Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
A while ago, I did a group review of Rab’s first foray into the running market with their Skyline range. Rab already had a pedigree for outdoor gear, so it wasn’t a huge surprise that, overall it was excellent. There were a few things that needed fixing, but generally it was a pretty rounded set of running gear. I was interested to see how things would evolve over time.
Then I got sent two new samples. A windproof jacket, the Stormveil
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
I owned a Kamleika jacket from the OMM around a decade ago. In fact, I also owned the Kamleika trousers too. The jacket was nice and stretchy and the material is soft which made it very comfortable. I liked it, but over time it lost its effectiveness and got ripped too many times on barbed wire or thorny bushes, so it got binned. The trousers I still have and are carried as obligatory gear. They have been ripped many times and taped back up. They are not that waterproof anymore, but importantly, are still windproof. They are very comfortable due to the stretch.
I was interested to see how the current iteration of the Kamleika jacket compared to the old, using my memory!
At 265g, the Kamleika is certainly not a pack and forget jacket. It is more a jacket you carry when expecting to wear it, or start running wearing it! It is designed to be worn and to give you some real protection from whatever is thrown at you. Not that the lighter jackets are useless when actually needed, but if you have ever spent a full day needing to wear a jacket in atrocious conditions, then you will understand their limits. Add on an extra 100 grammes of material and features and you get something a little more robust that will look after you better when the chips are down.
The kamleika jacket and trousers are made from OMM’s very own Kamleika material, which was first produced over 20yrs ago and was at the time, the first 4 way stretch waterproof material. It is no lightweight when it comes to performance under difficult conditions scoring 20,000g/m2 for breathability and 20,000 for hydrostatic head. Two very respectable scores, especially for such a stretchy material!
An interesting part of the Kamleika’s design is the addition of zippered hand pockets, one on each side, and no chest pocket. My first thought about these was how beneficial they would be when walking up a mountain in bad conditions, and having somewhere dry and windproof to stuff your hands (my hands get overly cold very easy so the extra protection is always good). They are easier to access than a chest pocket when wearing a race vest over the top too.
A close-up showing the thumb loop design
The cuffs are adjustable with a narrow but very tough Velcro strap. The hole created from this strap is designed to be used as a thumb loop for when conditions are in between glove weather and non-glove weather. There is also a little extra length over the back of the hand to protect your wrist a little more from the elements. This is featuring on many jackets now and is a simple yet very welcome addition as cold wrists generally means cold hands.
Sticking with the cut of the jacket, the rear is a drop tail, meaning it covers a bit more of your backside. I hate it when a waterproof is either too short or rides up. The Kamleika is neither.
There are two drawstrings in the bottom hem. No string around the drop tail.
The inner face of the jacket. Here you can see the two seperate drawstrings at the lower edge, so the drop tail remains dropped!
Now for the hood. For me, this is where any waterproof jacket is defined. If it is poor, it will mean it letting much wind and rain in, and sometimes not able to stay up in strong winds. If it is good, it will be rock solid on your head and it will give you more confidence when the weather really turns that you are ready for it, keeping you dryer and warmer. The Kamleika has a good hood. There is a quite large peak which is flexible as opposed to a mouldable wired peak. I prefer these, but I know some really like a wired hood. The single point of adjustment is a volume adjuster on the rear. This is the best and really helps to keep the hood in place and prevents it flapping around in high winds. When you have the hood up and the rear adjuster tightened, the hole at the front for your face is small, but I would prefer to have the ability to tighten up the sides of the hole as well, as under strong winds in the cold I want my chin covered and found in use it would stretch. Now, I know this would add weight which could have been the reason for not adding this. Any garment that has weight somewhere in its list of design priorities, will have some compromises, and for me this is it.
Though I will say that this is far from an inferior hood design, I just think it is just not perfect, and would be improved with this change.
In use the Kamleika jacket is really nice to wear. It is such a soft crinkle-free material with such impressive stretching that it can be mistaken for a windproof. As with all waterproof jackets it is really important to have no skin next to it else it feels very clammy and will not breath so well. The stretch is the real defining feature of the Kamleika jacket. It just feels like nothing else out there!
