Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Ideal Christmas gifts rarely exist but Puma’s double canopy golf umbrella is very close! Not only is it a staple for any golfer, beginner or advanced, but golf umbrellas are excellent for everyday use, or just keeping handy in the car. Families love them too for days out when more than just one person needs covering or as a brilliant sunshield in the summer.
The Puma double canopy golf umbrella is heavy duty for even the toughest of weather out on the course, and the double canopy not only acts to keep you dry but adds extra structure so that it doesn’t turn inside out. If you’re using this for sports, it also makes the umbrella more durable with extra layers so it won’t fall apart after a few winters. The handle has a foam moulded hand grip to make it easier to hold for long periods and it’s also sturdier compared to everyday umbrellas. It’s opened by a push button at the handle too – much easier when it’s starting to rain!
The Puma double canopy golf umbrella has minimal branding and is available in black with bright white features and made of 100% polyester. Its suitable for golf players or any outdoor sport or spectating and even comes with a chic cover for storage. I’m keeping this one in the car for when I’m caught in a downpour and don’t want to leave!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s incredibly cold at the moment, but that doesn’t stop us getting out on the fells and going for a brisk walk, we just need to wrap up warmer and my Buff Evo Dahlia neck warmer has been invaluable this weekend. I always think a Buff is an essential piece of outdoor gear as they are so versatile, I not only use mine as a neck warmer, but it can be a hat and balaclava too and is just what you need to keep you warm on a chilly day.
The cotton knitted neck warmer is so comfortable to wear, it’s a good length, so there’s plenty of fabric to bunch around your neck or pull over your face to protect you from the elements and it’s lovely and warm too. It was bitterly cold up on the top of the fells and I have been very glad of it this weekend, the wind was icy and with my hood up and my mouth covered, I could enjoy the walk despite the cold weather .
The neck warmer is 28cm long with enough material to bunch up on my neck, or it can be pulled up over my ears to keep them warm. It is easy to pull over my head and is made in a single tube so there are no seams to irritate. Once you warm up you can just slip it in a pocket.
It’s the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys walking, cycling or even walking the dog and is available in 8 different colours.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The revolution in period products started a few years ago when we saw more and more period items in the shops that gave women and girls more flexible options. One of the newer inventions are the period pants – the ability to wear underwear without having to worry about sanitary pads to protect clothes. Modibodi came up with period pants designed specifically for sport, and along with PUMA, they’ve brought out a new range of Active Period Underwear.
The PUMA x Modibodi Period and Leak-Proof Underwear we were sent (called Active Cheeky Briefs!) are already graded 2/4 for absorbency which is around 10ml or the equivalent of 2 tampons. That’s quite a lot for just a pair of pants! They’re made of recyclable material and are machine washable and I especially like that shape because they’re not big and bulky but have a slimmer fit to them, which is exactly what I want from a brief. The material used is stretchy and silky too, so you won’t get a VPL. The waist is elasticated and there were no problems overall with the fit.
When using them, I didn’t find any leakage. All the new reusable sanitary pads and knickers seem to be extra absorbent compared to the disposable towels and tampons of old. When at the gym, I forgot that I was wearing these and even out for a run there was no problem with movement or stretching and no chafing either! They’re very versatile, so it got me thinking that these PUMA x Modibodi pants would be great for travelling on long journeys where you weren’t sure about facilities and didn’t want to be uncomfortable. I can imagine wearing them on planes and trains to feel more secure.
These are a brilliant idea and I feel like they’re a lifestyle change, away from the need to carry so much with you for each period but are so discreet you don’t need to worry about them. If you’re hesitant, wear them with a sanitary pad first to prevent leaks, and eventually you’ll see how much more absorbent they are, especially with all the different designs Modibodi are coming up with!
Available online from £15 (in the sale) at Modibodi
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
When I was a child my auntie made me a Topsy Turvy Doll which was my absolute favourite toy and went everywhere with me. One head had a smiley face and flowery summer dress and when you flipped the skirt there was an identical head but this time the doll was in a nightgown, so it was like having two different dolls in one.
FlipaZoo™ are the same idea but instead of dolls they are animals, ours is the cat and dog but there are plenty of other combinations including giraffe/elephant, shark/dolphin, polar bear/ husky and unicorn. The 38cm cuddly toy has gorgeous big eyes and magically transforms from one animal to another and is suitable for children aged 1 year upwards. It’s really easy to switch from one animal to another and our mini reviewers soon got the hang of it! Simply fold the body part of the animal over the head to reveal a different animal.
The toys are lovely and soft and once the ear tag had been cut off was quickly grabbed for cuddles with our mini reviewer. As well as being a lovely toy FlipaZoo™ doubles up as a pillow for nap time and I can see this being invaluable when travelling with children as something familiar that they associate with nap time will help them sleep when they have a change to their normal routine.
The toy has been a great hit with our mini reviewers and for me the standout feature is the softness, it is so soft and tactile which makes it extremely cuddly. The stuffing is just the right balance between firmness and squishiness and it bounced back into shape after being sat on and used as a pillow! Looking at the stitching, it is very well-made and I didn’t spot any small holes in the seams that little fingers can poke in, so it should last a very long time. Whilst I haven’t washed it yet it is good to know that it can be washed when the need arises.
If you are searching for inspiration for gifts for little ones then a FlipaZoo™ toy comes highly recommended by our mini reviewers and will make a wonderful gift for little ones this Christmas which will be loved and cherished for years to come.
Disclaimer: We received these boots free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I am a keen walker so a decent pair of walking boots is an absolute must for me, my boots have covered many miles and are starting to look a little tired, so I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to try a pair of Helly HansenMontragon HELLY TECH® Waterproof Hiking Boots which are the perfect choice for my autumn adventures.
