Polar WearLink®+ transmitter with Bluetooth

Now Polar WearLink®+ transmitter with it Bluetooth wireless technology picks up your heart’s signals and transfers that data into a compatible mobile Andriod and iphone training application. The soft textile chest strap seamlessly adapts to your body shape, bringing full freedom of movement to your training. With its hook mechanism, the transmitter is just as quick to put on as it is to take off.

To climbers worldwide the name Adam Ondra needs little introduction. Having redpointed 5.14d (9a) by age 13 and rapidly repeating as well as FAing a wide array of European sportclimbing testpieces in all styles, Adam then tried bouldering and just as quickly found himself flashing V13 (8B) and redpointing V15 (8C), even possibly V16 late last year with his ascents of Gioia and his own problem Terranova in the Czech Republic. There are the serious 5.14 multipitch routes in Switzerland and Madagascar. And there are the numerous 5.14b and c onsights as well being World Cup champion in 2009. Even a summary review of his most significant climbs would take up more space than this interview.

Yet to an outside observer, the most remarkable thing is the degree to which this relentless pace of successes on brutally difficult climbs appears to be offset by a personality that is low key, unassuming and free of the attitude that too often accompanies high-level climbers. Watching him climb in the numerous videos out there, I have been long impressed by his pragmatic, decisive and ruthlessly effective climbing style, free of any self-conscious or self-aware displays of strength or ability. He simply gets the job done.

In light of his record and the obvious implication that he is only getting started, in my view, he is simply the best all-around rock climber on the planet. It is therefore with great pleasure that I invite you to read this interview to learn more about Ondra's views on the sport of climbing.

We have a wide range of Altura Clothing & accessories that offers definitive summer & winter Technical Bike wear collection, designed and ridden by their team of dedicated cyclists here in the UK. Their extensive research and development program ensures each Altura product undergoes continuous review and new products are launched seasonally. With fastidious attention to detail, Altura strives to deliver apparel that will keep you on the bike for longer in any weather condition in comfort and style.

Altura has the bag for you. With a proven track record for extremely high quality and innovative designs, Altura technical bike luggage is the definitive choice for tourers, commuters and leisure riders alike. Through rigorous design and development our bags are built with only the highest quality materials and cutting edge construction techniques. Altura Technical Bike Luggage is the last word in practical load carrying solutions and the first thing you’ll reach for when heading out the door.

Petzl Nao Headlight

The new petzl Nao (“now”), use's the Chinese word meaning Brain. The bad news is it is not available until July. We can say the petzl Nao is the brainiest headlamp ever invented, with sensors that work somewhat the way autofocus does on a camera. Look into the distance and onboard “reactive lighting” microprocessors tighten the beam and increase lumen output up to a max of 355 from dual LEDs. Gaze down at your paperback while kicking it in your tent and the beam diffuses and lumen output drops accordingly as well, so you’re not blinded. This is the same idea behind how a plug-in electric car maximizes its range, by the way. And because you can plug the Nao into your computer you can also program activity profiles that you can toggle through depending on whether you’re trail running or rock climbing. And if you’re experiencing sticker shock at the price, know that other lights this bright are just as spendy if not more so and none are even close to this smart.

While the petzl Nao reactive lighting system is particularly beneficial when it comes to stretching out the headlamp's battery life, the rechargeable battery it uses ranges from just 4 hours and 40 minutes to up to 8 hours depending on how it's used. So for real world applications, you're probably looking at closer to the 4 hour mark  The RRP price will be £135.00 when it hits the our shop in July. We can't wait!!

- Following the expansion of Scarpa’s heartland hill walking and trekking collections in
Autumn / Winter the new Spring season continues to be an abundance of updates and new styles
with technical approach shoes, performance mountain boots which have been developed in
conjunction with mountaineer Ueli Steck and a brand new uber technical rock shoe by Heinz
Mariacher.

- With price inflation, this line of products continue to look ever better value for money.
Backed by exceptional design, build and supply quality, more and more of our dealers are adding
Contour to their weekly MBC buy!

- Deuter’s popular Aircontact packs are given a re-vamp for 2012 watch out for new
colours and aesthetics while the popular back system will remain unchanged. The Spectro packs
have been given a total re-design, keeping their same fast and light credentials these packs now
have improved features and colours. Deuter continue to offer a strong collection for 2012 with
staple models such as the Guide packs and the Futura line remaining unchanged.

Goal Zero - Brand new to the MBC portfolio in 2011, Goal Zero brings a whole new dimension
to solar power. Intuitive, innovative and portable Goal Zero is currently the leading brand in the
US for solar power and has given retailers a new category to drive customers into store. The Guide
10 Adventure Kit, Rock Out speakers and Luna light are all must have for adventurers while larger
units such as the Escape and Boulder are great for base camp use.

