The OutdoorGB Blog

No Need for Kid Gloves - The Story of Julbo Looping Sunglasses

2010-01-29T10:33:00.003Z

Aged between 2 and 4, your child is at the age of exploration, experiencing their first tastes of freedom, venturing around outside, the road to independence starts here...even if it is only mere centimetres from you, they are still toddling around and are free from the constraints of the pushchair or pram.

Although free from the safety of their chariot and standing on their own two feet, safety shouldn’t be sacrificed in every area and very importantly not from protection from the sun.

Designed for the infant and toddler who spends a lot of time outside, the Julbo Looping sunglasses are a favourite of ours at OutdoorGB, a completely child-proof model, and so they should be, seen as it was children who had a hand in designing them.

The Looping story is often told at Julbo and is a particular favourite of ours at OutdoorGB. When Yann Lozac'h was tasked with a designing a new pair of sunglasses for children, he already had 5 years of sunglasses designing experience, it wasn’t even the first pair of sunglasses for kids he was involved in designing, but this time he wanted to do it differently.

To get the perfect design for his new sunglasses project, Yann decided to involve the consumer in the design process, employing his two young daughters and delegating his workload to them, he set up his own under 5’s sunglasses research and development unit. “I decided to make my young daughters work and do my job! So I gave them several traditional sunglasses to try for the weekend and watched carefully every single reaction, how they used the product by themselves without parents help.”

Yann’s first observation from the work his daughters, Liloo, 1 and Zoe, 3 had put in, was that there was a strange statistic where if kids are putting on sunglasses themselves, 90% of the time they will put them on the wrong way (upside down). “I decided to try to make a symmetric pair of glasses; every side is the right one.”

The second thing Yann noticed was that babies like to eat everything, even sunglasses and especially when they are teething! Paint is most definitely not a recommended baby food and even when care is taken and safe chemical products are used, it is still not ideal for it to be entering a child’s mouth. “I looked for a similar plastic product that we use inside the mouth that wouldn’t cause any trouble and I found the idea of a of Tooth brush. Then I thought, Yeah, I got it! My sunglasses must be designed like a tooth brush!”

Yann’s final observation occurred when Liloo hurt her finger on the sunglass hinge when trying to put the glasses on. Not wanting to see his daughter hurt and especially by a product he had designed, Yann decided his new sunglasses design should feature a one piece frame without hinges and with flexible areas, something that wouldn’t be a problem because of how small the product was going to be.

After a weekend of work from his children, Yann Lozac'h had a precise idea of what the sunglasses were going to be like and only had to make a few sketches to convince his boss this was the product to make.

Following another week of work from his daughter Liloo, where she was trying a handmade prototype every two hours to ensure geometry and temple angles were ok, the Julbo Looping was born.

4 years later, the Looping is one of the biggest commercial successes Julbo has had, child friendly sunglasses featuring a symmetrical shape. Completely toddler-proof, the Looping takes no notice when a child pulls them wide apart to put them on – they just bounce back. And with the symmetrical shape, the Looping promotes independence; your child can put them on themselves with no worries about them putting them on the wrong way round.

See the latest incarnation of the Looping, the Julbo Looping III Children's Sunglasses, here.

Back to School with Jansport Backpacks

2009-09-01T16:14:00.001+01:00

It is “back to school” time once again and so thoughts are turning to purchasing our children’s uniforms, stocking up on stationery and buying backpacks, as we prepare them for their return to classes this September. OutdoorGB.com, who stock a range of outdoor equipment including fitness watches and sunglasses, have a range of hard-wearing and stylish children’s backpacks and rucksacks for sale, which are perfect for the new academic term.

Kids have a habit of being tough on their clothes and their belongings but they also want to impress their classmates with the latest gear. It can be difficult to combine both durability and style but the latest range of “back to school” bags and backpacks to purchase from OutdoorGB are both tough and good-looking – perfect for any child.

Edward Giles, Chief Executive of OutdoorGB.com who specialise in heart rate monitors and backpacks said, “Kids school bags have to be tough to cope with the rigours of books, dirty PE kits, shoes and the rough treatment they receive on a day to day basis. We now offer an affordable range of backpacks and rucksacks for kids of all ages and sizes which are not only extremely resilient but also come in a wide range of styles and colours.”

Jansports’ ‘Superbreak’ bag has been around for thirty years and is one of the company’s best-selling bags of all time. It may have been around thirty years, but the Superbreak Backpack keeps coming back year after year with updated colours in line with current fashion. With a good twenty five litre capacity the bag includes a large main compartment and a front utility pocket and organiser. The Superbreak bag features enough room for several textbooks, a ringbinder, books, a calculator, pencil case, lunch, mobile phone, sweatshirt and an mp3 player. OutdoorGB offer the Superbreak in sixteen colours from plain black to funky bright designs.

Another popular choice is the Jansport Beamer Laptop rucksack. This large backpack allows you to carry your laptop in comfort with clever weight dispersing support and a breathable mesh back. The Beamer Laptop Backpack has several compartments including a padded internal sleeve to fit a 15”4 laptop. The Rucksack also features a smart iPod/mp3 top entry zipped pocket with a music exit port for headphones.

Mr Giles added, “The perfect school bag or backpack should combine comfort, durability and style. For example, the Jansport Trinity Bag offers a large capacity for books and a laptop whilst being extremely comfortable due to the padded back, carry handle and foam shoulder straps. These bags are rugged enough for the roughest treatment whilst coming in a wide range of sizes and colours to suit any child.”

OutdoorGB, leading supplier of Ortlieb and Polar products, also point to the fantastic warranty offered on all Jansport Backpacks and Rucksacks. Jansport offer a thirty year warranty and during this time will repair (or if necessary, replace) any products with defects in the material or workmanship free of charge.

The Wondawedge Inflatable Lounger

2009-09-01T16:08:00.000+01:00

Currently mesmerising and amazing all throughout the OutdoorGB office is this....

No, no, no, not the beach, but the blue thing on the beach. We won’t lie, the sight of golden sands and the blue sea along the coast of Australia does mesmerise and amaze us, a lot more than the view out of the window of grey skies and rain beating down off the dull car park, that’s for sure. But we haven’t got that, what we have got is the blue thing.....introducing the WondaWedge Inflatable Back Rest Lounger.

They say it’s the simple things in life that have the most impact, well in the case of our friend the Wondawedge that is very true. Boy is he simple, but like the majority of simpletons, being easily swayed and all, he has a lot of uses. The Wondawedge can be used just about anywhere, whether indoors or outdoors, for health or for recreation. Ideal for the beach as the picture shows (that we didn’t take!) or even our grey car park (which we did take, but won’t show as probably just describing it has depressed you.) However there is one key feature of all his uses....comfort.

We reckon that trip to the beach can be further enjoyed by bringing along your buddy, the WondaWedge. Cutting down what you have to carry, the WondaWedge stops the need for beach mats, loungers and deck chairs; instead you just need something that folds down to the size of a book, easily fitting into your bag. Inflating the WondaWedge is a breeze, no need for fancy pumps or air compressors, just good old human breath will bring it to life. From zero to hero, 1 minute the size of a book, the next minute big enough to sit on in complete comfort.

We have yet to take one, but the next festival we are going to, next month, a WondaWedge is coming along. We aren’t going to bother with camping chairs and stools, past experience from the long walk from the car park to the festival has taught us that no matter how small or compact they profess to fold, they still bash into you as you carry them, make other people angry as the chair bashes into them and are just generally awkward. Oh and camping chairs easily break, the fabric rips away from the frame far too easy, all it takes is you sitting down less than elegantly. The Wondawedge won’t break that easily, we aren’t saying it wont break (jumping on a lot of things destroys them) but it won’t break as suddenly and easily as them rip off folding chairs.

Although we said before the Wondawedge was simple, just like Dr Frankenstein and his monster, the creator isn’t. The WondaWedge was developed by physiotherapists to provide excellent lumbar back support and preserve spinal posture so is designed for health use too.

There are loads of things you can do with the WondaWedge, use it camping, at festivals, on the boat, when watching TV, by the pool, for recuperating with a bad back, for meditation, reading in bed, as a sleep aid, the list could keep going and going!

Want to know more? Find out more about the WondaWedge Inflatable Lounger. Oh and be quick and you could win a WondaWedge!

Splash Out With SailGB.com

2009-08-19T12:15:00.000+01:00

With summer finally here, many of us are checking the weather forecasts regularly so not to miss the chance to enjoy the good weather that needs making the most of.. SailGB.com, who stock a wide range of marine equipment, from navigational charts to sunglasses, can help anyone heading to the coast this summer by offering a range of wetsuits suited to every kind of watersports enthusiast.

SailGB offer top specification wetsuits, catering for all purposes including sailing, swimming, surfing, diving and waterskiing.

A main usage for wetsuits in the UK is for surfing. Surfing has become a popular pursuit in the UK in recent years and SailGB.com stock a range of surfing wetsuits for both adults and kids. Featuring integrated buoyancy and shock protectors, multilayer prints and resistant seams the wetsuits offer style, flexibility, comfort and protection at an affordable price.

Edward Giles, Chief Executive of SailGB.com who also specialise in GPS Devices and sailing watches said, “Surfing has really taken off in the UK in recent years. Of course it is massive down in Newquay with the Boardmasters competition and festival taking place there only last week. But there are many other great surfing spots across the UK, with great surfing beaches in the North East, Scotland and Wales, which are all ideal for beginners to the surf. Summer offers the best chance of decent weather, although autumn right through to mid-November is still prime time for hitting the waves thanks to the relatively mild air and water temperatures.”

SailGB.com also offers a range of sailing wetsuits for both cool and warm weather. Rash suits, under vests, wetsuit boots and gloves are also available and complement the wide selection of sailing wetsuits.

Mr Giles added, “In warm weather we recommend a “shortie” suit with short legs and short sleeves which can be complemented with neoprene rashguards or shorts as necessary. In cool sailing weather we would suggest a full suit of 3mm thickness. 5mm suits are warmer but they offer less flexibility.”

In addition to sailing and surfing wetsuits, SailGB.com also offer a wide selection of wetsuits for kayaking and canoeing, waterskiing and for swimming. Specialist wetsuits for triathletes are also available which offer flexibility as well as quick-drying technology.

Editor’s Note: SailGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 233.

Put Your Best Foot Forward With OutdoorGB.com

2009-08-19T12:13:00.000+01:00

Putting your best foot forward on challenging terrain has just got easier, thanks to the extensive range of speciality walking boots and hiking footwear now available to buy online from outdoor clothing and equipment experts, OutdoorGB.com.

The variety of shoes has been carefully chosen by the experienced team at the firm, and is designed to cater for the novice walker through to the well-versed hiker. Engineered for specific terrains and environments, your feet are sure to be the envy of all in your party whether you’re hiking in the Himalayas or just enjoy a more leisurely walk in the Peak District.

For advanced mountaineering and hiking along high routes in the mountains, Alpine boots are essential. Designed to be compatible with crampons, OutdoorGB.com’s range of Alpine boots are perfect for those requiring specialist support in extreme environments, such as glacier and ice climbing. The Zamberlan Kontact GT RR Alpine Boots 3900 utilises the best of leather and fabric to allow maximum movement while the microtex wicking nylon collar controls excess moisture. The Zamberlan easy “step-in” system makes the boots stiff enough to use with semi-rigid crampons.

Hiking boots for harsher trails are also available from OutdoorGB and give a superior level of comfort, grip and ankle support. The Zamberlan Napo GT Plus Hiking Boots 143 is supple and comfortable and features a low cut design for quicker and easier movement. The boots are lined with innovative Gore-Tex material for excellent protection and breathability and also feature Zamberlan Dual-Grip PU sole for traction, durability and better comfort.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com and SailGB.com, Edward Giles, said, “We know how important it is to have the right equipment with you when you set out on a trip, and to have high quality support that won’t let you down when the going gets tough. This is why we stock a high quality range of boots that will ensure your feet stay protected even when venturing in the most demanding of conditions.”

Mountains with harsh terrains call for undivided support for the feet and ankles, and the Zamberlan Baffin GT RR Mountain Boots 634 features a foot wrapping system, which firmly holds the foot in place and allows a precise fit. Zamberlan’s Rubber Reinforcement System enhances protection to the upper, giving a comprehensive mountaineering solution.

Mr Giles added, “We recommend Zamberlan because they are excellent in their craft, thanks to their years of experience. The company is based at the foot of the Italian Small Dolomite mountains, and so their expertise is born of necessity, because they live and work in a mountainous environment.”

The firm also stocks a variety of trekking boots suitable for hiking, long excursions and military use. La Sportiva Trango Trek 347 Micro EVO GTX GRIGIO Trekking Boots give a snug fit and comfort along with the rugged durability that is crucial when going off-trail and carrying heavy loads. For countryside treks and hillside walks, the firm suggest Contour Nevada Walking Boots. The lightweight boot gives padding for sharp or uneven surfaces while the supple calf leather and waterproof, breathable lining ensure feet stay warm and dry on even the most arduous of trips.

Editor's Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by search engine optimisation agency, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726233.

Hides Sunglasses Skins

2009-08-19T12:02:00.000+01:00

Finding somewhere to put your sunglasses when you don’t want to wear them is one of life’s little dilemmas, you know the kind, not exactly handling the fate of the world but still enough to cause frustration for you. Put them on your shirt and they are likely to fall off with any sudden movement and are bound to stretch your shirt. Put them on your belt and you will probably crush them when you sit down or again fall off. So where to put them? You don’t want to carry them around, too much effort, not leaving your hands free and you will probably put them down somewhere and forget about them. What you need is a chain...err no wait that will make you look like an elderly librarian. What you really need are the Hides Multifunction Sunglasses Skins, a mouthful but hey they do a lot, so they probably deserve multiple names for their multiple functions.

Hides Skins will stop you from wearing that ugly chain around your neck, after all why would you want to accessorise your expensive polarised sports sunglasses with a fake bit of gold tat? So what makes the Hides different? Why should you wear the hides you may ask? For a start they look much cooler, coming in different colours and patterns, like snake print, camo and khaki. But funky colours are not the be all and end all, no the Hides Multifunction are a 3-in-1 sunglasses accessory. Why 3-in-1? Hides Sunglasses Skins are 3-in-1 as they easily transform from a cord to a case to a cleaner.

Developed from an idea thought up over a beer and a scratched pair of brand new sunglasses, Hides Sunglasses Skins offer security, protection and performance, all in one product. When they are in cord mode, they look small and sleek, so compact you wouldn’t believe they could stretch to fit over the entire sunglasses. But they can and it’s not some kind of weird practising of the occult either, just pure cleverness, the cleverness is all down to a patented tight double roll of lycra microfibre that will wrap around the lenses of the glasses because of its four-way stretch (sorry to ruin it). Take them off the lenses and as if like magic (remember its not!), the Hides will spring straight back into cord size.

Sunglasses looking a bit skanky? Sweat splattered lenses? As the Hides are crafted from super soft lens-safe microfibre material, the third part of the transformation sees the hides morph into a lens cleaning cloth. Once clean and tidy, either stretch back round to form the case or let the Hides spring back down to become a cord, pretty simple!

Here are at OutdoorGB we aren’t the only ones impressed by the Hides Sunglasses Skins, Hides have won the prestigious ISPO Brand New Award as well as awards from Motorboating Magazine, Backpacker Magazine, the North American Hunting Club and the North American Fishing Club.

Hides come in a few variations, all of which are available at OutdoorGB. For day to day use and for less strenuous activities, the Hides Classic Sunglasses Skins are ideal but when it comes to more high endurance activities and extreme sports like climbing, mountainbiking, sailing and backpacking, you should look to the Hides Technoskins.

Technoskins feature Impact Expansion Joint (IEJ) technology, IEJ acts like a shock absorber on a car and ensures additional security should a high impact situation occur. Technoskins also feature detachable straps which allow you to detach the case and the cleaner from the strap to enable the cord to be adjusted to be tight fitting during more mobile and physical activities. The detached case and cleaner section can then be used to protect/cover/clean a watch, be used as a sweat band, to form a fashion coordinated ponytail, protect another pair of glasses or be used as a low stress tie down.
Not just limited to Sunglasses, Hides also cater for bigger applications with GoggleSkins. Developed specifically for divers, skiers, snowboarders and motorcyclists, GoggleSkins offer the same 3-in-1 properties of the other Hides, just on a larger scale.

Have a look at our range of Hides Multifunction Sunglasses Skins for yourself here.

Water Relief From OutdoorGB.com

2009-08-07T12:19:00.000+01:00

The often heard phrase “it won’t hurt, it’s only a bit of water” actually really couldn’t be more wrong, as figures from the World Health Organisation (WHO) attribute 80 per-cent of all travel diseases to contaminated water. With all kinds of bacteria and germs lurking in the water, Outdoor clothing and fitness watches specialists OutdoorGB.com have taken these figures on board and extended their range of water purification products.

Many illnesses can be avoided by taking simple but effective precautions when drinking water in destinations where the source may be questionable, or on excursions where safe drinking water is not readily available.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com and SailGB.com the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, Edward Giles, said, “Even a small amount of contaminated water can result in ill health and disruptions to your travel plans. Many outdoor and travel fanatics realise the importance of keeping hydrated and drinking plenty of water in hot and humid climates, especially when participating in rigorous activities, but it is necessary to treat this water before it is consumed.”

“At OutdoorGB.com, we stock a full range of products designed to purify, cleanse and sterilise your drinking water in quick and convenient ways. These are especially useful for times when you may need to rely on natural water sources, which could easily be contaminated.”

One such product comes from trusted brand Lifesystems, which offers Chlorine Tablets that are designed to easily disinfect water. Treating up to 75 litres, the tablets provide a quick and safe way to treat water to drink and to use when brushing your teeth. They are also ideal for rinsing fruit and vegetables in purified water before eating.

The Katadyn Pocket Filter is a comprehensive solution for the frequent traveller, and is suitable for use time and time again, unlike disposable filters. The heavy-duty components allow maximum use with minimal impact on the product, and the filter is the only one of its kind to be backed by a 20-year guarantee. Killing bacteria, protozoa and other disease-causing agents, this travel essential will prove to be a worthy component of any travel health kit. Designed for shorter trips away and also from Katadyn is the Hiker Microfilter, which is lightweight and convenient enough to carry in a backpack.

Utilising UV light as another method of decontaminating water, the SteriPEN Classic Water Purifier allows users to destroy many germs and agents known to cause dysentery, hepatitis and legionnaires disease, and all with a simple stirring motion in the water. The purifier produces results quickly, cleansing a litre of water in little over a minute.

For those who want to remain eco-conscious while travelling safely, the Aquapure Traveller - Portable Water Purifier is the right product for you. Capable of purifying up to 350 litres, the bottle saves the user from relying on buying water bottled in plastic. The portable purifier is the only purifier to be full endorsed by the Hospital for Tropical Diseases London.

Mr Giles added, “Safe water precautions apply to anyone and everyone that decides to travel – whether they are seasoned hikers on expeditions, or if they are embarking on their first journey away from home. As well as supplying our clients all they need to enjoy their activities and adventures, we can give them the essentials they need to stay safe and in good health.”

These products can be viewed here: http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.editAlbumPhotos&albumID=1175474, in addition to on our Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php/?gid=57227299454.

Editor's Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 233.

Exped Sleeping Mats

2009-08-07T12:17:00.001+01:00

Ah camping, the joy of the great outdoors, after an extremely active day outdoors, getting a good nights sleep is important. A good nights sleep in a tent you cry? Yes a good nights sleep under the canvas does exist. We know getting a good nights sleep at the best of times can be a challenge, there are always distractions, noises in the night keeping you awake, being too hot, being too cold, someone hogging the covers, the list goes on. So it is therefore no surprise from the word go that sleeping in a tent isn’t going to be the best environment in which to get some sleep. But this can be improved and you can, we repeat can, sleep in comfort.