There is a YKK aquaguard zip which is as good as waterproof and added to that there is a zip baffle, so you are well protected from the front. I found I stayed well protected from the elements though of course as will all jackets, it did struggle to release moisture when I was working hard. Overall, though, I was impressed. It looked after me well if I respected it’s needs and was a pleasure to wear.
Priced at £190 on the OMM site, it is sitting in the middle ground, being neither at the top end or at the bottom, though I will say that £190 is still a lot of money! Is it worth it? I think it’s pretty unique feel and the stretch, really make it stand out as something different (quite difficult to achieve I imagine) and it certainly feels like a fairly reasonable price point, remembering that this is a jacket that is designed to be worn, not carried.
I sat in the middle of sizes so went up to the medium, which if anything is a little big for me, so I would definitely advise trying on if possible.
If you are in the market for a quality mediumweight waterproof that will give you decent protection through the day, with some great design features, then I can recommend having a look at the Kamleika jacket from the OMM.
To purchase the Kamleika jacket from OMM, please consider using the following links for the ladies and gents versions. The URC makes a small commission from each sale at no cost to the buyer. Thanks.
Avoalre recently contacted me asking if I would like to test their new socks. I hadn't heard of them, which is probably as they have no other running products in their product line, but I thought why not.
I do like good gear, but also don't believe that you have to spend lots of money to get high quality. Socks are a case-in-point as far as I am concerned. A sock need to fit well, be durable, seamless (ideally) and not hold on to moisture too long. Other than that though, they are no where near as complex as shoes or a bag for example. The knitting machine technology has got too a point where socks that tick these boxes can be produced relatively cheaply, and the socks from Avoalre are a perfect example.
They come in packs of three that cost just £17:99 and that is before the extra 5% off using the code below.
I have worn them a few times, and they are a great, foot hugging fit, and the coolmax helps to stop my feet overheating (which they do a lot!). They have some padding in the toe and heel which adds to the comfort, especially on those longer runs. All in all, they are all I need in a sock at a great price.
If like me, socks are the most neglected piece of gear you have, then why not grab yourself a three pack of Avoalre socks.
Use this link https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B09CKM5P64 and get the 5% discount here is the code LMDQCOCZ
If you are in France like me, use this link https://www.amazon.fr/dp/B09CKM5P64 And get the 10% discount, here is the code RYTSCKEM
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
Shorts are such a simple thing, aren’t they?
I wasn’t sure that a simple pair of shorts would warrant an entire review entry. That was until the S/lab Sense 6" shorts from Salomon turned up and I got to see the way these shorts are constructed.
At just 81 grammes, there really is nothing to them. They consist of a medium length outer short made out of a beautiful soft and thin material, plus the liner which has four stretchy stash pockets around the waist. The liner does not have legs, but is like a pair of briefs. I think all my old shorts had liners like this about a decade ago? The interesting part about these shorts is that the liner is basically the functional part the short, providing support and pockets. The outer is just there so that you don’t have to run in just a pair of pants. The outer has been attached to the liner at just four points as oppose to being sewn all the way around the top. The outer just hangs there and is almost, but not, a separate item. I have taken a picture to try to show this.
When I tried them on, they were a fairly tight fit around the waist. Initially I was concerned that maybe I needed the next size up, but after much use, they have never felt uncomfortable. In fact, the tightness meant that when I used the pockets around the waist, it was rock solid and never bounced which was great.
My first run in them was on a hot day, and consisted of a vertical km up before the long descent back down. On the way up I was impressed with how well they were dealing with the heat and the excess of sweat as I worked hard in the baking sun. The liner is a very stretchy, fine mesh and even the waistline with the pockets is thin so not a lot of sweat can get absorbed and held in the material.
I could barely feel the outer. It was like I was wearing just my pants! Amazing comfort.
On the way down, someone's dog nipped my leg and ripped a 5cm right angle tear in them leaving them flapping for the rest of the descent. Their maiden voyage too!
