Here at Woodlore HQ, we asked the members of our full-time team to pick their favourite courses and pieces of kit from our range, to find out just what it is that makes them so good. Woodlore’s Head of Operations, Dan Hume, picked his Rogue Desert Boots:
Dan Hume and his Rogue Desert Boots, during Woodlore’s Birch Bark Canoe Building course
It gives us great pleasure to introduce to you the Ray Mears Leaf Cutter Rucksack, the first ever pack to have been designed and tested by Ray Mears himself:
The Ray Mears Leaf Cutter Rucksack
Manufactured in small numbers right here in Great Britain, the Leaf Cutter Rucksack offers 58 litres of packing volume in its main compartment despite weighing in at just 1.8 kg.
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The first ever autobiography by Ray Mears, entitled My Outdoor Life, is now available to pre-order. Each copy sold through Woodlore will come individually signed by Ray Mears himself – a service that is not available through any other stockists.
Please click here to pre-order your copy today
*All orders will be dispatched following the book’s release date of 12th September 2013.
Your jacket is often your first line of defence against the elements, so it’s important to choose one that isn’t going to let you down. Woodlore stock a wide range of premium outdoor jackets – here are just three of our favourites:
1. Swazi/Ray Mears Tahr XP Anorak
First in line is the legendary Swazi Tahr XP Anorak – an unmistakable piece of outdoor gear that has become Ray Mears’ firm favourite over the years. Originally designed for use by the farm workers of New Zealand (a people who see more than their fair share of rain), news soon spread of its unrivalled wet-weather performance and the anorak was quickly adopted by bushcraft enthusiasts and outdoor professionals around the world. With its extra-long cut, world-renowned hood design and highly breathable AEGIS fabric, the Tahr XP is the cream of the crop when it comes to staying dry.
For anyone interested in buying a set of Ice Bear Japanese Waterstones, the following video guides from Ray Mears may prove to be very useful. They’re especially helpful if you are not already familiar with the different techniques involved in using these larger benchstones.
The Ice Bear Japanese Waterstone Sharpening Set
Each video shows Ray using the comprehensive Ice Bear Sharpening Set (which includes both 800 and 2,000 grit stones, a clamp and nagura stone), as well as an additional 1,200 Grit Waterstone.
First up is the Ray Mears guide on how to sharpen your bushcraft knife:
Second is a guide for owners of Gransfors Axes:
Click here to view the full range of Sharpening Tools at Woodlore
The following article was written by Aspirant Instructor Rob Bashford about a recent coast to coast journey he undertook across the top of Scotland:
The plan was simple. To cross the Northern Highlands of Scotland on foot from West coast to East coast, a distance of some 65 miles.
Packing for a trip is an art and my girlfriend and I were striving to achieve the right balance between light pack weight, safety and comfort. This means thinking hard about what items are really essential and those which can be considered a luxury. On this note, we opted to carry bivi bags and a tarp, rather than a tent. As someone who has spent a lot of time under tarps in the woods, I know they are a fantastic way to sleep out and I was keen to experiment with pitching my new Hilleberg tarp in the open terrain of the Scottish Highlands.
The Hilleberg Tarp in use in Scotland
Here at Woodlore HQ, we’ve asked the members of our full-time team to pick their favourite courses and kit from our range, to find out just what it is that makes them so good. Woodlore’s director Steve Gurney picked his 5.11 Tactical HRT Advance Boots:
Steve starts a snowy winter’s day in his 5.11 boots
I purchased my 5.11 boots back in October 2008 after Ray recommended them to me. Ray mentioned that they were great to wear when travelling and I really liked the look of them. I am pleased to say that this same pair is still going strong today.
The 5.11 Tactical HRT Advance Boots were instantly comfortable and the UK sizing was fine. I find them so versatile that I wear them throughout the year in the UK; they manage to keep my feet cool in the summer, due to the vent holes, but also warm and dry in the winter, even in the snow.
5.11 state that these boots are designed to be lightweight and responsive, and I definitely agree with this. When I put these boots on in the mornings, they help give me that “ready for the day ahead” feeling and they are great for general day-to-day use and are not too bulky or clumsy for driving. The durable side zipper is also worth a mention as it really makes putting the boots on or taking them off very easy and quick; there is no need to touch the laces at all.
In summary, a very durable, comfortable and versatile boot, and I expect to wear mine for many years to come!
– Steve Gurney
The 5.11 Tactical HRT Advance Boot
When dressing for the cold, a mistake that people often make is to simply throw a fleece and a warm jacket over the top of their regular T-shirt. The problem here is that your standard cotton T-shirt offers very little in terms of insulation and – what’s worse – often has very poor breathability. Throughout the day the T-shirt tends to soak up any perspiration, leaving you with a cold, damp layer right next to your skin. It’s surprising just how much difference a decent base-layer can make to your overall warmth, and with the natural wicking ability of wool, you’ll find yourself dry and comfortable all day long. Here are three of our favourites:
1. Icebreaker Oasis T-Shirt
An extremely lightweight T-shirt made from 100% merino wool, the Icebreaker Oasis Short Sleeve Crew makes a fantastic base layer for year-round use. Thanks to the superfine merino wool used by Icebreaker, this base layer is softer against the skin when compared to many other woollen garments, making it suitable for those with sensitive skin. It has been ergonomically shaped for a more comfortable fit, resulting in the perfect base layer for active use such as cycling, running or hill-walking.
As we all know, one of the most important factors when venturing out in cold conditions is to take care of your extremities – that is, your head, hands and feet. Body heat is lost at a much faster rate from these areas than elsewhere on the body, so it is essential to protect them with some decent headwear, gloves and socks. Today we’ll be looking at some of our favourite winter hats.
1. Possum Fur and Merino Wool Beanie Hat
First up is the modern classic that is the Possum & Merino Beanie Hat. Made in New Zealand as a by-product of their Possum Control Programme, this beanie makes an environmentally sound choice while providing you with a luxuriously soft and warm bit of headwear. The fur of the possum features a hollow core, and it is this detail (shared only with the polar bear) that helps make this hat even more insulating than traditional 100% woollen versions.
Here at Woodlore HQ, we asked the members of our full-time team to pick their favourite courses and kit from our range, to find out just what it is that makes them so good.
Here at Woodlore HQ, we asked the members of our full-time team to pick their favourite courses and kit from our range, to find out just what it is that makes them so good.
Team member Diana Taylor picked her Le Chameau Chasseurnord Wellington Boots:
Di putting her Le Chameau boots and Bergans Down Light Jacket to the test at the stables with Hugo
The Ray Mears & Woodlore Bushcraft Blog 