- The iconic Avatar ice axe remains the eye catching piece of the collection for 2012.
Continuing to have a strong offering of hardwear, Grivel’s range is now joined by a new range of
packs which have been designed by renowned pack maker Walter Checchinel. Pages 13-17
Outdoor Research – OR’s summer collection again takes a step forward with design, colour and
technology with a range of shells and active wear that bring together innovation and functionality.
While the brands renowned accessory range continues to have a strong offering of head and hand
wear.

Lorpen – The popular Tri-Layer collection continues to be a major staple within the Lorpen range
for 2012, along with the unique Primaloft and Polartec socks which bring comfort and warmth to
new level. Since its launch into the UK Lorpen has received great reviews, building a strong
following.

Which Deuter Backpack?

Deuter are a leading producer of top quality rucksacks and have been making them, and improving them over 110 years with their innovative ways. Deuter now have an extensive range of backpacks in a whole range of styles to suit a variety of activities and lifestyles.

So whether you want a rucksack for travelling, hiking, snowsports, biking or day-to-day life, there is sure to be an ideal Deuter backpack to suit your needs. The real question you need to consider when purchasing a rucksack is: Which Deuter backpack?

For Snowsports: Deuter Razor 23 Ski & Snowboard Daysack

Extremely flexible and comfortable, this fantastic rucksack is ideal on or off-piste and features PSA back protectors for safety.

For Bikers: Deuter Attack Bike 20 Litre Daypack

Ideal for free riders, this well-protected bag is strong, sturdy and safe enough to take on any mountain or terrain with you.

The All-Rounder: Deuter Guide 35+ Rucksack

This lightweight backpack is extremely durable and, like all Deuter backpacks, is incredibly innovative with its outstanding, efficient design.

Deuter Traveller 80+10 Backpack

The Deuter Traveller 80+10 Backpack is the latest addition to the traveller range and features an impressive all-new design. The Traveller retains many of the popular features of other models but also builds in some of the latest, most innovative features to take this Deuter backpack to the next level.

This backpacks superb new design allows it to be incredibly easy-to-use as well as being superbly versatile. The implementation of the YKK zip allows the rucksack to open fully, much like a suitcase, so that you are able to access the entire main compartment with ease. Further to this, the Deuter Traveller allows you to divide up your bag into multiple, accessible compartments that can be loaded separately; these compartments are all secure in the Traveller due to the use of luggage stabilisers.

Deuter are renowned throughout the rucksack industry for their commitment to innovation in all of their products. With over 110 years experience, Deuter really are the market leaders when it comes to rucksacks and you can be sure that you will get a rucksack of the very highest quality with them.

Why Merino wool?

Thanks to Chocolate Fish  I now do not ask that question 'why Merino wool?' no more! A UK company based in yorkshire that lives, sleeps and breathes Merino wool and with this obsession have developed their own range of superfine merino wool outdoor clothing and base layers that are 100% New Zealand wool . Anything they don't know about merino wool is not worth knowing.... See ranges

 Technical Characteristics of 100% Natural Superfine Merino:

Few people, having once tried genuine superfine merino baselayers, would wear anything else. It is the performance fabric par excellence, with the added advantages of being sustainable, recyclable, biodegradable. As we say elsewhere, Merino is one of the world’s most technically advanced fibres, with unique moisture and temperature control properties. Read more >>>>>

X Socks

ATHLETICS WEEKLY reviewed loads of socks.

X SOCKS BEST OVERALL SOCK

"The website and catalogue for the X-Socks range is without exception the most comprehensive collection of technical sock related information we have ever seen. 

The technical details of each sock in the range are extensive and at first glance seem a little "excessive for socks" but after trying them all, out testers were suitably impressed.  All X-Socks are anatomically shaped and have a left and right foot fitting.  Unlike other socks that offer these features the X-Socks are highly engineered into their anatomical shape and you will immediately notice the difference if you were to put them on the wrong foot!  

All the socks have different specific areas and thicknesses of padding and use a variety of fibres for breathability and moisture wicking.  The socks have a two year guarantee, the best sign of longevity from any brand.  It was a tough choice for our testers deciding which was the best in the range, however, the "Running Short" just edged it.  With the majority of the brands technical innovations featured in this product it was the slightly lower price that gave this sock the advantage"

Bike computer guide

Bike computers add an interesting extra dimension to cycling. In their simplest form they tell you your speed and the distance you have travelled. The more complicated ones will give you much more information such as your pedal revolutions. They can be useful for improving performance or simply for curiosity sake to see how many miles you have covered this week or whether one route is shorter than another.