Thankfully, living in Chamonix, there are loads of excellent business’ that are well used to fixing outdoors gear and a lady did an amazing job of fixing them, when I though they’s be write-offs! Phew, testing was back on!
These shorts have become the ones I reach for when it is hot as they are easily the best shorts I own for managing sweat. They still get wet, but just don’t feel so sodden as some of the others I own that have more heavy-duty liners.
I do feel a little more exposed wearing them if I’m honest. Maybe that’s because I usually wear longer shorts and that they are so thin and barely feel like you have anything on? Maybe I should wear some proper short shorts to get used to it!
Overall, these are my favourite shorts I own and I am always happy when I get to wear them.
An issue some people may have is that if you ever get chafing on your inner thighs, then these may not help you much, so may not be suitable.
Priced at £100, these are right up there at the top end. Very expensive for very little material! But, they are superb and as I say, these are the most comfortable I have owned. Are they really worth the £100 price tag? As usual, I shall leave that up to you.
If you can afford them and you want a superlight, super comfortable pair of shorts, then the Salomon S/lab Sense 6” shorts are definitely worth a look!
To buy your Salomon S/lab Sense 6" shorts use the following link. The URC will make a small commision from each sale. Thanks.
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
Summer finally arrived here in Chamonix, after a few false starts, so it was perfect for trying out some of Montanes new Summer running wear. I have been given samples in the following items to test:
I have run a fair amount in all these items. The Sabre T-shirt the most as I got that over Winter so it got worn on some of the not so cold days.
First up, the
The Dragon shorts consist of an inner liner that has long legs like cycling shorts, a nice thin, loose outer short, and a waist band. The liner and waistband are produced with Econyl which is a yarn manufactured from pre or post-industrial waste, preventing much waste from ending up in landfill and even reclaiming fishing nets that have been dumped in the sea. You can read more about Carvico, the company that carries out this recycling process here.
Ok, so, you will either care about eco credentials, or not, but what you all will care about when buying new shorts, is how comfortable they are! They feel good on, and although the liner is quite tight, it isn’t super tight which I am not keen on. They are supportive, yet still leave some freedom. The liner is not thick, but is not that thin either. I like the wide waistband and I particularly like the way the draw cord comes out the top of the waistband where they usually have the exit holes internally or externally. I find it sits better and more comfortably on my skin.
There is a rear zipped pocket, big enough for my phone like on almost every pair of shorts out there and also two small stash pockets, one on each side for gels or litter. There are no pockets on the front, which is a shame I thought.
The outer short is a light, thin and very stretchy material. There are some brand markings in various places which are reflective which is great for added safety.
On the trails and roads, these shorts have been comfortable. Mine are medium, but small would certainly have been a better fit for me, so I would recommend dropping down a size from what the size charts advise. Even though the size was a little large for me, they were still comfortable, and I enjoyed the length a lot.
It has been pretty hot here at around 30 celcius (Hot for me!) and so I have been sweating heavily, which is always a great test for shorts. Do they prevent chafing and do the manage moisture well? The liner does have seams but I have had no issues at all, so currently I have to say they have passed the chafe test!
Moisture management on the other hand, is not so good. When I am really hot, I sweat a lot on my back and backside, to the point where you could wring it all out. I am not sure that there is any short I have worn that doesn’t get so sodden when it is really hot, but for me, when they got wet, they stayed wet for quite a while too. While wet though, they did remain comfortable which I guess is the most important factor.
The rear pocket is great and big enough for most phones. I have had shorts where the rear pocket is not big enough for a smartphone which, these days, is a bit short sighted in my opinion. The two gel pockets are useful, but would be a bit more useful if they went a bit further around the waist. I think the whole waist should get used for at least elasticated stash pockets.
Overall, I have liked these shorts and tend to grab them most times, but if it is really warm out, then I will tend to pick out something lighter. A good short which could be a great short with some refinements.
The Dragon twin-skin shorts are priced at £60 so are top/mid priced for a quality double short.
