Blandford Shop re-opens

Gareth    Gareth, General Outdoor, Planning     Blandford Forum, Colin, Gareth, gear, Shop

Most of the people reading this blog will know Webtogs as an Online website and may not be familiar with the fact we have a shop in Blandford Forum thats run by Colin, our shop manager and uber guru mountain bikey action man. The shop has been on the go since day one as it has been important for us to get direct feedback from customers on products. It is however a rather small shop and Colin had been concerned that we were trying to be a bit of a jack of all trades. Keith (our buyer) on the way back from ISPO, started to chew the fat with Colin and together they decided the best way forward was to become a lot more specialised and focus more on footwear and boots.

Both these lads are of the get hands dirty brigade and so just 3 weeks later – they had completely changed the shop and refitted it. Last night James and myself, mosied on down for the grand re-opening. To say we were completely blown away by the change is like saying Karl Marx was a little to the left in politics. Gone was the cramped interior filled with gear left, right and centre, to be replaced by a clean, airy store focussing on boots with good local walking essentials (packs, socks, maps etc).

The highlight of the shop for me has to be the central ramp to ensure that people get a good feel for their boots on an upward and downhill slope, it looks frankly awesome. Colin and the gang have also been going through a training programme to ensure that the fitting service we offer is second to none.

The opening night was brilliant with lots of local people coming in to see the new style and attendance from the local press. All in all it was a cracking night and I very much hope that the shop reaps the success it deserves as we move in to 2009. If you are in the area, pop on down to 47B East Street to check it out or give Colin a call for more information on 01258 455544

What’s the best way to treat water whilst on a hike?

Gareth    Planning    

Every outdoor adventurer will have their preferred purification method – I know I do – but you do have a few options to consider:

1. Boiling
Boiling your water for three minutes will absolutely kill anything nasty that might be loitering around. Problem is, you’ll probably be left with a wood smoke taste in your mouth which isn’t too pleasant. On top of that, you’ll also have to be carrying fuel in your daypack, and keep in mind the environmental impact of burning fuel as well.

2. Iodine/Chlorine
Light, easy to carry, and available as liquid, crystal, or in tablets – Great! But there is downside – awful tasting water. The rule of thumb is the dirtier the water, the longer you wait for the iodine to work, but always check with the manufacturer’s directions to be absolutely sure about timing.

3. Water filtration systems
Want pure, good tasting water on the trail which has no environmental impact? Water filtration systems are the way to go! Of course there is a downside, which is the constant cleaning and care they demand. They are based on pore size, so look for a pore of one micron or less. If the pore is small enough, you can even filter out viruses. Hint: pre-filter your water through a cloth to speed up the purification process.

So which one is the best?

My recommendation is to try water filtration systems. Yes, it can be a bit of a hassle to deal with as you have to clean and change the tubes and filters – but worth it for the great taste and impact-free effect on the environment.

What should I look for when buying a tent?

Gareth    Planning     buying a tent, tent

If you’re on the mission to find the perfect tent and camping equipment, here are a few pointers to make sure you don’t end up with a dud:

• A good tent should protect you from wind, rain, snow, and the sun. If you can afford it, get an all-seasons tent – it’ll save you money in the long run as you won’t have to upgrade later.

• Unless you want to be harassed by bugs – make sure your tent has screens.

• Air vents will make your trip comfortable on hot, muggy nights.

• Dome tents are the sturdiest in windy conditions.

• Double wall tents have an inner breathable laminate, a waterproof outer shell, and less condensation.

• If you get a single wall tent, make sure the material is a breathable, waterproof laminate.

• Make sure the seams are double-stitched and not prone to leakage. If the seams are taped for extra protection and coated then this will add to the waterproof capabilities. If your tent is not taped or treated, you will need to do it yourself.

• Look for a tent made of ripstop nylon, which are much more durable and lighter than other materials such as canvas.

• Colour is a matter of personal choice but remember that brighter colours are more visible in snowy or misty conditions.

• Tent poles should be fibreglass or aluminium; fibreglass is lighter but aluminium is stronger. Poles moulded to the shape of the tent are usually stronger. Fibreglass poles pack better and take up less space.

• And finally, make sure it’s easy to set up. No one enjoys fumbling about in the dark at the end of a long day trek.

The perfect tent will have a lot to do with the conditions you’re camping in. Unfortunately, you probably can’t justify buying a new tent for every condition, but these tips should help you get a good all round tent that you’ll get lots of use out of for several years to come.