I have a few Helly Hansen items, and I have always found them to be very comfortable and hardwearing so couldn’t wait to try the new boots which have been specifically designed for backpacking and longer hikes. Autumn isn’t my season of choice for backpacking, but with plenty of hikes planned over a mix of terrains I am looking forward to putting the boots to the test.
So a little bit about the boots – they are part of the Verglas collection which uses technical materials that are thoughtfully combined with versatile and durable design solutions to create quality outdoor pieces that can be enjoyed for years of adventures. Featuring a combination of HH® Arch-Brace TPU plates – one located between the outsole and midsole and the other positioned just underneath the arch of the foot – the Montragon HT is lightweight yet still offers lots of protection to your foot. The hybrid of TPU plates creates just the right amount of stiffness, enabling you to carry heavier packs and step over ledges or rocks without impacting the performance of the boot. The boot’s taller construction provides added ankle protection and stability, while the specifically engineered eyestay offers additional support. I’m very conscious of our impact on the environment so I was pleased to discover that more than 70% off the upper is made from recycled materials.
To keep your feet dry they have HH Quick Dry and HH Seam-Shield technologies which will keep your feet comfortable no matter what the weather and ground conditions are.
When you get a new pair of boots it is important to wear them in a little first, otherwise if you go on a long walk straight away you will invariable end up with blisters and sore feet. The best way to wear them in is to wear them in the house for a couple of days and do a few short walks in them before attempting a proper hike, doing this means I know they are comfortable, and won’t end up with blisters and sore feet on my first hike in them.
So the all important question is what are the boots like to wear? As soon as I put them on they felt very comfortable, the padded collar around the ankle offers plenty of ankle support and the HH Max-Comfort Insole is firm, even after walking all day my feet felt nice and comfortable on the last few miles. The boots have really good grip on the sole and my feet felt secure when scrambling down wet hillsides and I didn’t slip once, even when it was very wet. One of our favourite walks follows a stone path which turns into a mini stream when the weather is bad and as we’ve had more wet walks that dry ones I’ve really been able to see just how well the HellyTech® WATERPROOF performs in bad weather – I’m pleased to say that despite the dreadful weather my feet have stayed bone dry – probably the only bit of me that has!
I am really impressed with the boots, they are comfortable, supportive and look good too. Whether you are a keen walker or someone who just needs a sturdy pair of boots to walk the dog these boots are perfect for both rugged terrain and country walks.
If you want to treat your feet this Christmas then I can highly recommend these boots they are so comfortable to wear and your feet will certainly thank you for wearing them!
RRP £200 available in sizes 3.5 to 8 – available here
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Technology has come a long way and for those of us who try and keep up with the apps, device and advice, there is something on the market that makes perfect sense but your probably haven’t even thought of yet. Copper Clothing. Do I mean clothes made entirely of copper? What would the point of that be anyway? Copper Clothing is a company who have come up with an ingenious idea of how to use the element copper in everyday clothing situations which would benefit your health, and guess what – no apps in sight!
Copper is a natural antibacterial material. It’s easy to heat up (think old fashioned pots and pans), conducts electricity (copper wiring in houses) and it prevents 99% of bacteria from growing thanks to its atomic structure. With the antibacterial aspect in mind, Copper Clothing have created a bath towel and kitchen hand towel which is made from cotton but infused with copper to give your home a product which supersedes the old-fashioned towels we all grew up with. Why did no one think of this before? We were sent one of each to test this week.
The copper infused kitchen towel looks just like any other tea towel and is the same size. The material is fluffy and absorbent like you would imagine, with attractive kitchen-designed stripes creating waffling. The difference with this material though is that there are fibres of copper woven into the cotton which help prevent bacteria from growing. What does this mean? Well, if you’re like me and you us your kitchen tea towels constantly, it means you’re not transferring bacteria around the kitchen or from crockery to surfaces etc. It’s impossible to use a tea towel just once and then wash it at a high temperature so we all use our tea towels several times before they end up on the boil wash. With Copper Clothing, the amount of bacteria that can grow on a towel is limited thanks to the copper. This in turn also means that there are no odours coming from the towel either – no bacteria means no smells!
The bath towel is 125 centimetres by 70 centimetres, so the perfect size for taking to the gym. Just as fluffy, it is GSM 500 and available in a dark brown colour. This towel also has the copper infused into the cotton to prevent bacteria growing and stop odours which is no bad thing for a towel which is taken to the gym and no doubt not dried properly in between!
Neither of the towels had any odour when I used them, although you do still need to wash them on a low heat of 30-40 Centigrade and tumble dry on a low heat too. I found that although they don’t have a ‘smell’ the copper actually gives a very subtle fresh smell that isn’t unpleasant at all. The kitchen towel is really durable, and with both the kitchen and bath towels, you wouldn’t know that they are the copper versions because there’s no difference in use, no change of colour and the quality of the cotton doesn’t change. I have used them and washed them once now, but it would be interesting to see how they fare over a year or longer compared to other towels.
I can see a whole market of other products which are copper infused in the future – what about gym wear that won’t smell? Or carpets which won’t grow bacteria even when there’s pets and children around? The possibilities are endless!
Disclaimer: We received this game free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We love going away in our caravan, it’s a great way to relax and it also gives us the perfect opportunity to get the children away from electronic devices for a few hours each evening when we get out a board game to play. Space is tight in the caravan so travel games like the Catch Phrase card game from Ginger Fox are great as they don’t take up much room.