To purchase the Dragon twin skin shorts follow this link -
The dragon tank, is brilliant. Simple, no fuss and barely feel it on as it is so thin and light. This is designed for the hot days and if you want to not get a hardcore t-shirt tan on the arms, then a tank is the way to go! It is thin as previously mentioned, it has a slightly raised neck which I really like as it puts a layer between you and your running pack you may be wearing, so helps prevent any chafing that may occur. It also has a zip which is always great to add some extra ventilation when it is really hot.
The material has been treated with Polygiene which aids odour prevention, which I think is an effective way of not stinking even after a really long day.
Like the shorts, there are also some small reflective details that will help you be seen, adding a little extra safety.
This fitted me lovely, and was long enough and didn’t ride up. The neck was long enough to always add protection for my neck and the zip was a welcome addition when the temps were really high.
This is almost like the opposite to the Dragon shorts for me : when it is really warm I don’t want the shorts, but do want the Dragon tank, and vice-versa. A fantastic item I enjoy wearing.
The Dragon zip tank retails at £38 and is a great price for a technical garment, which is simple yet well thought out.
To purchase the Dragon zip tank, follow the following link -
When there is any sign of sun, or if it is cold, due to the fact of having little hair on top, I need some sort of cover for warmth or sun protection. During the Summer it is usually a cap. I have had a few over the years and generally have a favourite that gets worn till its falling apart. I like the idea of the Cadenza. It is a light, stretchy cap that is designed with a flexible peak, to make it an easily stowable cap. You really can just screw it up and stuff it in whatever pocket you have free.
It come in one size and is non-adjustable, so you need to check if it is ok on your head. It was just about ok on my head, but if my head were any larger, then it could possibly be too tight. I think my head is a size 58.
I like this cap as it is purely designed for activity and fits your head closely using technical materials that breath well and manage moisture well. The peak is fairly short though still an effective sun shade, but when I have been sweating for a long time and the peak soaks up the sweat, it gets a little heavier and a little floppier. I found this a little annoying, but not overly so. I still wear the cap.
The Cadenza cap is priced at £24 which seems very reasonable and should last a long time.
As I said earlier, I have been using this top for longer than all the other items, and it has crossed over the seasons well.
It is a simple, no fuss, long-sleeved top made from a fairly thin material. I have added it in with this list of summer items, as it is perfect for warming up pre-race, or wearing on those days when it is just a tiny bit too cold to have your arms out. It is not really a base layer, but of course can be treated as such, which is why I got quite a bit of use from it during Winter.
The fact it is thin, aids it drying quickly and makes for a comfortable wear.
As much as I am sometimes quite keen on a bit of in-your-face bright Euro styling, I really liked the plain down-to-Earth look of this. It could just about be worn as casual wear which I liked.
At 135g, this top is very packable and is ideal as a spare, or emergency top to stuff in your pack.
For me it fitted really well, body length was long enough and never rode up, the arms were quite long, and when rolled up they stayed up well. The neck was a crew neck and although I like a higher neck for the added chafe protection, this was really nice to pull on for days when not wearing a vest, and the feeling of being light feels great!
This is a great all-rounder which I will be reaching for at least once in every month I imagine. I simple yet versatile top which fits beautifully.
At £38, the Sabre long-sleeve is a great deal in my opinion.
To purchase the sabre long sleeved top, follow this link -
I have spoken before of my love of the simple, windproof gilet, and that continues here with Montanes own gilet. I believe Montane made one years ago but stopped producing them. They have just re-released it and that makes me very happy. Again, simplicity is key, with such minimalist clothing.
The waist hem is adjustable and the arm holes are lightly elasticated to give a close yet comfortable fit. It has a decent full-length zip and the material is windproof and has some stretch to it. There is also a small zipped pocket on the chest which also doubles up as a bag for the gilet if you tuck it all in.
At just 75g, this is something I will always be either carrying or wearing if there is anything other than amazing wall to wall sunshine during 1 or 2 hour runs and I will almost certainly have it on me for anything longer. It is just so small and light, that it really doesn’t cross my mind whether I shouldn’t take it!