Plus it’s a lot of fun to keep beating your highest speed!

What to look for

Setup process – Often where bike computers stumble is in the setup process when you need to input your wheel size for accurate calculations.

Wired vs. wireless – a lot of the newer bike computers are now wireless. This makes them slightly more expensive but is usually worth it for simplicity. Avoid the cheapest wireless ones as the accuracy is likely to not be very good.

Mount – It should be possible to very quickly remove the bike computer when you reach your destination. Also the mount should be easy to fit and not wobble whilst cycling.

Display – You want a clear display so you can check stats without taking your eyes off the road for too long. The larger screens usually mean you can fit in more statistics which is a bonus.

Functions – Checkout the list of functions to see if it provides you with the statistics you need. Ask yourself which ones you are genuinely interested in.

Well recommended bike computers

Cateye Strada Wireless Cycle Computer (£39.99)

Towards the higher end of the bike computer scales is the CatEye Strada. You’ll fall in love with the nice slim design, the ease of use and the big clear screen. Rather than fiddly buttons you simply press the body of the computer towards the base of it. This ends up working really well, even with cycling gloves on. The setup process has been well thought out and is easy to do. On the downside the lack of backlight means in the dark it is tough to read the display. Whilst the list of functions will be perfect for most, more advanced riders may be looking for more.

Bryton Rider 50E GPS Biking Computer (£179.99)

Bryton Rider 50 is a GPS cycling computer designed for cyclists of all levels. You can personalize your preferred settings with 33 options of display information. Brytonsport.com provides you a cyclist's playground where you can share cycling and training results, join teams for games or competition and explore new horizons.

I’m surrounded by equipment that knows where it is. My phone, iPad, and heart monitor. The new POV camera. The latest Timex. A personal Lojack to tuck into your backpack. And then across my desk comes a press release came across my desk from Garmin, maker of the gold standard in GPS. Even though sales increased 15 percent in the outdoor market, the company’s most recent fourth-quarter earnings dropped in half. The reason? Smartphone navigation is eroding the demand for stand alone GPS units.

Garmin doesn’t see that trend ending soon and has warned Wall Street to expect continuing weakness in personal navigation. Meanwhile, it’s focusing efforts on integrating GPS into devices like its terrific Edge 500 cycling computer and hoping that the currently small (£90 million in 4Q sales) portion from outdoor gains ground quickly on the foundering dashtop segment (£340 million in 4Q).

Not that long ago, the standalone GPS seemed like the killer device. But then manufacturers scrambled to add traffic, weather, streaming radio…and in Cupertino, Apple was doing the same thing, but better. And so now if you’re an outdoor person who wants electronic navigation assist, you have a myriad of choices, from the iPhone and Droid to dedicated units from Garmin, Magellan, and others. Do you carry GPS and leave the waterphobic phone at home? Rely on the battery-sucking phone and save the money you’d spend on GPS? Use the phone GPS in the car and an outdoor-specific GPS on the trail? Unless you eschew technology altogether, there’s no easy answer.

So, that brings us to this week’s poll:

Try it on!
When your footwear arrives, try it on as soon as possible. Be sure to wear the right socks. For the first try-on (especially with boots), take the time to remove the laces entirely and re-lace, making sure to snug the laces through each eyelet. When your boots are laced completely there should be no slack in the laces near the toe area. Be careful not to over-tighten! Once the shoes or boots are laced properly, take a short jaunt around your living room. (Don't go outside yet!) Here are some things to keep in mind about fit:

Christmas post 'could come in January'

Related stories

• Evening deliveries for Royal Mail

Some Christmas deliveries in the north west may not arrive until January because of the bad weather, according to the local postal workers union.

Charlie Kelly from the Communication Workers Union said it could be next month before the backlog is cleared.

He said the bad weather made it well nigh impossible for postmen to get into many areas.

"We're out in conditions polar bears wouldn't go out in."

"It wouldn't matter how many staff there are, it's about the conditions.

"Royal Mail cannot afford to send them into places where all you hear all day is accident here, accident there.

"We have to walk in it, and that's rural areas, towns, and up steep hills.

"Sometimes it's just impossible.

"We will have the sorting office in Derry cleared by Friday, but people need to be aware that there are Christmas cards and parcels sitting in other offices which just aren't getting to us."

On Monday, Royal Mail said it would add extra evening deliveries in Northern Ireland in the run-up to Christmas.

A spokesperson from the company apologised to customers in the north west who had experienced delays to their deliveries.

"Our postmen and women are pulling out all the stops to get the mail delivered in spite of very challenging circumstances.

"We will continue to do whatever is possible to keep the mail moving but in some cases it is not possible to do so because of the weather.