Based on the popular TV show the game is very easy to play and doesn’t need a large table so it’s great to play in the caravan. You place the buzzer card and the blue edged Catch Phrase cards in the middle of the table and the oldest player turns the top card over. Once you think you know the Catch Phrase you put your hand on the buzzer card and shout out the answer. You can then turn the card over to check the answer – if you are correct you score 100 points but an incorrect answer means you are frozen out for that round. If no one guesses the Catch Phrase another card is turned over. After 6 cards have been played the Bonus Catch Phrase round (silver edged cards) is played and the player with the least points hosts the round. This round is played in the same way, but a correct answer now wins you 200 points and the opportunity to guess the bonus Catch Phrase. If you have internet access this is done by scanning the QR code on the card and tapping the screen to remove a random square to reveal a section of the picture. If they are correct, they win 500 points but an incorrect answer means you go back to the main Catch Phrase cards.
If you don’t have internet access then a Bonus Catch Phrase card is placed in the cardboard sleeve with the cover card on the top. The cover card is moved to the next line on the cardboard sleeve, revealing a small section of the card.
The winner is the player with the most points.
Being a rather competitive family the buzzer card tended to be hit rather than having hand placed gently on it but this added to the fun and it’s a good job we have a sturdy table in the caravan!
We all enjoyed playing Catch Phrase, it’s a fast paced game and great fun for all ages and kept us entertained all evening. At £12.99 it is the perfect stocking filler and will be great fun to play on Christmas day with the family.
Disclaimer: We received this game free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Whenever we go away, whether it’s by car, train or plane, I always make sure I have a couple of travel games in my bag to help pass the time. Tension from Cheatwell Games, the top ten naming game is one of our favourite board games so were really pleased to try out the travel version this summer.
The box is very cleverly designed, storing all the cards, timer and counters and also doubling up as the score board with little buttons to pop whenever a correct answer is shouted out.
The cards are double sided, orange questions on one size and blue on the other. The orange questions tend to be easier so when we have been playing with younger children we use these but if you are playing with older children or adults you can choose either. The cards cover a huge variety of topics such as Fictional Doctors, Power Tools, Pub Names Featuring Animals and Things You Can Hang On A Wall so it is a great game to play when you have a mix of ages.
The game is easy to play, you split into two teams and the first team select the top card and place it into the card dispenser, making sure that all the poppers are raised. The topic is read out, the timer turned and the other team shout out as many correct answers as they can within the time. It sounds easy but the twist is you need to come up with the same ten answers on the card to gain points. Among the correct answers you will also get plenty of hilarious answers which adds to the fun of the game! When a correct answer is given the popper is pushed down to keep score. Tokens are awarded based on the number of correct answers (yellow =1, red =5 and blue =10). Play then swaps to the other team and continues until all tokens are used.
This is a great game to play and a fantastic addition to our travel game collection. It is now in my travel bag ready for our next trip.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Now the children are back at school we are trying to limit the amount of time they spend glued to screens so we have started playing a boardgame after tea. This week we have been playing Bananagrams which is perfect for helping children with words and spellings. It’s like Scrabble in that you create crosswords using the lettered tiles, but it is much easier for younger children to play as there’s no board restricting the words you can make and no scores to keep track of either.
To begin you place the 144 lettered tiles (the bunch) face down in the middle of the table and each player takes a certain number of tiles (dependant on the number of players). Once everyone has their tiles one player shouts “SPLIT” and everyone can turn over their tiles and begin making their crosswords. Once started you can rearrange your tiles at any time to try and use all the tiles.
As soon as you have played your last tile, you shout ‘peel’ which means everyone picks up a new tile from the bunch. It can be tricky to fit all your tiles in a crossword so when you get stuck you have the option of shouting ‘DUMP’ and exchanging one of your tiles for three new ones. This can be really helpful at the beginning of the game but as the game progresses you tend to find that you keep getting the harder letters like Q and Z which everyone is desperately trying to get rid of!
Play continues until there are less tiles in the bunch than the number of players and then the first player to use all their tiles shouts “BANANAS.” The words are then checked by the other players, if they are correct that player wins but any misspelled words, abbreviations or proper nouns means the player is disqualified and the other players shout “ROTTEN BANANA” and return all the tiles to the bunch and play continues.
This is a great game and we have had lots of fun playing it, it’s a lot faster than Scrabble and great for helping children with their spelling without them realising!
The game comes in a small banana-shaped zipped bag which is the perfect size to pop in a bag for holidays or sleepovers at grandparents and it also fits nicely in a stocking so would make a great Christmas gift too.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We get through a lot of cereal bars in our house, I often pop them in a rucksack or pocket as a snack to refuel when out hiking or cycling and my teenage sons, who seem to have hollow legs, snack on them at any time – day or night! We do usually stick to stick to the same old brand, so it was nice to have a change and try the new Chocolate Chip Cashew bars from KIND. The bars are packed full of cashews, almonds and peanuts and topped with chocolate chips and I knew my family would enjoy them.
Founded in 2004, KIND believe you shouldn’t have to choose between delicious & nutritious and have created a range of tasty bars that are the perfect choice for those looking for a balanced snack option on the go. The Chocolate Chip Cashew bars are made with over 80% nuts and contain a good balance of protein, healthy fats, and fibre that have helped keep us sustained on our recent hikes and bike rides. The bars easily fit in the pocket of my cycling jersey and really hit the spot when we stop for a quick refuel, the chunks of nuts and chocolate are really tasty and give my energy levels a much needed boost.
Whether you are climbing a mountain, undertaking a gruelling cycle ride or simply want a quick snack then a Chocolate Chip Cashew bar will definitely hit the spot. Made with natural ingredients the bars are high in fibre and are gluten free too.
