit. And by that I mean trousers that come over our stomach, cover our bums and don't dig in to our belly. Enter the Craghoppers Kiwi Pro II Trousers that have just been through a fit review, which covers their regular trousers, the zip off ones and their insulated winter trousers.

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Kit review: Patagonia Nano Puff Jacket

It's feeling a lot like autumn, so it's time to start looking at some warmer layers. This jacket from Patagonia is a lightweight synthetic insulated jacket, so it provides a lot of warmth but still folds up really small.

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Kit review: Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Jacket

Last year, Patagonia Europe brought out a range of their clothing in an extended XXL sizing. Among this range (and one of the items stocked by Cotswold Outdoor) is this Torrentshell jacket. A 3-layer waterproof shell jacket, it uses the Patagonia H2No waterproof specification.

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