Getting a comfortable nights sleep will see you feeling refreshed, ready for action, ready to take on the outdoors world and ready to endure another extremely energetic and active day outside, all the qualities of a happy camper. Not getting a good nights sleep will find you feeling tired, unmotivated, and grumpy, basically the perfect recipe for somebody nobody wants to be outdoors with.

If you want to be in the happy camp (you do, you do, miserable-ism is so last year), here at OutdoorGB we have a range of sleeping solutions from Exped that will see you sleeping like a baby (and none of them intoxicating substances!).

Exped Sleeping Mats are the perfect choice for anybody who wants a comfy nights sleep. Sleeping mats keep you warm, they stop you losing heat to the ground through conduction and enable your sleeping bag to work properly, keeping it compressed under you. Sleeping mats also of course keep you comfortable, instead of just being a thin groundsheet and your sleeping bag between you and the hard rocky ground that is littered with stones, roots and who knows what else, there will be a luxurious air filled dream machine. Sleeping mats basically work the night shift for you, leaving you to do some sweet dreaming.

The Exped sleeping mats we sell at OutdoorGB fall into 2 different categories, clever self-inflating types and then those that need a bit of puff.

Self inflating type mats are constructed with a layer of foam sandwiched inside an air tight shell with a valve. Opening the valve, causes the foam to expand and sucks air into the mat. When the foam is fully expanded, as if like magic the valve closes and the mat can be used. Packing away these mats is just as easy, just open up the valve, roll up the mat and squeeze out the air, then close the valve and the mat will stay the same shape.

The Exped Downmat Down-Filled Mats are self-inflating mats that as the name suggests are filled with feather down. Super comfortable, the mat will smooth out uneven ground and the down insulation means heat loss is dramatically reduced. As demonstrated when birds try to squeeze into small spaces, down compresses well too, so the Exped Downmats will pack small.

The other mats we sell are those that need pumping up using a bit of effort, which we will call er non self inflating mats. Non self inflating mats are constructed using the same air tight outer layer and valve as their more active brothers, self inflating mats but don’t feature the layer of foam, as it is the foam that sucks the air into the self inflating mats. Non self inflating mats tend to be thicker and contain more air, giving them a softer feel. Packing the same way as self inflating mats, non self inflating mats are better for those with limited space, as they are lighter and pack down smaller as there is no foam to compress.

A nice example of a non self inflating mat is the Exped AirMat 7.5. Built to be tough, yet incredibly lightweight, the Exped AirMat 7.5 is also amazingly compact. For improved slip resistance, the top surface of the mat is honeycomb patterned.

Find more snug sleeping solutions here.

Bic Sport Windsurfing Boards

2009-07-17T15:20:00.000+01:00

Though the name Bic is synonymous worldwide with the ballpoint pen, Bic Sport, the watersports arm of the Société Bic company, are also one of the world’s largest producers of windsurfing equipment.

Encouraged by Bic founder, Marchel Bich’s interest in sailing, Bic expanded into the watersports market with the manufacture of windsurfing equipment in the early 1980’s. Since the beginning, Bic Sport has always been keen to make windsurfing as accessible as possible to just about anyone who wants to get out on the water and have fun. To do this Bic Sport manufacture affordable easy to use windsurfing rigs, boards and sails.

Here at SailGB, we have just launched the 2009 range of Bic Sport Windsurfing Boards. Easy to use and highly practical, there is a windsurfing board in the range for the absolute beginner right through to the seasoned pro.

What we think makes Bic Sport unique is the fact they are the only European manufacturer of windsurfing equipment and the only manufacturer to master thermoforming with aluminium moulds. A highly technical procedure, it allows the boards to be made with only one closure of the mould, greatly limiting any extra material used in the manufacturing process. Put simply, the end result is a board that is both 20% lighter than other thermoformed boards and also a board that is strongly competitive with epoxy sandwich boards.

For the absolute newbie to windsurfing we recommend taking a look at the Bic Sport Windsurfers-Funboards range. Designed to be easy to use in a wide range of conditions up to moderate winds, the Funboards are good boards for those just starting out to learn on. The BIC Sport Jungle Windsurfer is an excellent example of this, a windsurfing funboard that can be taken out on the water even when there is no wind or waves as it can also be used for stand-up paddling. The Jungle board is ideal for beach holidays and for those not taking it too seriously.

For those looking for more of a thrill to their boardriding experience, the Bic Sport Core 133 is a versatile board that is ideal for all kinds of conditions. The Core 133 lets you go very fast, very easily in all kinds of conditions. Made from Thermoformed Glass Composite, the Core 133 offers great stiffness that is very resistant to knocks.

While some like to windsurf for fun as a way of relaxing off the beach and others like to thrill seek, others are more competitive and like to race. If you fall into that the latter category, the Bic Sport Raceboard Windsurfers range is the range for you. Bic Sport Raceboards are designed to perform across the breadth of conditions found in competitions.

For those undertaking slalom courses in races, the Techno Pro 65 is the ideal board, featuring a fast and highly manoeuvrable slalom shape perfect for when the wind gets up and the waves start to swell. Extremely versatile, the Techno Pro 65 allows for pure bump and jump thrills and spills as well as superb acceleration and excellent straight line speed and easy control.

If you are looking to move quickly in a straight line, the Techno Pro 74 is the board for you, a pure race design that is designed to be very fast up to planing and to have greater straight line speed both downwind and upwind in moderate winds.

Bic Sport Shortboards are the choice of the more advanced windsurfer, requiring a lot of skill to use but giving the best combination of speed and performance, resulting in the best windsurfing experience.

Recommended by WIND magazine, the BIC Sport Techno 148 Windsurfer allows the more advanced rider to always be at ease, stable and comfortable, whatever the conditions. Ideal for the performance minded, the Techno 148 is an excellent freeride board.

Those are just a selection of the Bic Windsurfing Boards we stock at SailGB; see the full range of Bic Sport Windsurfing equipment, here. You can also take a look at our sister site OutdoorGB’s Flickr profile: http://www.flickr.com/photos/outdoorgb.

OutdoorGB sponsor Mongolian Charity Rally Participants

2009-07-13T14:35:00.003+01:00

During a momentary lapse of sanity (their words not ours!), Edinburgh University graduates Alice Paisley and Juliet Waud decided to take on a massive challenge and enter the Mongolian Charity Rally 2009. After being approached by the girls, all of us here at OutdoorGB were so impressed by the dedication and support for good causes shown by the pair; we thought it was only right we got involved in sponsorship.

The rally really is a mean feat and will see the girls driving 10,000 miles in an ambulance from London to the Mongolian capital, Ulaanbaatar. Along the way they will venture through no less than 10 countries, cross five mountain ranges, two deserts and drive down many many poorly maintained roads and of all of this in..as they put it...temperatures that would even make the devil sweat. Then factor in the opportunist border guards and power happy policemen with AK47’s they expect to encounter and you have got to ask are they mad? (Again their own words). Mad or not, they definitely live up to the slogan they have coined for themselves, No Boundaries, No Limits.

Due to these treacherous conditions they are set to face, we are supplying Alice and Juliet with a SPOT GPS Location Tracker that will ensure vital contact with emergency services, let loved ones know they are safe and also allow everyone back home to keep tabs on exactly where they are.

Driving a Nissan Terrano II SE TD ambulance affectionately named “Norbert”, Alice and Juliet are raising money for the Save the Children charity, so perhaps they are not mad. Funds raised by them will help the poorest children receive healthcare, food, education and protection. Then once they have arrived in Mongolia, “Norbert” will be auctioned off for the further benefit of the local communities.

The rally is set to take the pair 6-8 weeks to complete, during this time we will provide updates as and when we receive them.

Anyone who would like to sponsor them can do so by logging on to www.justgiving.com/aliceandjuliet

Three Out of Three for Brownlee

2009-07-13T11:29:00.001+01:00

Great Britain's Alistair Brownlee has made it a hat-trick of wins after victory in the latest stage of the Suunto sponsored ITU World Championship series in Kitzbühel, Austria. Crossing the line in 1:43:13, 21 year old Brownlee finished the swim with the leaders but almost fell back after losing his shoe during the transition to the bike. After recovering the shoe, Brownlee edged his way towards the front of the pack during the 40km bike ride then entering the 10km run, he wasted little time in closing the gap and took the leadership within minutes.

Elsewhere in the women's race, Australia’s Emma Moffatt clocked in her second victory of the championships with a time of 1:54:37. Moffatt, an Olympic bronze medallist broke away halfway through the run to finish 34 seconds ahead of European champion, Nicola Spirig from Switzerland.

2009 Kitzbühel Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship - Elite Men's Results

Gold - Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 1:43:13

Silver - Javier Gomez (ESP) 1:43:21 +0:08

Bronze - Laurent Vidal (FRA) 1:43:24 +0:11

2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Elite Men's Rankings

After Race Four of Eight

1. Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 2400pts

2. Javier Gomez (ESP) 2368pts

3. Laurent Vidal (FRA) 1963pts

4. Maik Petzold (GER) 1951pts

5. Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1813pts

2009 Kitzbühel DC Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship -
Elite Women's Results

Gold – Emma Moffatt (AUS) 1:54:37

Silver – Nicola Spirig (SUI) 1:55:11 +0:34

Bronze – Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 1:55:16 +0:39

2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Elite Women's Rankings

After Race Four of Eight

1. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2640pts

2. Andrea Hewitt (NZL) 2229pts

3. Emma Snowsill (AUS) 1818pts

4. Jessica Harrison (FRA) 1722pts

5. Helen Jenkins (GBR) 1710pts

To mark the Championship Series, Suunto have released a special edition t6c, find out more about it here.

Be Campsite Savvy This Season With OutdoorGB.com

2009-07-09T16:34:00.000+01:00

With camping having become the new fashionable choice of getaway, many people are choosing to holiday closer to home, with this in mind OutdoorGB.com, the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, are launching their very own guide to selecting the right camping stoves to bring a bit of home comfort to the campsite.

If the weather is miserable, getting some hot food inside of you is the perfect feeling, no one wants to rely on crisps and sandwiches at mealtimes nor do they want to be walking about in rainy conditions in pursuit of their dinner, especially during festival season, where fast food vans engage in the annual price hike.

Although some festivals ban the use of gas stoves, LPG stoves such as the Coleman Fyrestorm Stove or the Optimus Nova+ Lightweight Compact Multi-fuel Stove are ideal, as they provide a more controlled option. The Coleman Fyrestorm Stove, a specialist omni-fuel stove, is lightweight, wind resistant and powerful, ideal for camping in the British countryside, where temperatures can fluctuate at the drop of a hat. Once placed in to liquid fuel mode, priming or pre-heating is no longer required thanks to the Reflex™ technology and in LPG mode; a unique butane/propane cartridge adapter is designed to invert the cartridge, optimising performance for lower temperatures and higher altitudes.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com and SailGB.com the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, Edward Giles, said, “It is essential that if you are choosing a new camping stove that you decide exactly what you are going to be using it for and how many people will be eating, carrying a large stove for only one person is just a waste of vital pack space. Also consider the conditions in which you are using it, if you are going to be using it in bleak weather conditions, go for a model like the Jetboil which will still offer great performance.”

In some areas and indeed countries you may find it difficult to get hold of your preferred fuel, however with some more versatile stoves, you can use a range of fuel types. Stoves from brands such as Optimus, Jetboil, Primus are ideal for outdoor adventures, where getting a particular type of fuel could prove tricky.

The Jetboil Camping Stove (Personal Cooking System), is one of OutdoorGB’s best selling products. Multi-award winning, this lightweight stove has revolutionised outdoor cooking and is extremely popular amongst outdoorsmen and campers due to its super fast boil times and ability to operate in the bleakest of weather conditions. The Jetboil will boil 500ml of water in just two minutes, approximately half the time of a standard camping stove, which means that you have more time to enjoy your holiday.

Alternatively, the Optimus Crux Lite Lightweight Stove could also be your ideal companion. Considered to be one of the world’s most lightweight stoves, weighing in at just 72 grams and measuring 75 x 57 x 55mm, this stove includes a burner with valve and stuff bag, ideal for transportation to and from the campsite. For more information on the huge range of stoves available from the outdoor equipment specialists at OutdoorGB.com, please visit their website at http://www.outdoorgb.com.

Editor’s Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 07792638394.

The Dakine 2009 Summer Collection at OutdoorGB.com

2009-07-09T16:32:00.000+01:00

Introducing the Dakine 2009 Summer Collection, down at OutdoorGB we have recently brought our Dakine range right up to speed to include all the latest products from the newest Dakine collection. Dakine, named after the Hawaiian Pidgin word meaning ‘the kind’ or ‘the best’ (though can be used to refer to virtually anything good!), specialise in outdoor clothing and equipment for all the alternative sports that matter.

Dakine was established in 1979, when Rob Kaplan started manufacturing the Dakine Surf Leash in Haiku, Maui, Hawaii. Built to withstand the rigorous Hawaiian surf conditions, the success of the Dakine Surf Leash saw professional windsurfers ask Kaplan to help build footstraps for their new wave boards. Dakine later developed the first adjustable footstraps, seat harness and waist harness. The creation of the coffin board bag was a revolutionary step in surfing, making travel easier for athletes.

Today, Dakine create products for surf, skate, snowboarding, ski, windsurfing, kiteboarding and mountainbiking. So whatever alternative sport gets your pulse racing there is going to be a Dakine product for you.

Highlights of the new 2009 Summer Collection:

Part of the Dakine Summer 09 Skate Collection, the Dakine Covert Skate Pack is a rugged backpack featuring solid construction, hot designs and excellent functionality. Whether you are skating or studying, the Covert Skate Pack can suit your needs, a wide strap on the back enables you to carry your skateboard or if you prefer, your laptop with the internal padded laptop sleeve. An integrated organiser pocket ensures your pens; keys and mobile are kept safe and secure.

Carrying the name of South African professional surfer, Jordy Smith, the Dakine Jordy Smith 26L Surf Pack is an all-rounder surf backpack. Perfect for storing your kit in at the beach when surfing the waves, though equally as at home when surfing the street. Surfing, skating or studying, the Jordy Smith 26L Surf Pack has space and attachments for your skateboard, wetsuit bag and a padded sleeve to carry your laptop in safety. Solving the problem of where to put your sunglasses when the sun goes down, the backpack features a fleece-lined pocket stopping those sunglasses getting scratched.

Boasting a look that definitely isn’t spandex, the Dakine Guys' 8 Track Bike Shorts are a pair of baggies that offer a cool casual look but contribute comfort and convenience. Three zipped pockets give you plenty of stash space, keep your phone close to hand or grab some instant energy by storing a couple of bars there. Dakine know mountainbiking can get strenuous, so to save you from sweating have added inner leg vents and a moisture wicking liner for when things really start to heat up. Looking good and performing damn good, the 8 Track Shorts have a high back with a back stretch panel that offers a secure fit with little chance of catching, ensuring they ride well.

Going back to one of Dakine’s original stand out products, the Dakine Regulator Triple Travel Board Bag is just the ticket for your next road trip with your surfboards. Holding 3 boards plus all the essentials, the Regulator board bag offers maximum protection ensuring your pride and joy is kept safe with a heat reflecting energy shield on the bottom stopping your boards from cooking.

Another old school Dakine product brought bang up to date with a 2009 colourway, the Dakine Blast Men's Windsurfing Harness is absolutely loaded with features. Adjustable spreader bar height, self-tensioning leg straps, internal load equaliser patches, power clip buckle system and an 8-point load dispersion system offer everything needed to surf with fluency and with the least effort possible. To ensure maximum comfort and avoid skin abrasions, the groin straps and edges of the trapezoid are completely covered in neoprene.

Waterproof cases and drybags at SailGB.com

2009-07-09T16:30:00.000+01:00

Water and electrical items don’t mix, perhaps one of the simplest things you learn as a kid. Whether your lesson about the potentially fatal mix of the elements was by having it installed into you by your parents or by the other extreme, namely that time you decided to play with mum’s hairdryer in the bath and the reason you now have a clump of white hairs at the crown of your head. Now as much as it seemed like a good idea at the time, we don’t recommend drying your hair in the bath, but here at SailGB we do recommend a range of waterproof solutions that will stop plunged phones, immersed iPods and waterlogged laptops.

Whether you are at the beach, by the pool or on the boat, getting your belongings wet is never going to make for a pleasant experience. At SailGB we have a range of top-quality waterproof cases and drybags, suitable for all areas of marine use, excellent for stopping water and electricity mixing but also absolutely ideal for ensuring your shoes don’t get saturated, your money doesn’t get mushy and your sandwiches don’t go soggy.

Coming in all shapes and sizes, we have waterproof cases, drybags, dry tube bags and holdalls that will fit your iPod, camera, VHF radio, laptop, mobile phone, clothes and perhaps most importantly when out at sea, your lunch.

Here are a selection of our waterproof storage solutions:

Like a conventional backpack but with a twist, the OverBoard Carbon 25 L Backpack is 100% waterproof. This means it can be fully submersed in the water, leave it in a puddle on the deck of the boat all day long without fear of the contents getting soaked. As the OverBoard brand name suggests, the Carbon backpack is safe should it go over board, we are not saying you should throw it off the boat for the sake of it, but should it grace the surface of the water it will simply and safely float.

Comfort isn’t sacrificed for cleverness; the Carbon is waterproof and wearable. Conventional features such as a comfortable back panel with air-flow design, padded shoulder straps, lumbar support and an adjustable sternum strap and waist belt ensure the carbon isn’t a chore to wear.

Not just waterproof, the unique ‘high frequency’ welded construction will protect your stuff from dust, dirt, sand and most other substances that threaten damage.

For some, no matter if they are at the beach or on the boat, they can never give business a break, for those guilty, the Peli 1090 Hardback Laptop Computer Case is perfect as it provides ample room for a 15 inch laptop with space for various cables and a mouse. The Peli 1090 features a plush thermal formed fabric lining with small shock absorbing cells, an automatic pressure equalisation valve and a solid design crafted from high-impact composite material, put simply the case is watertight, crushproof and dustproof.

Perfect for Apple users, the 15 inch Macbook Pro will slot right inside the Peli 1090 case and exactly like a Mac, it offers style and performance. Should it not perform, which isn’t very likely, the 1090 Case is covered by Peli’s guarantee of excellence, the highest guarantee a manufacturer can offer, an unconditional lifetime guarantee.

The Ortlieb Sailing Dry Bag is at home in any harbour in the world, durable and rugged, it is designed for wet and humid areas on board the boat. Manufactured from tear and abrasion resistant polyester fabric, the Sailing dry bag features a bottom loop and D-rings at the closure to provide 100% waterproof storage. Keep a bundle of clothes bone dry in the most wettest of conditions, also ideal for your sandwiches and ensuring you don’t create a new meaning for the term ‘liquid lunch’.

Resembling a standard kit bag but offering total waterproof protection, the Overboard Waterproof Sports Bag is excellent for a weekend away on the water or for taking a lot of stuff to the beach. 100% waterproof, the Waterproof sports bag is manufactured from rugged, durable materials for heavy-duty use. Features multiple pockets, so you know exactly where everything is.

Most people these days are lost without their phone, even if they are relaxing on the boat or at the beach. The Aquapac Waterproof Mini Phone/GPS Case solves the potential problem of sand or worse water invading every nook and cranny of your phone’s inner workings. When using the case GPS signal will remain unaffected, making it ideal for use with the iPhone and smaller GPS units. Talk as normal through the case and with the LENZFLEX window on the back you can even continue to take pictures as the camera lens is left without obstruction.

Manufactured with tough vinyl construction, the Aquapac Waterproof Mini Phone/GPS Case is foam padded for extra comfort and protection and will even float with your phone inside, enabling you to use your phone safely in all conditions.

Take a look at more waterproof cases and drybags that can provide the solution to your watery woes, here.

Polar Fitness Watches

2009-06-30T10:15:00.000+01:00

From a pledge to lose weight that sees you running round the block a few times a week to the committed athlete training for a competition, here at OutdoorGB we have a Polar fitness watch that will suit your exact needs.