RRP £1.39 available from Sainsburys, Boots, WHSmith and Tesco
Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
It’s been a wet summer but today the sun made an appearance which was great timing as we had friends round to watch the football. After the match we enjoyed a few craft beers in the sun, which were kept nice and cold in the Best of British Beer Ice box.
Best Of British Beer was founded back in 2011 by husband and wife team Will and Gill Sherwin with the intention to make it easy for drinkers to enjoy that ‘hard to find’ beer. Like all good food and drink companies the story began at home with their shed becoming the storeroom and their dining room table their packing bench. The company has grown over the years with over 50 million bottles and cans of beer sold to date!
Their latest idea to help you enjoy a summer beer is the creation of innovative packaging for their craft beers – slightly oversized, the box leaves room for ice to be added providing the perfect solution to an alfresco beer.
Unlike normal cardboard beer packaging the Ice box is made from water resistant cardboard, meaning it doesn’t go soggy when filled with ice and removes the need to lug a bulky cool box with you to keep your beer cold. All you need to do is pop out the cardboard top, fill with ice and it will keep your beer at the perfect temperature. At the end of the night simply pour away the water, flatten the box and you’re ready for the next party.
The reusable cardboard box is made from sturdy eco friendly materials and is also perfect for festivals when you might have to carry your gear quite a way or is also great for a trip to the beach.
Available directly from Best of British Beer it comes complete with six craft beers (or lager if you prefer).
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Watch any news programme, documentary or read social media about the changes in climate this summer, especially in Europe, and you’ll know that we are heading for self-destruction. Plastic in the ocean is one of the reasons that ocean life is being destroyed and affecting the temperatures, and there’s a lot of plastic out there.
New Zealand company Sistema makes food storage containers from recycled ocean bound plastic. That means that 35% of the plastic used in their products would have been sent to the oceans but are instead recycled and made into new. They’re also BPA free so have less of the nasty chemicals that can leach into food and be harmful when ingested.
We were sent two products to test as part of our Back to School coverage; the Bento Cube to Go (dark blue) and Ribbon Lunch To Go (turquoise). Each of the cute boxes comes with compartments inside which make them easier to use. The Bento Cube has one long (half) compartment and one quarter compartment which sit on top of compartments in the Cube of the same size, making 4 different areas. They are completely removeable so you can make the areas bigger if you don’t need to separate them. There’s also a small screw-lid pot which holds 150ml. The Ribbon Lunch To Go box similarly has compartments but this time the box is separated in two, with the smaller compartment housing another box which is divided into two, therefore making 3 compartments in all. There’s also another 150ml pot which is removeable and can be used for dressings, yoghurt or housing something that might affect the other contents.
All of the pieces for each set are dishwasher safe and the pots can be microwaved up to 100 degrees centigrade. These are a great size to go into a backpack for back to school, especially for older children who need something more generic and might be heating things up in the microwave. Adults will love these too with all the different removable compartments so you can adjust what you’re lunching on – leftovers one day and sandwiches the next. They’re built to last too so you can guarantee they’re still useable by the end of the school year as well as durable!
Available at Amazon, Asda, Tesco, Waitrose and other retailers from £5.62.
Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We just can’t get away from tech these days, whether it’s a trip to the beach or camping in the Lake District. It seems we can’t do without our gadgets.
We can all pretty much manage for a day without a charger but if we’re away for longer, then we’re going to need power. Now, a small battery pack will charge a phone but what about bigger devices that require a mains supply?
The River 2 from EcoFlow is a really compact portable power station, the smallest in the EcoFlow range, with a 256Wh capacity and 300W output. The size of a shoe box, it only weighs 3.5kg so is really easy to include when packing for a weekend away or trip in the car.
It is well built, with a flat top so it is easy to pack when travelling. The handle is mounted on the rear of the device which helpfully leaves room for any cables coming out of the back.
Included in the box are two charging leads, a mains charging lead (no adapter required) which takes only an hour to fully recharge the battery, and a car adapter that plugs into the solar connector on the back. Optionally it can be changed through the USB-C connector or for a truly portable option a solar panel can be connected too.
We enjoy going away in our motorhome and much prefer the more remote sites, often with no mains hookup. The sites are peaceful and quiet, but we do sometimes miss a main supply. We do a lot of cycling when we’re away and depending on how far we have ridden my e-bike will need charging, but up until now I have had no way to charge the bike with only a 12v supply. The battery on my bike is 250Ah so using the fully charged River 2 to charge the bike means I can do more cycling when we are on sites with no mains power. I’ve used it to charge my bike a couple of times and founds it only changed up to 90%, I’m not sure why but to be honest 90% is certainly good enough and means I can get another couple of days cycling in when we are away.
A while ago we bought an electric cool box which is great for keeping food and drinks cool when going out with the family. The only problem is whilst I can plug it in when driving, once we’re there we just have to hope it stays cool, with the EcoFlow River 2 I can now leave it plugged in (when set on low (20w) you get 7 hours of use) meaning the drinks are still cold when we get back to the car after a day out.
The EcoFlow River 2 can also be used as a UPS, it has a 30ms switchover so most devices will not notice a power cut and whilst it might not run a PC for too long, it will at least give you time to save your work before shutting down.
I’m going on Scout camp in a few weeks and the EcoFlow River 2 is definitely coming with me, lighting is usually a mixture of small headtorches and large gas lamps but it will be much easier to use a 240v LED flood light. If it works well, I might look at getting the optional solar panel for a daytime recharge whilst we are on camp.
It’s a great device once you know its limits. You’ll not be able to run anything that draws more power such as a cooking device, heater or kettle but for all your tech and low powered devices it’s great. There is a good selection of outputs too, in addition to the 240v socket there are 2 USB-A, 1 USB-C and a 12v “cigarette lighter” too.