The material is soft and not all crinkly so is nice to wear. It fits me closely enough that it doesn’t blow around like a bin bag but so tight that it is restrictive.
When a cold wind blows at the top of a long climb, when I am wet with sweat, then the featherlite trail vest is magic!
Priced at £60, I’d say it sits in the middle. Neither cheap, nor very pricey. For me though, the gilet is an important item of clothing for running all year round. I use mine ski touring during winter and it is just as valuable!
Written by Neil Bryant for the URC
I recently reviewed the interesting and innovative Trail running shoes from Cimalp and found them to be a good shoe. The variable heel to toe drop, which is adjustable with the three different thickness insoles that come with them (4, 6 and 8mm) worked well, and if they could get the weight down a little then this would be seriously competitive with the big boys. Not bad for a small company who have just recently started producing shoes.
I was then offered the opportunity to test and review some of their extensive clothing range. Have a look at the site here to check out their large range.
The items to test were:
In more detail, in the same order, let’s start with the Storm Pro 3 jacket
The Storm Pro is constructed with 3-layers incorporating ultrashell as the breathable membrane. It weighs in at 260g so compared to the super lightweight end of the spectrum, which is around 100g, it isn’t that light, but this is a 3-layer jacket, and because of that, it should be able to handle a great deal more than the super light jackets. This will be the jacket you take if you are expecting plenty of rain for long periods.
I liked the fit, as it wasn’t a very slim fit, so you could layer up underneath if it was really cold too. This is a jacket that is made for those foul weather days that you want to be both light, and comfortable. A difficult balance!
Some detail of its construction. It has one pocket on the chest that also has a small pocket inside for a phone or music player. There is an internal hole for a headphone cable too. The full-length zip is of the waterproof variety from YKK, one of the best zip manufacturers.
The hem around the lower edge, is lightly elasticated with no way to adjust it. This fitted me nicely. The wrists are also non-adjustable and lightly elasticated. This time though there is a small triangle of lycra like material with a hole at one edge which provides a thumb loop. A nice touch as I often get slightly cold wrists which leads to cold hands and end up pulling the sleeves down over my hands. This means I can just stick my thumb through the hole and my wrists are protected from the elements. A nice, unusual touch.
The all-important hood. How does it measure up? It is big enough and has a decent peak. It is again lightly elasticated around the back, and again there is no adjustment. This time though, I feel that there should be a way of tightening it up. This jacket, in my opinion is built for the really grim days, so really should have a solid hood that can cope with anything. It would be good for most things, but when the wind gets really strong, it moves around a little. For the cost of literally a few grammes, this could be vastly improved and rock solid on your head. I think it is acceptable for super light jackets to have no adjustment, but when you have a mid-weight, three-layer jacket, it should have a fully adjustable hood.
The final detail, which I really like, and should be on every waterproof made for high intensity activity, is a small push button strap that holds together the two sides near the top of the zip, enabling the zip to be opened up for ventilation without the shoulders sliding off. I love this feature!
I have used this jacket a fair bit over the last few months for both ski touring on the descents, and running. It has been used for a few rainy dog walks too! It was a good jacket to pull on during ski touring. I would work hard on the descent and generate a lot of heat, when the temp was around –10 celcius, then would rapidly cool down at the top as I prepped for the descent. Here I would quickly don the jacket and make my way back down. A pretty good test of how well the jacket creates a cosy environment considering the low temperatures, the strong wind chill and how wet with sweat I was. It is definitely an improvement over a super light jacket as it is thicker and more solid. I also felt that if I fell, I probably would shred it as I have with a lighter jacket.
Out on the trails it was also great and really added to my feeling of being more protected from the elements. It seems very waterproof and very breathable. The breathability figures are 80,000g/m2/24hr which are incredibly high! When working fairly hard, I still sweat a lot unless it is well below zero, but then I can open up the front zip and this is when I can button up the little strap at the top and this stops the jacket sliding off of my shoulders. I have this on a Montane jacket also, so this isn’t the first time I have seen it, but seriously think it should be on every jacket!
The thumb loops are a nice touch and really help to keep your wrists and back of hands out of the rain and wind which saves hands getting too cold on many occasions.