Polar was founded in 1975 by Professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas after meeting up with an old friend working as a cross-country skiing coach. The friend, venting his frustration at not being able to accurately record his team’s heart rates inspired Säynäjäkangas and opened his eyes to the benefits of portable heart rate monitors. In 1979, the first patent for wireless heart rate measurement was filed by Polar and by 1982; Polar had launched the first-ever wearable heart rate monitor, changing the way athletes trained forever. Now over 30 years since that moment of inspiration, here at OutdoorGB we have a range that includes basic models to help motivate and inform beginners to complete training systems for world champions across numerous disciplines.

The basic premise that Polar can teach us is that to get the most out of your training doesn’t necessarily mean pushing yourself to the extreme and working harder or faster. The best way to get the most out of your training, watch yourself improve and start seeing results is to train at the right intensity. With a Polar fitness watch you can make sure you are not over or under training and make each session count with the ability to view the results of your workout instantly.

The range of fitness watches from Polar aren’t just limited to one type of training, all of the models in the range enable you to feel free to train the way you want to train. One day you may want to run, the next perhaps you want to do cardio and maybe for your next session you just want to sweat away your worries at the gym. Whichever it is, a Polar fitness watch will help you to train at the right intensity and start seeing results.

The range of Polar fitness products at OutdoorGB covers a wide spectrum, so whether you are an athlete looking to improve your performance or just intend to lead a healthier lifestyle, below we have something for you.

The Polar FS1 Fitness Heart Rate Monitor Wrist Unit is the entry level model in the Polar fitness range. Entry level may mean basic features but don’t automatically assume basic features equals poor performance. With heart measurement with ECG accuracy, target zone exercise guidance but with uncoded transmission, the FS1 is ideal for those without a gym membership, those who are just taking to pounding the pavement in order to lose a couple of pounds and improve their health.

Feel the burn and say goodbye to calories with the Polar F4 Fitness Heart Rate Monitor Wrist Unit. Ideal to help you towards effective calorie burning, the Polar F4 enables to reach your goals by monitoring and displaying on screen your calorie consumption based on age, gender and other essential training information. Tone up your body and see how the intensity of your workout affects your heart rate with average heart rate of total exercise and maximum heart rate of total exercise. Polar’s Own Code technology means the unit has coded heart rate transmission which prevents crosstalk from other heart rate monitors, making it ideal for use in the gym.

Need some motivation when training? Not anymore. The Polar F7 Heart Rate Monitor acts like your own personal coach, taking note of your current condition to ensure effective training. Depending on your body’s daily condition, you might benefit from either a low or a high intensity training session, the F7 will check your current physical condition and guide you to a suitable intensity. See how many calories you are burning onscreen whilst you are training, then once you are back home, transfer your exercise data from your wrist unit to polarpersonaltrainer.com to make training more fun. Challenge friends to virtual sports competitions, store your training in an online training diary, interact with other users, get online tips for your workout and tailor your training programme to your individual needs.

The most advanced unit in OutdoorGB’s range of Polar fitness products, the Polar FT80 Training Computer is the most dedicated training partner for the most devoted fitness enthusiasts. Featuring the Polar STAR training programme, the FT80 adapts to your training habits and gives you new targets and guidance to help you achieve maximum efficiency and reach your workout targets for both cardio and strength training. With a built-in GPS sensor, the FT80 allows for speed and distance to be measured in outdoor sports. Check how quickly you can relax with Own Relax technology, a quick and easy way to check your body’s state of relaxation. Do the 5 minute relaxation session to measure your heart rate and heart rate variability and you can see how relaxed your body and mind are.

See the full range of Polar Fitness Watches here. You can also view other fitness watches on OutdoorGB’s Flickr profile: http://www.flickr.com/photos/outdoorgb/sets/72157617423513173/.

Victory in Washington for Brownlee and Moffatt

2009-06-23T14:58:00.001+01:00

Alistair Brownlee makes it two in a row after victory in Madrid and now victory in Washington D.C. in the Suunto sponsored ITU World Triathlon Championships. The mens racing got underway at 9am with a 1500m two lap swim in the Potomac River, using the same tactic as he did in Madrid, Brownlee hammered the opening kilometres of the run to try and break the resolve of his opponents though found Spain's Javier Gomez hot on his tail. Brownlee, however was too quick for Gomez, outpacing him and leaving Gomez to pick up the Silver medal.

The woman's race, which kicked off just before 12.00pm, saw Emma Moffatt rally strongly in the swim, though beaten out of the water by Sarah Haskins and staying part of a pack in the bike ride, Moffatt took the lead after a few kilometres of the run and eventually won the race.

2009 Dextro Energy Triathlon - Mens ITU World Championship Rankings

After Race Three of Eight

1. Alistair Brownlee (GBR) 1600pts

2. Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1536pts

3. Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1437pts

4. Javier Gomez (ESP) 1425pts

5. Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) 1372pts

Dextro Energy Triathlon - Womens ITU World Championship Rankings

After Race Three of Eight

1. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 1818pts

2. Emma Snowsill (AUS) 1540pts

3. Jessica Harrison (FRA) 1525pts

4. Juri Ide (JPN) 1448pts

5. Daniela Ryf (SUI) 1405pts

To mark the Championship Series, Suunto have released a special edition t6c, find out more about it here.

OutdoorGB.Com Launch Travel Accessories Ahead Of The Great British Getaway

2009-06-22T16:13:00.001+01:00

With the Great British getaway commencing, attention turns to packing, planning and preparing for summer holidays. Getting the right luggage and travel accessories can be a chore especially when you have to contemplate trawling through airports, getting in taxis and checking into hotels. When constantly on the go, it is essential you have everything you need to hand, for this reason OutdoorGB.com, the leaders in outdoor equipment and climbing gear have a vast range of new extremely useful travel accessories, absolutely ideal for your annual break.

With over 60 per-cent of the UK population taking at least one holiday in a given year, it makes sense to stand out from the crowd and invest in luggage with a difference. Stocking a wide range of solutions suitable for all aspects of travelling, from daytrips to long haul, OutdoorGB.com even offer a dedicated section on the site aimed at child travellers.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com one of the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, Edward Giles, said, “We are now providing new travel accessories from leading brands like Lifeventure, Deuter, Tatonka, and all just in time for summer! Those going away often under estimate the importance of carry cases and baggage, but you need a whole host of different travel accessories, from wash bags to camera cases, and it is certainly better to be prepared.”

Picking out suitable wash gear for a big trip can be tricky, and common concerns can include the size of the wash bag, how much space it will take up in your case and if it will hold the goods securely. The brand new Deuter Wash Bag Ii, is an extremely sensible solution to all of these problems. This large foldout wash bag features a hook and a mirror with two zipped pockets, five insert pockets and buckle closure.

The Tatonka Travelkit, is another great with useful extras such as a padded back, mirror and rotating metal hook and plenty of sensibly organised storage space allowing you to take more than just the essentials with you.

For the traveller who doesn’t like to be left in the cold (literally), the new micro-fibre trek towels from LifeVenture, are a novel travel must-have. These micro fibre towels are lightweight, compact and absorbent, drying six times faster than the traditional beach towel, solving the problems associated with swimming on the day of departure!

Mr Giles added, “Another great idea for the traveller who likes to be prepared, are our LifeVenture Passport Wallets, ideal for protecting your passport and carrying your ID and credit cards. Alternatively, for heightened security, you could try our Deuter Organiser Belts complete with Seven interior pockets and a separate zipped front pocket ensure that things are kept neatly organised.”

Whether it is a Bank Holiday in Bognor or backpacking round Bali, OutdoorGB have luggage, travel accessories and general travel solutions to suit every need.

Editor’s Note: Outdoor GB is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 0800 094 9001, Option 7.

Silva at SailGB: Essential For Navigation At Sea

2009-06-22T16:10:00.001+01:00

Essential for navigation at sea, the compass is a precision instrument that has aided marine navigation for many years and will continue to aid those at sea for years to come. With no batteries to go flat, the compass is perfect for nautical navigation. Here at SailGB we have just introduced the new range of Marine Compasses from Silva.

Silva are a respected name when it comes to navigation and are the leading manufacturers of compasses worldwide, after all in 1933 it was the Kjellström brothers, founders of Silva, who invented the world’s first liquid filled compass. With the head office situated north of Stockholm, Sweden, today Silva manufacture compasses for all aspects of marine usage.

At SailGB we stock marine compasses for sail boating that are suitable for yachtsmen demanding absolute accuracy and a steady card in all conditions and high heeling angles. There are also compasses suited for elite sail racing, developed by the world’s top racers and Olympic sailors, featuring tactical scales and quick readability to give a critical advantage. For Power Boating, there are specialised compasses that give exceptional stability in all conditions, featuring a cone-shaped NO SPIN card that is virtually unaffected by boat speed or engine vibration. With a main steering scale on the horizontal part of the compass card and a direct reading on the vertical edge of the card, these compasses are ideal for cockpits where steering is done both sitting and standing.

Designed for Sail Boating, the Silva Marine Sail boat compass 100P utilises the same method used in orienteering on land, allowing you to set your desired course on the memory ring to then keep the needle parallel to the lines. Fully externally gimballed, the Silva Marine Compass 100P can be fitted horizontally or vertically or on any angle between.

For Sail Racing, the Silva Marine 102B/H Bulkhead Compass is easy to read featuring big digits for reading at a distance and built-in red illumination for the best contrast at night. Features a big full cover, all UV resistant materials including the capsule filled with UV resistant liquid and two lubber lines at 45°, allowing for reading from the rail.

The Silva Marine 100BC Compass is a front reading compass designed for power boating. Featuring two side view lubber lines at 45° offset, 100BC Compass allows easy reading and also allows for mounting the compass to one side of the steering position. Features a built-in compensator.

OutdoorGB.com To Offer High Tech Solution For Triathletes

2009-06-12T14:23:00.000+01:00

Boosting workouts everywhere, OutdoorGB.com, the leading retailers of outdoor clothing and equipment online, are offering their customers the chance to own one of the forward thinking heart rate monitors now available from brands such as Suunto, Garmin and Polar. Ideal for multisport and triathlon use or indeed basic exercise, OutdoorGB.com pride themselves in having solutions to suit all budgets and requirements.

For the avid athlete looking for a high-tech solution to their requirements, OutdoorGB.com is constantly expanding upon their current product range with a selection of Heart Rate Monitors that are used by professional athletes in training for events such as the ITU World Triathlon Championship Series, various marathons and of course the Olympic Games.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com from the firm who offer backpacks, fitness watches and sports action video cameras, said, “Triathlon is a, fresh and exciting sport, it was only developed in the 1970’s yet made its debut at the 2000 Sydney Olympic games – no other sport has achieved Olympic programme status in such a short time frame. It is rapidly growing with many people in the UK already undertaking this innovative new sporting activity. We are really pleased to be able to offer an equipment solution to those keen to pursue Triathlon as a sport, which is why providing such high level heart rate monitors is of major importance to the team at OutdoorGB.com.”

Now providing the Polar RS800CX Multi Heart Rate Monitor Watch, the Polar CS300, the Suunto t3c Black Arrow Heart Rate Monitor and the Garmin Forerunner 310XT Multisport GPS Training Watch, OutdoorGB.com are currently experiencing a huge demand for their newest products, especially ahead of the latest stage of the ITU World Triathlon Championships in Washington D.C. on June 21 and the championships coming to the UK with the London stage in Hyde Park on August 15^th.

The innovative Polar RS800CX heart rate monitor is a staple of the current range, measuring an athletes heart-rate, speed and distance in addition to their body’s response to training. This novel monitor makes use of Polar ProTrainer 5 software, a high performance training diary and analysis tool which enables the user to plan, create and customise training sessions. For more information on any of the heart rate monitors available please visit the OutdoorGB.com site at www.outdoorgb.com.
Editor’s Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 233.

Better Safe Than Sorry With OutdoorGB.com’s Safety Equipment

2009-06-12T14:20:00.000+01:00

OutdoorGB.com the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers are launching a range of work and rescue equipment to coincide with shocking safety issues uncovered by a recent Health and Safety Executive report. The HSE report found that 2.2m people work in the construction industry in the UK, making it one of the country’s biggest industries – but also one of the most dangerous. The inspectors visited over 1,700 sites in March this year and said that twenty per cent were substandard with safety. Over 250 prohibition notices were filed about work being done at height.

OutdoorGB.com is a reliable, responsible and informative place to source your work place and safety equipment needs. As stockists, OutdoorGB.com sell a range of products that offer security for potentially dangerous conditions when working at height is essential. Equipment is available for working at height, working in confined spaces, scaffolding, rescue, canyoning and water rescue.

All products are manufactured within ISO9001 quality assurance system to provide complete peace of mind and approved to the relevant European Standards (CE) and comply with the Work at Height regulations (2005). The main product areas include the Height Safety Harnesses, which are full body harnesses for general work at height, Confined Work Space harnesses, which are full body harnesses for use in confined spaces and suitable for use near vertical suspension when being lowered into a work or rescue situation with limited access.

Their new Fall arrest Devices are also a staple of the new range and are ideal for work where maximum mobility is required whist protecting a worker from falling. OutdoorGB.com are also stockists of Recovery Devices and Winches which can offer help and safety when working in potentially dangerous situations and confined spaces.

The Work at Height Safety Association recommends that Specific rescue equipment should always be present at the worksite. This equipment should be sufficient to carry out a rescue of an individual from any situation on the site. Rescue systems may be designed specifically for rescue or for evacuation and may allow only lowering, only raising or both.

Key products offered by OutdoorGB include the AB15 Fall Arrest Device, which is a standard arrest device to provide protection from falls from height. A retracting lifeline pays in and out of the device as the worker moves. In the event of a fall, a brake engages arresting the fall of the user with a controlled deceleration force. The integral carrying handle also acts at the anchor point. The ABBC Work Positioning Chair is a lightweight chair for working at height. Easy to assemble, includes pockets to store tools. The Abrah Rope Access Harness is another key product essential to provide safety.

Edward Giles from OutdoorGB said, “The equipment we have available includes basic safety equipment at work items and specialist products for situations such as working at height, mountain rescue, safety at work, safety at sea, marine rescue and rope access situations.”

Mr Giles also stressed that it is important that prior training and instruction has been given to all users of the items featured. With over 2,800 deaths over the last 25 years in the construction industry it is vital not to compromise on any aspect of safety in the work place or a rescue environment, so contact OutdoorGB.com to secure your equipment.

Editor’s Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 233.

Deuter Sleeping Bags at www.OutdoorGB.com

2009-06-12T14:15:00.000+01:00

So officially summer is in full swing, the temperature has sky-rocketed, then sort of sunk and if you go by previous form, will likely see-saw. Here at OutdoorGB we have just started selling a range of sleeping bags perfect for a summer of uncertainties, the Deuter 2009 range. The 2009 range of sleeping bags from Deuter are ideal for a comfortable nights sleep whatever unpredictable weather condition comes your way.

Best known in the UK for their range of rucksacks, Deuter are a company with a long and illustrious history. Established in Augsburg, Germany in 1898, Deuter started out making sails, sacks and tarpaulins before moving on to luggage in 1919. Deuter’s worth was proven in 1953, when Hermann Buhl became the first man to conquer Nanga Parbat (8,125m) in the Himalayas with his rucksacks, sleeping bags and tents all supplied by Deuter.

While there are sleeping bags in the Deuter range at OutdoorGB that are suitable for expeditions in extreme conditions, there are also those more suited to the realistic, i.e. camping holidays and the UK festival season.

For a fantastic affordable, all-round sleeping bag, look to the Deuter Dream Lite 250. Offering a warm comfortable sleep, the Dream Lite 250 offers the reassurance of independently tested temperature ratings measured in accordance with EN 13537. A contoured functional hood is perfect to keep comfortable on the often bumpy ground found at festival sites.

For those who need extra leg room, as the name suggests, the Deuter Space I is absolutely ideal for extra space. Coming in a rectangular shape, the Deuter Space I is ideal for those who feel claustrophobic in a mummy sleeping bag. The all-round zips also mean it can easily be transformed from a sleeping bag into a blanket. The Space also stows away into a handy stuff sack that resembles a carrier bag and can double as one too, handy for going and grabbing your breakfast in the morning or carrying a couple of cans or something.

Perfect for the girls is the Deuter Dream Lite 350SL, offering a warm comfortable sleep, the Dream Lite 350SL features an ergonomically designed shape to best suit the female form for increased thermal effciency and also features a fleece lined foot area. Ideal for valuables, the Dream Lite 350SL features an internal security pocket with zip closure.

Orca Bay Deck Shoes at SailGB.com

2009-06-04T14:47:00.001+01:00

Fresh designs and fresh to SailGB, sister site of outdoor equipment specialist OutdoorGB, comes Orca Bay deck shoes. Taking the classic, tried and tested deck shoe and revitalising it with funky colours, tough leathers and a manufacturing process with great attention to detail, Orca Bay shoes offer classic nautical style wherever you may be.

The nautical look is once again a key trend this summer, horizontal striped tee’s, white cotton trousers, fitted sailors jackets, tailored boating shorts and of course deck shoes. Nautical style is bang on trend for both men and women this season and Orca Bay deck shoes definitely fit right in for authentic mariner mode. Whether you are a boater or a blagger, a pair of Orca Bay deck shoes will ensure you have the look of the French Riviera, even if it is only Fleetwood in which you are holidaying.

Manufactured in one of the few remaining hand-stitched moccasin factories in the world, the shoes are crafted using genuine moccasin construction, a process with excellent attention to detail yet a process so rarely used in this day and age. Due so much care and consideration being taken with each pair of shoes (it takes 20 minutes per pair just to stitch the front vamp), Orca Bay shoes don’t just look good they perform too. Whether you a serious sailor or just looking to emulate the style, these are shoes that are brilliantly suited to the boat. Many styles feature razor-cut soles, providing excellent grip in both wet and dry conditions while salt-resistant eyelets and leather will ensure a bit of seawater won’t ruin your shoes

Highlights for us here at SailGB, in the new Orca Bay range include:

Orca Bay Creek Classic Deck Shoe – Living up to its name, the Creek offers the classic look of a deck shoe but with Navy and Elk colours available, a bit of contemporary style is added. Not only stylish, the Creek has features including a non-slip and non-marking sole, salt resistant eyelets and leather and shock absorbing heel-cups, which make it ideal on deck.

Orca Bay Bay Deck Pumps – So suited to the bay, they named it twice; the Bay Deck Pumps translate classic deck shoe style into an ultra feminine, ultra cute pump. What more, no need to worry about them getting dirty as they are machine washable, simply sling them in 30° wash and watch them return to their former glory.

See the full range of Orca Bay Deck Shoes, here.

Nautica Watches at SailGB.com

2009-06-04T14:37:00.000+01:00

Combining nautical styling, bold colours and contemporary Italian design, Nautica watches fuse together class and technology with modern fashion and marine inspiration.

Introduced in 1994, the contemporary Italian styling featured in Nautica watches comes straight from Nautica’s design studio in Milan. Nautica watches are true statement pieces with impressive attention to detail, which make them beautiful to look at. However it is not just about the visual aspect with these watches, Nautica watches offer authentic marine technology to provide excellent performance when sailing.

The excellent sailing performance Nautica watches offer has been recognised with the brand being named as an official sponsor of the “Round the Island Race 2009”. The Round the Island Race sees competitors from all over the UK and some as far afield as the USA and Europe follow a 50 mile course round the Isle of Wight. Being named as an official sponsor for the race, continues the longstanding involvement Nautica has internationally in sailing sponsorship and timing.

Here at SailGB, sister site of OutdoorGB, we stock many impressive timepieces from Nautica, all of which are ideal suited should you be at sea, on the shore or taking to the streets.