I’m really impressed with the EcoFlow River 2, although it is the smallest model in the range, it has a real quality feel and doesn’t lack features. It is controllable with the mobile app using bluetooth or wifi, can be charged in 4 different ways and by using Lithium Iron Phosphate technology, the battery can be discharged 3000 times and should provide years of use.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s holiday time again and we’re off in the motorhome. We love our road trips but living in such a compact space does have its challenges, the most difficult perhaps – clutter! It is so easy to take too much stuff and with limited space you end up constantly moving it from the table to the bed and back again!
We both love reading and before any trip stock up on a few magazines. I like tech and model making but might pick something different just for a change. My wife likes food and gardening magazines, but it does mean that wherever you try to sit there is a magazine in the way!
This time I’m going to avoid this problem entirely by not taking any magazines with me, but I won’t miss out because I have a Readly subscription that allows me to pick from a massive number of different magazines and read them on my tablet or phone.
There is a huge choice, my usual favourites are there but there are also titles that I might not normally choose and they’re all available for one monthly price.
Sometimes we struggle for internet (we do choose so out of the way places to camp) but that’s not a problem either, we can download magazines to the tablet and read them later. Once we’re done, delete the files and start again.
I wasn’t too sure how I’d take to reading on a screen, but I found it to be brilliant, the pages are rendered in a very high quality and if I needed larger text the page zooms easily. I was just as impressed with the app on my phone! Whilst the screen is not a big as my tablet, many magazines use an “Article View” that re-formats each article for better reading on a mobile device. All the content remains the same, but it is presented in a more natural scrolling experience.
With over 7000 titles available it could be easy to get lost, but each publication is categorised and once you find a magazine you like you can add it to your favourites. Not only are the current editions available but many magazines have back issues too, one of the magazines I occasionally dip into is The Magpi, looking at that the back issues are available back to August 2018 which will keep me going for a while!
At £9.99 per month, a Readly subscription isn’t much more than some magazines and allows you to read as many as you like without worrying if you’re going to enjoy them or not, just move on and download another!
There is currently an offer on the website where you can try it for a month free of charge – perfect for summer holiday reading!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
30 years ago, I bought a lightweight hike tent, a Phoenix Phreak. I’ve looked after it and it’s still in great condition but when I used it earlier this year, I noticed that the water was not shedding from the surface like it should. Camping with a soaking wet tent is no fun at all and whilst the tent is old there’s plenty of life left in it – all it needed was a spot of TLC in the form of the Tent Care Kit from Fabsil.
As the tent was a bit grubby, I first used the Tent and Gear Cleaner in a bucket of water to give it a good clean. Simply mix it up, rub the fabric with a sponge and wash off.
Once dry, I moved onto the waterproofing. This needs 6 hours to dry and with the weather as it is at the moment, I decided to pitch the tent in the Scout Hut. Reading the instructions, it seemed quite simple, pitch the tent then brush or spray onto the fabric, following on with a clean cloth to wipe it down. I set to with a 4” paintbrush and starting at the front, worked around the tent. The liquid went on really easily, the instructions warn about maintaining a wet edge, but this was not a problem. 10 minutes later I was done.
I left the tent pitched overnight and brought it home the next morning. I couldn’t help but pitch it in the garden to see if it had worked. I didn’t have to wait long for some rain and was really pleased at the difference it had made. Instead of water soaking into the fabric, it now beads and runs off.
This paint-on liquid replicates the original water-repellent finish found on all kinds of outdoor gear and equipment and guarantees to keep you dry even in the wettest conditions. As well as waterproofing it also adds UV protection so if we do ever see the sun again this summer I know my tent is protected from the elements.
With no end to the rain in sight I’m now ready for my next adventure knowing that my tent will keep me dry.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Gear yourself up for the Christmas gift buying season by familiarising yourself with the latest gadgets out there. You won’t be disappointed by all that Bluetooth speakers can do nowadays, and I bet there’s at least someone in your life who could benefit from one!
Audio Pro are the Swedish speaker company who have been in operation for over 40 years. Their website shows the full range of different speakers they have on offer including multiroom speakers, Tv speakers, speakers which connect with smart apps and Bluetooth speakers like the Audio Pro T3+ which we have been reviewing.
In conjunction with self-taught artist and designer Peter Eugén, Audio Pro have created the Addon T3+ Bluetooth speaker. The collaboration is made even more special by the fact that the Addon T3+ is a special edition created by Peter who is best known for his rock music portraits and recent watercolours. So with these two artistic worlds meeting to make cutting edge technology, what can you expect?
The Audio Pro T3+ Bluetooth speaker has 1 woofer and 2 tweeters in a sand coloured frame with brass accessories. The buttons on the top are for on/standby, Bluetooth pairing, BT/AUX source selection and volume. At the back, there’s a USB charging port, power connection and AUX, with cables provided in the box. You’ll spot in the photos that this limited edition also has a “Peter Eugén” edition plate too, so you know you’re the owner of a select few!
Although the T3+ can connect with AUX to any appliance, this is after all a Bluetooth 4.0 speaker so that’s how I initially set it up. There’s instructions both in the box and online but if you’re like me and want to play with the gadgets first, you’ll find it easy to get started. Simply turn the speaker on, click the Pair button and your laptop, phone or anything Bluetooth compatible will be able to find it. Pair up and it’s as easy as that – just start playing the music.
The Audio Pro T3+ supports various sound systems including Apple, MP3, WMA and FLAC. It also supports whatever you play on your device so I went onto YouTube and played a movie soundtrack through the speaker with ease. The battery lasts for up to 12 hours on full volume if fully charged, and 30 hours on half volume. Speaking of the volume, I was pleasantly surprised at how loud this speaker could go, far greater than any of my devices but also louder than what I could attain with other Bluetooth speakers.