"A range of measures have been put in place to ensure deliveries reach people as quickly as possible."

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Mountain Equipment Mens Touchstone Jacket

We reckon the Touchstone is spot on for anyone still pining for the late, lamented Karrimor Alpiniste fleece. It's a super-warm, luxurious-feeling, winter-weight jacket made from thick, recycled Thermal Pro fleece, complete with ergo cuffs, thumb loops and a grown-on hood along with a collar.

http://www.equipyourtrip.com/mountain-equipment-mens-touchstone-jacket.html

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It's very warm, but should be ideal for end of day pottering about or
simply standing around gawping at the view in winter. Price will be £100 and
weight 645 grammes. Think of it as a winter version of the ME Shroud
fleece and you won't be far wrong.

Anyone who has used a GPS for the first time probably did so in a car. More and more people are now discarding the OS map and firing up a GPS reciever. If your using a E-Trex GPS for the first time we suggest you have a look at www.firstwaypoint.com and you will be adding waypoints in no time.

Shield Jacket - Shown in Black / Citronelle Zips colourway

The Shield Jacket uses a hybrid fabric construction, combining a new lighter version of GORE® WINDSTOPPER® as well as POLARTEC® Powershield®. Other than that what makes this jacket special? Well it uses a combination of seam sewing methods to improve mobility and fit, the hood (which is designed to accomodate a helmet) has a water resistant lining to prevent the hood absorbing moisture from spindrift and drizzle when worn down and it has an anti-wick hem lining, again to allow this product to perform better as a shell.

It won in the 'Apparel' category, will cost around £200 in the UK and is available for this winter.

What is 3D Secure?

3D Secure (3DS) is the new technical standard developed by Visa and MasterCard designed to combat online credit card fraud. Cardholders who have registered for Verify by Visa® or MasterCard SecureCode® use their password to validate their identity whenever they make a purchase on a participating site.

Cheap travel insurance, single trip holiday insurance, annual travel insurance Longstay, Backpacker and Winter Sports from Equip Your Trip via Covered2go .

Covered2go travel insurance provides quality cover at competitive prices and offers you an extensive range of travel insurance products, providing you with peace of mind, regardless of whether you want a single trip holiday insurance or longstay travel cover.

When it comes to buying the right product we offer a wide range of travel and holiday insurance options. If you travel frequently, an annual multi-trip policy may well suit you. Europe or Worldwide cover is available for you and this can extend to include your partner or family. Backpacking? We've got Longstay cover that can be especially tailored for you. Our ski and snowboarding trip cover is available at affordable prices. Other options available from Covered2go are our Golf, Business and specialist Timeshare covers, all designed to cater for your individual needs.

We offer our customers an extensive range of cover choice and global support for those unexpected events.

So, let Equip Your Trip take care of all your travel insurance needs!

We work closely with Covered2go travel insurance (other than section B12) is underwritten by Union Reiseversicherung AG, who are authorised in Germany by BaFin and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Services Authority and in the Republic of Ireland by the Insurance Regulator. Union Reiseversicherung AG are members of the Financial Services Compensation Scheme. Administered in the United Kingdom and Ireland by Travel Insurance Facilities plc. Registered Office: 10 Victoria Road South, Southsea, Hampshire, PO5 2DA. Registered in England Registered Number: 3220410.

Travel Insurance Facilities plc are authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Travellers HealthCheck and Travel Claims Facilities are trading names of Travel Insurance Facilities plc. Section B12 is underwritten by a consortium of Association of British Insurers member companies and Lloyds Syndicates and provided by International Passenger Protection Limited.

The Deuter Story from MBC on Vimeo.

Pete introduces Equip Your Trip to the masses.

Check out Yell.com for more local business video.

Jake Scrace makes the most of the extreme wind with a death-defying 100ft jump over a pier. Jake, 25, used the waves as a ramp to leap 40ft across Worthing Pier in East Sussex, before landing back in the water. His extreme surfer pal Lewis Craften followed.

Introduction of the meganav

No it's not the latest in GPS technology, its the new and improved navigation menu on equip your trip.

We felt the old navigation was too cluttered and didn't focus on the things that people were interested in and as our product range grew needed to be improved. Out came the single columns of categories and in came a new and improved system that separated brands from activities and then structured the equipment and clothing in an easier to read way.

Let us know your thoughts and anything we can do to improve the site will be much appreciated! Thanks for visiting.

Welcome to the new Equipyourtrip blog and news section. In here you will find articles from around the world and product profiles and offers. We hope to keep the blog alive and fresh and welcome any comments.

As part of our first feature we would like to introduce the Sprayway Crux Windstopper. We are able to offer the Windstopper at only £75 with worldwide secure delivery available.

Click here for further details!