The Nautica Yachtimer has an impressive look but importantly doesn’t fall down on functionality; instead this watch features a range of authentic nautical functions. The key feature of the Yachtimer is the yachting-mode adjustable countdown timer. The countdown timer allows the user to choose the time to be counted down from 10 minutes to 1 minute, fitting the format of any race. To alert the user at each countdown interval, a beeper sounds. For the ultimate timekeeping accuracy, the Yachtimer is driven by a Swiss movement. As can be expected for a watch that is carefully designed in the Milan design studio, the Yachtimer looks absolutely stunning, with the oversized case perfectly complimenting the intricate design detail of the dial. Also available as part of a boxset featuring 3 interchangeable straps.

Another watch that is leading in the looks department is the Nautica NMX 300 Series. Drawing inspiration from marine heritage by referencing the vintage deep sea diving helmets of the early 1900’s, the NMX 300 offers a truly unique look. Like the classic diving helmets, the key design element is the protective metal cage that frames the dial. Again like the classic deep sea diving helmets, the NMX 300 is not scared of the water, being water resistant to a depth of 100m. The NMX 300 Series is available with a 3-hand analogue movement or with a Japanese chronograph movement.

The Nautica BFC 46 Watch is a classic analogue watch boasting a bold, clean design. Minimalist in styling, the BFC 46 combines clean detail with an oversize case to create a clear status statement that has one primary function to tell the time whilst looking good.

Second leg of the ITU Triathlon World Championship Series This Weekend

2009-05-29T15:19:00.003+01:00

This weekend sees the ITU Triathlon World Championship Series move to Madrid for the second leg of this years competition.

Currently leading the pack for the women is the Suunto sponsored athlete Emma Snowshill and standing at the top of the Mens table is New Zealander Bevan Docherty.

To mark the Championship Series, Suunto have released a special edition t6c, find out more about it here.

OutdoorGB.com To launch An Innovation In Eyewear

2009-05-22T16:25:00.001+01:00

OutdoorGB.com the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, are taking heed of the medical warnings associated with the increased exposure to UVA and UVB rays this summer, with the launch of their 2009 sunglasses collection featuring designs from Serengeti, Julbo and Bolle. Shocking figures show that daily exposure to UVB in very bright sunlight over long periods may cause cataracts, aging of the delicate eye area and even loss of sight in extreme cases.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com, Edward Giles, said, “We have all been eagerly anticipating the launch of our new sunglasses collection, and we are delighted that we are able to offer designs from Serengeti, Julbo and Bolle. When looking for a new pair of sunglasses, it is advisable to choose ones that offer at least 98 per-cent protection from both UVA and UVB rays. If your budget will allow for a more expensive product, this may be advisable, as these can often block 100 per-cent of UV rays.”

Born in Florida, the Serengeti range of sunglasses combine performance, elegance, protection and style, ideal for a sun soaked beach holiday or when hitting the slopes. Making use of photochromic technology, each lens reacts to UV light intensity and automatically alters the amount of light allowed through the lens, depending on the conditions, proving to be an innovation in eyewear design.

When you purchase a pair of Serengeti sunglasses, Spectral Control technology provides unparalleled hi-definition contrast and superior colour enhancement by filtering specific colours in the visual light spectrum. Resulting in clear images and a crisper images, this process means that the images you take in maintain a natural non-distorted colour balance.

Endorsed by the Hollywood actors Val Kilmer, Peta Wilson, Patrick Dempsey and James Denton, there really is no compromising when it comes to style. The brand has even teamed up with the winner of 51 Grand Prix, Formula 1 Great, Alain Prost, who not only endorses the brand, but has offered his input in the creation of the Alain Prost collection.

Edward Giles, from the firm who offer watches, heart rate monitors, and outdoor clothing, said, “ Julbo sunglasses are another staple product in the new collection and since they first begin making eyewear in 1888 from their headquarters high in the Jura Mountains of France, Julbo have manufactured multi-sport eyewear for elite outdoor athletes as well as mainstream users. These sunglasses are extremely hardwearing and the new collection is extremely innovative.”

Making use of PolarHD lenses, the travel range of eyewear has been tailored to suit those indulging in watersports or diving, as they actively work to eliminate glare from the water’s edge, whilst still providing the user with unbeatable high definition vision.

Suitable for mountainous areas and desert landscape, Cameleon Lenses from the Julbo range, are light sensitive and turn lighter or darker depending on the conditions, making use of polarisation, glare from the snow can be eliminated.

Finally, the last brand to grace the new range is Bolle. Creating premium sunglasses, ski goggles, safety eyewear and military and tactical eyewear since 1888, Bolle sunglasses combine fit, fashion and comfort and offer the user with advanced sport-specific lens technology. Their Coral Sunglasses are ideal for a variety of sports and their Thermogrip rubber nose pads ensure that these frames do not slip off your face, even when taking part in the most vigorous exercise. Making use of Polycarbonate lenses, Bolle sunglasses not only make use of premium-grade plastic resin lenses, they are 20 times more resistant than glass, and a third of the weight.

Mr Giles added, “We are really excited about our new sunglasses collection, and encourage anyone looking to purchase a new pair of shades ahead of the summer season to visit our website at www.outdoorgb.com.”

Editor’s Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 233.

Nautica Watches Named As Official Partner For The 2009 Round The Island Race

2009-05-19T11:06:00.002+01:00

Nautica Watches have been named as an official partner for the 2009 Round the Island Race.
The Round the Island Race, one of the most popular fixtures on the Solent racing calendar sees competitors from all over the UK and some as far afield as the USA and Europe follow the 50 mile course round the Isle of Wight.
Starting on the famous Royal Yacht Squadron line in Cowes, the race then heads west to The Needles, round St. Catherine’s Point and Bembridge Ledge, then back into the Solent.
The Race which was first sailed in 1931, will this year see the partnership with Nautica Watches as stocked by SailGB, continue. Nautica Watches have a longstanding involvement internationally in sailing sponsorship and timing, so are the ideal choice of partner for such a spectacular event.
The race taking place on 20th June looks set to be a large affair, last year a record 1,875 boats and around 16,000 sailors took part, making it the largest yacht race of its kind in the world.
Enjoyed by top professionals and newcomers alike, the Round the Island Race allows any boat from cruiser to maxi yacht to enter.

View SailGB’s range of Nautica Watches

Electronic Charts at SailGB.com

2009-05-13T15:07:00.001+01:00

Navigation at sea has gone beyond paper charts, quadrants, chronometers and sextants. Today GPS chart plotters and high quality electronic navigation charts are available to stop you getting lost at sea. Digital nautical charts are the future of maritime navigation and have seen millions of mariners make the switch from traditional paper charts to detailed electronic charts.

SailGB, the sister site of leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailer OutdoorGB, sells extensive electronic charts from C-Map, Garmin BlueChart g2 and Navionics. C-Map Vector based electronic navigation charts are extremely accurate and provide excellent coverage. Compatible with most brands of chart plotters and PC-based navigation systems, the latest range from C-Map is the C-Map Max range of charts.

The C-Map Max range revolutionises the way electronic charts look and behave by utilising dynamic and interactive chart technology. Bringing new life to the electronic chart, the Max range gracefully combines unparalleled levels of chart accuracy and detail with striking presentation and a huge collection of new data to give superb performance and blistering speed.

Object-orientated, C-Map Max charts are ‘intelligent’ as oppose to raster or simple vector equivalents; all chart objects are fully prioritised ensuring the display is free of clutter. For the ultimate ease of use, information about chart objects are displayed in plain English.

Navionics electronic charts are provided on easy-to-use plug & play cartridges that work with the most popular chart plotters. Featuring water depths, navaids, obstructions and automatic detection of possible dangers, these charts are an excellent safe navigation tool.

At SailGB we like how easy Navionics charts are to use, they really are so simple and define the term plug and play. We also like how important data is integrated in addition to the official paper charts and how real-time position, course, speed and track information is displayed. The layered data option is ideal as it allows the user to choose how information is displayed.

Navionics Gold XL9 Charts give 3 times the coverage of the previous Gold XL3 charts and all for the same great price. Developed using seamless technology, the Gold XL9 charts are clearly legible without clutter, holes or discontinuities at every zoom level. Offering a wealth of information on navaids, tide and currents and port services, the Gold XL9 charts are ideal for both sporting fishermen and navigators alike. Navionics Gold XL9 Charts are available on pre-programmed SD card, MMC card and CF chip.

BlueChart g2 is Garmin’s exclusive marine cartography, offering object-orientated marine charts, BlueChart g2 provides the detail of paper charts when viewed on the Garmin plotter line. The level of detail includes spot soundings, inter-tidal zones, wrecks, port plans, restricted areas and more.

Garmin BlueChart g2 features smooth layering and better integration of map graphics for faster redraws and more cohesive panning, scrolling and zooming. Richer colours and shading improve interpretation and visibility and adds more detail on land features, coastal roadways, marine services and municipal areas.

A stand out feature of BlueChart g2 is the application of photo content into the charts. A growing worldwide database of high-quality photo content gives ‘real picture’ detail of many harbours, ports, marinas and coastal features. To make chart reading and orientation easier, the user can choose between 3D mariner’s eye-view map perspective or the familiar 2D direct-overhead view.

The BlueChart g2 is available on Garmin pre-programmed data cards. The Garmin BlueChart g2 Vision gives a whole new perspective on nautical navigation, offering the same rich detailed charting of BlueChart g2 but adds a growing database of high-resolution satellite imagery, above and below the water 3D perspective, auto guidance technology, aerial photographs for real world reference and coastal roads with points of interest.

BlueChart g2 Vision is available on pre-programmed SD data cards.

Also, take a look at our sister site OutdoorGB: http://www.outdoorgb.com.

Suunto sponsored athlete Emma Snowshill tops the Womens ITU World Championship Standings

2009-05-05T10:09:00.001+01:00

Suunto sponsored athlete Emma Snowshill tops the ITU World Championship Series standings after taking the gold medal at the first elite womens event in Tongyeong, South Korea.

Australia's Snowshill who trains with a Suunto t6c training watch crossed the line in 2:02:42, overtaking fellow Australian Emma Moffatt on the 10km run to win by 10 seconds.

In the Mens event New Zealander Bevan Docherty narrowly beat Australia’s Brad Kahlefeldt as they achieved a photo finish and crossed the line together in 1:50:25

Elite Women - Official Results

Gold - Emma Snowsill (AUS) 2:02:42

Silver - Emma Moffatt (AUS) 2:02:52 +0:10

Bronze - Juri Ide (JPN) 2:03:30 +0:48

4th - Kathy Tremblay (CAN) 2:03:32 +0:50

5th - Kirsten Sweetland (CAN) 2:03:39 +0:57

6th - Kiyomi Niwata (JPN) 2:03:56 +1:14

7th - Magali Di Marco Messmer (SUI) 2:04:07 +1:25

8th - Samantha Warriner (NZL) 2:04:25 +1:43

9th - Vendula Frintova (CZE) 2:04:26 +1:44

10th - Lauren Groves (CAN) 2:04:27 +1:45

Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Rankings

After Race One of Eight

1. Emma Snowsill (AUS) 800pts

2. Emma Moffatt (AUS) 740pts

3. Juri Ide (JPN) 685pts

4. Kathy Tremblay (CAN) 633pts

5. Kirsten Sweetland (CAN) 586pts

Tongyeong Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship

1.5km swim, 40km bike, 10km run

Elite Men - Official Results

Gold - Bevan Docherty (NZL) 1:50:25

Silver - Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 1:50:25

Bronze - Dmitry Polyansky (RUS) 1:50:30 +0:05

4th - Kris Gemmell (NZL) 1:50:40 +0:15

5th - Steffen Justus (GER) 1:50:43 +0:18

6th - Jarrod Shoemaker (USA) 1:50:47 +0:22

7th - Alexander Brukhankov (RUS) 1:50:47 +0:22

8th - Laurent Vidal (FRA) 2:04:25 1:50:47 +0:22

9th - Tim Don (GBR) 1:51:01 +0:36

10th - Courtney Atkinson (AUS) 1:51:06 +0:41

Dextro Energy Triathlon - ITU World Championship Rankings

After Race One of Eight

1. Bevan Docherty (NZL) 800pts

2. Brad Kahlefeldt (AUS) 740pts

3. Dmitry Polyansky (RUS) 685pts

4. Kris Gemmell (NZL) 633pts

5. Steffen Justus (GER) 586pts

New Range of Childrens Kites Available at OutdoorGB

2009-05-01T14:02:00.000+01:00

The sun is shining, it is really windy, this is really the perfect weather......for flying a kite! Here at OutdoorGB we have just added a load of new kites to the website. We have kites for pirates, kitty cat kites, kites with legs, sport kites, beach kites, lots and lots of kites.

See more kites here.

ITU World Triathlon Championship begins this weekend.

2009-05-01T10:56:00.001+01:00

This weekend Tongyeong, South Korea welcomes the international triathlon community for the start of the ITU World Triathlon Championship Series.

The series sponsored by Suunto, will encompass seven global cities before the grand final on Australia's Gold Coast in September. Some of the world's top athletes will descend on the South Korean city as they look to start their seasons in earnest and pocket some of the $150,000 USD prize money.

Covering a two lap 1500m swim course, a five lap 40km cycle and a four lap 10km run. proceedings get underway on Saturday with the womens race. The womens field is one of the strongest ever assembled with Athens Olympic champion Kate Allen from Austria, Australia's Beijing bronze medallist Emma Moffat and the 2008 World Champion, Great Britain's Helen Jenkins all competing.

The Mens race takes place 24 hours later and sees the double Olympic medallists, Simon Whitfield from Canada and Bevan Docherty from New Zealand competing against Australia's Oceania Champion Brad Kahlefeldt and double 2009 World Cup winner, Courtney Atkinson. Also competing is last year's Tongyeong winner, Great Britain's Tim Don and three time European champion Frederic Belaubre from France.

With the first event kicking off tomorrow, to mark the partnership with the ITU, Suunto are launching a number of different fitness watches and accessories as part of the Suunto Triathlon Collection. Available now are special edition coloured Foot PODs which are compatible with the Suunto t3c, t4c and t6c. Available from next month are the limited edition Suunto t3c Black Arrow HRM Watch and the Suunto t6c Red Arrow HRM watch. Both watches feature aggressive designs perfect for urbanites and are available for a limited time only, with only 3000 of the t3c Black Arrow being produced.

Garmin Forerunner 310XT Available To Pre-Order At OutdoorGB.com

2009-04-28T10:00:00.002+01:00

OutdoorGB.com are offering outdoor enthusiasts the chance to pre order the exclusive Garmin Forerunner 310XT training watch ahead of its official launch in May.

The brand new addition to OutdoorGB.com’s already extensive range of outdoor equipment, is not only the latest fitness watch in the Garmin Forerunner range, it is eagerly anticipated as the first swim-proof Forerunner model.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com one of the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, Edward Giles, said, “We are really pleased to be able to offer our customers the opportunity to be among the first to own this stunning new model in time for its release next month. Tracking distance, pace and power data, the new Garmin Forerunner 310XT training watch is designed for tri-athletes and swimmers but will also appeal to rowers and canoeists too. At the push of a button, the Forerunner 310XT will also change the sport in which you are training. This gives you the power to track multisport activities into one workout, enabling you to log transition time in the process so you can analyse your performance from start to finish."

When paired with optional heart rate monitor, the Garmin Forerunner 310XT training watch, continuously tracks heartbeats per minute and uses heart rate data in advanced calorie computation. The Forerunner 310XT also utilises HotFix technology, giving it faster satellite reception than previous GPS enabled Forerunner units. The highly sensitive GPS receiver now boasts the ability to acquire satellites even quicker and provides the user with an end to the problems associated with acquiring satellites when near tall buildings or under tree cover. For those who struggle to train alone and lack the required motivation, the brand new Garmin Forerunner 310XT training watch comes complete with a ‘Virtual Partner Mode’, allowing you to set achievable goals and race against a digital competitor.

Mr Giles, from the firm which specialises in big brands including Deuter, Casio and Petzl, said, “The new addition to the Garmin range really is a must have accessory. The unit even has a courses mode, which gives you the option of racing against your past times, in order to better both your stamina and performance.“Compatible with Garmin Connect online application, users can analyse , share and store workouts using ANT+ wireless technology, with no cables or hook-ups necessary. This unit just keeps on giving and is an excellent choice for those serious about fitness and outdoor activity.”

Customers who wish to own this stunning new model in time for its May release date; can pre-order from OutdoorGB.com with a deposit of £5.00 now.

Editor’s Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 726 233.

New Garmin Forerunner 310XT Available At OutdoorGB

2009-04-20T14:05:00.005+01:00

Just unveiled by Garmin, the Forerunner 310XT is the latest fitness watch in the Forerunner range and is available to pre-order at OutdoorGB now, ahead of next month’s release.

The innovative 310XT follows the success of the Forerunner 305 and Forerunner 405 and is Garmin’s first swim-proof Forerunner model.

Waterproof to a depth of 50 metres, the Forerunner 310XT is designed to be used by swimmers and those competing in multiple sports, making it an ideal tool for Tri-athletes. With the optional Quick Release and Bike Mounts, the transition between sports is effortless, jump out of the water and on to the bike and easily move the 310XT unit from your wrist to the handlebars. Keeping track of your workout is made easy too, as the 310XT will categorise multisport activities as one workout and will also log transition times so you can analyse your performance from start to finish.

In regard to features, the 310XT will track distance, pace, power data and when paired with the optional wireless heart rate monitor will continuously track heartbeats per minute and will be able to use heart rate data in advanced calorie computation.

Like previous Forerunner models, the 310XT will enable you to better yourself and improve your times by using the Virtual Partner mode to train against a digital partner or you could use the Courses mode to compete against your own previous workouts.

A stand-out feature over previous Forerunner models is the application of GPS. The 310XT features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver that utilises HotFix technology to give it faster satellite reception than previous GPS enabled Forerunner units; acquiring satellites quickly even near tall buildings or under tree cover.

Utilising ANT+ wireless technology, the Forerunner 310XT will automatically be able to send swim, bike and running data to your PC or Mac. Using this technology the user will also be able to analyse, categorise and share data using the Garmin Connect online community. With the optional Garmin Training Centre software, the user will even be able to plan workouts at their computer in advance before sending them to the Forerunner.

The 20 hour battery life means the Garmin Forerunner 310XT will really go the distance, to find out more and to pre-order click here.

Girls Guide To Outdoor Essentials

2009-04-17T13:59:00.001+01:00

It seems there has been a huge increase in Brits taking up these lofty outdoor pursuits, particularly women. For girls who like to take it to the limit, outdoor equipment and clothing experts Outdoor GB have compiled their Girls’ Guide to Outdoor Essentials, which features everything you need to know about essential kit for the great outdoors. They have scoured the land for the best products and gadgets to make life on the go, and up a mountain, that little bit easier.

Footwear : You will get absolutely nowhere without a quality pair of hiking boots or special outdoor footwear. Your feet are your most important tool when braving the outdoors, and poor quality footwear will probably put a stop to your plans before they’ve even begun. Zamberlan are one of the leading names in women’s hiking boots, and for good reason. The Zamberlan 636 Baffin Boots for example are perfect for long distance backpacking and tough hiking, and offer solid, durable support. Designed specifically for women’s feet, Zamberlan’s range of women’s hiking boots provides comfort and durability at a reasonable price.

Clothing: The chances are you are going to get cold and wet at some point , that is an accepted part and package of your outdoor adventure. , however as any experienced climber or skier will tell you there is a big difference between being a bit cold and getting stuck in a snowstorm. To ensure you are prepared, whatever the weather, you will need a good quality mountain jacket. There are three requisites when it comes to a mountain or ski jacket: it has to be waterproof, it must keep you warm, and it must be breathable. There are a great range of women’s mountain and ski jackets out there. Vaude Women’s jackets are always reliable and they offer a great range of styles. Other names to look out for are Keela and Montane, both of which are available from www.outdoorgb.com.

Protection: While everyone loves a good adventure, whether you choose to explore the outdoors by foot, rope or ski, to be able to enjoy it again and again you have to come back in one piece. Outdoor safety equipment, such as ski and climbing helmets, are of course essential, and with these it is vital to know the equipment you are using is reliable. Outdoor GB stock a wide range of climbing helmets from top brands such as Edlerid, Grivel and Petzl, all of which meet international safety requirements.