The quality of the sound is very good, given that it only has one woofer. The balance is excellent with no dead spots around the speaker where there isn’t a balance. For the price of this speaker, I would say the quality of the sound is superb and the ese of use makes it excellent value for money.
The colour of the casing might put off some of the teenagers who are undoubtedly the target audience for the price range. However, for the grown ups, who appreciate the design and who Peter Eugén is, the speaker makes a big impact and can be used for anything including taking outdoors or as a speaker in the office during the day. The ease of carrying it around and setting up are the main plus points.
I look forward to seeing what else the innovative Audio Pro come up with next in their speaker range but in the meantime, I’ll keep playing The Stones on my T3+.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
“Play, pause and crank up the volume…”
I was so excited to be receiving a Marshall Bluetooth speak to review, but until it arrived, I had no idea that Marshall speakers were as legendary as their amps, nor did I know why.
Impressive isn’t the word. This isn’t just a speaker but a whole solution for anyone who loves music. Let’s start with what it can do as a speaker first.
Setting up on Bluetooth is so easy I didn’t need instructions. Just turn on the Marshall speaker with the brass button and after the introduction sound, press the Bluetooth button on the top of the unit to make it discoverable. My laptop Bluetooth found it immediately and connected. Easy as that, and I just played my music from my desktop straight onto the speaker. There’s a Bass and Treble control on the Marshall too, so you can adjust how you want to hear your favourite music. The main button allows you to skip, pause or rewind a tune as well and there’s an LED to tell you the battery level. On the back, it connects with AUX or a power cable which is included in the box and how you power it up, giving 20 hours overall.
“Middleton sound… built for the road.”
Marshall are one of those classic brands which last forever in folklore and until you own one, you don’t see the benefit. Much like how Apple users and Tesla drivers were mocked back in the day, once you start using the Marshall products you don’t ever want to switch back. Instead, you just find fault with all the other Bluetooth speakers out there and compare them to ‘your’ Marshall to anyone who is near you, whether they want to know about it or not!
The speaker boasts, two 3/5” tweeters, two 3” woofers and two passive radiators. In all, these are all speakers placed on each side of the Middleton speaker to create 360 degree sound. It’s not just the speaker surround sound which leads to its versatility, but other ‘nice to haves’ are in there too. For example, it can be used indoors and outdoors thanks to the water resistant casing and can last 30 minutes under water. It’s dust resident too, so it’s perfect for the beach, but if you have kids around in the summer, the odd splash, tipped over drink or falling in the dirt isn’t going to harm your Middleton. In fact, with the extra tough casing, not much is going to damage it at all. The casing is made of 55% post- consumer plastic, so it’s not all materials and it’s 100% PVC free.
Are you sold yet?
It’s perfect for festivals too. The battery holds 20 hours of charge but takes only 4.5 hours to fully charge. However, with only 20 minutes of charge you get 2 hours of solid music time – perfect if you need to charge in the car quickly before you go out. It can work as a battery pack as well, allowing you to charge up your phone or appliances using the USB-C cable. It has the most up-to-date Bluetooth 5.1 too, so you can play music from 10 metres (that’s 30 feet) with no problem. So charge your phone in the car, and you can still play your music on your Marshall. It weighs just 1.8 kilograms (that’s 4lbs) so you can carry it on as hand luggage too if you really want… but makes it great and compact for the car too.
Multi host functionality allows you to connect to two devices at once. I didn’t know what this meant, so playing around with the controls and reading the instructions I realised it meant you can connect the speaker to two different devices at once. This means it can be connected to another speaker, phone or Bluetooth device to be able to share the music. If you’re worried about plugging it in to get updates, then don’t fear as the speaker does this remotely over-the-air or you can use the Marshall app on your phone to control the music and updates.
It had never occurred to me to have more than one speaker, but for festivals, this is a great feature. You can literally play the same music across as many Marshall speakers as you like, using a multi-speaker Stack session. It’s like looking at a wall of Marshall amps across a festival stage but in miniature form!
I’m sure once you use it several times and find out how easy the controls are, there are lots of different uses for it. How about Bluetooth-ing the soundtrack to movies on your tablet? Or keeping the children playing in the other room whilst controlling the music from your office as you work? It may seem pricy for one speaker, but with everything it can do and it’s durability, it’s an investment, especially if you love your music.
As time goes on, the Middleton is built for longevity as the updates and app will include new ways of using the Marshall speaker and the craftmanship of the speaker means it will last for a very long time. The only reason you’ll need a new speaker is to stack one in every room!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We’re all going on a summer holiday…….and one of the most important things to pack in your suitcase is suncream. There’s such a lot of choice when it comes to sunscreen but the most important things to look at are the UVA star rating and SPF level, which indicate the level of protection the sunscreen offers. The higher the SPF the better the protection.
We tend to spend our holidays in this country and depending on the time of year I generally use sunscreen with SPF15 to SPF30. I’m not one for sunbathing but I do spend a lot of time walking and cycling so it is important to protect the parts of my body not covered with clothes – usually my face, arms and legs, from the powerful rays of the sun.
Malibu sent me a couple of bottles of their sunscreen to try, the SPF30 Lotion and the SPF15 Dry Oil Spray which both have a 4 star UV rating, are clinically proven to be kind to skin and are water resistant too. In addition, these products will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. The Lotion offers high protection and contains Vitamin E & Aloe Vera whereas the Dry Oil Spray only offers medium protection but is vitamin enriched, non-greasy and suitable for vegans.
