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Products Tested
As well as messing about on the water we also like nothing more than testing new gadgets and useful products. Please click on the review link for more information. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you would like to add your comments or recommendations.

Suunto Core All Black Watch			Lightweight Dry Sacks
The Suunto Core builds on the best selling Vector, it includes an accurate altimeter, barometer, digital thermometer, weather trend Indicator and digital compass. (r.r.p £220)			Black lightweight Dry Sacks made from super tough waterproof welded vinyl. Quick release buckle for easy closure and security. (r.r.p £8.95 - £14.95)
		review Suunto Core All Black Watch The Suunto Core builds on the best selling Vector, it includes an accurate altimeter, barometer, digital thermometer, weather trend Indicator and digital compass. Ok, so you might not make much use of the altimeter on your canoeing expeditions but this watch is packed with features that will help you enjoy the great outdoors. The weather trend indicator and storm alarm will give you an advance warning of approaching rain and the compass may help you if you find yourself lost in open water. The digital thermometer can provide an accurate measurement of the water temperature. I would recommend strapping the watch to your paddle to take a measurement as it needs to be submerged for a couple of minutes to get a correct reading. The watch strap is long enough to fit around the widest of wrists even over a wetsuit. Practical in the wild and stylish on the street, this watch really is the business. Half a star has been deducted because the watch face is a little large and can look a bit like a saucer if the wearer has thin wrists. Rating - - more information			review Lightweight Dry Sacks Black lightweight Dry Sacks made from super tough waterproof welded vinyl. Quick release buckle for easy closure and security. A range of sizes to suit all your dry sack needs. The 100ltr sack is large enough to accommodate a roll mat, tent, sleeping bag and a few days worth of dry clothes. Sizes: Small (20ltr) (L)58cm (W)38cm weight 350g Medium (40ltr) (L)71cm (W)34cm weight 460g Large (100ltr) (L)108cm (W)58cm weight 820g. As well as it's designed purpose I have also found the large dry sacks make an ideal cover to put on a car seat to stop them getting wet after a kayaking session. Rating - - more information
Eurohike Backpacker 2 Man Tent			Self Inflating Roll Mat - XL
This 2 man tunnel tent which weighs in at only 2.8kg is the perfect shelter for your summer canoe expeditions. (r.r.p £32)			The Gelert Xpedition XL mat inflates to 3cm providing good support and at 198cm long accommodates most heights. (r.r.p £25)
		review Eurohike Backpacker 2 Man Tent This 2 man tunnel tent which weighs in at only 2.8kg is the perfect shelter for your summer canoe expeditions. This tent is easy to pitch and should provide a reasonable level of protection for most of the year, however in anything stronger than a light breeze the sides of the tent do blow about. In windy conditions I would recommend siting the tent in a sheltered location or using your kayak as a windbreak. At 6'4" I still had enough space to be comfortable but wouldn't like to share the tent with anyone else, with the exception of Kylie Minogue maybe. The porch area is useful for storing equipment or for brewing up without leaving the comfort of your sleeping bag. Pack Length (60cm) - Pack Width (16cm) - Fibreglass poles - steel Pegs. Rating - - more information			review Gelert Xpedition XL Mat 3cm This water repellent self inflating mattress has a quick flow valve for easy inflation, weighs in at under 1.5kg and is long enough (198cm) to accommodate most heights. The fabric is a durable 150D Polyester and features a non-slip pattern on the base which should help avoid those embarressing falling off a 3cm high bed incidents. Ideal for lightweight camping expeditions and, when folded, fits neatly inside the large dry sack reviewed in 'Products Tested'. Mattress comes complete with a useful carry sack and repair kit. Colour: green on one side black on the other. Rating - - more information
Memory Map Mobile			Hexi Cooker
Make the most of your gps enabled Windows Smartphone with detailed OS maps, route tracking and waypoint navigation. (price varies)			Cheap, small and lightweight these Hexamine 1 man cookers are a fast and efficient way to boil water or heat food. (r.r.p £3.95)
		review Memory Map Mobile Make the most of your gps enabled Windows Smartphone with detailed OS maps, route tracking and waypoint navigation. Many Windows Smartphones come with gps built in allowing you to use Tom Tom or, if you're more interested in leaving roads and exploring the countryside, Memory Map Mobile. With Memory Map installed on your PC you can upload bespoke maps to your smartphone. Also, once you have purchased one of the Memory Map products you can use it to access the digital map store and buy additional maps or sections of maps of your choice. As there are a number of different Memory Map products available it is difficult to advise on a specific cost. One thing I do strongly advise is buying an AquaPac case for your phone. The touchscreen on our test phone (an iMate Ultimate 8502) could be controlled through the AquaPac case allowing easy operation. Rating - - more information			review Hexi Cooker The basic but ingenius kit includes a folding steel cooker and a pack of 8 Hexamine fuel tablets. Unfold the cooker, take out a tablet from the box (contained in the folder cooker) and away you go. We have found that the fuel blocks do smell and can stain material so we recommend putting the fuel block box in a plastic bag before storing the cooker in your kit bag. The fuel blocks burn quite quickly so get your water/food ready before lighting the cooker. Also keep the cooker out of the wind to get the most out of each fuel block. Great for emergencies or the odd cup of tea but take a gas burner if you are planing to do any real cooking. Rating - - more information
Nookie Ranger Buoyancy Aid			Keen Hood River Boot
A comfortable and easy to adjust life jacket with a pocket for every job and a large pouch on the back that can hold a 2L Camelbak bladder. (r.r.p £69)			Seems expensive for a wet suit boot until you realise it is so very much more than that. Very tough and clever sole. (r.r.p £59)
		review Nookie Ranger Buoyancy Aid A comfortable and easy to adjust life jacket with a pocket for every job and a large pouch on the back that can hold a 2L Camelbak bladder. Zipping up at the front this model is easier to get into than the 'over the head' types. There are a number of adjustments you can make so it should be comfortable for all shapes and sizes.. The ability to carry a hydration system in the rear pocket is a big advantage although some elestic loops on either of the shoulder straps would have been useful to hold the tube. Points have been deducted because the mesh pocket on ours had a hole in it. Be careful where you keep your car keys!. Rating - - more information			review Keen Hood River Boot Seems expensive for a wet suit boot until you realise it is so very much more than that. Very tough and clever sole. The clever sole on these boots is strong enough to cope with the toughest conditions, good enough to provide grip in the slippiest conditions and clever enough to allow water to quickly drain away. At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to wear boots with holes in the sole but a quick look showed there is a tough metal mesh to prevent anything stabbing you in the foot. The Neoprene upper and 2 point adjustment system ensures these lighweight boots are a comfortable fit. Half a star deducted because they could be a little cheaper. Rating - - more information