Technology: Although we are trying to throw away the shackles of modern living and get back to the elements, there’s still room for a few choice gadget to help us along our way. Our two favourites are handheld GPS and navigation units, guaranteed to get you to your destination, and GoPro Action Sports Cameras to capture every second of your hair raising adventure. These nifty little cameras come with all the usual video camera functionalities, are hard wearing, and are easily mountable on a bike, helmet or wrist strap. These are the absolute basics for any skiing expedition or mountaineering adventure, but Outdoor GB stock a wide range of outdoor equipment to suit all needs. From a full range of outdoor clothing, to backpacks, watches, sunglasses and heart rate monitors, as well as solar panels, wind turbines and generators, military goods, radio communications, camping equipment, snowboards and climbing equipment, they have it all.

A Survivor's Guide To Camping

2009-04-17T13:58:00.001+01:00

Camping can offer you complete freedom when choosing a holiday. There is nothing better than escaping the hustle and bustle of everyday life and taking in the great outdoors. Anything is possible when camping, you can get away to the beach, escape to the mountains, take time out by the lakeside or retreat to the country; there will always be a natural location to suit you.

Forward planning and organising quality camping equipment is essential, and can ensure your trip is a success. Outdoor equipment and clothing experts Outdoor GB can introduce you to the world of camping and make sure you are fully prepared for a budget yet adventurous holiday.

The word camping may be synonymous with the phrase ‘sleeping in a tent’, but don’t be fooled into thinking you are going to be restricted and it is going to be an uncomfortable experience. Outdoor GB stock a vast array of tents in many sizes and styles, they also stock sleeping bags, ground mats and ground sheets to make camping experience completely comfortable.

Outdoor cooking can be great and is one of the highlights of a camping holiday. To save you eating cold packaged rations you will need to invest in a quality outdoor gas stove. Outdoor GB can make eating alfresco safe and easy with their great range of camping stoves that are specially designed to be compact and reliable. They also stock a wide range of camping equipment sure to make your camping adventure goes according to plan. From furniture and polycarbonate camping cutlery and dinnerware to cool boxes, tools, hammocks and lanterns Outdoor GB has it all.

Outdoor GB stock a wide range of outdoor equipment to suit all needs. From a full range of outdoor clothing, to backpacks, watches, sunglasses and heart rate monitors, as well as solar panels, wind turbines and generators, military goods, radio communications, snowboards and climbing equipment, they have it all.

Sail GB Make A Splash With Essentials From Baltic

2009-04-17T13:55:00.000+01:00

Marine equipment specialists Sail GB have launched an innovation in survival technology, by extending their current product line to include the latest Baltic Lifejackets, buoyancy aids and floatation jackets. The new range for 2009, was officially launched earlier this week and is set to attract increased sales and interest from those who actively participate in water sports and sailing in both the UK and Europe.

Chief executive of OutdoorGB.com and SailGB.com the leading outdoor clothing and equipment retailers, Edward Giles, said, “We are delighted the new range includes the new lifejackets, buoyancy aids and floatation jackets as well as updated colour ways and new accessories. Baltic are a forward thinking Swedish brand with over 30-years worth of experience and so it made sense that they would feature highly in the new range.”

As well as lifejackets and buoyancy aids for adults, Baltic is also one of the largest manufacturers of lifejackets and buoyancy aids for children, babies, dogs and other pets. Ideal for sailing, dinghy racing, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, wakeboarding and waterskiing, there is no better brand in which to put your trust. A core feature of the new range is the Baltic Axcent 50N Buoyancy Jacket, which is all-purpose buoyancy aid, which is divided into panels to provide flexibility, comfort and fit.

Mr Giles from the firm who offer everything from backpacks to fitness watches added, “Another great product now available at Sail GB is the unique Baltic 50N Nature Buoyancy Aid, which is ideal for the avid fisher as it features two front cargo pockets which are ideal for storing hooks, floats and bait. This product is extremely lightweight and robust at the same time, making it a must have for anyone interested in wet and wild activities.”

Baltic Surf&Turf Cup Buoyancy Aid also features highly in the new line and is an item ideal for use on land or at sea, created in the fashionable Gilet style, this buoyancy aid is as comfortable as it is nifty, with inside pockets ideal for your mobile phone or GPS.

Mr Giles added, “This really is an exciting time for us all here at Sail GB, we are really pleased to be able to offer our customers with the very latest outdoor equipment technologies, and this is certainly the case with the new Baltic line of products.”

Editor’s Note: OutdoorGB.com is represented by online advertising consultancy, Top Position. Please direct all press queries to Tina Clough. Email: tina@topposition.co.uk or call: 01623 728 233.

Speedo Watches

2009-04-17T13:53:00.001+01:00

Synonymous with Swimwear, Speedo is a truly global brand. Go to any public swimming pool throughout the world and you will find someone wearing a Speedo product. Whether it is goggles, a swim cap or swimming trunks, Speedo will have brand presence.

The influence of Speedo is so great that across the world swimming trunks are now known and generalised as Speedos, regardless of their brand. Started in Australia, by Scottish immigrant Alexander MacRae, Speedo began life in 1914 as Fortitude. The Speedo brand name being established in 1928. 81 years on and now truly a world leader, the Speedo brand is available at OutdoorGB in the form of the new Speedo watch collection.

The new Speedo watch collection brings the technology, comfort and creativity of the Speedo world to your wrist. As the world’s leading swimwear brand, Speedo is passionate about life in and around the water, supporting swimmers from beginner to elite level. This passion is translated to the watch range, with swim inspired timing instruments for the swim and fitness consumer. Cutting edge technology, unique design and sophisticated style combined with extreme comfort and practical functions are the basis for the Speedo watch range.

With Men’s, Ladies and Kids styles available, Speedo watches go beyond the pool and are perfect whether by the beach or on the street. Innovation and technology are both present in the Speedo UV Sensor Watch, a unisex watch that is perfect for those who train outside and are proactive about sun protection. Featuring an accurate UV sensor and a UV timer, the watch will help you protect your eyes and skin from the sun’s radiation. Calibrate the UV timer to the needs of your specific skin type and the onscreen LCD index will warn you automatically when the sensor detects a UV index that is harmful to you. The UV Sensor Watch ensures you are prepared and gives you peace of mind whilst featuring more traditional fitness features such as a countdown timer and a 50 lap memory.

Putting the FUN into Functionality is the Speedo Kids Active Swim Watch. Bringing bright colours and a vibrant design to a training watch, the Active Swim is an ideal for those younger swimmers. Whilst the Active Swim is perfect for splashing about in, it is not all about messing about in as it has more grown up features such as a stopwatch, countdown timer, alarm and dual time.

For the ladies, the Speedo Women’s 150 Lap Watch is the perfect combination of sports and fashion. The beautiful and ergonomic design is inspired by hydrodynamics and offers the right balance of sportiness and elegance. The Women’s 150 Lap Watch isn’t just about the look however, with a 150 lap memory stopwatch and 10 interval timers; this is the perfect watch for the performance swimmer or indeed any other athlete.

The Speedo watches at OutdoorGB are all feature packed, but there are two relatively simple but very effective and unique features that are found across the majority of the watches in the Speedo range, Hydro Pushers and the Aqualock closure system. Hydro Pushers allow the buttons of your Speedo watch to be easily pressed in when underwater, whilst ensuring the water is kept out. The Aqualock closure system is a unique strap closure system that features a pinless buckle that is simple to use and is extremely comfortable for wearing, making the Speedo watch quick and easy to take on and off.

To see more of the Speedo range from OutdoorGB, click here.

A History of Zippo Lighters

2009-04-17T13:48:00.002+01:00

“It works or we fix it for free” – that has been the official line from Zippo since the very beginning. For over 75 years, this unconditional lifetime guarantee has seen Zippo lighters gain iconic status and become a popular choice the world over. OutdoorGB has recently joined the Zippo revolution by selling a wide range of these iconic lighters.

Known for the famous “click” sound, the Zippo story goes back to the early 1930’s, when Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell watched as his friend awkwardly used a cumbersome Austrian-made lighter. The lighter worked well, even in the wind, all down to its excellent chimney design. Blaisdell was very impressed by the functionality of the lighter. What he didn’t like was the fact it required two hands to operate and how easy its thin metal surface dented. Inspired, Blaisdell decided to refashion the Austrian lighter. Fabricating a rectangular case and utilising a hinge to attach the top of the lighter to the case whilst retaining the chimney design, Blaisdell created a lighter that not only looked good but was easy to operate. The Zippo was born and the design basically remains the same to this day.

Developed just before WWII, the military and Zippo lighters have always had a strong connection. Upon America’s entry into World War II, Zippo ceased production of lighters for the consumer market and dedicated all production to the U.S. military. Production for the military lead to the creation of the steel-case Zippo with the black “crackle” finish, of which we sell a replica here.
Zippo’s have been carried by American GI’s in every war from WWII to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The fact millions of US military personnel carried the lighter into battle during World War II was a significant catalyst in establishing Zippo as an icon of America throughout the world. At OutdoorGB we sell many military dedicated Zippo lighters including The Battle of Britain Lighter, Green Matte Special Forces Lighter and RAF, Royal Marines, Royal Navy and British Army chrome lighters.

Branded Zippo’s are a favourite amongst collectors and from the very beginning Zippos have been used as a medium for advertising. The first company-advertised lighters were produced for the Kendall Refining Company of Bradford, Pennsylvania. Today at OutdoorGB, we have branded Zippo’s from the Ford Motor Company, Harley Davidson Motorcycles, Jack Daniel’s and Jim Beam.

A major milestone for Zippo lighters was the launch of the Zippo Slim model in 1956. Retaining everything Zippo is known for but with a redesigned case, the Slim was primarily designed to appeal to women. Still available today, at OutdoorGB we have many Slim versions of the Zippo lighter including the Black Ice Slim Lighter, the Brushed Chrome Slim Lighter, the High Polish Brass Slim Lighter and the Playboy Bunny Pink Slim Lighter.

One of the most iconic associations the Zippo lighter has, is that of being raised aloft, waved and swayed at many a gig, concert or festival as a salute to a favourite performer. Nicknamed the “Zippo Movement”, this gesture common at so many musical events since the 1960’s, cemented Zippo’s status within the music scene. Zippos have been featured on album covers, wielded in Rolling Stone photo shoots, tattooed on rockers’ skin and the famous “click” sound has even been sampled on songs. A nice music inspired Zippo is the one we have here dedicated to the Fab Four.

In 2006, Zippo production surpassed the 425 million milestone. Ingrained in the fabric of both American and global culture, the Zippo brand enjoys an unaided awareness rate of more than 98 percent, meaning 98 out of every 100 people surveyed have knowledge of the Zippo name and lighter without being coached in any manner – an astonishing recognition factor.

In an age where most products are either disposable or only available with a limited warranty, the Zippo lighter is a unique product. Backed by the famous lifetime guarantee, “It works or we fix it free”, in over 75 years no one has spent a penny on the mechanical repair of a Zippo lighter regardless of the lighters age or condition.

See the full range of Zippo lighters sold by OutdoorGB here.

Speedo Watches Now Available At OutdoorGB

2009-04-15T10:37:00.004+01:00

Just added to the OutdoorGB website - the watch range from world-renowned swim and beachwear brand, Speedo.
This new range of watches brings the technology, comfort and creativity of the Speedo world to your wrist. Take a look for yourself here.

OutdoorGB Mountainbiking Guide

2009-04-08T10:10:00.003+01:00

As a few of us here at OutdoorGB.com are pretty keen mountain-bikers, we thought it was about time we put together a guide to some of the best biking and cycling products we sell. Whether you regularly ride downhill trails or just use your bike for the daily commute, we have products to make your ride a whole lot better and more fun too. However we don't sell bikes, but we are assuming if you are into cycling, you will already have one.

Base Layers

Wearing a simple cotton t-shirt is fine if you aren't going to be pushing yourself too hard. But if you are going to be riding for extended periods of time, the cotton t-shirt quickly becomes a hinderence. Unless you are a robot or something, you are going to sweat. Sweating is good, sweating cools you down, its just not good when it comes to cotton t-shirts. Your simple cotton t-shirt will gladly soak up substantial amounts of lovely perspiration, the problem is, it just won't let it go. Very quickly you are left with a t-shirt that looks like it has just emerged from the washing machine. A t-shirt that will chafe you to bits. And once you stop riding, a t-shirt that will make you get very cold very quickly.

The answer is to wear a base layer. Base layers are thin garments designed to be worn next to the skin with or without other layers on top. Unlike your cotton t-shirt, a base layer will "wick" moisture. "Wicking" means instead of holding onto moisture like a t-shirt, the base layer will magically transport it from your skin to the outside world, where it evaporates.

An ideal base layer should sit unnoticed under your winter mid-layer and work in conjunction with the rest of your layering system. A lightweight base layer is an extremely versatile garment and should be standard wear in any cyclist's wardrobe. If you're an active, sweaty rider go for a base layer with good moisture management. If you like to ride at a slower pace, then warmth and thicker insulating base layers are more suitable, of course the best solution is to find a compromise between the two.

Short sleeves are more versatile and you can add arm warmers if extra warmth is need, if you get cold easily then go for long sleeves for more warmth. Long sleeves should go all the way to the wrist and should be a tight fit to prevent them rolling, bunching, or billowing.

A good t-shirt style base layer to look at is the Montane Bionic. A high wicking, lightweight technical base-layer, the Bionic combines all the well-known performance properties of both Merino wool and knitted polyester. The Bionic rapidly moves moisture away from the skin for dry-to-the-touch comfort. The Montane Bionic can be worn underneath clothing or on its own.

The Montane Bionic is also available with Long-Sleeves.

The Helly Hansen Men's Longsleeve Crew Top is ideal for high-intensity mountainbiking, keeping you warm when stationary and dry and comfortable when working hard.

The Longsleeve Crew Top's utilises LIFA sport fabric to keep you dry by pushing moisture away from your skin and onto the surface for quick evaporation. Bacteria-resistant, the Longsleeve Crew Top also eliminates any bad odours that often occur after strenous exercise.

Mid Layers

Achieving a 5 star review in Mountain Biking UK, the Helly Hansen Stripe Men's Half Zip Top is designed to be worn over a base layer. Featuring Lifa stay-dry technology, sweat isn't absorbed by the fabric but transported through to the outside. Works well in winter when worn with a base layer underneath and a waterproof over the top.

Outerwear

In the UK, a good jacket isn't a seasonal accessory, its a year round neccessity. The right jacket can change cycling from being a tiresome chore into a warm, enjoyable experience.

The first thing to work out is what you want to use your jacket for as this affects fit, style and features. Will it be a multipurpose Sunday ride stalwart? Does it need to look good for the post-ride pub, or will you only ever pull it on for trail raids well away from the fashion police?

Lighter than a apple and smaller too, the Montane Featherlite Vélo Jacket is ideal for stowing away in your pocket, saddle bag or in the side pocket of your rucksack. For its size, the Featherlite Vélo Jacket offers excellent water resistance, windproofing and breathability.

Probably the coolest hoodie ever, the Loki Morf is ideal for wearing when riding on chilly days or pulling on after a strenous ride. With a built in face shield and mitts, the Morf is perfect for when the temperature drops. Handily the Morf features a MP3 port for when you want to listen to some tunes as you ride, without getting tangled up in wires.

Awarded recommended buy by MTB Magazine, The Vaude Dundee Zip-Off is a high performance wind breaker that has quite a few special features. Feeling a bit too hot? In no time at all you can zip off the sleeves to turn the Dundee into a vest, offering the ultimate in climate control.

Gloves

Gloves are just one of those riding essentials, they stop your hands getting cold on bitter winter rides whilst also protecting your mitts too. In a crash it is human instinct to extend the arms, as a result, damage to the palms of cyclist's hands is common. A decent pair of riding gloves will protect the hands from abrasions and road rash, as well as providing extra padding to reduce uncomfortable vibrations and bumps.

If you are after gloves that are waterproof and offer a great level of dexerity, look to the Sealskinz Mountain Bike Waterproof Gloves. Using Porelle SXT technology, these gloves are 100% waterproof and offer excellent breathability making them perfect for use in all-weather conditions.

As the name suggests, the Dakine Defenders are designed to protect. Equipped with composite reinforced knuckle deflectors and a palm skid pad, the Defenders soften the blow on contact with solid objects. The moulded ballistic nylon knuckle is ideal when you're thrashing through the undergrowth.

Hydration Packs

A hydration pack is a backpack that contains a plastic bladder for water, with a tube and a mouthpiece to get the water to your mouth.

In mountainbiking, waterbottles are old news, hydration packs enable riders to carry more water. Rather than carrying 1.5l of water in two waterbottles, a good hydration pack will enable you to carry 2 - 3 litres of water all contained on your back.

Fluid Capacity - How much do you need? This depends on how long you ride for, the temperature and how often you can refill. A 80kg rider is advised to drink 600ml water per hour in cool conditions, rising to 900ml water per hour for racing in hot conditions.

Straps and harness - Look for padded shoulder straps and possibly a hip belt or sternum strap. Where the pack sits on your back, look out for channels for airflow to help you stay cool.

Adjustability and fit - So you pack stays snugly on your back, you should look out for adjustable straps.

Care - Cleanliness is key. The hydration pack bladder should be emptied immediately after use and hung out to dry. A regular rinse with baby bottle sterilising fluid is good to prevent mould growth in the tube. Storing the bladder in the fridge will also keep it clean and mould-free.

A final note, we recommend you only use hydration packs for water as other liquids can be hard to clean out and will actively promote mould growth!

The Dakine Nomad is a solid built pack with plenty of storage space for tools etc, perfect for those wishing to carry larger loads. Awarded 5 stars on the Bike Radar website, the Nomad features a 3 litre reservior with aquaguard anti-microbial treatment.

For those who don't need to carry much except for their water of course, the Deuter Hydro EXP 6 SL is perfect. Allowing you to carry 2 litres of water, the pack capacity of the Hydro EXP 6 SL can be easily expanded from 6 litres to 8 litres. Features like the helmet holder and 3M reflectors saw this pack gain a What Mountain Bike Gold award.

Cycle Computers

A cycle computer is a must for some, while others feel absolutely no need for such a device to grace their handlebars. If you are in the "must" camp, continue reading, if not, get lost!

We find cycle computers are like normal computers, you have your real basic models right the way up to your complex er "supercomputers"! Basic models will give you a few essential features such as speed, distance, odometer and the time. While your complex computers will have additional features such as heart rate, power output, GPS functions and PC connectivity.

Basic functions

Current Speed - expressed in either miles per hour or km per hour

Average Speed -displays the current average speed by dividing the distance traveled by the ride time. Average speed readings usually update at specific intervals like 5 or 10 seconds

Maximum Speed - the top speed achieved

Trip Distance -how far you have travelled since the last reset

Total Distance - all of your trip distances added together

Ride timer - amount of time ridden for this trip

Advanced functions

Cadence - the number of times per minute the pedals go around

Dual Bike Settings - a dual bike computer holds 2 different calibration numbers, so you can swap the computer from one bike to another and change the setting at the press of a button

Speed Comparator - an indicator that displays whether the current speed is above or below the average speed

Programmable Odometer - allows you to set the odometer at what ever number you wish. For instance if you need to change the battery you can write down the odometer reading, change the battery, then set the odometer back to where it was

Altimeter - know how high you have climbed and more. Most computers equipped with an altimeter will have several altitude features like grade, total feet climbed and max altitude

Power - some advanced units will have a way to measure power in watts. Most require additional sensors, special cranks or special hubs.

Heart Rate- some units come with a chest strap to display heart rate while riding

GPS Function - more expensive models feature GPS recievers, allowing you to know your exact position at any particular time

Calories Burned - displays how many calories you have worked off when riding

The CicloSport CM 4.2 is an ideal entry level cycle computer. Current speed, average speed and total riding time are just a few of the features of this computer. With a optional transmitter belt, the CM 4.2 can also display heart rate (average/current/maximum) and calorie consumption.