I have used the SPF 15 Dry Oil Spray when overcast – just because the sun isn’t showing doesn’t mean you can’t get burnt! The oil is really easy to apply and doesn’t feel greasy on my skin. The handy 100ml bottle is small enough to fit in one of the pockets of my cycling jersey so I can reapply during the day. The thing I love about the oil is it doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky after application. It also has a lovely coconut fragrance which always reminds me of summer holidays!
The lotion has a much more gentle fragrance and is a nice consistency. It rubs in very easily, absorbing very quickly and is non greasy.
Both products have protected my skin from the sun and I will happily use them on all my family. With its UVA, UVB and water resistant properties, Malibu sunscreens offer great all-round protection, whether you are on the beach, walking, cycling or just out and about.
Malibu products are available as lotions, sprays, SPF face creams, lip balms and hair & scalp protectors with SPF10 to SPF50, so there is something to protect everyone this summer.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Dobble by Asmodee is one of our favourite travel games and travels everywhere with us. The handy tin is small enough to fit in my bag and has entertained our mini reviewers in many different locations over the years including trains, restaurants, hotel rooms, and campsites. When I heard that Dobble had launched a Scouts version I was quite excited as my whole family are involved in Scouting, so this version has a special significance for us.
Available directly from the Scout Store (where all profits are returned to the Scouts) this new version uses symbols associated with Scouting – you’ll find hiking boots, canoes, rucksacks, tents and many more outdoor adventure symbols on the game cards in Dobble Scouts.
With 5 different games to play this game will keep everyone entertained, both young as old as the good thing about this game is everyone is on a level. There’s always a matching symbol on any two cards but with 8 symbols on a card in different sizes and orientation it is more challenging than you would think and sometimes you will find yourself staring at your card for ages and still not see it!
A game doesn’t take long to play, around 5-10 minutes, but it is such good fun that you’ll find that everyone wants to play it over and over again. It’s a great game for 2 but equally as fun in a larger group.
In the words of the Scout motto – “Be Prepared” and put this in the pocket of your rucksack when you go off on an adventure – it’s great to play with friends old and new around a campfire in the evening once you’ve finished adventuring!
As well as the game the new Dobble Scouts collection will also include hoodies, badges and keyrings in the famous Scout colours and will make great gifts for Scouts young and oldCubs,
Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
The school holidays are almost here and whether you’re jetting off to far flung exotic places, camping or visiting friends and family the chances are you’ll want to keep your luggage as light as possible. One easy way to save both weight and space in your suitcase is to choose beauty products in travel friendly sizes like the Milk Travel Collection from Beauty Naturals. This suitcase friendly set contains all the essentials for a trip away – Shower Gel, Shampoo, Conditioner and Body Lotion and comes in a handy fabric gift bag which will be perfect for keeping bobbles and scrunchies in once the bottles are empty.
Fragranced with cedarwood and patchouli, these products will add a touch of luxury to any holiday and keep your hair and body lovely and fresh whilst you are away.
RRP £8.95 but currently on offer at £4.45 on the Beauty Naturals website
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We are keen walkers and most weekends you will find us out on the local fells or on top of hill somewhere. It is so important to keep hydrated when walking so I was really pleased to receive a Contigo Jackson Chill AUTOPOP™ Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle. It arrived just in time for our holiday and was a very welcome addition when we were climbing hills on a couple of particularly hot days.
When it comes to water bottles, I have very high standards – I need a bottle with a top that is easy to open and close and most importantly doesn’t leak. I look for bottles that are easy to clean, without too many nooks and crannies that can prove difficult to clean properly. I also need it to keep my water cold, so a bottle with an opening that is wide enough to get a few ice cubes in is a winner.
So how does the Jackson Chill AUTOPOP™ Vacuum-Insulated Water Bottle fare?
Well, incredibly well – not only does it look stylish this bottle is very practical too, the 590ml double walled vacuum bottle has a mouth wide enough for ice cubes and keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours. A great feature of this bottle is that you are able to open it one-handed so I don’t need to stop to have a drink and it has a decent sized spout that flows nicely. It is really comfortable to drink from and there was no metallic taste to the water.
Over the last couple of weeks the bottle has been stuffed into rucksacks, slid into pockets, slotted into my bike bottle holder and carried in a shopping bag and despite being flung around hasn’t leaked once. It has a very secure fitting lid which protects the spout from dirt and a button lock which, assuming you remember to click it in place, means it won’t open in your bag, thus avoiding accidental spills.
The feature I like most about this bottle is the secure fitting lid, I have had my fair share of leaky bottles over the years and believe me there is nothing worse than reaching into a rucksack and discovering your bottle has leaked!
I am really impressed with this bottle, not only does it look great, it’s easy to fill, nice to drink out of and is a good size. Reuseable bottles are so much better for the environment than single use plastic ones and if you buy a decent one like this Contigo one you will be using it for many years. This bottle is now an essential part of my walking gear and I have been recommending it to all my walking friends.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Ritter Sport are a German chocolate brand who make distinctive square chocolate bars that come in a wide range of fillings and flavours. In celebration of World Chocolate Day they sent me a box of their delicious nutty chocolate bars to try, with instructions to keep them squirreled away as the nutty treats are just too tempting for the local squirrels!
With the trademark Ritter Sport logo in the middle, the 100g bars feature images of chocolate coated nuts along with the green 100% certified Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing logo. On the reverse is the ingredients and nutritional information.
Opening the packaging, I was presented with a chunky bar of chocolate with 16 segments, each imprinted with the Ritter Sport logo. When I turned over the bar, I was pleased to see plenty of whole nuts, each segment had a least 1 and some even had 3!