I have to say though that it is of course not the lightest or the most packable jacket by a long shot. If I thought there was just a threat of showers, I would take the lighter, smaller jacket. But that is not what this jacket is for. Throw the elements at this all day and it will be happy. This is not a jacket designed to be stowed away for emergencies.
The hood, in practice has been adequate. It has kept all but the worst out. It could certainly be improved though with a single adjustable cord around the helmet line.
Overall this is a superb jacket. It is practical, durable, light for a 3-layer jacket, some nice touches, such as the zip strap and thumb loops. As always, when chasing a light weight, sacrifices have been made, and I mostly am happy except for the hood. It is nice to use a jacket that isn’t incredibly light as it adds that protection you just don’t get. We are getting quite a lot of heavy rain at the moment, and this jacket has been perfect. Well doneCimalp.
The gilet is an underappreciated item of clothing amongst athletes I feel. It took me a while to understand the point of them. Now I see it as an item I can’t go without! When it is very cold or cold and wet, a long armed jacket can just be too warm during high effort runs and will be sweated out very quickly, whereas the gilet, by virtue of having big holes instead of arms, is massively vented. You just don’t sweat as much wearing one! It just protects your core from the elements. They are of course capable of being incredibly small when packed and light. They can be so small and light, you can pretty much carry them without knowing! The Cimalp gilet is made from a windproof material which is both thin and light. There is a light elastic band around the bottom to keep it close fitting, and one pocket on the chest. The zips have a pull cord on which is nice when wearing gloves to make use of them easier. Not too much else to say feature wise really. A simple garment!
It is very light at 87g and initially the material feels a little stiff, but with a bit of wearing, and a few times through the washing machine it is beginning to feel a little more supple. Build quality is good and overall a nice garment.
I am not much of a tights wearer, but over the last few years, there have been a few times when I have dug them out for a particularly cold or miserable day and been happy that it was a wise choice. Last year I reviewed some tights from Rab which were great but fairly thick, so for me only any use when it was minus 10 celcius otherwise I would overheat (I tend to run hot!). The Cimalp tights are a lot thinner and made me think that I would be able to get more use from them.
These are nice fitting on me, with small ankle zips to make getting them on and off easier. They also have a very wide waist with five elasticated pockets around it, one being zipped which is brilliant. This feels like one of my favourite clothing innovations of recent years as you can hold enough for a two or three hour run around your waist with no need to carry a bag or hold anything in your hands. The wide elasticated waist is very comfortable and secure. There is a draw cord to, but I have never needed it.
To run in these tights is pretty good. They are comfortable, fit in length and being about the right tightness for me. Movement felt completely unimpeded and the warmth they provide is ample, yet they allow air through so there is an element of breathing which is nice. This is my favourite item from Cimalp I have tried yet and I am not really a tight wearer!
The Argentieres top is a thermal long sleeve with a short zip and a slightly raised neck. It also has thumb loops.
When I first got this top I didn’t think the material looked good as it has a sheen to it that for some reason made me think it would stay wet once it got wet. Maybe it reminded me of something I’ve owned before?
On first pulling the top on, it was smooth and comfortable. It is a fairly casual fit on me which is nice. With a decent length to the arms so that the thumb loops are comfortable to wear. I once had a top with thumb loops, with arms that were long enough for my arms, but as soon as I used the thumb loops, it was too short and would eventually cut off the blood to my thumbs! No problem of that here.
I have worn this top in some cold conditions and some wet conditions. Under a waterproof, under a gilet and alone. First thing to note, is that it manages moisture well and my concerns of it being a bit of a sponge were unfounded. It is warm yet breathable and the not tight fit was nice. You can wear this in everyday use without it looking too sporty. It is a mid-weight/thickness so fits most winter days well. I have thinner tops which are great when it is just a bit too chilly for short sleeves and I have thicker for proper cold stuff, but this fits well for most cold days. It has had some decent use, and will get plenty more use.
A great option for those cold days when all-day comfort and drying out quickly are paramount to having a good day in the hills.