More than just a cycle computer, the Garmin Edge 205 is more like a GPS-enabled personal trainer. Measuring speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb and descent, the Edge 205 knows where you are going and how far you have gone. Along with 204 other features, this computer has a high sensitivity GPS reciever that knows your position even in tree cover and canyons.

Bike Gadgets

Just a couple of gadgets we think make the ride even more interesting!

With the optional bike mount, the Satmap is an excellent way to discover new trails and ride fresh ground. The Satmap is a revolutionary GPS device displaying OS maps in digital form. Waterproof and shockproof, this GPS is rugged whilst remaining easy to use whilst riding.

The GoPro HERO WIDE 5 Helmet Action Camera lets you relive your extreme action from the comfort of your own home. Film yourself riding every trail in TV quality, then go home and relive your ride.

10 Things You Should Take On Your Camping Trip

2009-04-08T09:23:00.002+01:00

After continuously being told we are in the middle of a "credit crunch", it seems many people are shunning foreign climes and will be holidaying closer to home this year. Camping is certainly going to be a popular choice, it's fun, it's cheap and you don't just have a holiday, you get an experience. So whether you are shunning the Costas in favour of the Cotswolds or taking to sleeping in a field at a festival, here we have a rundown of the things you will need to make camping that bit more comfortable.

1. A Tent

It may seem obvious but this list has to start somewhere right? Well unless you want to literally sleep under the stars that is. However if you do want to stay warm and dry, we recommend the Coleman Exponent Phad. Available in either 2 man or 3 man capacity, the Exponent Phad is a lightweight tent, designed to be carried around. Both capacities are roomy and feature a main sleeping compartment and a porch area.

2. A Sleeping Bag/Some Sleeping Bags

We have tried camping without a sleeping bag and we have to say its not a pleasant experience. The only people who sleep in tents without a sleeping bag are madmen and well perhaps those camping in tropical climes, but then it could be argued they are madmen. The Snugpak Travelpak Lite Sleeping Bag will stop you becoming a madman, whilst the ultra-lightweight high loft insulation will keep you nice and warm at night.We recommend more than one sleeping bag if there is a group of you going, as again from experience we know sharing sleeping bags involves elbows in faces, which put simply equals an uncomfortable nights sleep. If however you do want to double up, the Travelpak Lite features compatible zips so two sleeping bags can be zipped together.

3. A Camping Stove

If you want mealtimes to consist of bags of crisps, packet sandwiches and trips to a dodgy van to buy burgers for a fiver a piece, then don't take a camping stove. If however you want to indulge in some fine campsite cookery, bring along a Jetboil. They weren't lying when they named the Jetboil, this beauty can boil water in only 90 seconds, using an ordinary camping gas cylinder. The Jetboil is impressively small and lightweight (425g without gas) so can be easily stored in a backpack pocket.

Have a look at some tasty campside recipes here.

4. A Multitool

A Multi-Tool is one of those things you don't know you need until you actually do need it! Ever tried opening a bottle with your teeth? How are you going to get rid of that painful splinter? What about opening the packaging of that food? All of these problems can be solved with Leatherman Squirt. Not too flashy and expensive, the Squirt is small and light enough to just keep in your pocket or attach to a keyring. The Squirt also features a ruler, nail file and 3 types of screwdriver, you never know when you might need this things.

5. A Mallet

So simple but so often forgotten. If you are at a festival, this is the thing that will make you a lot of friends and will ease your own frustration. Save yourself bashing tent pegs in with rocks, shoes and whatever else looks like a makeshift mallet and get yourself a real one that won't bend your pegs. You can get mallets everywhere but this Thatchreed one we sell, not only helps you bash the pegs in, it also helps you get them out with the handy hook on the handle.

6. Wet Wipes

Like the Swiss Army Knife of hygiene, this things have millions of uses. So they may have a picture of a baby on the front, but don't be put off they are not just for kids! Wash you hands with them, clean your shoes with them, use them as an alternative to toilet paper, have a full all-over body wash with them, we guarantee you will feel fresh and clean(er).

7. A Torch

When it gets dark rooting round your tent can be a nightmare, finding your round the campsite is even worse and you don't have to trip over many guylines to realise you should have taken a torch. The Shakelight is perfect, it doesn't even need batteries, so no need to worry about them being dead, just give it a shake for literally a minute and you will 10,000 lux of LED light for up to an hour. Light goes out? Give it another shake, it's the simple things really isn't it?

8. Emergency Charger

If you can't bear to live without your electrical items, you need an emergency charger. Imagine if the batteries ran dead on your phone or your iPod, oh no it would be the end of the world. Well not quite, but that said it's a good idea to have some juice in your phone battery and its always nice to have some tunes playing round the campsite, so for that reason the Powerchimp is a godsend. This little monkey puts up to 48 hours of power at your fingertips and all from a couple of AA batteries. Included with Powerchimp is an attachment for pretty much every phone and all iPods about.

9. A Guitar

An absolute must for any campsite, remember we told you earlier that we once camped without a sleeping bag? Well it was because we couldn't carry everything and was faced with the dilemma, sleeping bag or guitar, guitar or sleeping bag? Of course guitar won. It doesn't matter what guitar it is, even if it is old, battered and out of tune its ok, actually its better if its old, battered and out of tune! The guitar is a campside necessity, all you need is a couple of tunes, some willing backing singers and you can keep yourself entertained for hours.

10. Something to stop you getting soaked

If you are not planning on leaving these shores, there is no getting past the fact that this is Britain and it is going to rain. Don't let the rain stop you though, if you are at a festival you should remain rock and roll and shrug off the rain. Rain isn't going to hurt you wherever you are, all we would do is pull on a Montane Lite-Speed Jacket and carry on camping. The Lite-Speed Jacket is perfect because it packs down smaller than an apple, remaining just as light and is shower and windproof. It comes in some pretty decent colours unlike binbags, which don't make good waterproofs.

Finding the right backpack for you

2009-04-02T11:17:00.000+01:00

We stock many different types of backpacks but how do you know which is for you? Should you choose a daypack, a rucksack, a courier bag, a waterproof bag or a laptop bag? Well here we aim to help you. Believe it or not, finding the right pack is not just a case of which one looks the best. Sure looking good should be part of the criteria, you don't want to be walking around with some lairy ugly old pack, but it shouldn't be your main consideration when it comes to buying one. The biggest thing and what a lot of people don't consider is comfort. Rather than just buying the backpack that is in the sale or the one with the prettiest colours, you need to look at the right pack to fit your height, body shape and size.

When purchasing a backpack you should consider the following things:

What are you going to be using it for?

Are you going to be carting this thing round the world with you as you travel from country to country on your gap year? Are you going to be using it for camping, hiking or trekking? Or are you on a one-man (or woman) mission to save the planet by using a backpack to carry your shopping rather than using carrier bags? Is it going to be a school bag? Think about how many pockets you need, whether you need to attach things, eg. sleeping bags, roll mats, pots and pans, snowboards or skis. Does the pack need to be waterproof? Are you going to be carrying a camera and accessories?

Decide what your main activity is, then choose a rucksack designed for that activity, that way you'll be most satisfied with its design and features.

How long are you going to be wearing it?

Is the pack going to become your new best friend, never leaving your side (well back)? Are you going to be lugging it around on public transport, round airports and just about everywhere else you go? Are you going to be walking miles with it up steep hills, mountains and round treacherous trails? If so you need to look at backpacks with specialised comfort carrying systems, hip belts and anatomically cut shoulder straps.

Comfort...

... are the shoulder straps and the hip belt padded enough to take the bulk of the weight? A chunky hip belt will probably be more comfy than a thin waist belt, particularly with heavier loads.

Your backpack should be proportional to your body size...

...put simply, your pack shouldn't be so large that you and couple of your closest friends could fit inside. No rucksack is worth having if it isn't the right size for you. Some sacks have adjustable back lengths, some are "one size fits all" while others are designed specifically for women.

Stability...

...when the sack is fully loaded it should hug your back like a monkey up a gum tree!

Ventilation...

..some backpacks just make your back sweatier than others. If there is good air movement around your back, the sack will be less sweaty. So check out how breathable the areas are that come into contact with your body.

Hydration System...

...if you use a hydration system, make sure there is an internal pocket for the bladder and an exit hole for the hose, the backpack listings indicate if this feature is available.

Choose your pack volume wisely...

...buy too small and you are going to find yourself stuffing everything in, buy too big and you will be tempted to carry more than necessary or worse just end up with a floppy half-filled pack.

Less than 10 litres - short or fast half days

10-25 litres - fast action or super light trips

25-35 litres - short valley and hill walks

35-45 litres - hill and mountain walking, scrambling and mountaineering

45-55 litres - winter hill-walking, mountaineering, hut-to-hut trips, short or lightweight camping expeditions

55-75 litres - camping expeditions, long distance path backpacks

over 75 litres - travelling, camping expeditions to remote locations where supplies will be unavailable for days on end

Durability...

...as with most outdoor gear, you get what you pay for. Low-cost rucksacks are often less durable than their most expensive equivalents. If you want a durable sack look for double stitching, touch fabrics, double layers of fabric (particularly on the base), reinforced areas, and chunky buckles and zips. The best buckles can be bent and twisted without breaking, while the best zips can be pulled back and fourth without tearing or jamming.

though the most expensive backpack is not necessarily the best for you...

...there is no need to buy a massive double stitched 90 Litre trekking backpack when you are just going to use it to carry shopping, because first of all you are going to look like a fool and second of all you have just wasted a load of money.

Here are a few examples of backpacks for different situations:

Perfect for hiking and camping. The Aircontact PRO 70 + 15 Rucksack is designed for carrying heavy loads and is ideal for balanced and comfortable walking. Offering 70L capacity this is supplemented by the lid compartment which is readily converted into a separate 15 L daypack for when you don't have as much to carry. Features plenty of padding and anatomical moulding, separate bottom compartment, lid pocket and plenty of outer attachment points.

For snowboarding photographers, the Dakine Mission Photo Pack holds all the gear you need for a successful photography mission, a day of riding, or both. A removable Photo Block holds an SLR camera body and five lenses while the Mission Photo Pack's two-strap snowboard carry system doubles as a tripod holder to carry the gear you need.

The perfect backpack for the worker on the move, whether you commute to the office or just need to cart your laptop around, the Jansport Boost is the backpack for you. Featuring two main compartments, a front organiser compartment, a padded laptop sleeve and dual water bottle pockets, there is a place to put everything. There is no need to worry about this pack failing as this and all other Jansport products are covered by a 30 year warranty.

The ultimate backpack for those on or near the water. Like the name implies, the Overboard Premium Waterproof Backpack is 100% waterproof, it could be left in a puddle all day and the contents will come out dry as a bone. Not only is this backpack waterproof, it also floats safely if dropped in water.

The Tatonka 75L Great Escape Travel Backpack is perfect for lugging your stuff around the world. Spacious and opening like a suitcase, the Great Escape enables you to easily store everything you will need when travelling. For carrying lighter loads there is a detachable daysack.

These are just a few specific backpacks for sale at OutdoorGB, to see more of our backpack range, click here.

OutdoorGB looks to the Dextro Energy ITU World Championship Series

2009-03-29T17:42:00.002+01:00

2009 sees big changes to the format of the Championship, the innovative changes will see the creation of a series as oppose to the one off event of previous years. The series will comprise of 8 events taking place across some of the most internationally renowned cities, where the world's top athletes will compete head to head in a bid to be crowned ITU Triathlon World Champion. The series will wrap up with the Grand Final in

Australia

's Gold Coast on 9th September where the overall ITU Triathlon World Champion will be decided.

The change to the format also brings much larger cash prizes, with the final bonus pool almost tripling that of previous years. Each event will feature a prize purse of $150,000 (all prizes in US dollars) with the Grand Final offering $250,000; the total combined prize pot at stake in the battle to become ITU's 2009 world champion is a record $2 million.

This new format for the Championship will bring massive exposure to the up and coming sport of Triathlon, televised coverage will provide a platform in which the sport can be viewed by millions. Using a similar model to that of F1 racing, where top athletes’ battle head to head throughout each stage in a bid to become overall champion, this change is a significant step forward in the history of the sport. The new format will bring mass participation for thousands of different age-group athletes with the ITU Age-Group, AWAD and Sprint World Championships all being staged at the Grand Final event along with Junior and Under 23 competitions. The Championship's format change will create a distinct sports product that will offer excellent opportunities for the athletes, sponsors, host cities and TV broadcasters involved. The Finnish manufacturer of precision sports instruments, Suunto as stocked by OutdoorGB, is one such sponsor.

Suunto, one of OutdoorGB's leading brands, have signed up to serve as the official timing and data partner for the duration of the 2009 ITU World Championship Series. The partnership with Suunto will provide a unique opportunity to integrate cutting-edge technology into the triathlon events and televised coverage. Suunto will collect high performance data from competing athletes which will then be delivered direct to TV screens across the globe. Collected data will include GPS, real-time speed and distance information and heart rate information. The usage of this data in TV programming will significantly enhance the television viewer's experience, offering a whole new level of interaction. Perhaps the greatest level of interaction is the fact the products used by the athletes are all from Suunto's T-Series range, which are available to purchase from OutdoorGB.

Products such as the Suunto T3c coupled with a Foot Pod provide the opportunity for the amateur athlete to emulate the athletes as seen on their TV screens. With fitness products like those from the Suunto T-Series readily available and the amount of TV exposure of Triathlon events, there is always a possibility that those watching on TV this summer could perhaps step up their game, improve their performance and see themselves competing in future ITU World Championship Triathlon events.

Throughout the ITU World Championship, OutdoorGB will be providing regular updates here.

2009 ITU Triathlon World Championship event diary:

Tongyeong, Korea, 2nd May - 3rd May 2009

Madrid, Spain, 30th May 2009 - 31st May 2009

Washington D.C, USA, 21st June 2009

Kitzbühel, Austria, 11th July - 12th July 2009

Hamburg, Germany, 25th July - 26th July 2009

London, England, 15th August - 16th August 2009

Yokohama, Japan, 22nd August - 23rd August 2009

Grand Final - Gold Coast,

Australia

, 9th September - 13th September 2009

OutdoorGB guide to Casio Pro Trek Watches

2009-03-29T17:40:00.002+01:00

There are watches that tell the time and there are watches that could save your life. Casio Pro Trek however can do both. For days out in the wilderness, a Casio Pro Trek Watch can be a serious adventuring tool. Whether you are hiking, biking, climbing, fishing or camping, there is a Pro Trek to be adorned upon your wrist. Designed for the harshest of environments, Casio Pro Trek watches are perfect for those who love the outdoor life.

With Pro Trek watches, you get the superb built quality and ruggedness you would expect of something that is going to get abused when outdoors, as let’s face it these are tools and tools are expected to be used. But more than just being something that can be bashed around like a brick, Pro Trek watches feature cutting edge technology and are packed with gadgetry. So packed, you will constantly discover new features and learn something everyday. The basic premise of most Pro Trek watches is Casio's unique Triple Sensor System. The Triple Sensor System accurately measures temperature, barometric pressure and direction. The latest Pro Trek models however go beyond this, offering even more advanced features. Here’s a rundown of the feature found in Pro Trek watches and the models sold by OutdoorGB they can be found on.

Auto Light Switch

More often than not outdoor activities require the use of both hands and without some kind of "operation" from Dr Frankenstein, getting a 3rd hand doesn't come easy. Without a third hand lighting up you watch can prove tricky. Lucky then that Casio developed the Auto Light Switch, whenever you are in low-light conditions and you need to illuminate you watch all it takes is a flick of the wrist to bring the watch into the viewing position and you have instant illumination. Featured on all OutdoorGB Pro Trek Models.

Tough Solar is a feature now found across many Casio models including G-shock and of course Pro Trek watches. With tough solar you will never need to change your watch battery again. Instead the Casio solar power system combines a super-sensitive solar panel with a high-capacity rechargeable battery that operates the various high load functions with ease. The solar panel is super sensitive and can even generate power under low fluorescent light. Featured on PRG-60T-7AVER, PRG-80L-3VER, PRW-1300-1VER, PRW-1500-1VER, PRG-50L-2VER, PRW-1300-1VER, PRG-60L, PRG-120-1AVER, PRS-201-1VER, PRW-1500T-7VER, PRW-1200-1VER and PRG-100-3VER.

Tide Graph

Those who regularly fish the ocean will agree the best fishing can be expected at about the change of the tide from flood to ebb. The tide graph will keep you posted on the moon age and the ebb and flow of the tides to help you select the best time and way to fish and support your creation of an effective fishing plan. As you acquire more and more experience, you shouldn't be surprised if you start bringing home a better catch than the old salts. Featured on PRW-1500-1VER, PRS-201-1VER, and PRW-1500T-7VER

Barometric Pressure

Whether you need alerting to approaching trouble or reminding to take your swimming suit along, the barometric pressure function shows a graphic display of readings taken at regular intervals, revealing the pressure trend at a glance. When the pressure is rising, the weather is likely to improve, when it's falling, there is usually worse weather ahead. Featured on PRG-60T-7AVER, PRG-80L-3VER, PRG-50L-2VER, PRW-1300-1VER, PRG60L, PRW-1500T-7VER, PRG-40B-2VER and PRG-100-3VER.

Altitude

Estimate your altitude based on barometric pressure readings. The higher the altitude, the lower the barometric pressure. Changes in altitude are displayed as positive or negative values with respect to an altitude you input in advance. Featured on all OutdoorGB Pro Trek Models.

Temperature
The temperature generally decreases by approximately 6.5°C with every increase in altitude of 1,000 meters, or 3.6°F with every increase of 1,000 feet. If the temperature at 1,000 meters is 10°C, therefore, the temperature at 3,000 meters will probably be about -3°C. Featured on all OutdoorGB Pro Trek Models.

Wave Ceptor
Wave Ceptor technology is probably the most powerful tool you will ever wear on your wrist. Always have the confidence to know the right time. Offering the ultimate in perfect timing, wave ceptor technology ensures absolute accuracy, to the second by automatically picking up a signal from radio transmitters in locations all over the world. Wave Ceptor will readjust the time up to 6 times a day and if that isn't enough it will also readjust for daylight savings. Featured on PRW-1500T-7VER, PRW-1200-1VER, PRW-1300-1VER and PRW-1500-1VER.

Kit Out Your Canine

2009-03-29T17:35:00.002+01:00

The dog - mans best friend, the faithful companion to so many humans around the world. The partnership of people and canines is one that will probably last forever. Our love of dogs is so great that those four-legged friends are regular fixtures at all kinds of outdoor events. We have seen Dobermans on deck, Collies at climbing events, West Highland Terriers walking, Havanese on the hill, Cairn Terriers camping and Karakachan kayaking. Ok, so they may not have been taking part in all instances, but they were there and here at OutdoorGB we think it is about time people took notice and kitted out their pet correctly.

Here are a few of the things that will see your canine companion properly prepared for the great outdoors:

The Mountain Paws Dog's Dinner Collapsible Bowl is a great solution for dogs for hungry dogs when outdoors. With a drawcord top, the Dog’s Dinner Collapsible Bowl allows you to safely store food until Rover/Fido is hungry.

He wanted to come, so let him carry his own supplies. The Ruffwear Approach Pack Ii features a harness chassis providing superior fitting, load carrying stability and improved support without excessive straps so your four legged friend can carry his load in comfort.

Stop him getting blisters and unleash the canine athlete inside with the Ruffwear Bark'n Boots Grip Trex. Dogs want these because they stay on, easily fit, are comfortable, durable and provide amazing traction.

It can sometimes get quite chilly out on the hill and as good as it is, natures coat is just sometimes not enough. Save his blushes and warm him up with the Ruffwear K-9 Overcoat Ii. Reducing the loss of core body heat, the K-9 Overcoat also protects your dog from the wind, rain, snow, brush and burrs.