Naturally sweet and with a satisfying crunch, hazelnuts and chocolate are a winning combination. All three varieties – Whole Hazlenuts, Dark Whole Hazlenuts and White Whole Hazlenuts – were absolutely scrumptious. I enjoyed the creaminess of the milk chocolate with the hazelnuts but my favourite was the dark chocolate bar as the bitterness of the dark chocolate contrasted nicely with the nut creating an incredibly moreish treat.
The Honey Salted Almond bar offered a satisfying crunch and the sweetness and saltiness created a real explosion of flavour in my mouth.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Walkers, hikers, runners, athletes and casual sock fans are discovering Darn Tough socks… but if you’re any of the above you probably know something about the Vermont, USA based company already.
Darn Tough socks are made from merino wool to be, well, darn tough. Their main selling point apart from being so hard wearing is that they are seam free so don’t rub and wear away over time, and if you’re a walker, that’s a big problem. They have additional features which make them so durable too. The shin areas typically have extra cushioning for wearing under boots (if they’re longer socks) thanks to the way the socks are woven. There’s added measures to prevent boot bite too. The extended toe box allows for wear and tear inside boots and shoes with a flex zone over the front of the foot so that you can rest assured that there isn’t the wear there from laced up shoes.
The heels are particularly well engineered to allow for lots of walking. Some of the snow socks (of which there are lot more new styles) have added weight to them for extra durability. There’s some new running socks this coming season which are shorter but allow for the same durability, but with the added bonus of being so pretty as well! If you look at the catalogue online, you’ll see that there’s a massive range of socks for men, women and children, but also a complete kaleidoscope of patterns. This hiking/trekking pair of women’s socks have a bear design on them! There’s plenty of other socks to choose from, not only for different activities but in different colours and even landscape designs on them. It makes them much easier to pair up after washing too!
The bonus of all Darn Tough socks is that no matter how they wear out, there is a lifetime guarantee on each pair that means they will replace your socks, no questions asked, whenever a hole appears or they wear down. What better promise of quality is that?
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Everyone has a water bottle nowadays and knows to stay away from plastic which typically isn’t easy to recycle, nor is it very good for your health, especially if left to heat up. Hydro Flask produce a whole range of flasks and food storage items which keep your drinks and food cold, or hot, for longer.
Using stainless steel and their TempShield double wall technology, flasks such as this 32oz (946ml) water flask can keep your drinks cooler, or hotter for longer. The inner workings of the flask include a vacuum insulation between the layers of the stainless steel, ensuring the drink doesn’t transfer heat to the outside of the bottle. Hydro Flask 32oz keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours.
Think of all the ways that this is practical – not just for camping or days out where there is no hot water, but keeping water at least warm to heat up a baby’s feed, or cold drinks when you’re on the go for long distance exercise. For taking in your daily water allowance, this flask only needs to be filled up once a day on average with nearly 1 litre capacity. It also looks good with the powder coating colour and black and steel lid.
The wide mouth of this flask allows you to drink as you walk or run, but Hydro Flask also have alternative lids which suit all sorts of needs. There’s the Flex Chug Cap – ideal for when running or walking because it narrows the mouth of the 32oz flask so that you don’t spill it as easily (no guarantees that you won’t though, especially if you’re running!) and comes with the same flex strap for easy carry. The Flex Chug Cap is also BPA and toxin free and can be put in the dishwasher like all the other flasks.
The second attachment for the Hydro Flask 32oz is the Wide Mouth Flex Straw Cap. It fits all Wide Mouth Hydro Flask bottles and comes with two straws which can be cut down to size. It’s also insulated and like all the flasks and their lids, it’s leakproof when closed. It’s not for hot liquids though, but I’m not sure there is any hot drink you use a straw for nowadays anyway? The Wide Mouth Flex Straw Cap is also BPA free.
The Hydro Flask 32oz comes in a range of colours, including this green, called Dew, but other colours include white, black, Gojo (red) and Lupine (lilac). There’s a 100% customer satisfaction warrantee on each flask meaning there’s a limited lifetime warrantee against manufacturer defects.
Hydro Flask are quite possibly the future in insulated flasks, especially in the wake of anti-plastic.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s holiday time and we’re off exploring the beautiful countryside in Somerset. We’ve got everything packed, including all our tech – it’s surprising just how many items need charging. A quick look shows two phones, two smart watches, earbuds, a camera, the GPS for my bike and a couple of rechargeable bike lights. That’s a lot of charging cables and there are only two USB sockets in the motorhome.
To make things easier, I’m trying out a USB power bank from iWALK. The PowerSquid has a capacity of 9000mAh and offers quick charging to compatible devices. Its name comes from the fact that it has three built-in charging cables that are permanently attached, looking like the legs of a squid. With micro USB, USB-C and Lightning, many devices are covered but for complete coverage there is of course a standard USB socket too. Charging is via USB-C and a USB-C cable is included.
Mine is white but black and pink models are also available, it weighs 200g and feels really well made. A small LED display gives the percentage charge and also shows if fast charging is being used.
With multiple outputs the PowerSquid is able to charge a number of devices at the same time and it can also take on a charge at the same time, this was perfect in the motorhome where USB sockets are limited. It is also capable of offering fast charge to compatible devices with 5v, 9v or 12v offered on the USB-C and USB-A connector. It can charge a Samsung S22 up to 50% in 30 minutes and was able to charge my phone around one and a half times on a full charge so it will be great for weekends away. The cables all clip neatly into the casing so no more tangled cables in your bag.
It is compatible with iPhone 14/14 Pro Max/iPhone 13 Pro Max/13 Pro/13, Samsung Google Pixel & Apple HomePod devices.
I am really happy with this power bank, it is going to be indispensable when travelling both in the UK and abroad. My teenage sons have already been eying it up so that’s their birthday presents sorted too!
The Review Studio 