ULA Catalyst Pack

Inov-8 Terroc 330s

North Face Sandals

ULA packs are my gear luxuries. ULA is a cottage industry based in Utah but the packs can easily be imported here. At the moment they stand up well, price wise, because of the exchange rate. ULA's Brian Frankle is a hiker and everything about these packs tells you that they have been designed after hours of backpacking. Check the out on Google.

The Catalyst is ULA's largest pack, weighing in at just over 1 kilogram. But it is a load carrier and is shaped cleverly so that you seem to be able to get more in it than many packs with a bigger size weighting.

If you like the look of ULA packs then you might consider the Circuit for the Challenge; I reckon that this is easily big enough for a light-ish load like mine. Next year I may use my ULA Conduit which weighs in at 500 grams.

If you are into super-light backpacking there are other fine options; you'll know where to find them!

The Inov-8's I just love. These are very light and far gentler on your feet than boots. But you will get wet feet! Feet dry quickly and never get cold. Personally I prefer them to boots that get water in. And you can just walk straight through rivers! Don't buy a pair just for the Challenge though. Try them out on a smaller backpack - you need to convince yourself that you can live with 3 or 4 days of constantly wet feet!

The sandals are just a cheap, lightweight pair from North Face. They're nice in towns. On a shorter trip I would leave them at home but luxuries are welcome during a two week slog across Scotland.