As independent as they are, sometimes dogs just need to be kept on a lead and what better lead than the Nite Ize Nite Dawg Leash. With 100,000 hours LED life and visible up to 1,000 feet in the dark, the Nite Dawg Leash will enable you to always know where that terror of a terrier is when it gets dark

Compact Keela Coat

2009-03-10T13:31:00.001Z

Why does British weather have to be so unpredictable? One minute the sun is shining, the next it is pouring down with rain. Here at OutdoorGB we have found ourselves in this situation more times than we care to remember. We have been at festivals, we have been playing golf, we have been going out for a leisurely stroll, we have been going for a strenuous run and all of these times it has poured down with rain and we have ended up soaked. Its always hard to judge and harder to dress for the weather. If you take a coat, you are eventually going to end up boiling and wanting to take it off. But if you take it off then you have to carry it around!

What to do? Do you take full waterproof clothing then end up lugging it around like a packhorse? Or do you chance it with the risk of getting soaked? Maybe you should take a look at the Keela Neutronic Packlite Smock Jacket. So small and light, you could stick it in your pocket and forget about it.

Festivals in the UK last year were a classic situation for getting drenched. We found ourselves standing around in the crowd for our favourite band, not going anywhere for fear of losing our spot, then the heavens went and opened. Everyone was getting soaked, people were wearing coats but looked like they were sweltering. Others were pulling on ghastly plastic ponchos and then there were the shrewd few improvising with bin bags. No way was we paying a tenner for a plastic poncho made from the same material as carrier bags and somehow we didn't think we could pull off bin bag chic. If only we could have just whipped out our Keela Neutronic Packlite.

In that particular situation we didn't have the Keela Neutronic Packlite, so we got rather wet, fool I hear you cry. We had a coat but that was all the way in our tent, by the time we had gone and got it, we would have have missed the band, lost our spot and come back resembling some kind of drowned rodent.

Next time we are taking the Keela Neutronic Packlite, small light and hardwearing, unlike plastic ponchos it won't rip after one wear. Versatile too, it would be handy on the golf course too, easily fitting in amongst your clubs. You could also use whilst running, walking, just out and about really, its pocket size means it is convienent wherever you are.

Keela were born and bred in Scotland so they know quite a bit (to say the least) about miserable weather, the Neutronic Packlite isn't just for light showers, this jacket will perform when it really starts to tip it down, with the Super Flylite fabric also gives good protection against biting winds.

And no need to worry fashion freaks, the Keela Neutronic Packlite isn't no lairy coloured shell-suit type thing and you can accessorise it a hell of a lot better than a bin bag. It is rather minimally designed, adorned with only a small Keela logo and comes in red, yellow and electric blue for those who want to stand out from the crowd and black, charcoal and khaki for those who like to fade into the background.

Find out more here

Suunto Lumi – uniting ‘elegant’ and ‘digital’

2009-03-05T12:22:00.001Z

When it comes to watches, elegance and digital are two words rarely spoken together, well positively that is. When most women think of elegant watches, they think about watches that just sit and look pretty, watches that win in the style stakes but lose when it comes to features. You would never imagine an elegant watch to have a digital display, elegant watches are delicate with diamonds aren't they? But what about a watch that looks good and has something going on upstairs? Now diamonds are wonderful, diamonds are a girl's best friend, but they are no good substitute for a compass when out trekking. The Suunto Lumi is the watch that brings together fashion and function, the watch that brings a touch of glamour to the outdoors. The watch that unites the words elegant and digital, digital? Yes digital, the Lumi features a digital display, yet it is suprisingly elegant.

Suunto know its not illegal to like active outdoor pursuits but still look good. They know that there must be plenty of us women out there who want to enjoy the great outdoors, but also want to look good at the same time. Now the fashion police may not patrol woodland areas but still that is no excuse to look a right old mess is it girls? If you are a girl who loves trekking and adventure, the Lumi is for you. Instead of carrying around your oversized handbag to pack all your gadgets into when out in the wilderness, you should take the Lumi. The Lumi packs an altimeter, barometer, stopwatch and a digital compass all into one elegant unit, try fitting all of those into the latest Miu Miu.

The Lumi isn't even that big, you would think a unit packed with so many gadgets would be rather large and cumbersome but it's really not. It may be the sister of the Suunto Core, but like many siblings its not the same size, the Lumi is the Core's little sister not it's identical twin. Don't get us wrong we aren't claiming the Lumi is as small and dainty as a normal formal watch, no what we are saying is the Lumi is functional and feminine. With a smooth rounded body and a clean minimalist screen, it's obvious why the watch was named after the Finnish word for snow. After all it has a barometer and weather trend indicator and what weather condition is more beautiful than snow?

The term brains and beauty couldn't be more appropriate, the Lumi speaks four languages, English, French, Spanish and German. Like your own personal assistant, the Lumi will count to and from special days you want to remember, will inform you about sunrise and sunset times for over 400 locations worldwide and will keep a log of your activities, you overall duration, your altitude and how high you have climbed. Plan your outfit and be prepared for the weather, the Lumi will use it's barometer to forecast the weather and will recieve storm warnings. Plus of course the Lumi shows the time, has a stopwatch and an alarm.

Beauty, versatility and hardcore outdoor functionality all rolled into one, the Suunto Lumi is perfectly suited to formal occasions as much as it is to your next outdoor adventure. This versatility is possible due to easily interchangeable straps, change the strap to suit your mood or the occasion. Outdoors you may want to use the Sportif strap, practical and plain yet still pretty due to the range of colours available, think bright yellows and pinks, colours previously unavailable on a outdoors watch. When it comes to more glamorous occasions, go for the Florette strap which features a pretty floral design that brings femininity and features together. If you don't want to wear the Lumi on your wrist it can be worn as a pendant using the pendant string and carabiner jacket. The carabiner jacket opens up a world of possibilities for the Lumi, allowing it to be attached just about anywhere.

Ladies if you are into hiking, rock climbing, kayaking or skiing, don't be pigeon-holed into using manly products, forget geeky clunky watches that drown your wrist, instead bring elegance to the outdoors with the Suunto Lumi.

Find out more about the Suunto Lumi here.

Garmin FR60 announced

2009-03-02T10:02:00.000Z

Following on from the success of the Foreunner 50, Garmin have just announced the launch of its successor, the Garmin FR60.

Announced in conjunction with the 2009 ISPO Winter trade show in Munich, the Garmin FR60 looks set to raise the bar when it comes to fitness watches.

The FR60 will log every mile and every minute you cover, tracking your time, heart rate and calories burned. When bundled with the wireless foot pod, the FR60 will also be able to track your speed and distance, whether indoors or out.

The standout feature from its predecessor, is the use of Wi-Fi technology. Once you have finished your workout, the Garmin FR60 will wirelessly send your workout data to your computer for later analysis.

The FR60 will boast advanced training tools, such as training alarms and workout goals and will also feature Virtual Partner mode, which lets you race against a virtual partner to help you improve your performance.

The FR60 will utilise wireless ANT+ technology, allowing it to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices such as the included hear rate monitor, the optional foot pod or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment. The optional foot pod will allow wireless data transfer to track your distance and speed effortlessly. Using advanced accelerometer technology, the foot pod collects and sends precise data about your movements, gathering distance and speed data that is 98 percent accurate, right out of the box.

For instant feedback about how hard you are working, the Garmin FR60 connects wirelessly to the included lightweight, flexible digital heart rate monitor to continuously track heart beats per minute and to display your heart rate zone, so you can monitor and improve your fitness level.

Triathletes will embrace the versatility of the swim-friendly FR60 as it helps them train and race indoors or outdoors, on the bike, in the water or on the trails. The featherweight foot pod enables the FR60 to track and record speed, distance, calories burned, steps and cadence without excess burden. Cyclists will enjoy the versatile options of adding a bike speed and cadence sensor and a handy bike mount.

The benefits of the Garmin FR60 will continue long after you have completed your workout, by pairing the FR60 with Garmin Connect, users can automatically log their workouts, track their totals, share workouts with coaches, friends and family and participate in an online fitness community with similar interests.

Available in red, lilac and black, the FR60 will come in both male and female versions and is set to be released Spring 2009.

The Garmin FR60 will be available from OutdoorGB, more Garmin fitness products can be found here.

OutdoorGB - Mountainbiking with Montane

2009-02-20T14:59:00.002Z

Billed as the "world's lightest multi-activity clothing", Montane's Featherlite range has quite a bold claim to live up to.

With a claim like that, I was as intrigued as anyone else to see just how well the Featherlite range performs. Having recently got back into mountainbiking, I thought this was the perfect opportunity to get out on my bike, head out to the local woods, ride out in the rain and try out some of the products we sell at OutdoorGB.com, all in the name of scientific research and good business.

The first Featherlite product I tried was the Smock Jacket, my first thought was that I had wrapped myself in a giant cigarette paper, but how I was wrong. The Featherlite Smock is more of a shirt than a jacket, mainly due to the fact it has no pockets or hood. I'm not saying a shirt is officially a shirt and not a jacket when it has no pockets or hood though, it just feels lighter and fits closer to the body, hence the comparison to a cigarette paper! Not having a hood wasn't too much of a problem for me anyway as I was using it for mountainbiking and was wearing a helmet, people using this for running however would probably make use of a hood in the rain. No pockets isn't the end of the world, they would be a nice addition but adding them would just increase weight.

At just under 100g, the Featherlite Smock Jacket certainly lives up to its name. Lighter than an apple and smaller too, the Featherlite Smock Jacket easily fitted into my trouser pocket when it got too hot to be wearing it. The weight and how compactable the Featherlite Smock Jacket is, is definitely its key feature, any other jacket would be big and bulky and have to be stored in a backpack. When you feel the weight of the fabric you really see the advantages of having such a lightweight breathable jacket. It doesn't take much effort to build up a sweat, even in the wettest and coldest conditions and this is where the breathable material comes into play, allowing much more air to circulate than usual.

Trying not to be blinded by science, I am told the material used in the Featherlite Smock Jacket is called Pertex Microlight with shield technology, this is apparantly what makes it reasonably windproof, fairly waterproof and very breathable. For this jacket reasonably windproof is rather impressive, considering how lightweight it is, I was very suprised it stopped any wind at all. But it is and was for my early morning ride. Now what I mean by fairly waterproof is don't go falling into any lakes and be expecting to emerge dry. This jacket will shrug off a shower but it won't work miracles in anything heavier, but for something this small it is utter genius.

The Montane Featherlite Smock is available in electric blue, fluro yellow, graphite (pictured), mango and olive. Find out more information on OutdoorGB.com, here.

Onto the second Featherlite product and if my rudimentary French is anything to go by, this is a product designed especially for using when cycling. The Montane Featherlite Vélo Jacket features a full zip, which makes it much easier to take it on and off without taking off your helmet.

This one is definitely a jacket and not a shirt yet there isn't a hood nor pockets again. The lack of hood is probably down to the fact it is bike-specific but I don't think it would of hurt to have added some pockets.

Like the Smock Jacket, Montane certainly aren't going to have any problems with trading standards, this jacket is truly Featherlite. Again the Featherlite Vélo Jacket comes with it's own stuff sack, which made it easy to stuff in my pocket when I couldn't be bothered to wear it. The Vélo is slightly heavier than the Smock Jacket, slightly being about 25g, making it weigh in at 125g, which is hardly heavyweight.

Again using the same Pertex Microlight material, the Montane Featherlite Vélo Jacket gave good protection from the wind and great breathability. As for protection against the rain, it saved me from the showers but when it started to get heavier I did start to get wet.

The Montane Featherlite Vélo Jacket is available in electric blue/graphite, fluoro yellow/graphite (pictured), red/graphite and black/graphite

After a good old ride and a few scientific tests, I have come up with the following results:

Both of these jackets are perfect for stowing away for seemingly dry days that could take a turn for the worse

For their weight the windproofing, water resistance and breathability on both jackets are absolute genius

For cycling your best bet is the Featherlite Vélo, the full zip stops you having to mess around with your helmet if you want to take the jacket off, the Featherlite Smock is more suited to running or walking

Reflective fabric is carefully positioned making you visible at all angles

The drop tail stops you getting splashed with mud

Neither Montane jackets will stop you getting wet if you like riding out in torrential rain, these jackets are for light unexpected showers, any heavier and you should have checked the weather forecast

These jackets are freakishly small and light to store

They do however look a bit creased up when worn!

They do indeed weigh less and pack smaller than a apple

View the full range of Montane products at OutdoorGB.com here.

Jetboil campside cookery

2009-02-08T11:40:00.002Z

We know it is still cold outside, but thats no reason to stop you getting outdoors and maybe doing some walking, hiking, bike-riding or if
you are really brave, camping.

Getting some good, warm food down you, in our experience is pretty much the best motivation for doing anything outdoors when it is bitterly cold. But food when out and about shouldn't just be about flasks of soup, energy bars and super noodles. If you think beyond those predictable foodstuffs and make nicer, more wholesome food you will enjoy being outdoors more.

While you are aren't exactly going to be conjuring up haute cuisine in a tent, there is no excuse to eat poorly. Eating good wholesome food can lift your spirits, motivate you and help you enjoy being outdoors, even when it is chucking it down with rain. Making this good wholesome food is not exactly a difficult task, all it needs is a good camping stove, some favourite old recipes (see below) and some common sense!

We find the ideal camping stove to use is the Jetboil, whether you are camping out in the woods, at a festival or going fishing for the day, the Jetboil reigns supreme. The Jetboil is ideal because it weighs only 425g and can easily fit in the pocket of a backpack, leaving more room for the ingredients you are going to be needing to cook up some good food. We sell a few different accessories for the Jetboil to make your cooking experience even better, here.

Have a look at some of these tasty recipes:

Spaghetti Sauce Noodles

Ingredients:

2 cups of water

1 pack of instant noodles

½ package spaghetti sauce powder

Half a can of tomato paste

Pinch of oregano

Bring 2 cups of water to boil in Jetboil cup, drop to lowest setting after water starts to boil. Add crushed package of instant noodles. Stir continuously. After 2 minutes add ½ package of spaghetti sauce mix and oregano. Stir for 20 seconds to mix powder, add tomato paste. Continue to stir for 2 minutes. Turn off heat. Let cool for 3-5 minutes. Eat and enjoy!

Rice and Avocado Burritos

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1 cup instant rice

1 Avocado

A few flour tortillas

Cheddar cheese

However much hot sauce you can handle

Salt and pepper to taste

Bring 1 cup of water to boil in a Jetboil cup, turn off heat, and add rice. Let rice stand for five minutes until rehydrated. Slice some cheese onto a tortilla, adding a couple of spoonfuls of rice to melt it. Cut in some avocado, top with salt, pepper, and hot sauce. Roll it up and chow down.

Quick Chilli

Ingredients:

1 Tin of Corned Beef

1 Tin of Tomatoes

1 Tin of Baked Beans

Chilli Powder or Chilli Sauce

1 Onion

A few Garlic Cloves

Fry up up sliced onion in oil, then add chopped garlic, Throw in your chopped corned beef, tinned tomatoes and tin of baked beans, add chilli to desired taste. Warm through for 5 mins or so. Omit the onion and garlic if desired. Goes well with boiled rice or crusty bread and a nice bottle of red wine.

Splash 'n Pinch Beef Stew

Ingredients:

1 Tin of corned Beef (chopped)

1 Tin of oxtail Soup

2 Tins of mixed vegetables (drained)

1 Small tin of potatoes (drained)

Large splash of Worcester Sauce

Large pinch of dried mixed herbs

Salt and pepper to taste

Chop corned beef, drain mixed vegetables and potatoes. Pour oxtail soup into a cooking pot, mix in all ingedients whilst warming through. Add a splash of Worcester sauce, a large pinch of herbs, add salt and pepper to taste.

OutdoorGB - The Mighty Morphing Garmin GPS

2009-02-06T12:05:00.000Z

Here at OutdoorGB we have just started selling a new product that has impressed everyone, the Garmin GPSMAP 620. Just when we thought we had seen everything GPS could do, Garmin go and launch this.

Need navigation on land and at sea? Until now it has generally been accepted that if you have a boat, the GPS unit you use on your boat won't be the same unit you use in your car. But why bother buying two GPS units, when you can have one GPSMAP 620? Prepare to be impressed, we were! With just a simple touch on the 5.2 inch screen, the GPSMAP 620 switches from a state of the art Marine GPS to a state of the art Car GPS. No need to bolt anything on, no need to mess around, this is GPS metamorphosis with just a simple touch.

When we say state of the art, we mean state of the art. When you load up Garmins acclaimed BlueChart® G2 Vision charts, you get high quality vector charts together with tidal charts, 3D views of major features and aerial and approach images of harbours. In the car? Switch to City Navigator mode and get Garmin's superb Car GPS routing maps including voice prompts, safety camera information and turn by turn guidance. Once you have done in the car, if you really want to, you can switch the unit to Walking Mode! In Walking Mode, Garmin's street maps and points of interest markers make venturing into new territories a whole easier and more fun too.

When out on the water, the GPSMAP 620 will provide a 3D 'mariner's eye view' above the waterline and also the wonderfully named 'fish eye view' below the waterline. Guidance technology searches chart data to suggest the best passage with optional BlueChart® g2 Vision data. You’ll always get the big picture with a worldwide basemap that comes as standard on the GPSMAP 620. The GPSMAP 620 is also NMEA 0183 compliant, so it can be easily added to an existing marine network. With access to fishing charts, tide and current data, marine services, coastal roads and more via optional BlueChart g2 Vision data, you’ll always be in the know while you’re on the water.

When back in the car, the GPSMAP 620 provides turn-by-turn directions with optional City Navigato. Route planning has never been easier, whether you’re searching for a boat shop or just looking to get a drink at a beach side taverna, you’ll be able to plan the quickest and most efficient route. You can also create custom points of interests (POIs) and set up proximity alerts to let you know what’s in your path as you travel down the road.

Amusingly elsewhere on the internet they are suggesting this could be a useful tool for drug smugglers in Miami! We are not sure about that, but we do think the GPSMAP 620 is the ultimate navigation solution for those who need GPS in both the car and the boat.

Find out more about the Garmin GPSMAP 620 here.

Oh and if you have just read this and been inspired to smuggle some narcotics off the coast of Miami using the GPSMAP 620, do watch out for Crockett and Tubbs!

OutdoorGB will stop you getting piste off when trying to find Ski equipment.

2009-02-01T10:48:00.001Z

As skiers ourselves here at OutdoorGB, we know how important it is to have quality equipment that will last season after season. Ski equipment shouldn't be disposable, when buying your equipment you should see it as an investment that will last you, not something to be binned as soon as you get home.

Skiing is an ideal way to relax and forget the stresses of everyday life, but with the wrong equipment your stress-less ski session can turn into one big headache. Fogged up goggles, unbreathable base layers and feeling absolutely freezing are just a few of the hiccups that can threaten to ruin your ski holiday.

We have put together this guide to help you select the best products that won't be binworthy after a week on the slopes.

Choosing goggles

The most important thing to consider when buying ski goggles is whether you will be able to see properly, especially if you wear corrective lenses. For those who don't wear glasses, regular ski goggles are the best good choice as they are smaller and more compact than the goggles which fit over your glasses. Those who wear glasses should look out for over-the-glasses (OTG) goggles.

Tints are for varying sunlight conditions and the tint determines how well the contours of the mountain stand out. Yellow or yellow/brown tints are the most popular and will work well in all levels of sunlight.

Goggles should fit comfortably over your helmet, they shouldn't be pinched or tight on your face. Goggles that fit correctly over your helmet should be able to rest comfortable on the top of your helmet. When pulled down to cover your face, they shouldn't feel too tight. There should be enough adjustment length in the goggle strap to guarantee that the goggles will fit any size helmet. There is a strap in the back of the helmet that holds the goggle strap in place. Make sure the goggle strap has adjustment room there also. If goggles are too loose, they will not keep the snow and wind out of your eyes. If they are too tight, they will be uncomfortable. So, it's extremely important to find goggles that will fit you when wearing on your helmet.

When it comes to goggles, newbies who don't know if they are going to make skiing the hobby of a lifetime, should look to the Bolle Sharkfin Ski Goggles. Offering great value for money at £22.66 at OutdoorGB, the Sharkfin Ski Goggles feature a double lens thermal barrier that provide exceptional optics and a superior seal to prevent fogging. The anti-fogging lenses offer full UVA and UVB protection.

More seasoned skiers who will be spending a bit more money should cast their attention to the Uvex Apache Pro Goggles. The Apache Pro Goggles just refuse to fog up. Good enough for the pros these goggles can take some punishment featuring impact resistant construction and scratch-proof lenses. At £78.83 at OutdoorGB, these goggles are a professional product at an amateur price.

Featuring a deeper chamber with frame cut-out, the Bloc Spirit 2 OTG Goggles allow you to wear your everyday glasses to give you the best vision for safe skiing. A vented lens air system helps equalise the temperature between the lenses, thus reducing fogging.

Caring for your goggles

Nobody wants to put on their ski goggles and find that they are scratched or scuffed. Your ski goggles need to be clear for optimal vision. The following tips will help keep your ski goggles clean, clear, and scratch-free.

To keep your goggles smooth and unscratched, always store them in the soft bag they came with when you purchased them. This will make sure that your goggles do not get scratched by other gear in your ski bag. If you do not have your goggle bag with you, you could always store them in your fleece gaiter/neck warmer.

When cleaning your goggles, always use a very soft cloth.

When handling your goggles, treat them gently and try not to touch the lenses.

Do not place your goggles lens-down on the table. Instead, place them so the lenses are facing up towards the ceiling.

Choosing a Ski Helmet

There has been much debate over wearing a helmet whilst skiing, some say it is the preserve of snowboarders, but here at OutdoorGB, hopefully without sounding like you mother, we think it is better to be safe than sorry. To put it this way a crash at 30mph is equivalent to falling onto concrete from a second-floor balcony.

Before you buy a ski helmet you will need to find your helmet size or your "hat size". Finding this isn't difficult, as most helmets are sized in centimetres based on the circumference of your head. To get a measurement, use a tape measure around your head, just above your eyebrows.

A good entry-level ski helmet to look at is the Uvex X-Ride Motion Helmet, ideal for both skiing and snowboarding, this helmet will protect your head whilst also meeting EN 1077 and ASTM F 2040 standards.

When it comes to children wearing a helmet is an absolute must, the Uvex Jet Ride Flash Junior Ski Helmet is an ideal helmet to protect little heads. Featuring a climate regulating system, the Jet Ride will ensure your child's head is kept at optimum temperature.

Sorting out your Ski Clothing

Your ski clothing has a bigger impact on your ski day than you might think. Skiing in ill-fitting ski clothes is not only extremely uncomfortable, but it can hinder your performance too.

The ideal way of dressing for skiing is to use different layers. In order of importance, the keys to a successful layering system are warmth, weight, moisture management, and packing the right number of layers. Generally, it is advisable to follow the 3 layer system. The first layer is the base layer which consists of thermal underwear . The middle layer is general clothing or a fleece jacket. Lastly, wear an outer jacket which protects you against the elements.

Although not a traditional item, everyone at OutdoorGB thinks Buff scarves are a perfect item to add to your ski kit.

When optimum performance is necessary, the Helly Hansen Prowool Pants are perfect. Designed to provide warmth, moisture control and overall comfort even in the coldest conditions, this bestseller is available for both men and women.

Available in a range of colours.

With it's polar bear-like hollow-fibre technology and warm merino wool combination, the Helly Hansen Ice Men's Crew Top will ensure that you'll be comfortable and in style all day, even in the coldest temperatures.

Available in a range of colours.

The Montane Extreme Jacket is the definitive high-specification soft-shell, lightweight jacket offering comfortable use over a wide range of winter temperatures.

Never think "damn if only I had my gloves and scarf" with the Loki Tak Light Shell Jacket. A sensational high performance jacket, the Tak features integral mittens and scarf that easily stow away when not needed.

What to wear "Apres-Ski" - The OutdoorGB guide to fashion off the slopes.

While some skiers choose to stop at the apres-ski scene right after their last run, spending the night in insulating layers, snow pants, and worst of all - ski boots, is not going to make for the most comfortable experience. Consider what you might wear for an ordinary night out, but keep in mind the cold weather. After all, because you're at a ski resort, you have the excuse to incorporate a few "alpine" pieces (such as what's already in your ski wardrobe) which you might not be able to get away with at home. As important as fashion might be to your apres-ski attire don't forget function too. Your apres-ski clothes should be comfortable. Also, if you are coming right from the ski resort, it might be a good idea to remove a few of your layers, because it's likely that you're going to heat up quickly in the a buzzing bar or restaurant.

What's Great to Wear for Apres-Ski

Your Favorite Fleece - A nice fleece jacket is perfect for casual socialising after the last run of the day.

A Vest - Whether it's fleece or down, a vest can be thrown over the most basic shirt and still look great. Vests are also practical because they can be easily removed if you feel too hot.

A Sweater - A sweater is always a great option for the apres-ski scene. Even if it's just a sweater that you ski in, a sweater is perfect for the apres-ski scene.

Your Ski Jacket - Especially if your ski jacket fits well and looks modern, it's great to wear to an apres-ski event. However, if your ski jacket is too bulky to keep track of once you take it off, it might be a good idea to reserve your ski jacket for the actual slopes.

Your Soft Shell Jacket - If you have a soft shell jacket, consider wearing it to the apres-ski scene. After all, it looks great because it just screams "Skier!"

What’s Not so Great to Wear for Apres-Ski

Your Ski Accessories – Ski goggles, ski helmets, ski masks, neck gaitors, and gloves are just too much for a night on the town.

A Ski Suit – If you prefer to ski in a ski suit, don’t wear it for apres-ski, you will overheat, and removing the ski suit will just be an unnecessary hassle.

Heavily Insulated Snow Pants – If you have heavily insulated snow pants, don’t wear them for the apres-ski scene, most likely, you’ll find yourself uncomfortable as they’ll be too bulky and much too hot.

Your Ski Boots – After a long day of skiing, why spend unnecessary time in your ski boots? Indulge your feet and put on a comfortable pair of apres-ski boots, plus, the uncomfortable “ski boot walk” is slightly unattractive and much too awkward in a tight crowd!

25 years of Casio G-Shock

2009-01-13T11:03:00.000Z

Who would have thought one mans clumsiness could lead to the creation of such a revolutionary watch. In 1981, Kikuo Ibe accidentally dropped his watch onto his tiled office floor and he was rather annoyed to say the least. The cherished watch, a graduation present from his parents, was now smashed to pieces rendering it binworthy. Disgruntled that a watch couldn't survive such a fall, Ibe, an ideas man, decided he would make a watch so tough it would never break. The fact he worked for Casio's research and development department meant that this was no pipe dream, this was something he could make happen.

In the autumn of 1981, Kikuo Ibe recruited Yuichi Masuda and Takashi Nikaido to work on his project, calling themselves Project Team Tough, they set out to make Ibe's tough watch reality. Yuichi Masuda had become involved in the project because of his curiosity, he had noticed Ibe was spending a lot of time in the toilet, but knew Ibe didn't have a bowel or bladder problem, because everytime he ran to the toilet, he would immediately run downstairs and out of the building. Was it OCD? Was Kikuo Ibe a madman? Did he just like confusing people? Naturally curious Masuda asked Ibe what the hell he was doing. Kikuo Ibe admitted he had been testing prototypes for his tough watch but as it was not an offical Casio project he was not able to use the pressure chambers, centrifuges or any of that other hi-tech sophisticated stuff, so instead he was resorting to simpler means - namely chucking watches out of toilet windows.

Though it seems crazy, the window test was the perfect measure of the toughness of the watch, the distance from the toilet window to the ground below was 10 metres, if the watch survived that fall, Ibe would be satisifed it was tough enough. The creation of this tough watch was not a simple task though, after many trials, Kikuo Ibe kept coming back with destroyed prototype after destroyed prototype. After many funny looks everytime he entered a toilet and a good deal of time Ibe gave in and resigned himself to the fact he just couldn't make a watch that would survive a 10m fall.

One day whilst at a park, Ibe realised he wouldn't let people discussing his toilet habits get him down, he needed to start working on the project once more, he was no quitter. Watching a little girl play with a small rubber ball, Ibe noticed how the ball could be hit with such force and the rubber would just absorb the impact. Kikuo Ibe realised he needed to use this principal in the creation of his watch. After almost two years perfecting prototypes of the watch and hell of a lot of time spent in the toilet, one day a watch went out the window and came back up unscathed.

With the unbreakable material developed, Project Team Tough decided the watch needed to meet three requirements - the watch should withstand a 10-metre drop, be water resistant to a depth of at least 10 bars and have a battery life of 10 years. The triple ten requirements would not be used in initial marketing, although they had faith in their product, they did not want others holding the team or the watch to the triple ten requirements. The team decided it was better to come up with a name that implied these standards. Takashi Nikaido came up with the name G-Shock, with the G standing for Gravity.

The first watch produced was the DW-5000, eight prototypes were made with the words Project Team Tough in the lower-left-hand corner of the crystal, Kikuo Ibe still wears one of the original eight to this day.

Features have long surpassed the original Triple Ten, today they are watches available that are powered by solar power, that use atomic timekeeping, mud-resistant models, models with altitude features, models with thermometers, watches with world time functions and watches with barometer functions and thats just a few!

25 years on Casio G-shock watches have become a cult classic, instantly recognisable and a favourite amongst collectors. There have been many collaborations notably with A Bathing Ape, Stussy, LRG and Levis. The watches have appeared in numerous films including the Mission Impossible series, Bad Boys, Speed and The Cable Guy to name a few. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the watch Casio have teamed up with film director Spike Lee and graphic artist Eric Haze amongst others to produce special signature models.

For a wide selection of Casio Watches log onto www.outdoorgb.com

Chunky, orange and may just save your life

2009-01-11T15:24:00.000Z

Getting out there on your own can be absolute bliss, the freedom, the fresh air, the independence and best of all the fact there is no-one to nag you!

But as much as you would like to get away from it all, there’s always the chance that as you are alone, you could get lost or stranded. I know, I know I'm throwing the worst case scenario straight out there and putting a negative spin on getting away from it all, but getting lost or stranded is never going to be an exciting prospect now is it? And it is definitely something that needs to be prepared for.

So take a phone, take some kind of mapping device, take a first aid kit and take every kind of energy food and drink you can find. But what if you find yourself in trouble? What if the phone goes out of range or worse runs out of battery? What if you exhaust all your supplies? What if the mapping device is no match for the situation you are in? Well the answer is, you are stranded and there is not much you can do about it. Bet you would kill to have your wife nag you now, wouldn't you?

So what can you do to stop yourself getting stranded I hear you say. What you can do is take a look at the SPOT. SPOT is a chunky orange GPS tracker device; it looks suspiciously like a PDA on steroids that has been slapping on fake-bake by the bucket load. But of course appearance isn't everything. Especially when it comes to survival. SPOT is here to bail you of trouble, SPOT works where no mobile phone will work; SPOT will work in the most extreme conditions - at heights of up to 21,000 feet and at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. SPOT works around the world, including virtually all of the continental United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe and Australia, portions of South America, Northern Africa and North-eastern Asia, and hundreds or thousands of miles off-shore of these areas. To put it simply SPOT is a lifesaver and has saved lives.

When 72 year old Mike Brady rose from the fog of unconsciousness on Jan. 4 2008, he was alone on the ground outside a sauna in one of the most remote sections of Alaska with the thermometer
hovering dangerously near 30 degrees below zero. He couldn't move and the nearest help was about 50 miles to the north in the isolated community of McCarthy, Brady was stranded having fallen down the steps near the cabin where he was staying alone.

In the first few moments on the ground near Ultima Thule lodge in the heart of the Wrangell-St. Elias National Park, Mike Brady wondered if he would live. Having lived in Alaska for the past 50 years he was fully aware of the deadly nature of subzero cold, even as he struggled to gather his senses, he realised that if he stayed on the ground the cold would start to pull the life out of his body. In tens of minutes, he would be weakened by hypothermia, in hours; it would kill him and all because of a stupid slip.

He knew he had to move, he knew he had to get up, eventually getting up and stumbling inside, he made his way into his cabin and lit his stove. After a while he realised he needed help, he realised he needed to use that muscular tangoed device we now know as SPOT. Pointing the SPOT at the South horizon he pushed the button marked 911, Brady's position was relayed to the GEOS International Emergency Call Centre in Houston, Texas, dispatchers there notified the Alaska National Guard in Anchorage and within tens of minutes, a rescue helicopter was airborne and on its way to him. Brady was no longer stranded, no longer in danger of losing his life and had been saved by a device that had only been released 2 months previously.

SPOT is a simple device with only four buttons - Help, On/Off, OK and 911, though it is a device that saves lives. SPOT can let people know where you are, it can let them know you are ok or in the case of Mike Brady it will let the emergency services know you are in danger. Of course being in danger doesn't necessarily mean you need a full-blown helicopter rescue mission, but because it works using GPS, SPOT alerts people to your exact global position, in Mike Brady's case they knew he would perish outside and alone in the bitter Alaskan temperatures so a helicopter was the only option.

SPOT isn't just a device for those working and living in the extremities of the earth, it is also ideal for anybody regularly going anywhere alone where mobile phone coverage is poor and just remember appearances can be deceptive.

Introducing the Suunto X10

2009-01-08T12:13:00.000Z

Are you a keen outdoorsman with a need for a compass, barometer, altimeter, thermometer and a GPS device but don't have enough hands to carry them all? Instead of lugging everything bar the kitchen sink around, you should cast your attention to the Suunto X10. The X10 packs all of the aforementioned devices into a neat wrist unit, plus it tells the time too, but we must stress this is not a watch, this is a wrist top computer.

We have been selling the Suunto X10 for a few months now and it has proved a hit amongst many customers. Launched at the tail end of last year, this is the perfect device to kickstart 2009's outdoor activities. Have you given up on your New Year's resolution to get fit already? Or did you vow to get out and about while breathing smog-free air more? As Suunto say the X10 makes the Earth your playground and it will make you want to get out there and get back on track with those resolutions.

Whether you run, cycle, climb, trek or are just inquisitive about the weather, the X10 has a feature for you.

Now you may have noticed the X10 is not a dainty little thing, but then its not really that big if you consider everything that is packed into the one unit. Imagine having to carry a compass, a barometer, an altimeter, a thermometer and a GPS device around, you would need a rather large backpack or an easy manupilated friend. While this thing, well it just sits on your wrist and like a normal wristwatch (again its not just a wristwatch!) you will hardly even know you are wearing it.

For those of you who know your Suunto, you probably know the X10 is the replacement for the X9i. Now the X9i was a good watch, but good can always get better, there is always room for improvement. Improved the X10 is, the GPS is a lot faster, locking to satellites in seconds and performing much better in difficult conditions such as dense woodland and stormy weather. A lot of people of people found the battery life of the X9i to be poor, with the X10 this is greatly improved, the battery is much much better with 30% more life. The X10 can also be charged up on the go with any USB travel charger, which is ideal if your stamina is greater than that of the watch (you are one trooper if you undertake that mean feat!). A good little charger to use, is the SPX900 Solar Charger. The solar charger is the ultimate companion for charging the X10 outdoors, there is no need to worry about batteries getting drained or laptops crashing or whatever else you would charge it with failing, all you need to have is light!

So what exactly does the X10 do?

GPS Function: Go beyond North and South with a GPS watch that knows where you are going and how to get you back to base. Plan your trek at home and upload the route to the X10. The X10 GPS watch is compatible with National Geographic TOPO! Maps, Google Earth, and Fugawi.

Also included with the X10 and free for download from Suunto.com is the Track Exporter PC software, which makes route planning and waypoint programming a breeze.

Going where you've never gone before? The X10 will record your tracks, which you can save or use to find your way home. Found the perfect trail? Save the coordinates on your watch.

Altimeter Function: Measure your altitude from the lowest points of Death Valley to the highest peak of Mount Everest or from the top of that hill in your local country park to the bottom of it. The altimeter measures your elevation using air-pressure. An altimeter is a useful tool for loads of outdoor activities, including running, biking, hiking, skiing, or snowboarding or even just standing on your roof and seeing how high your house is.

Barometer Function: Like some kind of premonition from the gods, the barometer will let you know when to take shelter from a storm and when to carry on. The barometer measures atmospheric pressure in order to forecast weather (sorry to ruin the magic).

Compass Function: Know your direction at all times without the need to follow stars or use any other ancient methods.
and who is it for?
Anyone who loves adventure will love the Suunto X10. Whether you are a mountain guide, an explorer, a member of the military or a law enforcement agency, the X10 will be a invaluable device that will help you make critical decisions. Avid trekkers, adventure racers, bikers, hunters, and fishermen will find a feature for them with the X10's GPS, altimeter, barometer, and compass capabilities.

Find out more about the Suunto X10 here.

Talking of job losses, Satmap has made my paper maps redundant

2009-01-05T14:08:00.001Z

Those were the days, I left base, set off for a walk, explored new places, breathed fresh unpolluted air, just enjoyed the great outdoors in general. Just getting out there gave me a sense of well being, an experience of the care-free life, it was relaxing, well until I got lost.

Getting lost isn't such a big deal when you are in such beautiful surroundings. But of course I couldn't be lost forever because I didn't have a care-free life, I still had responsibilities and with only a few Kendal mint cakes for food, I don't think I could have become wilderness boy out in the Derbyshire peaks for very long.

So thank god for my bright orange OS explorer map, this was my bible, my escape rope if you like. Once I had stood and located my position, it was only a matter of time before I got back to civilisation. Holding my map out in front of me whilst walking along was easy, maybe it made me slightly look like a tourist but I didn't care I was multi-tasking and I was stopping myself having to forage around in bushes for food. This bright orange thing was my passport to a burger and chips.

Could it have been better? Well yes. It started to rain (and this was never a one-off, we are in England of course). There I am leisurely walking along, map outstretched in front of me, thinking of onion relish, when the heavens open and soak my explorer. A wet map is not much use, aside from using it as paper mache, but out on the peaks, making models is the last thing on your mind. So I would hurriedly try and fold my map back up, though it would never fold the right way first time would it? That would just be too easy, it would take at least 3 attempts and a lot of paper mache being made. Maybe you could try laminated maps? That was the advice I so often heard. So I tried them, they weren't bad but they weren't perfect. Ok so they didn't get wet, but they were bulkier and they still blew about when it was windy and worst of all, they were still just as hard to fold.

I was thinking of giving up and becoming a hermit, spending endless weekend after weekend locked away in the confines of my house, never venturing out onto a peak, moor or valley again. All because of my frustration with maps. I have no natural sense of direction, I have trouble finding my way home when its dark. I need maps, what I don't need is maps that turn into mush, maps that smack me into my face, maps that have the same challenging "qualities" of a rubiks cube. What I needed was the Satmap. My saviour, the reason I once again love the outdoors, the reason why I haven't become addicted to rubbish television, the reason why I am now constantly scouring the UK for new places to explore.

Let me explain what Satmap is, Satmap is a GPS device, with a difference. It's a handheld dream machine, well thats what I call it, others call it a handheld GPS mapping device. It's so easy to use, even an idiot like myself can use it.What I love about it though is the fact it uses OS maps, it has reignited my love for OS maps, I can now use these maps without seeing them disintergrating in front of me or constantly hitting me in the face. It will show me my location I don't have to stand around looking for where I am, it will also show a trail of where I have been, no more dropping sticks to retrace my steps. One of the best things though is how rugged it is, waterproof and shockproof, if this thing turns into paper mache I'm never going out again, ever.

Have a look for yourself here.